If you're coming to study a full-time course for 6 months or more at SOAS then you will require a Student visa. 

It's important to prepare in advance for your Student visa application by reading the guidance and visa requirement. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process. 

Before you apply

Before applying for a student visa you must: 

  • have an unconditional offer to study a full-time programme at SOAS 
  • request and be issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number from SOAS before you can apply 
  • meet all the financial and other eligibility criteria outlined in our guides 

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

Your CAS statement contains a unique 14-digit reference number emailed to you from the Admissions team once you meet the conditions of your offer. You can also request a CAS from the Visa Compliance team if you need more time to complete your programme and your active engagement and contact is required at SOAS. 

Your CAS also contains important details about SOAS and your programme which will help you to complete your Student visa application form.

Find out more about your CAS and how to request it. 

Visa application guides

The Student Advice Service have produced guides which you should read before submitting your visa application as they will help you to understand the criteria that must be met and the documents you’ll need to provide. They also explain if you can submit your application in the UK or if you must apply outside the UK. 

Applying outside the UK 

Applying inside the UK 

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

Dependants

Please note that the rules on who can bring dependants have become more restrictive. Students starting new courses from 1 January 2024 will need to meet one of the following criteria to be able to bring dependants (your partner or child) to the UK:

  1. You're in receipt of a scholarship from your national government or His Majesty's government to study a full-time course of at least six months duration, or
  2. You're doing a full-time PhD programme at SOAS of at least 9 months duration, or
  3. You have a valid Student visa that was granted to study on a full-time course of 6 months or longer, and you're now applying for a Student visa to study a full-time course of 6 months or longer, and your dependant: 
  • already has immigration permission as your dependant or
  • is a child who was born since your most recent Student visa was issued, and
  • you and your dependant are applying at the same time

Contact the Student Advice Service if your child is born while you hold a student visa as there are additional rules in these circumstances. 

Please see our guides for more information on how to submit a dependant visa application.

After receiving your visa decision

When your Student visa is granted, check the following details: 

  • all personal details are correct 
  • your visa expires on the correct date 
  • the number of hours permitted to work is correct

Refer to our guides to understand when your visa should expire and how many hours you are permitted to work. If you find an error, refer to the UKCISA website for information based on your circumstances and the deadlines to report the error. You should also inform Student Visa Compliance via SID of any errors you find. 

If you receive a correction from UKVI, upload a copy of any new immigration documents to SOAS Online Student Services. If you have any difficulties with reporting the error, please contact Student Advice Service for advice. 

Roll-out of eVisas for BRP holders

If you've been issued a BRP that expires on 31 December 2024 but your decision letter confirms that your immigration permission extends beyond this date, you do not need to report this as an error.  During 2024, the Government is rolling out eVisas for BRP holders whose immigration permission extends beyond 31 December 2024. Find out how to access your eVisa, you must do this before 31 December 2024.

During your programme

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