Remote Study and Your Student Visa
On this page, you will be able to find more information about:
- Remote Learning
- Graduate Visa Applications
- Entering the UK
- Deferrals
- Student Visa Applications
Remote Learning
UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) have announced that the concessions allowing Student Visa holders to study remotely will end on 30th June 2022. From 1st July 2022, Student Visa holders must be physically present on campus for study.
Sponsored students will not be allowed to study remotely from outside the UK. Failure to attend in person will result in the University withdrawing its sponsorship. UKVI will then curtail* the Student Visa / BRP card, preventing any following entry to the UK.
*The expiry date of your Student visa/BRP card will be cut short, giving you an early visa end date.
How will this affect you?
Undergraduate students returning for the 2022/23 Academic year
You must return to the UK for your course start date in the 2022/23 academic year.
The period from 1st July until the start of the year in September 2022 is your summer holiday period and you are not expected to be on campus.
Taught Postgraduate students whose courses end in September 2022
Any students with outstanding seminars, lectures, meetings, or supervision sessions are required to attend these in person on the University of Leeds campus from 1st July 2022.
Sponsorship of the Student Visa will be withdrawn if you don’t attend any required contact points.
Students who have not yet applied for a Student Visa
Remote learning will not be allowed after 30th June 2022. If you do not have a CAS, or it has expired, you will need a new CAS from the University.
To request a new CAS contact:
• Undergraduate / International Foundation Year / Study Abroad: taught-admissions@leeds.ac.uk
• Taught postgraduate or pre-sessional English language: casqueries@leeds.ac.uk
• Postgraduate research: rp_applications@adm.leeds.ac.uk
Graduate Visa Applications
Students with courses lasting longer than 12 months who have already entered the UK on their current Student Visa.
You will be allowed to apply for a Graduate Visa only if you submit the application:
1. from within the UK
2. before the end of your current student permission.
If you are currently overseas, you must enter the UK and submit your visa application online before your Student Visa expires.
Students with courses lasting longer than 12 months who have not yet entered the UK on their current Student Visa
You must have entered the UK before 30th June 2022 to be eligible for the Graduate Visa. If you are currently in the UK and wish to make an application, you must complete your course in person from 30th June 2022.
If you decide not to attend courses in person and leave the UK, the University will withdraw its sponsorship. Your visa will be cancelled by UKVI and no longer valid for travel to the UK, and you will not be eligible to apply for the Graduate Visa.
Further Information on the graduate route can be found below:
- For Students | University of Leeds
- UK Visas and Immigration
- UKCISA - international student advice and guidance - Working after studies
*The expiry date of your Student visa/BRP is cut short, giving you an early visa end date.
Entering the UK
Expired Entry Vignettes
If your 90-day entry vignette has expired, you can apply for a replacement. In order to do this, you will need to:
• Complete the online application form
• Attend a biometric appointment in your country of residence
• Pay the cost of a replacement vignette (£154.00)
Before you start your application
Apply for your vignette when you are confident you can travel to the UK. The new vignette will be valid for 90 days. If you cannot travel during this time, you will need to apply again to update your vignette.
You will not need a new CAS when you apply for a vignette transfer, but you will need a new TB certificate (where applicable) if this has now expired.
Completing your application
Apply online for a vignette transfer: Transfer your visa from your passport - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
When the form asks you for the following information, select these options:
• “Confirm your visa type”, please select “BRP Vignette Transfer”
• “Category of application”: please select “To transfer or replace your visa (vignette)”
• At the end of the application form, in the ‘Any other information’ field, please write this statement: “I have been granted a Student Visa and I now need a new vignette so that I can travel to the UK.”
Submitted vignette transfer application but no travel
If you have applied for a replacement vignette, and you are still waiting for a decision, but have decided not to travel, submit a withdrawal request at the Visa Application Centre that you applied from. This will allow for your passport to be released back to you.
Digital Visas
If you are a digital Student Visa holder (EU / EEA nationals), you can enter the UK as long as your immigration permission remains valid and has not been curtailed* by UKVI.
*the expiry date of your Student visa/BRP card has been cut short, giving you an early visa end date.
Deferrals
If you are thinking of deferring (delaying the start of ) your course, you will need to contact your School first to ask for their permission.
If your school agree to your deferral and you have not applied for your Student Visa, don’t make an application (your CAS will simply expire).
If your school agree to the deferral and you have applied for your visa, the University will let UKVI know that your visa is no longer needed, and your visa will be cancelled. You will not receive a refund of the visa application fee or the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Before you return to your studies, you will need to:
1. email casqueries@leeds.ac.uk to request a new CAS
2. apply for a Student Visa
3. pay any costs associated with your Student Visa application
The new CAS will have your new start date and you will need to use this for a new Student Visa application.
Student Visa Applications
Expired CAS
Your CAS is valid for 6 months from the date it was assigned to you.
If you have registered on your course but have not made a Student Visa application, and are currently studying remotely, contact our Admissions Office for a new CAS: casqueries@leeds.ac.uk
You must arrive in the UK to attend any in person study from 30th June 2022, as you are not allowed to study remotely after this date.
If you are a research postgraduate and you have registered and started your research programme remotely, please:
• contact our PGR admissions team for a new CAS: rp_applications@leeds.ac.uk
• make your Student Visa application to arrive in the UK by 30th June 2022
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
When paying the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), the amount you are charged will be adjusted to the length of time you have been in the UK.
As part of the application, you will be asked if you are continuing a course. If you are a student who registered remotely, you must:
• answer ‘Yes’
• enter your original course start date at the University of Leeds.
The website will then request a new course start date (for physical attendance).
Enter your intended date of travel at this point. This will correctly calculate the IHS charge for the time you have spent in the UK.
If you have overpaid your IHS, contact UKVI to request a refund.
Online Visa Application Form
Visit Applying for a student visa for a full explanation of the visa application process and a screen-by-screen example of the information you need to include in the application.