When I first got my offer, I remember thinking “I’ve made it”, and then realising the visa was the next big challenge. It’s definitely not something to leave until the last minute. If you plan backwards from when your course starts, you give yourself time to figure out where you’ll live, who you’ll meet, and use the downtime to start feeling like this place could be home.
Visa timing: the UK specifics (what you actually need to know)
If you’re applying from outside the UK, you can start your Student Route visa application up to six months before your course starts. If you’re already in the UK and doing something like switching courses or extending, the earliest is three months before the new start date.
You’ll need your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) in hand before applying and don’t wait too long after it’s issued, since there are limits around that too.
I didn’t realise how long the biometric slot could take until I left it too late, so I learned to do it earlier than I thought I needed it.
How long it actually takes (and what to do if you’re in a rush)
In most cases you’ll hear back in just a few weeks (3–6 weeks from submission to decision, especially if you're applying around a busy time, like September/October).
If you absolutely need it faster and the option is available for you, there are paid priority services that can speed things up to just a few working days. Just double-check availability at the moment you apply, because those services change.
I considered the priority route, and it actually saved me a lot of stress. Just be sure you understand the current terms before paying extra.
Recent changes worth knowing: eVISA now instead of vignette stickers
From mid-2025, the UK moved to electronic visas, so you won’t get the old sticker in your passport. Your visa is linked online, and you need to follow the instructions in the decision email to view/verify it before you travel.
A simple timeline (work backwards from your start date)
- 6 months out: Get your CAS, start collecting documents (passport, proof of funds, English language evidence if needed, etc.) and read through the application steps.
- 3–4 months out: Submit the visa application, pay the necessary fees (including the health surcharge), and book your biometric appointment.
- 1–2 months out: You should be getting your decision! Use this time to arrange travel, finalise (flexible) accommodation, and join some pre-arrival social activities.
Tip: Don’t book non-refundable flights or make big commitments until you’ve got the visa confirmed and your eVisa is active.
What I did while waiting (and what you can do too)
The waiting period doesn’t have to be empty. Here’s the stuff that actually helped me settle before I even landed:
- Small connections early
- I joined my student accommodation hall WhatsApp group chat and started making connections before even seeing them.
- I checked what activities were occurring during Freshers Week and signed up for the events I wanted to go to.
- I checked society pages and bookmarked a few events I could drop into once I got there.
- Figuring out the place ahead of time
- I planned the easiest way from the airport to my room (airport taxis or pre-ordering an Uber.)
- I took a look at what places were nearby - saving the nearest supermarket, cheap eat spots, and a coffee place I thought might become “my spot.”
- I looked up how to get a SIM, open a bank account, and register with a GP, so the basics were less of a scramble.
Wrap-up
Getting your visa sorted early doesn’t just avoid drama—it gives you the space and time to start shaping your life in the UK before you even arrive. Little things like knowing where you’ll grab your first coffee, having someone say ‘hi’ in a group chat, or having a flexible place to land make the whole move feel more like the start of something real.
