Applying inside the UK: document checklist

Everyone applying to extend or switch to a Student visa needs a valid passport. 

You will need to submit copies of your passport as part of your application, but you will not need to send it away.  

If your passport is due to expire while you are here, you may be able to renew it from the UK. To find out, check with the passport issuing authority in your home country. 

Everyone applying to extend or switch to a Student visa needs a CAS number. 

A CAS is a digital document created by the University, which shows we have given you an unconditional offer to study. Your CAS contains information about your programme, fees and qualifications.  

We will create a draft version of your CAS for you to check. Once this has been confirmed, you will receive a CAS number which you must use to make your visa application. 

We can issue your CAS up to 3 months before the start of your programme.  

How long it takes to get a CAS number 

How long it takes to receive your CAS number depends on your level of study and the time of year. 

See our CAS pages to get a better idea of how long it will take to receive your CAS number after requesting it. 

Find out more about getting your CAS number 

If you have lived in the UK for at least 12 continuous months at the time of your application, you don’t need to submit any financial evidence with your visa application. 

If you have lived in the UK for less than 12 months, you will need to gather financial evidence to show that you have enough money to study and live in the UK. However, depending on your nationality, you may not be required to submit the information with your visa application. 

How long it takes to gather financial documents

How long it takes to gather financial documents will depend on how you are funding your studies. For example, you may be able to download bank statements yourself, or you may have to wait for a funding provider to send you a letter confirming your funds. 

See our financial requirements pages for more information on what documents you will need.  

Find out more about gathering financial documents when applying for a Student visa

Any documents that are not in English must be translated by a professional translator. You must submit a fully certified translation that includes:  

• the date of the translation   
• the full name of the translator   
• the signature of the translator or an employee of the translation company   
• the translator's contact details or the translation company's details  
• a confirmation that the document is an accurate translation

If you were issued with a Biometric Residence Permit for your most recent visa application, you must provide or upload a clear copy of your BRP card with your application. 

If you had a full scholarship (all fees and living costs) issued by a 'government' or 'international scholarship agency' within the last 12 months, and have 'completed' this programme of study, you will require a letter of written unconditional consent from the financial scholarship provider (consent to allow you to apply for a visa extension)

Selected science and technology programmes may require you to have an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate, and this will depend on your nationality. You can find out if this applies to you in your offer letter from the University. 

You can apply for an ATAS certificate 6 months before you submit your visa application. ATAS certificates are valid for 6 months. They must be used in a Student visa application in this timeframe.  

If you are extending your visa 

An ATAS certificate is only valid for 6 months. This means if you are extending your visa, you will need a new ATAS certificate, even if you previously had one. 

How long it takes to get an ATAS certificate  

Usually, ATAS decisions take at least 4 to 6 weeks. But a decision can take longer, especially during peak times in July and August.  

You should apply as soon as you get a conditional offer, but no more than 6 months before the day you submit your visa application.  

How to apply for an ATAS certificate

If you have applied for a programme of study which is below degree level, you will need to submit certificates or official transcripts of the qualifications used by the University to assess your suitability for the course.  

You might not need to show your qualifications if you are from a certain country.  

Find out more 

Evidence for academic qualifications 

You need to prove that you can speak, write and understand English to a standard that will allow you to study your programme.  

You can do this by showing one of the following: 

• a certificate that shows you passed the Secure English Language Test (SELT) 
• a certificate showing you have a degree from a majority English-speaking country (along with a certificate from UK ENIC which confirms the level of your degree programme) 
• a passport that shows you are a national of a majority English-speaking country 

How long it takes to gather English language documents 

If you need to take a SELT, you should be able to take a test within 28 days of booking, but it may not be at the location nearest to you. 

If you need a certificate from UK ENIC, they will complete your assessment within 15 working days. 24-hour or 48-hour fast-track services are available at an additional fee. 

Find out more about what English language documents you will need

You must be able to prove that you have successfully completed your most recent course of study undertaken with immigration permission.  

You can do this using: 

•  official transcripts or a certificate showing that you have been awarded the qualification 

or 

• a letter from your institution stating that you have successfully completed (or that you are highly likely to successfully complete) your course. 

Find out more about academic progression

If you are under 18 when you apply for a Student visa, you must include a letter from your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) to show that they support your application. This letter must confirm all of the following: 

• their relationship to you 
• that they consent to your application as a student 
• that they consent to your living arrangements in the UK 

If one parent or legal guardian has legal custody or sole responsibility for you, the letter must confirm this and be signed by that parent or legal guardian. Otherwise, both parents or legal guardians must give their consent and sign the letter.