Applying inside the UK: document checklist

Whether you need to show financial evidence depends on how long you’ve been living in the UK.

• If you have lived in the UK for at least 12 continuous months or more at the time of your application, you don’t need to submit any financial evidence with your visa application.
• If you have had one or more absence(s) from the UK in the 12 months before you submit your visa application, and the total time you were outside the UK was more than three months, you don’t automatically meet the financial requirement. You will need to prepare financial evidence to show that you have enough money to study and live in the UK before starting your visa application. Depending on your nationality, you might not need to submit these documents, but you should still have them ready.

Gathering documents

The time required depends 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.

Tip: Make sure all documents are prepared in the correct format and ready before you submit your application.

Need more details?

See our financial requirements pages for full details on what documents you need and how to meet the requirements.

Financial requirements 

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)

If you are applying for your visa inside the UK, you will usually need to meet academic progression requirements set by UKVI (unless you qualify for an exemption).

This means you must show that you have successfully completed your most recent programme of study while studying in the UK with a student visa.

You can prove this with one of the following:

• Official transcript or a certificate confirming you have been awarded your qualification, or
• A letter from your university or institution confirming that you have successfully completed (or are highly likely to successfully complete) your programme

If you’re exempt

If an exemption applies to you, this will be confirmed on your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies). In this case, you won’t need to provide any additional documents for academic progression.

Want to know more?

Find out more about academic progression requirements and exemptions.

Time limits on study and academic progression 

Selected Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programmes may require you to have an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate, depending on your nationality.

Your offer letter from the University will indicate if ATAS clearance is needed. If required, you must have a valid ATAS certificate on the day you submit your visa application.

Applying for an ATAS certificate

• You can apply for your ATAS certificate up to 6 months before your visa application.
• Certificates are valid for 6 months and must be valid on the visa application date.

Processing time

ATAS applications usually take at least 30 working days (around 6 weeks). Processing may take longer during peak periods (July–August).

Tip: You should apply as soon as you get a conditional offer, but not more than 6 months before your visa application date.

How to apply for an ATAS certificate

Degree level or above

If your programme of study is at degree level or above (for example, a bachelors degree or higher), you will not need to submit any certificates or official transcripts of the qualifications with your Student visa application. The relevant information used by the University to assess your suitability for your programme will be confirmed on your CAS.

Below Degree level

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.

Your qualifications will be listed on your CAS.

Find out more about evidence for academic qualifications 

Degree level or above

If your programme of study is at degree level or above (for example, a bachelors degree or higher), you will not need to submit any documents to prove your English language skills in your Student visa application. Your CAS will confirm that your English language ability has been assessed by the University. 

Below Degree level

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

If you are under 18 when applying for a Student visa, you must include a letter from your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) confirming their support. The letter should clearly state:

• Their relationship to you
• Their consent to your Student visa application
• Their consent to your living arrangements in the UK

If one parent or guardian has sole legal custody, the letter should confirm this and be signed by that parent or guardian. Otherwise, both parents or guardians must provide consent and sign the letter.

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 translator’s full name
• The translator’s signature (or that of an employee of the translation company)
• The translator’s contact details or the translation company’s details
• A statement confirming the translation is accurate