Coronavirus advice for international students

In addition to the visa advice available on the Student Route visa section of our website, you should note the COVID-19 specific guidance from UKVI.

Please frequently check the various pages as the situation and advice are constantly changing.

Many UK Visa Application Centres (VACs) have resumed services where local restrictions allow. Services will reopen in phases.

To support customers accessing their documents, a limited number of VACs are opening for passport return only, before resuming wider services where local restrictions allow.

For updates to the status of VACs, including opening times in your country, check with:

• TLS contact if you will be making your application in Europe, Africa and parts of the Middle East
•  VFS global for all other countries

As VACs reopen their services, UKVI will prioritise returning customer passports.

If the VAC where you applied is still closed, UKVI will not be able to return your passport.

To support customers accessing their documents, UKVI is opening a limited number of VACs for passport returns only. Where a VAC is only open for passport return, you will not be able to submit a new application.

If your passport is in a VAC, and a decision on your application has been made, the VAC will contact you to arrange collection.

If your application has not been decided, UKVI will not contact you to return your passport until it has. If you would like your passport returned, even if your application has not been decided, please contact the VAC to arrange collection.

To see if the VAC is open for passport return in your country, check with: TLS contact or VFS global, depending on your location

We understand that in most cases UKVI will be issuing 90 days visa vignette rather than the 30 days (short-term visa) usually issued due to the COVID-19 situation.

This is to allow students sufficient time to travel to the UK in the event of any delays. However, if you do not travel to the UK within the 90/30-day period, you will need to apply for a vignette transfer by completing the online form.

The cost of replacing an expired 30/90-day vignette is £154 and you will need to make an appointment to resubmit your biometric information

You will not be penalised for being unable to collect your BRP while coronavirus measures are in place. 

In some cases, UKVI will be able to decide your application without seeing certain specified documents if you cannot get them due to coronavirus. Otherwise, you may be asked to submit the specified documents after the date of application. 

• If your leave is due to expire before your course start date, you would normally be expected to make a visa application from overseas, but there might be an exception if you are unable to travel due to a COVID-19 related reason.
• Subject to meeting the academic progression (unless the concessions set out in the Coronavirus (COVID-19):sponsors, migrants and short-term students guidance apply) and the other requirements for the Student Route visa you may be able to extend your leave from inside the UK.
• Please refer to UKVI's Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents and the Coronavirus (COVID-19): sponsors, migrants and short-term students guidance for more information.

Making your application

Some UK Visa and Citizenship Application Centres (UKVCAS) have reopened for the processing of applications. Check which UKVCAS are open. 

If you’ve given your fingerprints before

If UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) can reuse the fingerprints you’ve already given, you’ll be emailed with instructions on how to send them an image of your face and your supporting documents.

This will mean you do not have to attend a UKVCAS or an SSC service point appointment to provide biometric information.

If you cannot send the information through the instructions given, you’ll be able to book an appointment.

Go to the UKVI page for specific and up-to-date information on COVID-19 related changes to the process of applying for a visa from inside the UK.  

Please also refer to our visa advice on applying from inside the UK for specific guidance on making your application and email us if you have any questions

Please carefully plan your travel to the UK so that you can arrive in time for your course start date. However, we are aware that circumstances beyond your control may impact your ability to arrive in the UK on time, so please inform us if you will be delayed. 

Please familiarise yourself with the travel restrictions that apply in your country of residence as well as those in place for arrivals to the UK, particularly for those arriving from countries on the 'red list'. Read the DoE's: FAQ guidance for students International Students arriving in England. This guidance is for International Students who are travelling to England and have been in a red list country in the 10 days before they arrive.

Please also read the Department of Health & Social Care Guidance for more information.

There are many changes at UK borders as a result of COVID-19. Ensure that you are aware of them by checking what you need to do before you travel. Go to the UK Border Control website for more information. 

Please contact us if you need any assistance with getting from the airport to your accommodation in London or have questions about travelling to the UK

Please note that the situation is constantly evolving, so continue to check the relevant websites for updates as you prepare to travel to the UK. You will also find guidance from UKCISA helpful.