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Applying for a visa

Applying for a visa from outside the UK

Before you can apply for a Student Visa, you will need a CAS from the University of Bradford.

You will need to apply online for your visa. After making your online application, you will need to make an appointment at a visa application centre to have your fingerprints and photograph captured. 

The standard application fee is £490, however different countries and application centres may offer priority services or additional services. You can find more details on different fee types here.

You should bring your original documents to your biometric appointment.

Please read the documentation sent with your CAS email carefully as this will guide you through the visa application process.  

This UKVI guide contains useful information relating to applying for your Student Visa.

You can also use the Home Office website and official Home office guidance for assistance.

Applying for a visa from within the UK

If you are currently in the UK on a valid visa in another immigration category (excluding visitor and short-term-study visas), you may be able to apply for your new visa from within the UK. 

In order to apply from within the UK you must:

  • Have permission to remain on a visa category allowing you to switch in country
  • Have valid permission to remain at the time of your application (i.e. your Student Visa must still be in date). 
  • Have a valid passport

Before you can apply for a Student Visa, you will need a CAS from the University of Bradford.

The standard application fee is £490. You must apply online for a Student Visa. The Visa Support Team can help you with your application, even if you are not currently a University of Bradford Student. Please contact us if you require additional support.

Switching from another visa in the UK

You may be able to switch to a Student Visa if you already have permission to be in the UK.

You cannot switch to this visa if you have one of the following visas:

  • A visit visa
  • A short-term student visa
  • A Parent of a Child Student visa
  • A seasonal worker visa
  • A domestic worker in a private household visa
  • Leave outside the immigration rules

Most other migrants with valid permission to be in the UK and an extant visa will be able to apply to switch to a Student Visa from within the UK. You can find out more about switching visas in the UK on the government website.

Documents for visa application

Once you have filled in your visa application, you will be required to submit your documents. You should receive a checklist which specifies what documents you will need to provide.

Student Visa applicants need to provide:

  • A current passport
  • The academic evidence stated in your CAS
  • Your tuberculosis test results if you are  from a country requiring clearance
  • Financial evidence showing that you have the remaining tuition fee and appropriate amount of maintenance or that you are fully sponsored
    • (countries on the differential evidence requirement list are not expected to provide this evidence with the application, but the Home Office can ask for it so it is advisable to have it prepared)
  • (if specified in your offer letter that your course requires ATAS clearance) an in-date ATAS certificate, provided you are not from a country that is exempt
  • (if you are under 18) proof of your relationship with your parent or guardian and consent

You will not need to provide your evidence for English Language unless it is stated on your CAS (this applies to applicants studying pre-sessional and foundation courses). The university has already assessed you proficiency in English prior to issuing the CAS.

You may need to show additional documents based on your circumstances, so you should examine your document checklist carefully.

Immigration Health Surcharge

As part of your visa application you will be required to pay a health care surcharge, called the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). If you are applying online or through a premium service centre, you will pay the surcharge as part of your application or when you book an appointment.

It is a payment of £776 per year for each Student Route applicant and is paid for the duration of your total visa length, for example:

  • A student on a 3 year undergraduate course will be issued a visa for 3 years plus 4 months, the total charge would be £2,716. This would be based on £776 x 3 years plus £388 for the extra 4 months;
  • A student on a 1 year postgraduate course will be issued a visa for 1 year plus 4 months, the total charge would be £1,164. This would be based on £776 x 1 year plus £388 for the extra 4 months;
  • A student on a 4 year research course will be issued a visa for 4 years plus 4 months, the total charge would be £3,492. This would be based on £776 x 4 years plus £388 for the extra 4 months.

If you are are eligible to bring your dependants then they will be subject to the figures above and will be required to pay this as part of their visa application.

You can use this calculator to work out how much you may need to pay.

Paying this as part of your application will mean that you are entitled to receive free health services from the National Health Services (NHS) while you are in the UK, you will still need to pay for certain types of services, e.g. prescriptions, dental treatment and eye tests.

You do not have to pay the IHS if you are applying from outside the UK for a visitor visa or any visa that lasts less than 6 months. If this is your situation, you may want to consider obtaining comprehensive sickness insurance.

Visa processing times

Visa processing times vary from country to country. Please ensure that you apply with plenty of time for your visa application to be processed before your course starts. See the government website to check how long it may take to make a decision on your visa outside the UK.

Please remember that the actual processing times may vary depending on your circumstances and the date of application. A standard visa application can take up to 8 weeks to process; if you have not had a decision once the 8 weeks have passed, please contact the Visa Support Team.

Please check to see whether your course permits late arrival.