Applying for a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa is not very complicated. You will need to understand the process, and you must have all the required documentation also known as supporting documents ready before you apply for the visa. Here are the steps you can follow to obtain a UK Tier 4 (General) Student Visa.
Before you apply for UK student visa, you will have to get admission in a UK university. Check our UK University admission guide to learn more about the admission process.
1. Take your Tuberculosis Test (Also Known as TB Test)
If you are a resident of any of these listed countries and you are coming to the UK for more than six months, you will require to take a Tuberculosis (TB) test and submit your test result with your visa application.
2. Get your Passport Size Photograph Taken
Depending on the country you are applying from, you might need to submit a passport size photograph with your visa application. You should get your passport size photograph taken from a professional photo studio.
3. Get your CAS Letter/CAS Number
Once you pay your tuition fees, your university will send you a CAS letter or a CAS number. You will need this number to apply for your Tier 4 Student (General) Visa.
4. Apply for our Visa Online
Once you have your CAS number and all required documents including your English test results (if applicable), bank statement, you must apply online for your UK Tier 4 (General) Student Visa. Visit UKVI online visa application page to apply for your student visa.
5. Find a Visa Application Centre & Book an Appointment
After you submit your visa application online, you will need to find your nearest UKVI visa application centre to have your fingerprints and photograph taken for your biometric residence permit (your visa card) as part of your visa application process. After locating your nearest visa application centre, you will need to book an appointment to submit your application and documents and relevant fees. Most of the visa application centre can help you pay your visa fees and UK healthcare surcharge (known as ‘immigration health surcharge’ or HIS).
6. Pay your Visa Fees
Once you made your student visa application online and selected an appointment at your nearest UK visa application centre, you can pay your visa application fees online at the gov.uk website when you are submitting your application form. If you do not have a credit or debit card, you can get someone else (your relative or friend) to pay your visa fees if they have a debit or credit card. If you do not have any debit or credit card, you can pay your visa application fees at the UK visa application centre when you attend your appointment. Check how much you will need to pay as your visa application fees.
7. Pay UK Healthcare Surcharge Fees
As part of the UK visa application, you must pay your UK healthcare surcharge fees (known as ‘immigration health surcharge’ or HIS). Same as your visa application fees, you can either pay your surcharge fees online at gov.uk website or your visa application centre. If you have dependents applying with you, you will also need to pay healthcare surcharge fees for your dependents. Check how much healthcare surcharge fees you will need to pay.
8. Choose Premium Visa Services
Most of the UK visa application centre offers premium visa services which may include processing your application faster or helping you check your documents to make sure you have all the relevant required documents. If you are interested in premium visa services, you should check all available premium services offered by your nearest visa application centre and choose the ones you are interested in. You might have to pay an additional fee for premium services.
9. Attend Your Appointment
You will have to attend your appointment at the visa application centre. You cannot send someone else to process your visa application in your place. Make sure you bring all of your supporting documentation (original and one set of photocopies) with your when you are attending your appointment. You will also need to bring a copy of your online visa application and proof of any fees paid online. During your appointment, your fingerprint and photograph will be taken which is a mandatory requirement for your visa application.
10. Attend Visa Interview (if applicable)
You may be asked to attend an interview in person or on the phone. You must attend your interview if you are asked to do so. Otherwise, your visa application will be refused.
11. Track your Application
You will be notified by email when a decision on your visa application is returned to the visa application centre (this is the process for most of the countries, there might a different process for your country of residence. Check your nearest visa application centre website for more information). You may also be able to sign up for an SMS notification to stay up to date with your visa application progress.
12. Collect your Documents / Get your Documents Shipped
Once you know that a decision has been made on your visa application and your documents are returned to the visa application centre, go and collect your documents and visa application decision. You will need to bring your receipt issued by the visa application centre and your identification documents to collect your documentation. You can also send a representative to collect your documents but you will need to provide them with a letter of authorization signed by you, and they will need to bring their government-issued identification documents. Along with your submitted documents, you will also be given a letter to either confirm that you were granted a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa or explaining the reasons for refusing your visa application.
13. Book your Air Ticket and Fly
Once you have your student visa approved, you can then book your air ticket and come to the UK to study.
