Visas and immigration
Start your preparations to come to the UK as soon as your place is confirmed Get in touchThe Student Route – guide to immigration and visas
You may need to apply for a visa as part of your international student journey to LSBU.
For courses lasting more than 6 months, you will need a Student visa
For courses lasting less than 6 months, from 1 December, you can obtain a Visitor Visa which will allow you to study for up to 6 months. You will not be granted any working hours. If you require working hours for your course, please consult with the Study Abroad team on whether there are options available.
Student visa
To apply for a Student visa, you will need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from LSBU.
The CAS is a virtual document, which contains information about you and your course of study. Read about applying for a CAS.
Currently overseas
If you are currently overseas you will usually need to apply for the Student visa from your home country or country of residence.
Seee our How to guide: Applying from overseas (PDF File 76 KB)
In the UK
If you are already in the UK, then you may need to apply for a new visa to commence your studies with us at LSBU, or to extend your current visa, in the following circumstances:
- your visa is due to expire soon, and you are eligible for a visa extension,
- you hold a Student visa issued by another institution or for a different course
- you need more time to complete a course you have already started at LSBU
If you are already in the UK and need to request a CAS for a visa extension to complete your course, please submit a query via MyAccount to the Immigration team and we will review your request.
You will be granted a visa to allow you to complete your course plus 4 additional months referred to as the ‘wrap-up period’ at the end of your course.
Prepare as early as possible
Start preparing your documents as early as possible. It is essential that you submit your application before your current visa expires. Please see our Document checklist (PDF File 290 KB).
See our How to guide: Student Visa In-Country application (PDF File 181 KB)
We must ensure that everyone enrolled at the University has permission to stay in the UK, and this does not restrict you from studying at LSBU. For more information, see Information on Right to Study Checks (PDF File 1,008 KB).
Study Abroad Students
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens
If you are studying for one semester, with no internship, you do not need a Student Visa. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizen students can arrive as a Visitor and study for up to six months.
If you are studying for one semester with an internship, you will need to apply for a Student Visa under the new Student Route (see above).
If you are studying for more than one semester with an internship, you will need to apply for a Student Visa under the new Student Route.
If you are studying for more than one semester with no internship, you will still need to apply for a Student Visa under the new Student Route.
You can arrive through the E-Gates at the airport if you have a digital passport and if you applied for your visa via the Home Office app on your smartphone.
You must see a Border Officer at the airport if your visa is stamped in your passport – (Entry Clearance vignette) – you can collect your BRP (Biometric Residence Permits) at the University when you come for enrolment.
Non-EU citizens
- Please follow the guidance as above apart from your arrival.
- You must see a Border Officer at the airport because your Entry Clearance permission is stamped in your passport – you can collect your BRP at the University when you come for enrolment.
Next steps
If your visa application is approved you can find information on the next steps to joining LSBU on the International pages.
If your visa application is rejected or refused by the UK Home Office, our immigration advice team can advise you on your options. You must update the CAS team of the outcome.
Your Student visa responsibilities
When you have become a fully enrolled student at LSBU, you have some responsibilities that are conditions of your Student visa which you must comply with. Here is a summary...
Your up-to-date UK Contact details
You will be expected to have up to date UK contact details throughout your time as a Student at LSBU. Once you arrive to face-to-face enrolment, you will be asked if you have the following:
1.UK Postal Address – we expect you to live within easy reach of the University
2.UK mobile phone - we need to be able to contact you urgently if necessary
3. An Email account – we require your email account to be able to email you important letters and updates
You must always update LSBU of any future changes to your contact details! You can update these via your student ‘MyAccount’ portal.
Reporting your change in circumstances UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) and LSBU
You are expected to report any change in personal circumstances to UKVI. Please see this webpage on reporting changes to UKVI: Report a change of circumstances if you have a visa or BRP: You're in the UK and have a BRP - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Reporting changes to LSBU:
- Change to your Immigration status and if you have applied for a new visa
- You have updated your passport
- Change in personal details
You can update these via your student ‘MyAccount’ portal.
Engagement and Attendance
Academic engagement and attendance are important throughout your time on the course!
- You must attend ALL scheduled / timetabled events as required by your Academic School, including exams, tutorials, workshops and supervisory meetings.
- You must engage in all components of your course and submit your assignments by the stated deadlines.
- You must inform the LSBU Visa Engagement Team of any sickness and absences via your student ‘MyAccount portal’.
Failure to attend ALL timetabled events will lead to interventions from the Visa Engagement Team. Continuous non-engagement on your course will lead to your withdrawal from LSBU and the withdrawal of your Student visa.
Your work conditions on a Student visa
As a Student visa holder, you may be eligible to work up to 20 hours per week.
During term-time:
- If you are studying a course at degree-level or above: You can only work up to 20 hours a week.
- If you are studying a course below degree-level (e.g., Extended degree): up to 10 hours a week.
During holiday/vacation periods:
- You can work full time if you are studying a degree level course. Please refer to your timetable and academic calendar to confirm when your holiday period starts.
- If you have entered your holiday period but have any classes, submission dates or module re-sits, then you must continue to adhere to the 20 hours per week condition as set out by your Student visa.
Academic Progression and Module Attempts
You must make every effort to engage in your course and submit all coursework and assessments in a timely manner, and you must attend all exams.
As an international student, UKVI permits you to attempt a module for a maximum of 3 times (1st initial attempt + 2 repeats).
Requiring a 4 attempt will risk your visa being cancelled and your withdrawal from LSBU.