Visas and immigration

Applying for a visa from UKVI requires planning and preparation. We recommend that you make your visa application at least three months before the course start date of your course, to give you the best possible chance to arrive in time for your course's Welcome Week.

Your Welcome Week gives you a chance to:

• meet your tutors and other students
• discover the different ways we support you
• begin settling into your new life in the UK, before teaching starts.

Once you’ve received your Student Route Visa, you’ll be able to arrive in the UK up to one month before the start of your course. (If you're unsure of your course start date, you can look it up on your Course Essentials.)

Confirmation of Acceptances for Studies (CAS)

Before you can make an application with UKVI for your visa, you must receive a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies) from the University. This is a digital document with a unique 14-digit number. This shows UKVI that we are supportive of your visa application. You cannot apply for a Student Route Visa without a CAS.

The sooner you start the CAS process , the sooner you can make your visa application. Once you have your CAS, you can apply for your visa up to six months before the start date of your course.

Your guide to the CAS process

View our step-by-step guide to applying for a CAS.

Documentation required for your visa application

Note: Official translations should be provided for any documents not in English

• CAS issued by the university
• Original in-date passport with no less than six months before expiry date
• Official degree certificate and/or transcripts; you must supply the evidence used for your offer as listed on the CAS given to you by the university
• English language qualification: the list of acceptable qualifications can be found here
• TB certificate if required
• ATAS certificate if required
• If you were previously granted a visa for the UK and possess a BRP (biometric residence permit), you need to include your BRP
• Financial documentation to show you or your sponsors possess the funds required by UKVI (remaining tuition fees plus maintenance fees of £9,207); nationals of low-risk countries as deemed by the UKVI (immigration rules - Appendix ST, para. 22.1) are not required to submit evidence with their application but should retain evidence in case it is requested.

English language requirement

Students studying at degree level must demonstrate the ability to read, write, and understand English to a sufficient level as defined by UKVI.

What you’re studying	Level
Degree level or above	Equivalent to CEFR level B2
Below degree level	CEFR level B1

*CEFR refers to the Common European Framework of References for Languages.

Students can demonstrate their proficiency by submitting evidence of:

• passing a Secured English Language Test (SELT)
• having a GSCE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English from a UK school at which you began studying when you were under 18 or
• via assessment by a Higher Education provider.

You will not need to show proof of English Language ability in the following circumstances:

• You are a national of the countries listed below.
• You are a national of Canada.
• You are applying for a visa to study in the UK as part of a study abroad programme with a US university.
• You previously proved your English language ability in a prior visa application.

These majority-English speaking countries are exempt from proving English language abilities:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• the Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• Malta
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• UK
• USA.

Costs

It’s important to understand the financial requirements to study in the UK as an international student. In addition to tuition fees, there are several related costs. Unless exempted, you will need to demonstrate you have the required amount of funds as part of your visa application.

• Standard fee for Student Route visa inside or outside of the UK: £490
• Immigration Health Surcharge: £776 per year for students
• Maintenance funds required: £1,023 per month for 9 months; if you apply for your visa on or after 2 January 2025, the per month requirement is £1,136
• Maintenance funds required per dependant per month: £680.

Financial documentation requirements

All applicants are required to submit evidence of their finances as part of their visa application unless they are exempt (list of exemptions found in Immigration Rules Appendix Student, ST para. 22.1) As part of the University’s compliance process, applicants who need to submit their financial documents to UKVI with their application must also submit their documentation to the university for review.

You must show UKVI that you have enough funding to cover any remaining tuition fees as well as the requisite maintenance funds as defined by the UKVI. For students joining Canterbury Christ Church University, the amount is £9,207 (£1,023 per month for nine months). Applicants applying with dependants require an additional £680 per month for each dependant.

Please read the section about financial documents here before sending your financial evidence to the University. The UKVI’s stipulations for financial documentation can be found in Immigration Rules Appendix Finance and you can access the guidance for financial documentation from UKVI here.

Making your application

You can find the link to UKVI’s visa application system here.

Find your nearest visa application centre here.

After your visa is granted

If your application is successful, you’ll receive an email with your decision letter confirming that your visa has been granted. At this time, you’ll also be invited to set up and access your eVisa. If you need further information on the eVisa process, please refer to our guidance.

You need to set up your eVisa before you travel to the UK. This will ensure that airlines and the border force have access to your immigration status.

• Some students will receive a visa vignette sticker in their passport. This vignette will state a ‘valid from’ date – make sure you travel on or after the start date listed.
• If you don’t receive a visa vignette sticker, refer to your visa decision letter. It will state the valid start date of your Student Route visa.

Some students can use the eGates to enter the UK, meaning they won’t see a border force agent and receive a stamp in their passport. Please be sure to retain your boarding pass or flight ticket confirmation as proof of your entry to the UK.

Generating a Share Code for your eVisa

You’ll need to generate a share code using the View and Prove service to prove your visa status in the UK. You should have this share code ready before you travel, and you should share it with the Compliance Team ahead of your arrival.

Access the View and Prove service

• Generate the code before you travel, in case you’re asked by an airline or the border force to prove your immigration status for the UK
• Make sure you generate a code appropriate for study; we can’t accept share codes for Right to Work or Right to Rent
• Send your code to compliance@canterbury.ac.uk with your full name and student number