Applying outside the UK

Fees

The Student visa application fees are:

£490 if you apply using the Standard Service which includes the biometric fee
An additional £500 if you apply using the Priority Service (only available at some centres)
An additional £1000 if you apply using the Super Priority Service (only available at some centres)
Some Visa Application Centres (VACs) charge a 'User payers fee' of £77.40.

You may need to use the Priority/Super Priority option to get your CAS from Oxford Brookes if you are applying late.

As part of your application, you will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). For more information on fees, visit our IHS page.

Contact us

Please get in touch with the ISAT team if you have any questions about the information on this page.

1. CAS, supporting documents and financial evidence

Whether you are starting a new course, extending your visa for retakes, or returning from Approved Temporary Withdrawal, our Getting my CAS page explains what you need to do to request your CAS, including the:

financial evidence you need to prepare
supporting evidence needed for your visa application.

It is essential you look at the financial evidence and supporting documents pages carefully - if you do not submit the correct documents, this will delay your CAS.

You must apply for your visa before the expiry date of your CAS.
You need to apply early enough that you will get your visa back in time for you to travel to the UK and enrol at Oxford Brookes before the enrolment deadline. This deadline will be on your CAS. If you arrive late, then you will not be able to enrol and your visa will be cancelled.

2. Completing the visa application form

You will need to apply online in the country where you are normally living, unless you are applying in North Korea (UKVI).

When completing the visa application online, the application form will have asked you where you would like to collect your BRP. It is recommend you choose one of the local post offices the form suggests (based on the postcode of your institution).

If you need help completing your visa application form, you can use our PDF guide for applying outside of the UK which takes you through a step-by-step process of completing the form. If you have any questions that are not answered by this guide, then please email a screenshot of the part of the form you want help with to isat@brookes.ac.uk.

4. Attending a biometrics appointment or using the Identity Check App

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. You’ll be told what you need to do when you submit your visa application.

Non-EU, EEA and Swiss nationals

You will be asked to attend a Visa Application Centre (VAC) as part of your application to have your fingerprints and photograph taken (biometrics). The VAC webpages for your country will have more detailed information, including if there are priority options available.

EU, EEA and Swiss nationals

If your passport has a biometric chip, you do not need to attend a biometrics appointment but you will need to use the 'UK Immigration: ID Check app' to scan your identity document and upload your photo.

The link below tells you how to use the app. There is also a helpline in the link if you are having problems completing your application or scanning your chip.

If you do not have a biometric passport or cannot use the app, you will need to go to a Visa Application Centre to verify your identity. You will do this after you have completed the online application.

5. Credibility interviews

Most people are interviewed as part of the application process. You must make sure you are very well prepared for your interview as if you are not your visa application could be refused.

Check your emails regularly to see if you have been invited to attend a credibility interview (including your 'spam/junk' emails). Failure to attend your interview could lead to a refusal.

6. What happens after I make my visa application?

You should not book your flight until after you have received your new visa back from the Home Office.

Evidence: If you are a country on the Differential Requirement List, then the UKVI may contact you to request your finance and your academic qualifications. Contact us immediately if this happens. If you do not send the required documents in the time specified by the UKVI, then your visa application will be refused.
Immigration Health Charge: The visa application form does not always correctly calculate the Immigration Health Charge so you may get an email from the UKVI asking you to pay more. You can check this with us first.

How long will it take for my visa decision? (processing time)

Standard Service - The Home Office aim to process all applications within 3 weeks once you either attend your appointment at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) or use the ID Check app, but it may take longer at busier periods of the year.
Priority Service - A decision will be made within 5 working days of your appointment at the Visa Application Centre. (Service not available if using the ID Check app). Check with your Visa Application Centre to see if the priority visa service is available in the country you’re applying from.
Super Priority Service - The Home Office aims to make a decision on your application and contact you to let you know that your passport is ready to be collected by the end of the next working day from when you provide your biometric information. (Service not available if using the ID Check app). Check with your Visa Application Centre to see if the super priority visa service is available in the country you’re applying from.

How will I be notified of my decision?

If you verified your identity at a Visa Application Centre, wait for the outcome of your visa decision. You will be contacted when your passport is ready for collection or it will be returned to you by post.

If you verified your identity through the UK Immigration: ID Check app, you will be notified of your decision by email.

What will my visa look like?

EU, EEA and Swiss students

If you used the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app your full visa will be issued as an online digital status which you can view at any time. This can be shared with anyone who needs to check your visa status, for example and employer or your university. You can also view the conditions of your status, for example the hours you are permitted to work.

Please note, you will not receive a physical visa or vignette.

When you enter the UK, all you will need is the identity document that you used to make your Student visa application (this will most likely be your biometric passport).

Non-EU students/students who need to attend a biometrics appointment

If your application is successful you will receive a 90 day vignette (sticker in your passport), which will allow you to enter the UK within a three month period. You will then receive your biometric resident permit (BRP), once you have arrived in the UK which shows the full length of your visa.

The 90 days will start 30 days before the course start date on your CAS or seven days before the date that you specified on your application as your intended date of travel to the UK, whichever is later.

If your course is less than 6 months then your vignette will be for the duration of the course and you will not receive a BRP or a 90 day vignette.

How will I receive my Biometric Resident Permit (BRP)?

See the webpage Your BRP or Digital Visa for more information.

Check the details on your visa are correct

When you receive your visa check that all the details are correct. If you notice any errors, contact isat@brookes.ac.uk and we will take you through the process of getting the errors corrected.

Courses 12 months or longer should get a visa that lasts until 4 months after the course end date.
Courses from 6 up to 12 months long should get a visa that lasts until 2 months after the course end date.
Courses less than 6 months long should get a visa that lasts until 7 days after the course end date - unless it is a pre-sessional course, in which case the visa should end one month after the course end date.

If you have a BRP card and it expires on 31 December 2024, see Your BRP or Digital Visa webpage.