Extending Student Visa UK

Key takeaways

• You can extend your Student visa from inside the UK if you hold a valid Student or Tier 4 (General) visa and have a new unconditional offer confirmed by a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed student sponsor.
• Your new course must normally show academic progression, meaning it is at a higher level than your current course, though several exceptions apply.
• The application fee to extend from inside the UK is £558, and the Immigration Health Surcharge is £776 for each year of your stay (as of August 2026).
• You must usually show maintenance funds of £1,529 per month if you study in London or £1,171 per month outside London, for up to nine months, held for 28 days in a row.
• You must apply before your current visa expires; a decision is usually made within eight weeks, and priority services may be available at extra cost.
• While your application is pending you can stay in the UK on the same conditions, but you should not travel outside the UK, Ireland or the Channel Islands until it is decided.

If you need more time to complete your studies in the United Kingdom, you may be able to extend your Student visa from inside the country. An extension lets you stay to finish your current course, move on to a new course at the same institution, or study at a higher academic level, without leaving the UK.

Sterling Law advises students, graduates and their families on Student visa extensions and on the routes available after study. If you are unsure whether you qualify, or your circumstances are unusual, taking advice before you submit can prevent a costly refusal.

Table of contents

• What does extending a Student visa mean?
• Who is eligible to extend a Student visa?
• What is the academic progression requirement?
• How much does it cost to extend a Student visa?
• How much money do you need to show?
• When should you apply to extend your Student visa?
• What documents do you need?
• How long does a Student visa extension take?
• Can you work and travel while your extension is pending?
• What happens if your extension is refused?
• What are your options after your Student visa?
• How can we help?
• FAQ

What does extending a Student visa mean?

Extending a Student visa means applying from inside the UK to stay longer on the Student route, either to finish your current course or to begin a new one. You keep the same visa route rather than switching to a different type of permission, and you do not have to return to your home country to apply.

An extension is the right option when your studies will take longer than your current visa allows, when you are moving on to a further qualification, or when you are changing to a new course at the same or a higher academic level. If you want to stay in the UK to work after graduating, a different route such as the Graduate visa or the Skilled Worker visa will usually be more appropriate.

Who is eligible to extend a Student visa?

You can apply to extend your Student visa if you are already in the UK on a Student or Tier 4 (General) student visa and you meet the Home Office requirements. In summary, you must:

• be in the UK on a current Student or Tier 4 (General) student visa;
• have an unconditional offer of a place on a course from a licensed student sponsor, confirmed by a valid CAS;
• meet the academic progression requirement, unless an exception applies;
• have enough money to support yourself and pay your course fees; and
• apply before your current visa expires.

If you have been in the UK for less than 12 months, you will also need to show that you have held the required maintenance funds. Students who have been in the UK for 12 months or more at the date of application are usually exempt from the financial requirement.

What is the academic progression requirement?

Academic progression means your new course must generally represent a step up from your last one. The Home Office will accept your course if it is at a higher academic level than your current course, at the same level but related to your previous studies (degree level or above only) where it supports your genuine career plans, or intercalated with a medicine, dentistry or medical science programme.

Several situations are treated as exceptions to the progression rule, including where you are:

• resitting examinations or repeating modules on your current course;
• re-sitting a course after your previous sponsor lost its licence;
• returning to study after time spent as a students’ union sabbatical officer;
• resuming a course after an approved work placement or study abroad programme; or
• completing a PhD or other doctorate you had already begun.

Because progression is one of the most common reasons for refusal, it is worth confirming that your new course qualifies before you apply.

How much does it cost to extend a Student visa?

The main costs of extending a Student visa from inside the UK are the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, which gives you access to the National Health Service during your stay.

You pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for each year your extended visa covers, and part-years are charged pro rata. You will also need to pay your course tuition fees separately to your institution.

How much money do you need to show?

Unless you are exempt, you must show that you have enough money to cover your course fees for one academic year and your living costs. The living-cost amounts depend on where you will study.

You must hold the required funds for at least 28 days in a row, and the 28-day period must end no more than 31 days before you apply. Students who have been in the UK for 12 months or more at the date of application usually do not need to prove maintenance funds.

When should you apply to extend your Student visa?

You should apply before your current visa expires, and you can apply from inside the UK as early as three months before your new course begins. Your new course must start within 28 days of your current visa expiring, and you must apply within six months of the date your CAS was issued.

Applying in good time matters. If you submit a valid application before your current visa runs out, your existing conditions continue automatically while a decision is awaited, which protects your right to stay and, where relevant, to work. Leaving the application until after your visa has expired can make you an overstayer and put your studies and future applications at risk.

What documents do you need?

The exact documents depend on your circumstances, but most applicants need to provide:

• a current passport or other valid travel document, and your biometric residence permit or eVisa details;
• your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number from your new sponsor;
• evidence of the qualifications used to obtain your CAS, if requested;
• proof of your maintenance funds, such as bank statements, unless you are exempt; and
• a valid tuberculosis test certificate, if you are from a country where one is required.

If family members are applying to stay with you, you will also need documents for each student dependant, including evidence of your relationship and additional funds.

How long does a Student visa extension take?

A decision on a Student visa extension is usually made within eight weeks of your biometric appointment, although timescales can vary. Where a faster decision is available, priority and super-priority services can reduce the wait to a few working days or the next working day for an additional fee, subject to availability.

You should not make travel plans or commit to important dates until you have a decision, because leaving the country can affect your application.

Can you work and travel while your extension is pending?

While your extension is being decided you can normally stay in the UK on the same conditions as your existing visa. If your current visa allows you to work, most degree-level students at higher education providers can work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full time during official vacations, subject to the conditions on their visa.

You should not travel outside the UK, Ireland or the Channel Islands while your application is pending. Although you keep your passport during the process, leaving the common travel area before a decision is made can cause your application to be withdrawn.

What happens if your extension is refused?

If your application is refused, the decision letter will explain why and whether you can challenge it. Where the refusal involves a case-working error, you may be able to apply for an administrative review, usually within 14 days of the decision.

Common reasons for refusal include insufficient maintenance funds, an invalid or expired CAS, failing the academic progression requirement, and applying after the current visa has expired. Because your immigration status may be affected, it is sensible to take legal advice quickly if you receive a refusal, as strict deadlines apply.

What are your options after your Student visa?

When your studies end, several routes may allow you to stay in the UK. The Graduate visa lets eligible graduates remain to work or look for work for two years, or three years after a PhD or other doctoral qualification. If you have a job offer from an approved employer, you may be able to switch to the Skilled Worker visa instead.

Over time, some routes can lead to indefinite leave to remain and eventually to British citizenship. The best option depends on your qualifications, your plans and your circumstances, so it is worth reviewing them before your current visa ends.

How can we help?

Sterling Law advises students, graduates and their families on the Student route and the options that follow it. Whether you are extending to finish a course, moving to a higher qualification, or planning your next step after study, we can help you apply correctly and avoid the errors that lead to refusals.

Our work can include:

• confirming whether you meet the eligibility and academic progression requirements;
• checking that your CAS and supporting documents are correct before you apply;
• calculating the maintenance funds you must show and reviewing your financial evidence;
• preparing and submitting your Student visa extension application;
• advising on applications that include a partner or children as dependants;
• advising on timing so your application is made before your current visa expires;
• responding to Home Office requests for further information;
• advising on administrative review or a fresh application after a refusal; and
• planning your move to the Graduate visa, Skilled Worker visa or other routes.

To review your options before you submit, contact us to arrange a consultation.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I extend my Student visa from inside the UK?

Yes. If you hold a valid Student or Tier 4 (General) visa and have a new CAS from a licensed sponsor, you can apply to extend from inside the UK before your current visa expires.

How much does it cost to extend a Student visa in 2026?

The application fee to extend from inside the UK is £558, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 for each year of your stay.

How much money do I need to show to extend my Student visa?

You usually need £1,529 per month for study in London or £1,171 per month outside London, for up to nine months, held for 28 continuous days. Students in the UK for 12 months or more are generally exempt.

How long does a Student visa extension take?

A decision is usually made within eight weeks of your biometric appointment, though priority services may be available for an extra fee.

Can I work while my Student visa extension is being decided?

Yes, if your current visa allows work. Most degree-level students can work up to 20 hours a week in term time and full time during vacations while a decision is awaited.

Can I travel abroad while my extension is pending?

No. You should not travel outside the UK, Ireland or the Channel Islands until your application has been decided, as leaving can cause it to be withdrawn.

What is the academic progression requirement?

Your new course must generally be at a higher level than your current one, or at the same level and related to it at degree level or above, unless an exception applies.

What happens if my Student visa extension is refused?

The decision letter will explain the reason and whether you can apply for an administrative review, usually within 14 days. Legal advice can help you decide whether to challenge or reapply.

How long can I stay in the UK as a student?

There is normally a limit on how long you can study at degree level on the Student route, so you should check whether your planned course keeps you within it before applying.

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