GUIDE TO

COMPLETING THE
STUDENT VISA
ONLINE APPLICATION
Applying outside the UK
(Updated Oct 2020)

Before beginning your visa application, you must

ensure that you read the Home Office’s
Student (and Child Student) route guidance
and
Student visa financial evidence guidance

Immigration & Compliance Team

International Office
University of Huddersfield
https://www.hud.ac.uk/international/immigration/

Important: The UKVI or the Home Office regularly make changes to the immigration rules. Whilst the information in this document is provided in good faith, and
every effort is made to keep it up to date, The University of Huddersfield accepts no legal responsibility for its accuracy.
This screenshot guide explains the process of completing the Student visa online application as a main
applicant who is applying from outside the UK to undertake study in the UK.

If you are applying from INSIDE the UK, you cannot use this guide and application.
Instead you must visit our Extending/renewing your visa web page

+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+

See also the visa application flowchart and a documents checklist at the end of this document to ensure
that you have all the required documents in order to make your Student visa application.

GETTING STARTED
To begin your application, setup an online account via the online link below:
https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/apply-visa-type/tier4

Select ‘Student’ and click

Next.

Usually your country of normal

residence but if you have entered
a country where no biometric
enrolment location is available,
you will be redirected to another
country

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If it is difficult for you to travel to the
redirected country, then go back and
change the country name. Check for
available locations via the link below:

Europe, Africa and parts of the Middle

East visit: uk.tlscontact.com

All other countries visit:

vfsglobal.co.uk

Click the ‘Apply now’ button.

Important:
If your dependants are applying
for their visas with you:
a) you also need to complete a
separate online application
for each dependant.

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 Enter your personal email
and create a password that
you will remember.

Enter your contact number

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 Choose the option
most suitable for you.
Using a mobile number
would mean you can be
contacted via a phone
call as well as SMS

Usually ‘No’ as this

question only refers to
the scholarships stated.
See postgraduate
scholarship guidance
link provided for detail

Answer Yes and enter your unique

CAS number here.

Note: if your CAS has not yet been

issued, you can select ‘No’ and
complete and save the rest of the
application.

IMPORTANT
a CAS can only be used once. This means if
your application is refused, you will need a
new CAS from the University.

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 Enter in your given names and family
names as shown in your passport.

If you have ever been known by

another name you should select
‘Yes’. You will then be asked for
more information.

Answer questions about your gender

and relationship status.

Note: If you select ‘Married or a civil

partner’ you will be asked later in the
application to provide detail of your
dependants whether or not they are
travelling with you.

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 Enter your home address or the
address where you are living at
present.

If your correspondence address

is different, enter address/

Answer questions about your home

address.

If you are living with parents, choose

‘Other’ to enter detail.

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 Enter your passport details
from your current valid
passport that you will be
using to travel to the UK.

If you select ‘Yes’ you will be asked

for further information which you
can find on your national identity
card.

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 Answer questions about
your nationality, date of
birth and country/place of
birth.

If you have a dual

nationality, you must
declare this.

If you are applying in your home

country, you will choose ‘I am a
permanent resident’ – otherwise
enter your immigration status in
the country you are applying

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Only answer this as Yes if you
have previously studied in the
UK. If this is your first student
visa application, choose No
then save and continue.

Students would normally

choose ‘English’.
Important: The Home Office
will interview you either as
part of your visa application or
when you arrive at a UK
airport.

As highlighted, this
question refers to a
qualification completed in a
UK school, or if you have
completed GCSE, A level,
National 4 or 5, Higher, or
Advanced Higher
qualification. In your
country.

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Choose Yes to both questions
as the University of
Huddersfield is we have a
“Student Sponsor - Track
Record” status and your CAS
should state how we have
assessed your English
language ability

Students with spouses or

partners (dependants)
If you declared your
relationship status as
married, civil or unmarried
partner, you will see the
next set of questions – you
must enter details of your
dependants from their
passports and confirm if
they will be traveling with
you to the UK.

If you declared your

relationship status as single,
divorced, separated or
widowed, please scroll
down to next page.

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You must answer as Yes if you have
a spouse/partner, children and/or
an older relative e.g. parent(s) who
are financially dependent on you.

Important:
If your dependants are applying for
their visas with you, you also need
to complete a separate online
application for them.

If you answered the

previous question about
Dependents as Yes, you
must provide their detail.

You must provide the detail

about each dependent
separately.

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You will be asked to give
details about your parents.

Note: Click ‘What if I do not have

my parent’s details’ if you only
have the details of one parent.

If you select ‘Yes’ you will be

asked for details of your family
member and details of their
visa type.

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Most students will answer
this as No.

If you select ‘Yes’ you will

be asked to provide your UK
accommodation address.

If you select ‘No’ you will be

asked where you plan to
stay in the UK on the next
page e.g. hotel or a friend’s
place.

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You must declare this accurately.
If you answer as ‘Yes’ you will be
asked to provide detail of 3 most
recent times when you were in
the UK.
You will be asked for the type of
visa you held, the date you
arrived and the duration of our
stay.

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If you have been to any
of these countries, you
must provide the
information requested.

You must also provide

detail of your stays in
other country in the last
10 years.

Enter the date you are

intending to arrive in
the UK.
Your CAS should have
your course start date
so you can enter a date
two weeks prior to your
course start date.

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You MUST provide details of
any visa refusals for UK or
another country. Giving false
information or hiding previous
refusals will result in a visa
refusal!

If you answer as ‘Yes’ you will

be asked for detail on the next
page.

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 If you select ‘Yes’ for
any of these questions,
you will be asked to
provide further
information.

You must declare any

convictions or penalties in the
UK or in another country.

You must read and answer

accordingly.

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You must read and answer
accordingly.

If you select ‘Yes’ for any of

these questions, you will
be asked to provide further
information.

You must read and answer

accordingly.

If you select ‘Yes’ for any of

these questions, you will
be asked to provide further
information.

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You must read and answer
accordingly.

If you select ‘Yes’ for any of

these questions, you will
be asked to provide further
information.

If your previous work

experience includes paid or
unpaid work for any of the
organisations listed then
you must tick the relevant
box and provide detail.

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University of Huddersfield’s
Student Sponsor Licence Number
is HEK2NXJ25
This number should also be
printed on your CAS.

Enter University’s address details

as shown in the screenshot.

University of Huddersfield
is a Higher Education
Provider with a track
record of compliance.

Your primary site of

study address is the
University of
Huddersfield address
you entered earlier.

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If you applied admission via UCAS (The
Universities and Colleges Admissions
Service) – usually used by
undergraduate students – select ‘Yes’

You will be asked to provide your UCAS

identification number.

The University would have advised

you to get ATAS clearance before
issuing your CAS. This information
should also be on your offer letter.

Your CAS should also confirm if you

need ATAS Clearance. You must
enter your ATAS reference number
in the field provided.

An ATAS certificate is valid for six

months. Double check the expiry
date on your ATAS certificate.

Important:
If your offer letter or CAS confirm
that you need ATAS and you have
not obtained it, you must get this
before applying for your Student
visa.

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An official financial sponsor is where your
government/embassy, the British Council, an
International organisation, International
company, University or a UK independent
school is paying your tuition fees and/or
living in the UK.
If you select ‘Yes’ you will be asked to
provide further detail – see next screenshot

 If the University of Huddersfield is

sponsoring your study in the UK, this will
be stated on your CAS.

 If you are receiving financial sponsorship

e.g. your government you will need an
official sponsor letter which meets the
Student Visa Guidance.

 If your sponsorship only covers part of

your tuition fees and/or living costs, you
will need to show the remaining amount in
personal bank account. You can also use
bank statements of your personal account,
your spouse/partner’s account (only if they
are applying for visa with you) or your
parents/legal guardian’s accounts.

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Copy your course name/title and
Qualification detail from your
CAS.

Answer the ‘Are you going to be

a student union sabbatical
officer’ question as ‘No’

Enter course start and end dates

from your CAS.
If you have been issued a joint CAS
for a pre-sessional course as well as
a main degree course, the Home
Office have advised that for
technical reasons you should only
enter the start date of the main
degree course (i.e.
Bachelor/Masters/PhD).

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Select ‘No’ as this only applies
to University owned
accommodation.

Your CAS should show

your course fee and how
much of these have been
received by the University.

Note: If you have paid

more towards your course
fees after receiving your
CAS, you must contact the
relevant admissions team
in the International Office
so they can update your
CAS.

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 Answer if any of your
maintenance funds are in
the form of a student loan
and any follow up
questions if you answer
“Yes.”

Student Loans – visa requirements

Applicants relying on a student loan to meet the financial requirements are not required to
demonstrate that they have held the funds for a 28-day period.

Student loan must be provided by:

1. (i) a government; or
2. (ii) a government sponsored student loan company; or
3. (iii) an academic or educational loans scheme which is provided by a financial institution
regulated for the purpose of issuing student loans by either the Financial Conduct
Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) or, in the case of overseas
accounts, the official regulatory body for the country the institution is in and where the
money is held.
Where an applicant is relying on a student loan, they must show evidence of the student loan
by providing a student loan letter from the lender which must:
1. (a) be dated no more than 6 months before the date of application; and
2. (b) confirm the loan is a student loan provided by either the relevant government or a
government sponsored student loan company or an academic or educational loans
scheme; and
3. (c) confirm there are no conditions on release of the loan funds other than a successful
application to study in the UK as a Student or Child Student; and
4. (d) confirm the amount of the loan; and
5. (e) confirm the loan is to the applicant; and
6. (f) confirm the funds will be:
i. available to the applicant before they travel to the UK; or
ii. paid directly to the student sponsor before they travel to the UK, with the living
cost portion of the loan being made available to the applicant by the time they
arrive in the UK; or
iii. available before the applicant begins their course if the loan is provided by the
applicant’s national government

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 Note: You can only use financial
evidence in your name, your
parents’/legal guardian or your
spouse/partner (only if they are
applying visa at the same time as
you). You cannot use statement
of any other relative i.e.
brother/sister/uncle/friend

Answer Yes if you are using your

personal bank account and No if
using a parental statement.

Maintenance or Financial requirements

How much money must I show?

You will need enough money to pay your first year’s tuition fee plus £1,015 per month of your
studies for living costs (maintenance), up to a maximum of 9 months. This means if your
course is longer than 9 months, you will need to show first year’s course fee plus £9,135
(£1,015 x 9) for living costs.
i. If your CAS shows that you have already paid a deposit towards your course fees to
the University, you can deduct the amount you have paid from the money you need to
show in your account.
ii. If you have paid your course fee in full before you apply for your visa, you will only
need to show you have the living cost in your bank account.
Important:
a) Any amount paid to the University must show on your CAS.
b) You cannot pay the living cost amount to the University, as you must show this in
your bank account.

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 Bank statements – Visa requirements

Bank statements
Make sure to check that your bank or financial institution meets the Home Office’s
requirements. You will need a bank statement covering a 28 consecutive day period, ending
no more than 31 days before the date of application.

Important: You must make sure that during the 28 consecutive day period, the balance in
your account doesn’t drop below the total amount you need to show for your visa application.
See example below:

Your bank statement must show the following:

 be on official stationary or an electronic  include information about the bank such
record as contact details or a branch code
 include the account holder(s) names  include the account number
 include the date of the statement  be printed or electronic (not hand written)
 show transactions and amount held over time

Bank letters: A bank letter should be a formal document including similar information as
above, although it may confirm the balance and the length of time held rather than providing a
record of transactions.

Important: Mini bank statements printed from ATMS machines are not accepted.

Certificates of deposit: These can be used if the document is issued by a bank, which
confirms that an individual has deposited or invested a sum of money, held it for the required
28-day period, and that the applicant can access the funds at any time.

Currency conversions: If funds are in an overseas currency, make sure to use the exchange
rate at the date of the application to check the value in pounds sterling. Always use the
OANDA website.

Parent or Legal guardian’s bank statement: When using these, you must submit two
additional documents
i. Birth/adoption certificate (or a court document) showing name of parent/legal guardian
ii. A letter of support from your parent/guardian giving you permission to use their funds

Important: Affidavits or sworn statements are not accepted as proof of relationship

Documents not in English: These must be accompanied by a certified translation.

For further detail, read the Home Office’s Student Visa Guidance (Page 40 and 45 onwards)
as well as the Student visa financial evidence guidance.

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 Provide any information relevant
to your application that you may
wish to explain further or you were
not able to provide based upon the
previous set of questions.

This section isn’t mandatory to

complete so if you have no
additional information then leave
blank and click ‘Save and
continue’.

Check all your answers here and use the

‘Change’ and/or ‘Add’ buttons to amend
or update any missing information.

Note: if any of your documents aren’t ready,

you must stop and save at this point and
continue when you are ready to submit your
application.

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Nationals of some countries (See ST 22.1.)
may receive this question as they do not
need to provide evidence of their
qualifications and evidence of money
(maintenance funds) when they are applying
for a Student visa. These countries are
sometimes called ‘low risk applicants’.
Further and more up to date information is
available on the UKCISA website.

The Home Office can still request this

evidence while your application is being
considered. We recommend you prepare
evidence of your finances and qualifications.
Your visa application will be refused if you
do not provide them, in the time stated, if
requested by the Home Office.

Enter the name of the bank or

financial institution whose bank
statement, letter or certificate of
deposit you are using. You must
attach the original document in
your visa paperwork.

If you are using statements from

two different bank you should add
these separately.

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 Check and/or amend
your answers one
final time.

Note: This is an example list as

each student will receive their
own checklist
depending on how they have
answered the questions in the
application.

You will need to tick that you

agree to
provide all original documents
listed here.

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You must read all conditions
and then confirm.

Read the conditions and

confirm your age and
applicant status.

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 Next you will be directed to the
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
website for an online payment.
 You should only pay for the IHS and
application fee when you are ready to
apply and have prepared all of your
supporting documents.
 You can only apply within three
months of your course start date.
 The date of application is the date you
pay the application fee.

See also the IHS refund information.

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

International students and their
dependants are required to pay a
healthcare surcharge. Paying this fee will
allow you to access National Health
Service (NHS) services within the UK.
The fee is calculated on the length of
time of your visa. When you are granted
a visa, the Home Office or UKVI will add
some time onto the end of your period
of study, dependant on the length of
your programme. This additional time
will be included in the fee calculation.

You can find more information about

the IHS by clicking on the following links:
IHS Overview
IHS Calculator

You must ensure that you make the IHS

payment as part of your Student visa
application. If you do not pay the IHS,
your Student visa application will be
refused.

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 If you see this error message, amend the
relevant fields to confirm that you are
not applying from within the UK and
answer the following questions
confirming your course start/end dates
and additional questions and continue
to online payment.

After paying the Immigration Health Surcharge you will see the following questions:

Please note the University’s ACL

service is currently suspended and
you must collect your BRP card from
the Post Office.

Choose ‘Collect from a UK Post Office’

option.

Enter the postcode: HD1 2BQ

Your BRP collection location
should then show:
Huddersfield Post Office – 65-67
New Street, Huddersfield, HD1
Huddersfield Post Office 2BQ
65-67 New Street,
Huddersfield This will be where you will collect
HD1 2BQ your BRP card from upon arrival in
Huddersfield.

Please note the Home Office may ask

you to stay inside your UK
accommodation for first 14 days – for
up to date information on quarantine,
see their website:
https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-
control

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 Coronavirus (COVID-19 update – Message from the Home Office

Many of our UK Visa Application Centres (VACs) are temporarily closed. Some UK Visa Application
Centres are resuming services where local restrictions allow. Services will reopen in phases. To
check if a centre near you is open, contact:

 TLS contact if you are in Europe, Africa and parts of the Middle East
 VFS global for all other countries

There are changes at the border because of coronavirus (COVID-19). Check what you need to do
before you travel.

Important:
 When your Student visa is granted, you will be issued with a vignette (a sticker inside your passport)
which is valid for 90 days. It is very important that you travel to the UK within this 90-day period or
you will be required to re-apply.
 When you receive your passport and 90-day visa, you will also receive a BRP letter that contains
important information about what to do when you arrive in the UK including the post office address
to collect your BRP. You must retain this letter and bring it with you when you come to the UK.

See our website for detail on BRP collection: BRP – Biometric Residence Permits

You should then continue with your application.

Read through the instructions carefully as you complete the application.

Booking your appointment and paying for your application

You can now go through to the online application payment service available for most countries. If the online
payment option is not available for your country, you will pay your application fee on the date you attend your
appointment at the Visa Application Centre (VAC).

Check visa decision waiting times for your country via this link: https://www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times

See example below:

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Booking your appointment at the Visa Application Centre
You should now be directed to through to the booking system to make your appointment at your nearest Visa
Application Centre. On the day of your biometric appointment, you will have your digital photo and your
fingerprints taken.

You can upload your supporting documents (e.g. passport, bank statement, qualification etc.) using the ‘UK
Immigration: ID Check’ mobile app (may vary by country). Alternatively, you can take the originals along with
your visa application checklist for your biometrics appointment and use the documents scanning assistance
service to self-upload these without additional charge (may vary by country).

Credibility Interviews
The Home Office may interview students either as part of their visa application, or when they arrive in the UK (for
example, at the airport). The purpose of these interviews is to check the genuineness of a student.

During these interviews, if a student cannot show that their English language ability is of the standard required in the
immigration rules and this guidance without an interpreter, the Home Office will refuse their visa application or
refuse them permission to enter the UK.

See our website for further detail about credibility interviews.

Visa refused – what to do next?

See our website for the next steps in case your visa application is refused.

Arrange travel to University of Huddersfield

See our website for useful information about planning your travel to the University of Huddersfield as well as
enrolling for your course.

Covid-19 - Important information for applicants

We know that many of our applicants are experiencing uncertainty due to the ongoing situation with Covid-19.
The University appreciates these issues and is trying to create flexibility. Please refer to our Important
Information for Applicants webpage, which has useful information to help you in your decision making.

Entering the UK
Depending on which country you are traveling from, the Home Office may ask you to self-isolate in your UK
accommodation for first 14 days. For further up to date information on self-isolation, see their website:
https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control

You may also be required to complete a passenger locator form before you arrive in the UK.

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 Flowchart showing the Student visa application process

Apply visa online - pay

CAS received from University Prepare supporting
application fee and Submit biometric information
of Huddersfield documents
Immigration Health Surcharge

Credibility
interview
required?

Yes No Visa granted? No

Email scanned refusal notice Yes

to the International Office
Attend interview
Immigration team will
consider issuing a second CAS
Visa granted?

Collect passport - make sure details on your

Yes visa (90-day vignette) are correct

Travel to the UK within the 90-day period on

your visa (vignette)

Huddersfield Post Office Complete your online enrolment

65-67 New Street,
Huddersfield
HD1 2BQ
Collect your BRP card from the Post Office
(may be subject to 14 day quarantine)

Important: The UKVI or the Home Office regularly make changes to the immigration rules. Whilst the information in this document is provided in good faith, and every effort is made to keep it up to date, The University of Huddersfield
accepts no legal responsibility for its accuracy.