Are you looking for an immigration lawyer for your UK Student visa application? Call our immigration adviser on 0161 989 9370 for legal advice and assistance.
Whether you want to apply, extend or switch to a UK Student visa, our student visa immigration lawyer can provide legal help with your UK visa application.
Table of Contents
- How can an immigration lawyer help you?
- What is a Student visa UK?
- Extending Student visa UK
- Switch to a Student visa UK
- Student Dependent visa UK
- UK Student visa processing time
- UK Student visa application fees
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- Need legal advice or help from an immigration lawyer?
How can an immigration lawyer help you?
As part of our immigration services for your immigration application, our expert immigration lawyer will:
- Assess your eligibility for the relevant visa type by fully considering your circumstances.
- Advise you on the required supporting documents to be submitted in support of your immigration application.
- Assess all the documents to ensure that the documents you provide are as per the requirements of the Immigration Rules.
- Advise you on strengths and potential weaknesses in your visa application and how you can overcome such weaknesses (if any).
- Complete the online immigration draft application form to share it with you for cross-checking.
- Submit your application online and schedule your biometrics appointments with the relevant commercial partner of the UKVI.
- Prepare a detailed cover letter in support of the immigration application explaining in detail how you are meeting all the requirements of the Immigration Rules so that you have the maximum chance of succeeding in your visa application.
- Upload all the supporting documents online in support of the immigration application in their correct format and order.
- Dealing and responding to any caseworker enquiries or correspondence from the Home Office caseworker for any further documents or information concerning your pending immigration application.
- Do all the follow-up work on your immigration application until a decision is received from the Home Office UKVI.
Contact our experienced and friendly immigration lawyer on 0161 989 9370 or fill in our enquiry form to get reliable & confidential immigration advice and legal assistance with a UK visa application or any other immigration matter.
What is a Student visa UK?
The UK Student visa allows overseas students to come to and study in the UK if they have been offered a place on a course by a Home Office approved institution. This visa has replaced the Tier 4 (General) student visa.
You must be 16 or over to apply for a study visa. If you're between 4 and 17 years old and you want to study at an independent school in the UK, you may be eligible for a Child Student visa instead.
To be successful in your application for a UK Student visa, it is very important that the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) is satisfied that you are a genuine student.
Extending Student visa UK
You may be able to extend your Student visa from inside the UK if you want to continue your course or want to study a new course. The earliest you can apply for the extension is 3 months before your course starts. You must apply before your current Student visa expires. Your new course must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring.
Read the guidance for how to extend your UK Student visa and the requirements.
Switch to a Student visa UK
You may be able to switch UK Student visa from inside the UK if you are already in the UK with a visa from which switching to a Student visa is permitted under the UK Immigration Rules.
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
Read the guidance for how to switch to a UK Student visa and the requirements.
Student Dependent visa UK
UK Student visa holders can bring their partners and children ('dependants') to the UK on a PBS dependant visa if they meet the eligibility requirements.
The Student visa dependent family member means your husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried partner and child under 18 years old. You'll need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply.
Read the guidance about the Student Dependent visa and the requirements.
UK Student visa processing time
You should get a decision on your UK Student visa within 8 weeks if you are applying for a Student visa extension or switching to this visa from inside the UK by using standard service.
For those applying for a Student visa from outside of the UK, the Home Office (UKVI) aims to process visa applications within 3 weeks.
How long does the visa application process take?
Once you have applied online and attended your biometrics appointment, you'll usually get a decision on your visa within:
- 3 weeks, if applying from outside the UK using standard service
- 8 weeks, if applying from inside the UK using standard service
- 5 working days, if applying using priority service
- 24 hours, if applying using super priority service
Super Priority Service
You may be eligible to use the “super priority service” to get a faster decision by the end of the next working day (within 24 hours). You'll need to pay £1,000 in addition to the UK visa application fee.
Priority Service
You may be able to choose the 'priority service' when you apply for a UK visa to get a faster decision within 5 working days. You'll need to pay £500 in addition to the UK visa application fee.
When you apply, you might be eligible to choose the 'super priority service' or 'priority service' to get your visa faster depending on the type of application and what country you're in.
Applicants are advised to check the latest information about UK visa application processing time on the official UK government website either applying from inside the UK or outside the UK.
UK Student visa application fees
Home Office (UKVI) fees for UK Student visa application are:
- £363 to apply for a Student visa from outside the UK
- £490 to apply for a Student visa extension or switch to this visa from inside the UK
Please note that these fees are subject to change, and you should always check the most up-to-date information on the UK government's official website before applying for a visa.
How much does a UK visa application cost?
The cost of a UK visa application varies depending on the type of visa you are applying for, your location and the type of service such as 'standard service', or 'priority service'.
Here are some common costs associated with applying for a UK visa:
- Home Office visa application fee
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) (unless visa length is less than 6 months or you're exempt)
- Biometrics fee (if applying from inside the UK)
- The 'priority service' fee to get a faster decision (if applicable)
- English language test fee (if required)
- Immigration lawyer fees (if using legal services to boost your chances of success & avoid mistakes)
Please note that the above is a general list of costs associated with UK visa applications. There may be additional costs such court fee and translation fee depending on your circumstances.
Immigration lawyer fees
Our expert UK immigration lawyer will guide you through every step of the UK visa application process including advice about legal requirements and eligibility criteria.
At Rex Law Chambers, our immigration lawyer charges a fixed fee between £800-£1000 for our complete legal services in relation to your UK visa application. The agreed fixed fee will depend on the complexity of the matter and the casework involved in the matter.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
UK Student visa allows international students to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time including paid or unpaid work. A student visa issued for full-time degree-level studies allows you to work full-time during official vacation periods.
Home Office usually takes 3 weeks to process a UK Student visa application from outside the UK. Time starts once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre.
The earliest you can apply for a visa is 6 months before you start your course.
If studying in London, you should have enough money in your bank account to pay the outstanding course fees and £1,334 for each month of the course (up to a maximum of 9 months).
If studying outside London then you need money in your bank account equivalent to your outstanding course fees and £1,023 for each month of the course (up to a maximum of 9 months).