If your current Student permission will expire before you finish studying, start by checking whether you actually qualify for an in-country extension. A UK Student visa is not automatically extended simply because your course continues. You normally need a new Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), must meet the Student route requirements that apply to your circumstances, and must submit a valid application before your existing permission expires.
Who can extend a Student visa in the UK?
To apply from inside the UK, you generally need to be in the UK with current permission as a Student or under the former Tier 4 (General) route. You also need an unconditional offer from a licensed student sponsor and a valid CAS for the course you intend to study.
Your new course must normally begin within 28 days of the date your current permission expires. You must apply before that permission expires and within six months of your CAS being issued. The earliest you can normally submit an in-country Student application is three months before the course starts.
If your university has not yet confirmed sponsorship, do not assume an extension is possible. Contact its international student or visa compliance team early enough for them to assess your position and issue a CAS if you qualify.
How the academic progress requirement works
For many students applying inside the UK, the new course must represent academic progress. The clearest example is moving from a bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree. A course at a higher academic level will usually satisfy this part of the UK student visa rules, provided the other requirements are met.
A same-level course can sometimes qualify where it is at degree level or above and the sponsoring higher education provider has a track record of compliance. The sponsor must be able to justify that the new course is related to the previous course or that the combination supports your genuine career aspirations.
There are also exceptions. You may not need to show progression in the usual way if, for example, you are resitting examinations or repeating modules, completing a doctorate already started under your previous Student permission, or extending because of an eligible work placement or study-abroad period. Confirm the exact exception that applies rather than assuming one does.
Financial evidence for a Student route extension
If you have been in the UK with valid permission for at least 12 months on the date of your application, you normally do not need to prove the Student route financial requirement. If you have been in the UK for less than 12 months, you may need evidence covering outstanding course fees and living costs.
Under the current rules, the maintenance amount is £1,529 per month for study in London and £1,171 per month for study outside London, for up to nine months. Where financial evidence is required, the necessary funds normally need to have been held for at least 28 consecutive days, and the end of that period must fall within 31 days before the application date.
If you use a student loan, official sponsorship, or permitted family funds, make sure the evidence meets the Home Office rules. A high balance on one day does not replace the required continuous holding period.
Documents to prepare before you apply
Your student visa application will normally require your current passport or other valid travel document and your CAS reference. Depending on your circumstances, you may also need financial evidence, an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate for certain postgraduate subjects, evidence relating to parental consent if you are under 18, or written consent from a financial sponsor that has supported you in the last 12 months.
Check your CAS before submitting the application. Course title, dates, fees already paid and sponsor comments about academic progression can affect the assessment. If something appears wrong, ask your sponsor to resolve it before you apply rather than trying to explain a preventable mismatch later.
Application timing, cost and decision period
As of September 2026, the Home Office fee to extend a Student visa from inside the UK is £558 per person, in addition to the immigration health surcharge where applicable. The published standard decision time for an in-country Student application is usually eight weeks, although faster services may sometimes be offered.
A practical timing example
Suppose your current Student permission expires on 30 November and your university has offered you a master’s course beginning on 15 December. The course begins within 28 days of your current permission ending, so the timing can fit the extension rules. You would still need a suitable CAS, must satisfy the academic progress requirement, and must apply before 30 November. If financial evidence applies to you, build the required 28-day holding period into your planning rather than waiting until the week your visa expires.
Common mistakes to avoid
One common mistake is treating the visa expiry date as the point at which to start gathering documents. Another is assuming that admission to a course automatically means the immigration requirements are satisfied. Your offer, CAS, academic progression position and immigration history all need to line up.
Useful related topics include Student visa financial requirements, the Graduate visa after study, and how a CAS works for UK immigration applications.
Frequently asked questions
Can I extend my Student visa after it expires?
You should apply before your current permission expires. A late application can create serious immigration problems and is not the normal route for extending Student permission. If your expiry date is close and you are not ready to apply, seek qualified immigration advice promptly.
Do I need a new CAS for a Student visa extension?
Yes. An in-country Student application requires a CAS from a licensed student sponsor for the course you will study. You must normally apply within six months of the CAS being issued.
Can I extend for another course at the same academic level?
Sometimes. At degree level or above, a same-level course may be accepted where the sponsor is an eligible higher education provider and can justify the relationship to your previous studies or genuine career plans. It is not automatic.
Do I always need bank statements?
No. If you have been in the UK with valid permission for at least 12 months when you apply, you normally do not need to prove the maintenance funds requirement. Other exceptions may also apply depending on your circumstances.
Plan the extension around your CAS, not just your expiry date
A successful Student visa extension in the UK depends on more than submitting a form before your current permission ends. Confirm that your course and sponsor are eligible, understand how academic progression applies to you, check whether financial evidence is required, and leave time to correct any CAS or document issues. Because immigration rules and fees can change, verify current GOV.UK guidance and your sponsor’s instructions immediately before submitting your application.