C1 Visas

Complete your visa application form using the appropriate guide:

• Application form guide (outside the UK)
• Application form guide (inside the UK)

Once you submit and pay for your online application, you should download and save the following as PDFs for your records:

• your application form
• UKVI document checklist

You must provide a current valid passport. 

Your CAS statement lists your CAS number and other important information which you will need to include on your application form. Full details available here.

Our Money section details the financial requirements for a Student visa application. You will need to prepare documents that meet the rules listed there. If you qualify for differentiation arrangements, you will not need to submit these documents with your initial application but they may be requested by UK Visas and Immigration while your application is being processed.

If you are using a parent's bank statement, you will need additional documents as explained on the Money page.

If you are making a Student visa extension application in the UK and you have been living in the UK for at least 12 months, you may not be required to prepare finances for your visa application, please check the Money section.

If any of your documents are not in English you will need to provide a fully certified translation by a professional translator or translation company. 

Any translations you submit with your application must include the following: 

• Confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the original document 
• The date of the translation 
• The full name and signature of the translator or an official from the translation company 
• The contact details of the translator / translation company

If you have completed a course in the UK within the 12 months preceding your Student visa application and you had official financial sponsorship from a government or international scholarship agency covering both course fees and living costs, you are required to provide a letter from your sponsor giving you permission to a further application for permission to study in the UK.

People who want to study at advanced levels within certain subject areas must obtain clearance certificates under the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) before they make any immigration application to study, or extend their study period, in the UK. If your offer letter states that you require ATAS, you will need to apply for it. You must apply for ATAS clearance at at least 6 weeks before you need to apply for your visa. Make sure to familiarise yourself with our in-depth ATAS information to prepare.

Entry clearance only: If you are a person from a country listed in Appendix Tuberculosis (TB) making an application for entry clearance to come to the UK for more than six months, you must present a valid medical certificate confirming that you have been tested for TB.

You won’t need a TB test if any of the following apply:

• you’re a diplomat accredited to the UK
• you’re a returning UK resident and haven’t been away for more than 2 years
• you lived for at least 6 months in a country where TB screening is not required by the UK, and you’ve been away from that country for no more than 6 months

Children

All children must see a clinician who will decide if they need a chest x-ray. Children under 11 will not normally have a chest x-ray. If the clinician decides your child doesn’t have TB they’ll give you a certificate. Include this certificate with your child’s UK visa application.

For more information click here.

If you are 16 or 17 when you apply for your visa, you will need to include a signed letter from your parents or legal guardian confirming:

• The relationship between you and your parent(s) or legal guardian(s)
• That your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have given their consent to your application
• That your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have given their consent to you living independently in the UK; and
• That your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have given their consent to your independent travel to the UK; and
• That your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have legal custody or sole responsibility for you.

You will also need to include your original birth certificate, certificate of adoption or a court document naming your legal guardian.

The Home Office should not request any additional documents except in exceptional circumstances.  

If you have resits, the Visa Officer at the International Study Centre will contact you individually with your options and specific instructions.

You can apply for your visa as soon as you receive your CAS (late June) and your required money has been in your bank account for at least 28 days. We cannot advise a specific deadline for applying for your visa but you should apply as soon as you're able to, to ensure you are able to get the visa and travel to Exeter in time for the start of your studies.

The earlier you prepare your finances, the earlier you can submit your visa application. Remember your money must be in your account for at least 28 days before you pay the visa application fee. 

Yes, you can. But remember that they must still meet all of the requirements described in the information about bank statements above. Bank statements from home may not initially meet those requirements so make sure you read the details carefully on our Money page. 

You cannot use a friend or another relative's account unless they are your legal guardian.

Yes, you can! If you wish to apply for your visa from inside the UK, please see Applying inside the UK section further down this page.

The CAS process will start automatically once you have your unconditional firm offer. You DO NOT need to email anyone to request your CAS. It can take up to 3 working days to issue CAS following receipt of your CAS Data Check and Contract.

No. You will need to wait for your visa to be granted, then return to the UK and attend International Student Clearance before registering for your studies.

You can wait to pay your tuition fees and University accommodation fees until after you have returned to the UK. Deadlines can be viewed here.

If you do decide to pay, it is fine to pay all of your tuition fees but you MUST NOT pay more than £1,529 for University accommodation. Your CAS statement will be updated automatically once the team have received confirmation from the Student Finance team that the payment has been received. This can take up to 5 working days. If you have made a payment more than 5 working days ago and not received an updated statement, please contact casteam@exeter.ac.uk with confirmation of the payment.

Remember that money paid for private accommodation cannot be deducted from the total you need for your visa application at all.

As long as you prepare all of your documents carefully, your application is unlikely to be refused. The most important thing is to ensure that you meet all of the financial requirements - for most students this means depositing the correct amount of money in your bank account and leaving it there at all times until your visa application has been submitted. We recommend keeping the money in your bank account until you have received your visa if possible.

If you have resits, the Visa Officer at the International Study Centre will contact you individually with your options and specific instructions.

Before 19 August 2026.

You can make an appointment with International Student Advice once you receive your CAS in late June. During this appointment we will check and submit your visa application with you. Request an appointment here.

Your money must be in your bank account for at least 28 days before you submit your visa application. You should deposit money as soon as you can and definitely 28 days before the appointment that you book with International Student Advice.

Yes, you can. But remember that they must still meet all of the requirements described in the information about bank statements on our Money page. Bank statements from home are less likely to meet those requirements. If they do not meet those requirements when you bring them to your International Student Advice appointment, you will need to get a new bank statement, and this can be difficult if you are trying to get a new statement from home.

You cannot use a friend or another relative's account unless they are your legal guardian.

Yes, you can! But you must plan to stay in the UK while your visa application is pending.

If you wish, you can leave the UK after your International Study Centre course finishes and return in time for your appointment with International Student Advice. When you return to the UK, you will need to carry your offer letter or CAS statement in your hand luggage to show that you are still a student, and you can explain that you will be making your visa application as soon as you return to the University.

Alternatively, you can make your visa application as soon as possible after you get your CAS and plan to travel once you have your new visa. Be aware, however, that Student visa applications can take up to 8 weeks to be processed in the UK although Priority services will be quicker. You must not travel while your visa application is being processed.

You will meet International Student Advice at the following points:

• At your Visa Information Presentation (in April) - attendance online. If you missed the session, you can view the recording here (TBC).
• At your International Student Advice appointment (in July or August) - choose to see us in person or online. You will submit your visa application at this appointment.

Questions at other times? Attend an online drop-in.

The CAS process will start automatically once you have your unconditional firm offer. You DO NOT need to email anyone to request your CAS. It can take up to 3 working days to issue CAS following receipt of your CAS Data Check and Contract.

Yes, but you must submit your visa application before your visa expires.

You MUST NOT pay for your application before your International Student Advice appointment. This will submit your application to UK Visas and Immigration and you will not be able to change the answers on your form or use more recent documents. You should bring a credit or debit card to your International Student Advice appointment. We will check all of the answers on your application form together and help you to make your payment and submit your application.

You can wait to pay your tuition fees and University accommodation fees until after you have submitted your visa application even if you are being asked to pay.

If you do decide to pay, it is fine to pay all of your tuition fees but you MUST NOT pay more than £1,529 for University accommodation. You should bring email or paper receipts to your International Student Advice appointment and we can update your CAS for you - you do not need to contact the CAS team.

Remember that money paid for private accommodation cannot be deducted from the total you need for your visa application at all.

As long as you prepare all of your documents carefully, your application is unlikely to be refused. The most important thing is to ensure that you meet all of the financial requirements - for most students this means depositing the correct amount of money in your bank account and leaving it there at all times until after you have submitted your visa application at your International Student Advice appointment.