Applying for a Student visa outside the UK

All you need to know about applying for your Student visa from outside the UK, including where, when and how to apply, and how much it costs.

Where to apply

If you are making your Student visa application from outside the UK, you must apply in your home country or normal country of residence.  This means any country that you have legal permission to be in for more than 6 months. 

Do not enter the UK before getting your visa

You shouldn't try and enter the country before your visa is approved. This means you shouldn’t enter the UK as a tourist.  If you enter the UK before the process is complete, you’ll need to leave the country and return to the UK once you have received your visa decision.

When to apply

If you’re applying outside the UK, you can submit your application up to 6 months before your programme starts, provided you’ve gathered all the documents needed for your application. How long it takes to gather these documents depends on the document type, your circumstances and the time of year.  This is why it’s important to research what you need before you start the application process.

Find out what documents you will need

You should aim to start your application as soon as you have received your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number.


 

How to apply

Step 1: Complete online application form

The first step is to complete an online application on the UK Government website.  The application process depends on your nationality and what type of passport you have.

  • Most EU/EEA/Swiss nationals can use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to complete the entire visa process online, with no need to attend an appointment.
  • Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals submit the application online and then will need to book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre.

You’ll be directed to the correct process for you after answering some initial questions in the visa application.

Step 2:  Book an appointment

Please note this step is not required if you used the UK Immigration: ID Check app to prove your identity.

Otherwise, you will need to book a biometrics appointment to:

  • get your fingerprints scanned in person
  • have your photo taken

How to apply for a visa to come to the UK: Prove your identity guide

Appointments are either free or chargeable. This will depend on the visa application centre and location. 

You can also pay for premium services when booking, such as having your documents scanned for you. You can find out how much these services cost at the visa application centre website. 

Search for your nearest visa application centre

Step 3: Upload your documents 

If you used the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app, you may be asked to upload supporting documents as part of the application process.

If you need to attend a visa appointment, you can choose to self-upload your documents before your appointment, or pay an extra fee to have the staff at the visa application centre do this for you.

Check the guidance on the website of your local visa application centre, as processes may vary.

Step 4: Attend an interview, if you are invited

UKVI may interview you as part of your student visa application process. The purpose of the interview is to assess if you are a genuine and credible student.   Most students are not selected for interview, but if you are invited it is important to prepare.

Read more about credibility interviews

Step 5: Receive your visa

Your visa decision will be sent via email. 

The decision notice will provide instructions on how to create your UKVI account so that you can view your eVisa. You must set up your eVisa account before you travel to the UK. You must only travel to the UK on or after the “valid from” date that appears on your eVisa. 

Find out more about eVisas

To apply for a Student visa, you will need to pay an application fee, as well as a healthcare surcharge to give you medical coverage while you’re studying here.  Your visa application date will be the date you pay the fees.

If you have dependants coming to the UK with you, the fees are the same for each person applying.

Application fee 

You will be able to choose from up to three different options for the application fee:  

Standard Service (15 working days*) £558 
Priority Service (5 working days*) £1058 
Super-Priority Service (1 working day*) £1558 

*Timescales are provided by UKVI as a guideline, and are not guaranteed.  Sometimes delays can happen, even if you pay extra for a faster decision.  The processing time starts from the date UKVI have all required information, including your biometrics if you need to attend a visa appointment.

Keep in mind that priority services are not always available, depending on location and demand.  You will be able to view the available options when you submit your application online.

Fees are payable in local currency and so the exact amounts may vary depending on exchange rates and transaction fees. 

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) 

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is an additional mandatory fee that you need to pay as part of your integrated visa application.  If you are in the UK with a valid Student visa, you will be able to access medical treatment via the National Health Service (NHS). 

If applying from outside the UK, the IHS will be charged if your visa duration will be 6 months or longer.  Keep in mind that the length of your Student visa permission will be longer than your actual course duration.

IHS charges:

  • £776 for a year
  • £388 for any period of up to 6 months

Once you've paid your application fee and IHS (if applicable) and submitted your online visa application, then this would be your 'date of application'.

Find out more about the IHS and healthcare in the UK at the following webpages:

Read our guidance about the Immigration Health Surcharge

UK Government website

UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) 

Additional fees

If you need to attend a visa application centre in person, there may be some additional fees to factor in: 

  • Some centres charge a fee for attending a visa appointment (many others are free to use).
  • Some centres only offer premium services, which means you will need to pay for a premium service (such as additional assistance) to use them.
  • Some centres charge you for uploading your supporting documents during your appointment. To avoid this, you can upload your documents before your appointment.

You can find out about the fees charged by your nearest visa application centre by consulting the list of countries on the UKVI website. 

Find a visa application centre  


It normally takes 3 weeks (15 working days) to receive a decision once you have completed your visa application online, submitted any required documents and confirmed your identity at an appointment or with the UK Immigration: ID Check app.

Many visa application centres offer priority services, which allow you to get a faster decision on your visa application. 

Usually there will be a priority service (5 working days) and a super-priority service (1 working day) to receive a decision.

If a priority service is available to you, this will be bookable when you pay for your visa application online.  You cannot upgrade to a priority service or request a faster decision after you have submitted your application.


The impact of a delayed visa on your studies depends on your programme. Generally, PhD programmes tend to offer more flexibility with delayed starts.  

Please contact us for advice if you will not receive your visa in time for your programme start date.

Contact us through our enquiry form


Contact us immediately if your visa application has been refused. 

Email us at studentimmigration@ed.ac.uk

In your email, provide the following:    

  • your name
  • your date of birth
  • your nationality
  • your student number
  • where you made your application
  • an attachment with your refusal notice (include all pages)  

We prioritise visa refusals, so you can get advice as quickly as possible.   


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