Can I extend my stay in the United Kingdom to study?

This page explains if you are able to extend your stay in the United Kingdom to study.

Student

If you are a student who already has leave (permission to stay) to study here, you can apply to extend your stay if:

• you last entered the United Kingdom with a valid student or prospective student entry clearance; or
• you were last granted permission to enter or stay to re-sit an examination; or
• you are studying at degree level or above and were previously given permission to enter or stay:
  • as a student union sabbatical officer;
  • as a work permit holder;
  • under the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme, now known as the International Graduates Scheme; or
  • under the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme; or
• you have valid leave (permission to stay) as a student.

If you attend a succession of short courses below degree level the maximum time you can stay in total as a student is two years. A short course is a course less than one year long or longer courses broken off before completion.

To apply for an extension to stay in the United Kingdom to study you will need to apply using the FLR(S) application form. You can download this form and the guidance from the right side of this page. You should read the guidance notes before completing the application form. You should also read the photo guidance on the right side of this page for details of the type of photographs that we will accept.

Biometric immigration document

From 16 June 2008, all applicants (including those with dependants) applying for further leave to remain in the United Kingdom using application form FLR(S) will also need to complete the new section (7) of the application form which covers biometric immigration documents (this is the legal term for identity cards for foreign nationals). More information about the introduction of the identity cards in November 2008 can be found in the Managing our borders section.

Postal applications

If you are applying by post you will only need to apply for a biometric immigration document if you live at an address within the following London postcode areas:

• E1 - 18
• EC1 - 4
• N1 - 22
• NW1 - 11
• SE1 - 28
• SW1 - 20
• W1 - 14
• WC1 - 2.

If you post your application on or before 25 July 2008, when we receive your postal application for your extension we will send you a letter asking you to make an appointment at our public enquiry office in Croydon to enrol your biometrics (have your fingerprints recorded and photograph taken). If you do not book an appointment, we may not accept your application as valid and we will return any fee you have paid. If you book an appointment and fail to attend or refuse to provide your biometrics, your application may be refused.

All dependants included in your application will need to provide their biometrics. This will involve a photograph being taken of all applicants and fingerprints of applicants aged six or over. If an applicant or dependant is aged under 16, the biometric registration process must only take place in the presence of an adult who is the child's parent, guardian or a person who takes responsibility for the child during that time. You must give us the name of this adult when you make your appointment and this must be the same person who is named in section A7.1 of the application form.

You will not have to pay an additional fee when you attend the appointment. If your application to extend your stay is successful, you will still receive a vignette (sticker) in your passport, rather than an identity card.

If you post your application on or after 26 July 2008 you will not need to provide your biometrics.

Applications at Croydon public enquiry office

If you are applying in person at our public enquiry office in Croydon (a premium application) you will also need to apply for a biometric immigration document regardless of your postcode. Your fingerprints will be recorded and photograph taken as part of the application process on the day you attend the public enquiry office.

All dependants included in your application will also need to provide their biometrics. This will involve a photograph being taken of all applicants and fingerprints of applicants aged six or over. If an applicant or dependant is aged under 16, the biometric registration process must only take place in the presence of an adult who is the child's parent, guardian or a person who takes responsibility for the child during that time. You must give us the name of this adult when you make your appointment and this must be the same person who is named in section A7.1 of the application form.

You will not have to pay an additional fee when you attend the appointment. If your application for further leave to remain is successful, you will still receive a vignette (sticker) in your passport rather than an identity card.

The requirement to provide biometrics for premium applications on form FLR(S) will continue until we introduce identity cards for successful applicants on 25 November 2008.

Applications at other public enquiry offices

If you are applying in person at another public enquiry office, you will not need to apply for a biometric immigration document at this stage.

Further information

For further details about the biometric immigration document and questions you may have when attending your appointment, you should read the FLR(S) guidance notes and guidance on identity cards for foreign nationals. These can be downloaded from the right side of this page.

Student visitor

You will not be able to extend your stay in the United Kingdom as a student visitor. There are no provisions in the student visitor rules for extensions to be granted. You can only obtain leave (permission to enter the United Kingdom) as a student visitor by applying for a student visitor visa at a British diplomatic post abroad or by seeking leave from an immigration officer when you arrive in the United Kingdom.