International

Applying for a visa

The University of Leicester is licensed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to sponsor international students under Student route of the Points Based System and is classified as a Student sponsor-track record. Our sponsor licence number is JTV8BV799. As part of your visa application you will need to quote the University of Leicester post code which is LE1 7RH.

Unless you are a British or Irish national, you will need to obtain appropriate immigration permission to study on a full-time course of more than six months. For most international students, the Student visa is the most suitable route if the total length of the course is more than six months. This includes Study Abroad students hoping to spend two semesters in the UK.

International students enrolling on a course with a total duration of less than six months can instead apply for either a Standard Visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

Please note that work-related visas, including the Graduate visa, cannot be used to enrol on a full-time course of study with us. If you are unsure whether your current immigration permission allows you to study, please review our webpages in the first instance, and if you still need confirmation, contact [email protected] no later than three months before your intended start date.

• Check to see if you need a visa

You must apply for a Student visa online. During peak periods there can be considerable delays therefore it is advisable that you allow plenty of time to prepare the correct documents and submit your application. When your visa application is assessed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), they will consider the following aspects:

• The college or university at which you wish to study
• Your chosen course and your ability to follow it
• Your finances
• Your intentions during and after your studies

We will issue your CAS as soon as possible once you have provided us with all the information and documents we require to produce your CAS. You are advised to use your CAS and apply for your visa as soon as possible.

• Latest information from UK Government on making your visa application
• UK Government 'Visa Brake' update

Ensure you have enough money for your studies

As part of your visa application you will need to provide evidence of how you will support yourself whilst you are studying in the UK. These costs are:

• Your tuition fees (as quoted on your offer email and course pages)
• Your living expenses (currently £10,539)

The visa office or embassy assessing your application will use the official exchange rate published by Oando to work out if you have enough money for your studies.

You will also need to ensure that you have enough money to pay the NHS Immigration Health Surcharge, which is paid up-front before you apply for your visa and is in addition to the amounts above. This is not a visa fee and you cannot pay the money to us. Fees are £776 per year of visa permission granted.

How to show that you have enough money to apply for a visa

You can pay your tuition or accommodation fees to us directly if you wish. We can show the following payments on your CAS Statement:

• Tuition fee payments (up to the cost of your degree programme)
• University-owned accommodation (up to a maximum of £1,529)

Please note that we are unable to accept any money for living costs. You should ensure that you have enough money to cover this and any remaining course fees. You can pay your fees online through our e-pay system or see other methods of payment.

Bank or building society statements to show your ability to pay for the course and your living costs in the UK: the account must be in your name, or in your parents’ or a legal guardian’s name only. If the account is not in your name, you will need to demonstrate how you are related to them and that you have their permission to use the money for the purposes of your education. The statements must confirm that you have held the required money for a consecutive 28 day period (finishing on the date of the closing balance) ending no more than 31 days before your application. You can find out what documents are acceptable to show that you hold the required funds by visiting the UKVI website.

If you plan to rely on funding from an official sponsor, please note that under UKVI rules, only certain national and international government bodies and institutions are eligible to act as sponsors. This should be a letter of confirmation on official headed paper and must bear the organisation’s official stamp. It must show:

• Your name
• The name and contact details of the official sponsor
• The date of the letter
• The length of the sponsorship
• The amount of money the sponsor is giving or a statement that they will cover all of your fees and living costs.

Documents required for a visa application

You must provide:

• A current passport
• Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number from the University of Leicester: this will be sent to you in a document called a CAS statement. Although you are able to apply for a CAS from more than one university, you must select only one university at the point you make a visa application. Your chosen university effectively sponsors you for the duration of your studies, therefore your visa is tied to this institution. You are not permitted to change institution without seeking approval from UKVI first.

You may need to show:

• An ATAS Certificate, depending on the course you are studying: Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) - GOV.UK
• The Results of a TB Test: You can find more information on this requirement: Tuberculosis tests for visa applicants: Check if you need a TB test for your visa application - GOV.UK
• Original copies of the academic qualifications used by admissions staff to make an admissions decision. Specifically this refers to evidence of your highest or most relevant academic qualification and of your English Language ability, if required. It is important that you submit the documents that we have listed in your CAS statement otherwise your visa application may be refused - for example, ATAS Certificate (if applicable).

Any documents that are not in English (or Welsh) need to be submitted with an official translation. The translated document must include:

• confirmation from the translator or translation company that it is an accurate translation of the original document
• the date of the translation
• the full name and original signature of the translator, or of an authorised official of the translation company
• the contact details of the translator or translation company
• (if you are already in the UK and are applying for further leave) certification by a qualified translator and details of the translator or translation company’s credentials.

It is important that you also familiarise yourself with the latest information on making a visa application (as this is not an exhaustive list) by consulting the UKVI guidance.

A further source of support is UKCISA (the UK Council for International Student Affairs) which is a national advisory board which offers useful guidance on the visa application process amongst other things.

Visa credibility interviews

As part of the UK Student visa application process, you may be invited by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to attend a credibility interview.

A credibility interview helps UKVI confirm that you are a genuine student and that your reasons for studying in the UK are genuine. Being invited to an interview does not mean there is a problem with your visa application. Many applicants are selected routinely as part of the assessment process.

Interviews are usually conducted online or by telephone, although they may also take place in person. If you are invited to attend an interview, it is important that you do so. Failure to attend may result in your visa application being refused.