BE PREPARED

Welcome to Chichester International’s Online Preparation Guide

Applying for your Student Visa

This webpage aims to guide you on your Student Route visa application. Please read this section carefully and contact Chichester International Advice (international@chi.ac.uk) at the University if you have any questions regarding the application process.

If you are applying for a different visa route (such as the short-term visa/ visitor visa), you can visit our website for more information on what type of visa you need. Alternatively, you can get in touch with us or refer to official government guidance for advice. Additionally, anyone who needs support with extending their visa or switching from another visa in the UK is welcome to contact us directly.

You can find the official Student Route guidance on the UK Government website. This, alongside the UKCISA Website, are the main ways to access the most up-to-date information.

International student advisers at the University will refer to these for most immigration information, advice and guidance.

GOV.UK Student Route Guidance  
UKCISA Student Immigration

Understanding the Student Route Visa

The Student Route is a visa that allows international students to study on certain eligible courses within the UK.

The UK Home Office uses a Points Based immigration system (PBS) to assess visa eligibility. To be eligible for a Student Route visa, you need 70 points.

What you get points for:

Studying with an educational sponsor (University Of Chichester)

50 Points

Financial: Having enough money for course fees and monthly living costs. 

10 Points

English Language: Meeting the English Language requirement. 

10 Points

Please visit our website “What do I need to apply” section for information on how to score these points.

Please visit our CAS request form and CAS eligibility interview section to find out how to get your CAS.

How to apply for a Student Route visa?

Please see the steps below to understand the different parts of the student visa application journey after getting your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

Step 1

Check your CAS for any errors and read the visa information document you receive with your CAS.

Step 2

Check the Student Route visa requirements and have your supporting documents ready (if required [1]).

Step 3

Submit your visa application online, using your personal information and your CAS [2].

Step 4

Pay the NHS surcharge fee [3].

Step 5

Pay the visa application fee.

Step 6

Upload your supporting documents and book your appointment (if required). 

Step 7

Attend your visa application appointment (if required)

Step 8

Attend a UKVI credibility interview (if invited to do so). [4]

Step 9

Wait for your visa to be granted. Do not travel before you receive your visa decision.

[1] Students from countries that are listed on the on the differential evidence requirement list, are not required to provide documentary evidence as part of their application. See Appendix Student ST 22.1

Those who need to submit evidence, should visit our website to see how to calculate the amount of money you need to have and what type of evidence you need to show. It is important that you get your financial evidence ready well in advance.

[2] How to apply online: https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/apply

[3] Calculate your health surcharge payment: https://www.immigration-health-surcharge.service.gov.uk/checker/type

[4] Credibility interviews explained: See the “credibility interview” section on our visa website to find out more.

How long does it take to get your visa?

Visa processing times vary depending on the time of the year and location, but typically you can expect to have your visa decision within 3 weeks of your visa application appointment or when you used the UK Immigration ID check app. For more information, please visit GOV.UK visa decision waiting times. You will need your visa before you can travel to the UK.

Supporting documents

What you need

  • CAS from the University of Chichester 
  • Valid Passport

You may also need

  • Proof of parental or guardian consent (under 18s)
  • Tuberculosis test Certificate (if applicable – check here)
  • ATAS certificate, if applicable (check your offer letter)
  • Proof of English language proficiency (check your CAS to see how your English has been assessed and if you need evidence of this) 
  • Proof of finances (Check this website to see if you are exempt from this requirement)
See the UK Government Student Visa website for more information. 
See the UKVI Student Route Caseworker Guidance on how staff consider applications from students who wish to apply for a student visa.

Get access to your eVisa

You must wait for your visa to be granted before you can travel to the UK to start your studies.

When you receive a notification from the UKVI that your visa application has been successful, you should read it the email carefully and do the following:

  • Follow all the instructions in your visa decision letter to create a UKVI account.
  • Access your eVisa and check the details are correct*
  • Link your travel document (e.g. passport) to your eVisa before travelling to the UK.
  • Get a share code (with your date of birth) to give us when you register onto your course at Chichester. 

*Checking incorrect visa conditions

When you receive an email confirming that your visa has been granted, you should check the dates of your visa and the conditions attached to your visa carefully. If you find your visa has been granted with incorrect details e.g. the visa length (see table below to help you with your visa end date) or working conditions are incorrect, you should contact us for advice.

Visa end date calculations:

Length of course

Visa end date

Less than 6 months

Course length + 7 days

6 months or more, but less than 12 months

Course length + 2 months

12 months or more

Course length + 4 months

Working conditions: University of Chichester Student visa holders studying full-time at degree level or above should be granted the following working conditions: Work allowed 20 hours per week during term-time.

Experiencing issues with your eVisa Immigration ID check app?

If you are unable to use the Immigration ID Check app to create your eVisa account, please watch this video to see what you can do alternatively without the app.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have shared some useful Frequently Asked Questions to help with some of the common queries relating to visa applications.

UKVI FAQs for student visa applicants

Want to know more?

Check the UKVI website for more information on what you need and how to apply for a Student Visa. Click here.

For USA specific information on student visas, please click here.

Please check the full eligibility criteria and requirements on our Student Route visa website.

Need information on protecting your visa status?

FAQ Student visa Frequently Asked Questions

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