Visa, CAS and immigration support

In order to study in the UK you'll need to meet the various visa and immigration conditions outlined by the Home Office. Our team of specialist and experienced international student advisers can help you with guidance on all of these matters.

In this section you will find information on what to do before you start your visa application, how to apply for a visa, what to do when you arrive in the UK and a list of useful links.

Please note: You must ensure that you fully understand and comply with the condition set out in your visa, for example if you are planning to work while you study in the UKBreaching the visa rules could have serious consequences for your immigration status and could affect your right to study in the UK.

Please get in touch if you have any queries or need further support – we are here to help.

Create a UKVI account for your eVisa

The Home Office is digitalising the UK border and immigration system in 2025, physical immigration document such as Biometrics Residence Permits (BRPs) and visa vignettes are being phased out and will be replaced by an eVisa.

For more information, please visit GOV.UK/eVisa

Important update about eVisas

The UK Government has announced significant changes to the eVisa rollout timetable.

The validity of expiring BRPs will now be extended until at least 31 March 2025, with this date subject to ongoing review. It means that BRPs that expire on or after 31 December 2024 will be accepted as valid evidence of permission to travel.

We would still encourage you to create an account and access your eVisa before the end of this year.

For more information, please visit the GOV.UK website 

Important update for maintenance requirements in 2025

The maintenance level for studying in London was increased on 2 January 2025. The amount per month is now £1,483. This means you now need to demonstrate a total of £13,347 maintenance.

What is an eVisa?

Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) expiring on 31 December 2024

How to access your eVisa

Create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account

Confirm your identity

Link your BRP to your UKVI account

Keep your details updated

Travel to the UK

Assistance available

Before you apply for a visa

Please read the information on the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website before making your visa application.

Check if you need a visa

You may need a visa to study in the UK if you are an international or EU/EEA student coming to Kingston University.

EU/EEA students

On the 1 July 2021, the immigration rules changed for most EU, EEA and Swiss citizens studying in the UK. 

Request your CAS

Before you apply for a visa, you must request a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and upload your documents to OSIS. 

Apply for ATAS

If you study a science and engineering course, you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.

Bringing dependants to the UK

What about students who apply before 17 July 2023 to bring dependants on courses starting after 1 January 2024?

What do you mean by postgraduate research?

Will students on professional doctorates be able to bring dependants?

What about two-year integrated programmes with an integrated pre-master and research master programme?

Can dependants of students who have started their course in autumn 2023, come into the UK after January 2024?

Can dependants extend their permission to stay in the UK if the student needs more time to complete their course, but the course is no longer eligible for dependants?

Can dependants still work?

Is the Graduate Route impacted by these changes?

When you arrive in the UK

Biometric Residence Permit

Important information about your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

Comply with visa requirements

It is essential that you comply with the conditions of your visa. If you have any visa or immigration queries please get in touch.

Working in the UK

Work while you study

There are strict rules in place for students who wish to work while they study. You must follow the conditions set out in your visa.

Work on a course placement

You can choose an optional work placement with some of our postgraduate courses. Find out how the visa rules affect your placement.

Work when you graduate

Some international students are able to apply for a work based visa when they graduate from their course. 

Switching to work visas

Why has UKVI stopped students switching to the Skilled Worker Route part way through their course?

What if I have applied to switch before the rules change?

When can a student on a student visa switch into the Skilled Work Route?

We are here to help

You can speak to our team of friendly and experienced specialist immigration advisers if you have questions about visa requirements and immigration for students – we are here to help.

You can, for example, get advice on how to apply for a visa and find out if you are allowed to work in the UK or travel abroad while you study at Kingston University. 

We offer

  • email and telephone advice;
  • one-to-one appointments;
  • drop-ins;
  • visa workshops for enrolled students.
We are here to help

Contact us

If you have any queries or need further support, please get in touch with the Visa and Immigration Team – we are here to help.