Extending your Student visa in the UK

You may need to extend your Student visa to get more time in the UK to complete your course. This may be because you have made a change to your course, need to repeat a year, added a study abroad period, or because it has been agreed that you can defer with attendance.

To extend your visa, you'll need a CAS to support your Student visa application. The University will only issue a CAS to extend your visa if you are required to attend in person and if you meet other eligibility criteria. 

Please see the FAQs below as to why a CAS extension would not be granted. If you are referred in one or several modules and you are required to resubmit assignments, you will not be eligible for a CAS extension unless:

a) You have a learning contract, which stipulates that you require in-person support and/or face-to-face supervision
b) Your resubmission requires access to technical labs or specialist software and equipment which are available on campus

If you fall in one of these categories, you must email hallamhelp@shu.ac.uk attaching evidence which may be (a) your learning contract or (b) an email from your course leader evidencing the course requirements.

I need to extend my visa. What shall I do next?

You need to book an appointment with an International Experience Adviser as soon as possible. In this appointment, you will be advised whether:

• You are eligible for CAS extension
• If you can apply for a visa extension from the UK or need to return home and apply for a new Student visa.

If you can proceed with your visa extension application, the adviser will take you through the next steps.

To book an appointment please contact Hallam Help. 

I have been advised I am not eligible for a CAS extension

If you are not required to attend in person, the University will not issue a CAS extension unless you fall in the two categories listed above. You will therefore need to return home and complete your course.

We aim to treat all students fairly and consistently. If you feel this is not the case, please speak to the Student Union Advice Centre about the University's complaints process.

Frequently asked questions

When should I apply for my CAS extension?

• If your visa expires within the next 3 months you will need to apply as soon as possible.
• If this is not the case you will need to wait until you have 3 months left on your current visa to request a CAS extension if you are applying for your visa from the UK, or 6 months before you return to study if you are applying for your visa from your home country.

How long will my CAS extension request take to be processed?

• We will process your request and let you know the outcome as soon as possible. This is usually a minimum of 3 working weeks and can be longer if we need to collect information from other services in the University, such as your Course Team.

Are there any other reasons my CAS extension will be declined?

• Your previous attendance has not been satisfactory and/or you have not submitted previous assessments
• You have not paid all of your outstanding course fees
• Your placement will begin after all teaching has already happened
• You have had an Authorised Absence which has impacted on your ability to complete your course on time
• You want to transfer from a full-time course to the Placement route

A CAS extension will not be issued in the following scenarios:

• Attending graduation
• Waiting for official results to be confirmed by a Department Assessment Board (DAB)
• Guarantee time to apply for the graduate route