If you are an international student and need to extend your student visa, then the Student Support Office can help.

Our International Student Adviser can advise you on how to complete the Tier 4 application form, and what evidence you will need to send with your application.

We can also send your visa extension application to the UK Border Agency, using the Student Batch Scheme. For more information about the Student Batch Scheme please contact the Student Support Office.

The following information is for guidance purposes only. When making an application students should always consult the Tier 4 Policy Guidance for the most up-to-date information.

There is no longer a paper application form for extending a Tier 4 Student Visa in the UK. Applications must now be completed and paid for online. You will then need to print out the application form and send it with any supporting documents to the Home Office, or take it with you to an appointment at a Public Enquiry Office.

You can access the Tier 4 Student application form in the 'Do It Online' section of the 'Applying from inside the UK' webpage. You will then need to set up an account with the Home Office in order to begin your application.

There are 11 sections on the form that you must complete. At the end of each section you are given the opportunity to save your details before moving on to the next section. The form does not need to be completed in one sitting, you are able to save the information you have entered in order to log out and finish it at a later date.

The form is customised to the answers you provide and hides questions that are not relevant. It is essential that you enter the correct information in order to submit a valid application. If you have any doubts about a question please see Student Support before proceeding.

Once you have completed the form you are given the opportunity to check your application before submitting it.

After checking your application click 'next' and you will be taken to a screen that lists the documents you are required to submit with your application. If you are a 'low risk' national you will not be required to submit financial evidence with your application, however you must ensure that you have this evidence in case it is requested at a later date.

At this point DO NOT agree to the declaration or click 'next' until you have had your application checked by Student Support. Once you have clicked the declaration you will not be able to make any changes.

In order to have you application checked you should bring a printed PDF version of the application form and any supporting documents to Student Support. You can print a PDF version of the form by logging into your account and selecting the 'View Application' button.

When you have had your form and documents checked you should agree to the declaration and select 'next'. You will need access to a printer at this point in order to print out your application.

You will then be given an option to either send your application by post or make an appointment at a Public Enquiry Office.

If you choose to submit your application by post you will be required to pay for it online in advance. Once payment has been successfully taken you will need to print the official version of your application form and sign the declaration.

You should then bring your documents to the Student Support Office in order to have your application posted via the RCA Student Batch Scheme.

Please note that the Home Office record the date of application being sent as the date that you send your postal application and NOT the date that you submit the online application. If you visa expires after you submit your application online, but before you send your documents, your application will be considered as 'late' and may be refused.

All students applying to extend their Tier 4 (General) visa will need to supply the following:

• Completed Tier 4 (General) application form
• Payment
• Passport(s)
• Two recent passport photographs
• Biometric resident permit (if you have one)
• Police registration certificate (if you have one)
• Evidence of sufficient funds
• Evidence of qualifications (as stated in your CAS)

If you are a national of one of the countries listed here, you are considered to be a 'low risk national'.

As a low risk national you will be required to provide fewer evidential documents when submitting your application. However the Home Office may request to see these at any point, so you must ensure that you have original copies available.

Subsequent failure to provide original copies of documents when requested, within the allotted timescale, may result in your application being rejected.

In order for you to extend your visa the College will need to issue you with a confirmation of acceptance of studies (CAS). You can request a CAS from the Registry.

You will need to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover any unpaid tuition fees and your maintenance costs.

If you have studied previously in the UK then you may be considered to have an 'established presence'. If you have an established presence then you are only required to show two months maintenance.

One month's maintenance for students studying in London – £1,000

If you are not considered to have established presence you will need to show maintenance for each month you have left on your course, up to a maximum of nine months – £9,000

NB If you currently hold any type of visa other than a Tier 4 visa, you are not considered to have established presence.

You will need to show that you have held this money in a bank account in your name, or the name of a parent/legal guardian(s), for a minimum of 28 days prior to applying.

If you show the money in the account of your parent/legal guardian(s), you will also need to include a letter from them confirming their support and evidence of your relationship (i.e. birth certificate).

If you are in receipt of a scholarship or are being sponsored then you must include a letter confirming this.

If you have just begun a programme of study at the RCA then you will need to supply evidence of the qualifications that were used to assess your application to study here. The qualification used will be listed on your CAS.

If you are a continuing student then you will have been assessed on your academic progression. You do not need to submit previous qualifications.

If you are not from a country that the UK Border Agency considers to be a majority English speaking country, then you will need to demonstrate that you meet the UK Border Agency English language requirements.

A list of majority English language speaking countries, details of minimum language requirements and acceptable documentation can be found in the Tier 4 Policy Guidance (Pages 16–20)

If you are a continuing student and have been studying in the UK you still need to make sure that you meet the English Language requirements.

NB: The RCA internal English test DOES NOT meet the UK Border Agency English language requirements.

You must make sure that you Police Registration Certificate is up-to-date when making your application.

Please check that you have registered any previous extensions made in the UK and updated any changes in address or personal details. Failure to do so may delay your application.

Applications made by post: £406

Applications made in person at a Public Enquiry Office (PEO): £781

Applications submitted by post via the Student Batch Scheme usually take six to eight weeks to be processed. However at busy periods (September to October) it can take longer.

If you go in person to a PEO then you will usually receive a decision on the same day. However you will not receive your Biometric Resident Permit (BRP) which contains your visa until at least two weeks later.

NB If you wish to go in person to a PEO you must make an appointment. There are often long waits for appointments so please make sure you have sufficient time left on your visa.

Further Information

Further information about extending your visa can be found on the UK Border Agency website.

Useful information is also available on the UKCISA website.