Visas and Immigration

Visit the Student Visa section of the UK Government website and read the information carefully as it contains lots of very detailed information about how to apply and what documents you need to provide.

You will need to be able to meet the Student Visa financial requirement (if applicable) before you submit your visa application, so it is essential that you prepare your finances in good time.

You can find information about the Student Visa financial requirement and the application process on the UKCISA website.

If you have not saved enough money for the required amount of time, or if any of your documents do not meet Home Office requirements, your visa application will be refused.

Once your application is approved, you will be informed by e-mail. You will be granted an eVisa (electronic visa), which is a modern type of a UK Immigration status which has replaced physical documents (plastic BRP cards).

Please ensure you do the following after your eVisa is granted:

• Check your eVisa details (your name, visa type and validity dates) by using a “View and prove” service on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status
• Generate a ShareCode by using the name "View and prove" service above. The ShareCode will be required at Enrolment for University College Birmingham to view your eVisa

To assist you with the above, please watch two short helpful videos from the Home Office:

https://youtu.be/9IqAbBCfBYI - Access your eVisa

https://youtu.be/wkAYXeDzIrg - How to prove your immigration status

If any of the eVisa details are incorrect, you should report it to the eVisa correction team via the GOV.UK website - https://www.gov.uk/report-error-evisa

If you receive a notification that your visa application has been refused, please contact your agent directly or email your refusal latter to international@ucb.ac.uk

You must enter the UK during the validity period of your visa. Please ensure you complete STEP 5 and check the start date of the visa to ensure you do not attempt to enter the UK before your visa starts.

On arrival, arrange for a UK phone number (sim card) and ensure you know your UK residency address, as this will be required at enrolment.

Attend UCB for enrolment completion (University ID card collection) during the Enrolment period. Please ensure you have the following with you for completion of enrolment:

• Completed online pre-enrolment;
• Passport
• eVisa ShareCode

Flight ticket/itinerary to show when you arrived in the UK

Students are eligible for visa extension in circumstances where they are required to Repeat with Attendance a year or a module (including dissertation/project module). Student visa will be extended to cover the full duration of the repeat.

Students are not eligible for visa extension for exam/module resits that do not require attendance.

No. We can only sponsor students who have a valid visa. If you are a continuing student and are not able to extend your visa in time, you will need to defer your studies and return home to obtain a new visa from overseas.

No. The UKVI has removed provision to bring dependants for international students, except for students on research courses. Unfortunately, the UCB does not offer research courses.

Students already in the UK on student visa are exempt from the UCB Pre-CAS interview. However, new applicants from overseas are likely to be required to sit for an interview. The exact conditions will be reflected on your offer letter.

In order to quickly and efficiently complete your enrolment, you must do the following:

• Complete online pre-enrolment;
• Have your UK phone number and full UK address
• Bring your passport to Enrolment;
• Have your eVisa ShareCode
• Bring your flight ticket/itinerary to evidence the date of arrival to the UK

In order to secure a Graduate Route visa, students must meet the following requirements:

• Successfully complete a full Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and obtain an award;
• Have a valid Student Visa on the day of application for Graduate Route;
• Be physically in the UK

No. Switching from Student to Skilled Work visa is only possible after completing your course first.

UKCISA (Council for International/Student Affairs) is an independent, non-profit organisation committed to promoting educational mobility and providing support to international students and the professionals who work with them. UKCISA provides expert information and guidance on key topics and answers many queries from prospective students from all over the world. We highly recommend that you look at UKCISA’s website www.ukcisa.org.uk. 

You can also visit the UK Government’s website, which offers all the information you need to complete your visa application.