Applying for Student Visa

I will be applying, at some point over this summer, for my student visa to attend a Masters programme in London. I have been doing some more in depth research today into the new student visa tier that will be introduced tommorow. I feel like I have most of my questions at this point answered, however, there is one that is very important to me; when can I apply?


I would like to be able to apply as soon as possible for the Visa. With my graduation date from college here in the U.S. at the begginning of May, my conditional offer already having been met, and with my student loan applied for, I am hoping to have all of the documents I need together by the latest at the start of June. My course start date is the end of September, and I would really like to be able to travel the UK a month beforehand. Yet, in relation to when I can apply I have found only two peices of useful information on the various relevant government websites. One peice was that I "should not apply for the student visa more than 3 months before the course start date" (almost an exact quote from Worldbridge) and the other was that during June - September you should apply 8-10 weeks in advance of your course start date. This seems to suggest that I would only be able to apply at the very end of June. I had planned to go abroad (not to the UK) this summer, I would be frustrated to have to have my passport held for processing for two months, plus even if I did apply 3 months in advance of the start date this information seems to indicate that I may not even be able to go a month in advance, which would also be frustrating.

With the new tier 4 system coming in I am also nervous about the length of time that processing could take this summer, and really just want to plan as far ahead as possible to avoid any issues.  Does anybody have any more info on when you can apply?

Thank You!

3 months before the start date is my understanding.

Good luck and welcome to UKY 

I think the best advice you can get at this point is apply as soon as you can, within the constraints that your visa can only be post dated by three months, and your visa can be dated one month before your course begins.

So, for example, course starts September 15th, visa can be dated August 15th, you can apply May 15th.

I think it's June 15th not May 15 in your example, right?  Or do I have things wrong?

From Paragraph 161 of the PBS Tier 4 Policy Guidance:

If you are doing a course that is six months or more, or it is a course to prepare you for study (known as a pre-sessional course) that is less than six months, you will be able to come to the United Kingdom up to one month before the date you start the course you are studying.

And from the INF5 at UKvisas.gov.uk

You should apply in good time for your entry clearance so that you are not delayed in getting into the UK. However, you cannot have your clearance post-dated by more than three months. It can get very busy in visa sections, especially over the summer when lots of students are applying.

I had the same exact question regarding when to apply so I sent and inquiry to the WorldBridge Service and this is what they sent back as a relpy:




Dear Sir or Madam,

Thank you for contacting WorldBridge Service, UK Border Agency’s commercial partner. We appreciate your patience regarding the response to your enquiry as WorldBridge strives to provide the most accurate responses to all enquiries. Below you will find the response to that enquiry.

At the end of March 2009, the existing student route will close and be replaced by the new student tier (tier 4) of the points-based system.

The start date of entry clearances may be post-dated by a maximum of 3 months. For example if you wish to travel on the 1st of December, do not submit your application until the 1st of September.

not provide immigration advice.

Depending on your nationality and the purpose/duration of your visit to the UK, you may need a visa.

To find out if you need a visa, go to the website www.worldbridgeservice.com, select the country you are applying from, and click the “Visa Information” link at the top left of the page, or visit www.ukvisas.gov.uk

It is the applicant’s decision as to which category of entry clearance he or she would like to apply for.

In order to obtain information about how to apply for a UK Visa, please access the website www.worldbridgeservice.com choose the country from where you are applying and click on the link “How do I apply.”

Please note that visa fees can change at short notice. Kindly visit www.visainfoservices.com on the day of application for current fees.

Please see the links below for further information regarding Students and Dependants:

INF 5 – Students
https://www.visainfoservices.com/admin/Documents/Global/Bundles/05A%20-%20Students%20and%20Dependants/INF%205%20-%20Students_12-14.pdf

Student SDC - VAF3
https://www.visainfoservices.com/admin/Documents/Global/Bundles/05A%20-%20Students%20and%20Dependants/Student%20SDC%20-%20VAF3.pdf
VAF3_Guidance
https://www.visainfoservices.com/admin/Documents/Global/Bundles/05A%20-%20Students%20and%20Dependants/VAF3_Guidance-10Dec07.pdf

INF 1 – General Information
https://www.visainfoservices.com/admin/Documents/Global/Bundles/01A%20-%20General%20Information/INF%201%20-%20General%20information_12-14.pdf

Visa Application Submission Information
https://www.visainfoservices.com/admin/Documents/Region%20A/United%20States/Bundles/Visa%20Application%20Submission%20Information_United%20States.pdf

Visa Application Fees for the United States
https://www.visainfoservices.com/admin/Documents/Region%20A/United%20States/Bundles/Visa%20Application%20Fees%20for%20United%20States.pdf

Please note that you will not be able to respond to this email. If you have additional questions submit a new enquiry via email free of charge by visiting the WorldBridge website at www.worldbridgeservice.com. When submitting a new enquiry, please reference the case number from this particular email to ensure thorough processing. Note the case number can be found in the subject line of this email.
EX: Reply from WorldBridge Services for CaseNumber :00000123.

Thank you again for contacting WorldBridge.

Very sincerely yours,

WorldBridge Service

WorldBridge Service is happy to provide you with this information. Please note, however, that the decision to issue or refuse an entry clearance is made solely by Entry Clearance Officers at the British embassy. WorldBridge staff has no power or influence over the success of applications. WorldBridge staff may offer application information but may not offer immigration advice.

I also found this in the Tier 4 Guidance.

When can I come to the United Kingdom?

Your course start date is the date given. by your approved education provider on your visa letter.

If you are doing a course that is six. months or more, or it is a course to prepare you for study (known as a pre-sessional course) that is less than six months, you will be able to come to the United Kingdom up to one month before the date you start the course you are studying.

If you are doing a course that is less. than six months and is not a course to prepare you for study, you will be able to come to the United Kingdom up to seven days before the date you start the course you are studying.

So to be clear, if my start date is Sept 27, then I can enter the UK on August 27, and apply for the student visa May 27?

Thanks for all the great help you guys! Loving UKY. Hope all your visa, travel and study plans fall into place. I too am soooooo excited.

You can enter 1 month prior to the start date of your program. You can apply for your visa 3 months in advance of the date you can enter. May - June (month 1) June-July (month 2) July - August (month 3). The reason being is that you can only ask for your visa to be post dated up to 3 months.

Thanks for the clarification, I thought it was 3 months prior to classes starting.  Good to know!

 Sorry to double post but I was reading the British Council's website (specifically the visa section for Americans) and read this...

# How far in advance should/can I apply?

It is advisable to apply at least three or four weeks before traveling but not prior to 90 days before your course starts.  Visa-issuing Consulates are only able to post-date visas by 90 days.  Therefore, if your course starts on September 1, the earliest you can apply for Entry Clearance is June 1.

Different answers from different sources, figuring out Visas ...always a good time!

The British Council have nothing to do with visas though.  Not a good csource.

Vicky