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

Applications made on or after the 25 November 2008 must be made on version 11/2008.

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
  • 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.

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.

Identity cards for foreign nationals

From 25 November 2008, under the provisions of the Immigration (Biometric Registration) Regulations 2008, compulsory identity cards are being introduced for foreign nationals applying for permission to remain in the United Kingdom.

Everyone applying in the categories for which form FLR(S) has to be used must apply for an identity card. Over the next few years, identity cards will be extended to other immigration applications.

For more information about compulsory identity cards for students extending their leave and dependants on these applications see Compulsory identity card.

For more general information on identity cards for foreign nationals, why we are introducing them and how we are doing this, see the page on identity cards for foreign nationals.

Applications made at the Public Enquiry Office

If you are applying in person at any of our public enquiry offices you will be required to provide your biometrics (fingerprints and facial image) as part of your application. This will be done on the day of your arranged appointment.

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 4 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, your identity card will be sent out to you by secure delivery within three to five days. Identity cards cannot be issued on the same day.

Postal applications

If you are applying by post you will also be required to provide your biometrics (fingerprints and facial image) as part of your application. Upon receipt of your application you will be requested to book an appointment at one of our seven enrolment centres (Croydon, Sheffield, Liverpool, Solihull, Glasgow, Cardiff and Armagh).

If you do not book an appointment, you will be sent a warning letter and your application will be rejected if you subsequently fail to comply with the requirement to provide your biometrics. If you book an appointment but fail to attend or refuse to provide your biometrics, you will be sent a warning letter and your application will subsequently fall to be refused if you do not comply with the biometric requirement.

For further information on what happens if you fail to provide your biometrics, please see the code of practice page.

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 a responsible 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 4 of the application form.

If your application for further leave to remain is successful, your identity card will be sent out to you by secure delivery post within three to five days.

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.

A parent or guardian, or another person aged 18 or over, who takes responsibility for a child for a short time.