Last reviewed: 30 April 2026 | Sources: Home Office GOV.UK — Student visa: extend your visa | University of Leeds, Liverpool, Oxford — UKVI guidance
⚡ TL;DR — Skip to what matters
You must apply to extend your Student visa before your current visa expires — not after. Apply up to 3 months before your new course starts. The standard fee is £558 (from 8 April 2026, up from £524). Financial evidence must show funds held for 28 consecutive days immediately before application. If you have lived in the UK for 12 or more months, you are automatically exempt from providing financial evidence. Academic progression to a higher level is generally required.
📋 Key Facts at a Glance
- Apply: up to 3 months before new course start date, and BEFORE current visa expires
- Section 3C leave: if you apply before expiry, you remain lawfully in the UK while the decision is pending
- Standard fee from 8 April 2026: £558 (priority: £1,058 | super-priority: £1,558)
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £776 per year of visa (£388 for periods under 6 months)
- Financial evidence: funds held for 28 consecutive days, final date within 31 days of application
- London maintenance: £1,529/month (up to 9 months = £14,319 total)
- Outside London maintenance: £1,171/month (up to 9 months = £10,539 total)
- 12-month exemption: if you have been in UK for 12+ consecutive months, no financial evidence needed
- Academic progression: generally must be to a higher level unless intercalating or changing course at degree level at an HEP
- Source: GOV.UK — Student visa: extend your visa | Home Office fee schedule April 2026
When to apply
The timing of your application is critical. You must apply before your current visa expires. If your visa expires before your application is submitted, you will be an overstayer — even if only by one day — and your application is likely to be refused. UKVI recommends applying at least 3 months before your visa expires.
The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your new course start date (shown on your new CAS). If your current visa will expire before that 3-month window opens, apply as soon as possible within the permitted window.
Section 3C leave: If you apply before your current visa expires, your leave is automatically extended under Section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971 while your application is pending — even if the decision arrives after your visa expiry date. You remain lawfully in the UK throughout this period. Section 3C leave ends when a decision is made or any appeal period expires.
What you need: the CAS
Every student visa extension requires a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed UK sponsor. Your institution must hold a current Tier 4/Student sponsor licence — check the Home Office register before applying. The CAS is an electronic document containing a unique reference number; it is not a physical letter. Your CAS must match exactly the course details, dates and tuition fees you declare on your application. Any mismatch is a common refusal trigger.
Financial evidence: the 28-day rule
Unless you qualify for the 12-month exemption (see below), you must show that you have sufficient funds to cover your maintenance and tuition fees. The key rule: funds must have been held in your bank account (or official sponsor's account) for a continuous period of at least 28 days immediately before your application date. The balance on the final day of that 28-day period must be within 31 days of your application date.
| Study location | Monthly maintenance required | Maximum assessed period | Total needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | £1,529 | 9 months | £14,319 |
| Outside London | £1,171 | 9 months | £10,539 |
You must also show funds to cover any outstanding tuition fees for your new course. If your fees are fully covered by a scholarship or official sponsor, a formal letter from the funder is sufficient — you do not need personal savings in addition.
The 12-month financial exemption
If you have been living in the UK for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before your application, you do not need to provide any financial evidence. Short holidays and absences do not break this period — but a significant absence of 3 or more months may mean you do not qualify. If in doubt, submit financial evidence anyway rather than rely on this exemption.
Academic progression requirement
To extend your Student visa for a new course, your new course must generally be at a higher academic level than your current one. Exceptions include:
- Courses at the same level if related to your current course and at a Higher Education Provider (HEP) at degree level or above
- Intercalated courses in medicine, dentistry or medical science
- Professional qualifications (PGCE, Bar Training Course, Legal Practice Course) that are at the same level by professional necessity
- Completing a course at the same level at a new institution if your previous institution lost its sponsor licence
Visa brake: restricted nationalities
From 26 March 2026, nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan cannot make new Student visa applications from outside the UK. In-country extensions remain available for existing visa holders from these nationalities. Check GOV.UK for current status as the brake is reviewed regularly.
Frequently asked questions
What if my CAS is delayed and my visa expires?
Contact UKVI immediately. If your visa expires while you are waiting for your CAS, seek urgent advice from a regulated immigration adviser — do not wait. If you are a student at a UK institution, contact your university's international student advisory service as an emergency measure.
Can I work while my extension application is pending?
Yes — Section 3C leave preserves your existing conditions, including your right to work the hours permitted under your Student visa (20 hours per week during term time, full-time during vacations) while your application is pending.
What is ATAS and do I need it?
The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) requires students in certain science, engineering and technology subjects to obtain security clearance before their visa is issued. If your course requires ATAS clearance, your CAS will state this. Without a valid ATAS certificate, your extension will be refused. Apply early — ATAS processing can take several weeks.
Do dependants need separate extension applications?
Yes. Dependants (spouses and children) must each make their own separate in-country extension application. Each application carries the standard fee and IHS. Dependant sponsorship on the Student route is restricted to government-sponsored students and postgraduate research students at RQF Level 8 (PhD) — undergraduate and taught postgraduate students cannot bring dependants.
Can I switch to the Graduate visa after my Student visa?
Yes, if you have completed a qualifying UK degree or postgraduate qualification. The Graduate visa allows you to stay and work (or look for work) for 2 years (or 3 years for PhD graduates) after completing your studies. Apply from within the UK while your Student visa is still valid. The Graduate visa cannot be extended.
Sources & References
- GOV.UK — Student visa: extend your visa: gov.uk/student-visa/extend-your-visa
- Home Office visa fee schedule (April 2026) — £558 standard student extension fee
- University of Leeds — Extending your visa in the UK (student guidance, April 2026)
- Oxford University — Applying for a Student visa from within the UK
- GOV.UK — Visa brake: changes to the UK visa system (26 March 2026)
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. UK visa rules change frequently — always verify at GOV.UK before applying. For more guides visit our UK Visa hub.
