Where, how and when to apply

Where, how and when to apply for Tier 4 entry clearance

The application process will vary depending on whether or not you have existing immigration permission in the UK (and under which category), and where you currently live. To find out about applying from within the UK, please see Students already in the UK.

Where and how to apply from outside the UK

You can only apply for your Tier 4 visa in the country of which you are a national or the country where you are normally resident.

You'll usually apply for your visa through the British Embassy or Consulate (known as the British Diplomatic Post) in the country where you are resident, (usually your home country). In countries in which the Embassy or Consulate has no visa section, your application may be handled by a Visa Application Centre (VAC), which is where you will go to submit your application and provide your biometric information. 

The process of applying for your Tier 4 visa will vary depending on where you live. In some countries, you may need to make an appointment, whereas in others, the application may be made online.

To find out where to apply and how the application process works in your country, please see the UK Visas website.

When to apply

Please allow plenty of time to gather the necessary documents and complete your application. We recommend that you start to think about the process three months before your course starts. You cannot submit your application more than three months before your course starts, (if you do your applicaiton will be refused).  For this reason we will not issue your Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (CAS), more than three months before your course (or placement), start date, even if we have received all of the required paperwork.  You cannot apply for your visa until you have received your CAS.

As a guide, if you are starting your course in October, we recommend that you start preparing your documents in July. You will not be able to submit your visa application before this.

Undergraduate and postgraduate students: We can only issue your CAS when your offer has been made unconditional, that is when we have received all of the necessary documentation, and no more than three months before the start of your course. A list of the documents we require from you in order for your offer to become unconditional will be sent to you by our Admissions team as part of the application process.

Elective students: We will issue your CAS once we have received all of the necessary documentation as detailed in the elective correspondence, but no more than three months before the start of your placement .

Visa processing times

The visa processing times vary from country to country. For an indication of the estimated times in each country, please check UKBA's guide to visa processing times.

It is not advisable to book flights that cannot be refunded or changed before you have received your visa, in case of delays or refusals.

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Please note that the above information is subject to change; please check the UK Border Agency’s website for updates.  The information herein provided is given in good faith for information only purposes. The information herewith provided is not intended to nor does it constitute legal advice. St George’s, University of London does not warrant the accuracy of the information provided and accepts no liability whatsoever as any claims arising from reliance thereon.