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Applying for a Student visa from outside the UK

How to apply for your Student visa in your home country.

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Where you can apply

If you are an international student applying for a Student visa from outside of the UK you will need to make your application from the Country in which you normally live.

Usually this means your country of nationality. However, if you hold a residence permit in a country other than your nationality, you may be able to apply from there – check with the local embassy first. You cannot be a Visitor in the country in which you apply.

Your application will be processed through the nearest Visa Centre in the country that you are applying. You can find out where this is by using the application centre finder on the UKVI website. If your country does not have a visa centre, you may be expected to travel to a neighbouring country.

EU Nationals may be able to make their visa applications through the UKVI ID Check App, meaning they do not need an appointment to submit their biometrics and upload their documents.

When you can apply

Once you have your Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) statement from Goldsmiths, you can make your application up to six months before your course start date.

We recommend that you check the visa processing times in your country so that you can plan ahead.

Visa application process

  1. Apply for your CAS statement from us after receiving your unconditional offer from the Admissions team

  2. Receive your CAS statement from Goldsmiths

  3. Apply online following our instructions.

    Submit the same documents in your visa application as we assessed in the CAS process.

    If we checked your financial documents and approved them, you must submit your online visa application before the bank statements expire, which is 31 days from the date they were issued to you by the bank.

  4. Pay your Immigration Health Surcharge

  5. Pay for your visa application

  6. Choose where you want to pick up your visa from when you get to the UK. You must use the secure code (2HE537) we provided you with when we sent your CAS statement so that your visa (BRP) will be sent directly to Goldsmiths.

  7. If you didn't use the UKVU ID Check app, book an appointment for your ‘biometric’ data to be taken

  8. Submit and print your application

Visa Application Centres (VACs)

For more information and for updates on the status of VACs, including opening times in your country, check with

  • TLS contact if you’re in Europe, Africa and parts of the Middle East
  • VFS global for all other countries

Priority and super priority services are available in some locations. If available, you’ll be able to purchase these services when booking your appointment.

Applying for a visa if your visa application centre (VAC) is closed

If your VAC is closed for any reason, you may be able to apply online and select a VAC in another country worldwide to submit your application and biometrics. You’ll need to make sure you’re permitted to travel to that country beforehand.

You’ll be able to make any type of UK visa application. You must select the country where you would like to submit your biometrics at the start of your application.

English language tests

English language tests are available in most countries. You can find a list of all approved test centres outside the UK. Check the SELT provider’s website to find out when tests are available and to make sure the test centre is open. Do not contact the test centre directly.

For more information on how you can book your English Language Test, contact either:

TB testing

If you are coming to the UK to study for six months or more and live in a particular country, then you will be required to undertake a TB test. The GOV.UK website has more information and the list of countries which require a TB test.