How To Apply For A UK Student Visa Online

If you intend to study in the UK for more than six months, you must apply for a UK student visa. Here are steps for you to apply for a UK student visa online without involving any agents.

This visa allows you to study with a licensed student sponsor, work part-time while studying, and extend or switch your visa if you meet the eligibility requirements. In this article, we will walk you through the process of applying for a UK student visa online from outside the UK.

Eligibility And Documents

Make sure you meet the following requirements before beginning your application:

You are at least 16 years old.
A certified institution or a sponsor (in the UK) has extended an offer to enrol you in a course.
You make enough money to cover your course costs and maintain yourself.
You are able to read, write, speak, and comprehend English at the necessary level.
If you are 16 or 17 years old, your parents have given you permission to travel to the UK

You also have to prepare the following documents:

A valid passport or travel document.
Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) from your student sponsor.
To apply for a course that requires an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate, you will need to provide evidence of your finances, such as bank statements or a sponsor letter.
Proof of your English language proficiency, such as a test score or a certificate
A tuberculosis (TB) test result, if you are from a country that requires the test.
A criminal record certificate if you’re applying for specific courses or jobs.

You can check the full list of documents you need to apply on the UK Government website.

Begin Your Online Application

The next step is to head to the UK Government website and start your online application. You will need to create a new account, fill in all the online application form, and upload all the supporting documents where required. Note that, as at February 2024, the visa application fee is £490 (7,733.79 Ghanaian Cedi).

Interview and Biometrics

As part of your application, you must prove your identity and provide biometrics (fingerprints and a photograph). This is determined by your country of origin and the type of passport you hold. You will either:

Give your biometrics at a visa application centre or
Use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document and create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account

When you apply online, you will be informed of the steps required. You should carefully read the instructions and complete this step as soon as possible.

After submitting your application, you will have to wait for a decision from UKVI. You will typically receive a decision within three weeks, but it may take longer if your application is complex, or you must attend an interview. You can check the status of your application online or contact UKVI with any questions.

Approval Of Visa

If your student visa is approved, you will receive either:

A biometric residence permit (BRP), which is a card that shows your personal details.
A digital immigration status, which you can view and prove online using your UKVI account

You will need to collect your BRP from a designated location in the UK within 10 days of your arrival.

Applying for a UK student visa online from outside the UK is simple if you follow the steps outlined above. You should start your application as soon as possible, at least 6 months before your course begins, and ensure that you have all the necessary documents and information. You should also consult the UK Government’s website for any updates or changes to the visa rules and procedures. We wish you all the best with your application.