phd extension visa

Doctoral Extension Scheme

Doctorate Extension Scheme

If you have almost finished a UK PhD or other doctorate qualification this scheme allows an additional 12 months of Tier 4 immigration permission in which to gain experience in your specific field.

Please note from 9am on 1 July 2021, DES will merge into the new Graduate route under which a PhD graduate can apply for permission to stay in the UK to work for 3 years. You can find out more about this on the "Graduate Route" page on our website. If you have been granted a DES visa, you will not be eligible to apply under the Graduate route.

On this page you can find information about:

Eligibility

Expected award dates
University monitoring and reporting

Application

Tier 4 responsibilities

To qualify for the Doctorate Extension Scheme, a student must:

Hold a valid Tier 4 (General) or Student visa to study a programme that leads to a PhD qualification
Be studying with an UK HEI that holds a Tier 4 sponsor licence
Have not yet completed their programme
Have a CAS which confirms that the sponsor expects them to successfully complete the programme and that they will provide sponsorship during the 12 months that you are on the scheme
Apply for the visa from within the UK
Apply for the Doctorate Extension Scheme visa no more than 60 days before the expected award date on the CAS

Expected award date

Your expected award date will be the 28th day of the month in which you submit your final thesis (after your viva and corrections). For example, should you plan to submit your final thesis in the first week of April, the expected award date on your CAS will be 28th April and you will be required to submit your visa application no more than 60 days before 28th April.

What if your current visa expires before your expected award date?

If, once you have had your viva, you have corrections to complete but your current Tier 4 visa is not long enough to allow you to complete them, you will need to apply for a Tier 4 visa extension.

University monitoring and reporting duties

As your sponsor, the University has certain duties and responsibilities which it is required to adhere to by the Home Office. The University will need to have at least 2 points of contact with you during the length of your DES visa to ensure that you are meeting the conditions of the visa. If the University finds that you have failed to meet the conditions of the visa or if you fail to make contact with your nominated Engagement Monitor, we will report this to the Home Office, withdraw sponsorship of your visa and you will be required to leave the UK.

Working on the Doctorate Extension Scheme

If your application is successful, you will be granted a Tier 4 Doctorate Extension Scheme visa for a period of 12 months from the expected end date on your CAS. When you have been awarded your PhD, you can work almost without restriction. As long as your award has been confirmed, you can also start working without the usual Tier 4 restrictions while your application is still pending with the Home Office. The only restrictions are that you cannot work as a doctor or dentist in training, or as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.

You will need a new CAS number issued by UCL in support of your DES application. To obtain this, you will need to complete the

DES CAS Request Form

Please allow five working days to receive an email confirming that your form has been received. You need to ensure you meet the following conditions before submitting the DES CAS request form:

you have reached the viva stage of your research programme and are ready to submit your final thesis

you have agreed an expected award date with your research supervisor

Once you have received your DES CAS, please make an appointment with the Student Immigration Advice Team by using the contact form . They will be able to assist you with your visa application.

Applicants must hold a valid Tier 4 student visa as well as £2668 for 28 days at the time of making the application. You will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £470 to cover the 12-month period of the Doctorate Extension visa. The 12-month Tier 4 Doctorate Extension visa will begin on the PhD date of award. Applications submitted after the date of award will be refused. The online application form is available here.

Tier 4 Doctorate Extension Scheme student responsibilities

Once you have obtained your new Tier 4 Doctorate Extension Scheme visa, please take it to the Student Centre (in the Chadwick Building) so scans can be taken for our records. As your sponsor, we are required to hold copies of your DES visa.

By applying for sponsorship from UCL for the DES visa, you must read and understand the following:

You will ensure that you submit your Doctorate Extension Scheme visa application no more than 60 days before your expected award date. This must also be before your current Tier 4 visa expires

Your DES visa will expire 12 months after your expected award date
You will take your DES Biometric Residence Permit to the Student Centre to be scanned onto your student record
You will keep UCL updated of any changes to your contact details while you hold a DES visa
You will notify UCL if you permanently leave the UK – this will be reported to UKVI and your visa will be curtailed
You will promptly respond to contact that is made by your DES Engagement Monitor – if you fail to do so, this will be reported to UKVI and your visa will be curtailed
If, after you have applied for the DES visa, you fail to complete or fail your PhD we will report this to UKVI and your visa will be curtailed
The work conditions of the DES visa will not apply until you have submitted an application to the Home Office and the award of your PhD has been confirmed. There are no restrictions on work for DES migrants (except for work as a doctor or dentist in training or as a professional sports person or coach)
UCL may withdraw sponsorship of your DES visa should it be made aware that you are in breach of the conditions of the scheme

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If you are a registered student currently sponsored under Tier 4/Student visa and need more time to complete the PhD examination process or have had an extension to your submission deadline approved, you would normally be eligible to apply for a new student visa. We advise you to contact the International Student Office 3 - 4 months before your current visa expires if you believe you will need more time in the UK. You may also be eligible if you previously had a Tier 4/Student visa but are outside the UK or if your current visa is in another category.

The usual route is to extend your permission to stay in the UK on a student visa.

ATAS clearance

If you are undertaking a course that is subject to ATAS clearance, you will require a new ATAS certificate before a CAS can be issued - this is required for any new visa application. The FCO advises that the process takes about 20 - 30 working days. Your Faculty/Department or Supervisor must provide a new ATAS research statement using an ATAS form. On receipt of this form, you should complete your online application with the FCO. Your CAS will be issued after you have obtained a new ATAS certificate. Nationals from the EEA and Switzerland and the following countries are exempt from an ATAS requirement: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, USA, Singapore, Japan, South Korea.

Applying for a student visa extension inside the UK

If at the time of applying you have a valid Tier 4/Student visa, you will be able to extend your permission to stay from inside the UK. You will need to take the following into consideration:

The earliest you can apply is 3 months prior to your current visa expiring.
You will require a new CAS from the International Student Office .
After making your application, you will not be able to travel overseas outside the Common Travel Area (UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands) until you have received your new BRP.
The advertised decision timeframe for a student visa application in the UK using the standard service is 8 weeks. Priority and Super Priority services are available at additional cost. Once a decision has been made, your BRP can take up to 10 days to be delivered.
You will need to provide the International Student Office with proof of application if your new visa is not granted before your current permission expires.

You are advised to read our detailed guidance on applying for Permission to Stay which outlines the procedures, requirements and application costs.

Applying for a student visa from overseas

You will need to manage your absence from Cambridge appropriately and discuss your travel plans with the International Student Office as your return travel dates and the dates in your CAS will determine the period of validity of your temporary entry vignette, issued to enable you to return to the UK on a student visa. When you return to Cambridge you will need to collect your BRP .

You are advised to read our detailed guidance on applying for Entry Clearance , which outlines the procedures, requirements and application costs. You will note the specific requirements for evidence of funds.

Switching into student visa

If you were granted permission to start your studies on an alternative visa but need to switch to a student visa to complete your studies, please contact the International Student Office for further guidance and advice.

Switching to a different visa

If you switch from Tier 4/Student visa into a different immigration category while you are a registered student, you must inform the International Student Office and also present these documents to your College for scanning straight away. See ' Changes in circumstances ' for more details about this and other changes that might require action on your part.

Need more time but completing overseas?

It is not necessary to extend your student visa if you will be completing the requirements of your PhD overseas - for instance, corrections - but you need to obtain formal permission from the University of Cambridge to be away, normally by applying for Leave to Work Away or sometimes by being removed from the register . Not only is this a University requirement, it also ensures your record accurately reflects the reason why you did not hold a valid study visa for a given time.

If you need to return to the UK before graduation, you must contact us for advice on the correct immigration route.

Need more time but not a PhD student?

If you are on another programme, it may be possible for the University to be able to support you in obtaining a new visa to complete your course - for instance, following a period of intermission - but it is unlikely that you would be able to apply for such a visa from inside the UK. You should contact the International Student Office as soon as you become aware that you might need more time.

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PhD Students

Georgetown’s classrooms and academic life benefit from an exceptionally talented community of international doctoral students. In addition to the many University resources available to our international Hoyas in F-1 and J-1 status, the PhD website and Frequently Asked Questions provide targeted information to help students maintain legal status and maximize immigration benefits as they pursue their unique academic and professional objectives.

Considerations for F-1/J-1 PhD Students

f-1 status.

The majority of Georgetown doctoral students study in F-1 status.
Students who apply for F-1 work authorization after completion of the dissertation remain in F-1 status while waiting for their authorization to be approved and throughout the 12-month OPT (and when applicable the 24-month STEM OPT) period.
Doctoral students in F-1 status receive a Form I-20 for 7 years. The document is always shortened when a student defends earlier than expected.
It is the student’s obligation to contact OGS if the source of funding changes during the period. OGS does not search out the student to present new documentation at the end of the five-year funding period.
Extending beyond the 7-year period is rare, however, if there are extraordinary circumstances beyond a student’s control, the justification must be presented by the dissertation advisor in writing and the student must submit sufficient funds to cover the length of the extension.
OGS only keeps F-1 records and related documents for 3 years following completion of studies or any post-completion work authorization period. It is essential that students safeguard their immigration documents with their other government documents.
F-1 students must enroll in the normative credit requirement on record with the GSAS for their program of study. As part of that normative courseload requirement, only one course can be taken online. Students in the dissertation phase of their studies must enroll in a section of thesis research that makes them full time.

J-1 Status

Very few Georgetown students study in J-1 status. It is essential that students review the F-1/J-1 Comparison Chart (PDF) prior to selecting J-1 status.
J-1 status is part of the Department of State’s Exchange Visitor Program .
Students in J-1 status are expected to take advantage of the many opportunities available to interact with Americans and learn about the United States.
J-1 students must submit an evaluation at the end of every internship opportunity.
Eligibility requirements and restrictions are available on the Admitted F-1 and J-1 Students page.
J-1 students cannot research or study abroad outside the United States and leave their SEVIS record active. This means that to return to the United States after each research or study experience would require a new immigration document and a new SEVIS 1-901 Fee. It may also impact the number of months available for Post-Completion Academic Training (AT).
J-1 students must be authorized for each and every on-campus work position as well as all off-campus work positions. J-1 dependents are allowed to apply to the government for work authorization.
Some J-1 students have a two-year home residence requirement before they can change their immigration status to a more permanent immigration status.
J-1 students must enroll in the normative credit requirement on record with the GSAS for their program of study. No online courses may be counted toward the full-time courseload.
Health insurance is required for all Exchange Visitors and their dependents. The insurance must meet the U.S. State Department’s health insurance requirements .

Renewing the F-1/J-1 Visa

Students are not obligated to renew an expired visa if they do not intend to travel outside the United States. While pursuing a full course of study and making normal progress toward degree, students may remain in the United States with an expired visa stamp.
All visas must be renewed at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside the United States. If you would like to renew the visa prior to its expiration, the Embassy or Consulate will generally accept an application to renew a visa that is expiring within 6 months.
OGS recommends renewing the visa in the student’s home country to avoid any distress if there is a delay in processing. At the time of the consular interview to renew the visa, the consular officer will ask to see updated funding documents from either Georgetown University or the student’s personal or family funds. Bank statements from family members must be accompanied by a support letter from the person listed on the bank account.
Students must be prepared to reiterate their nonimmigrant intent at each visa interview.
OGS recommends bringing a letter from the department confirming the student is making normal progress toward degree completion if renewing a visa after year 5.
OGS recommends bringing an unofficial transcript to show full-time enrollment each semester.
Some students wish to renew their expired visas in Canada. Students must check the Canadian website to see if a visa is required to enter Canada as a tourist for the interview at the US embassy. They must also check the U.S. Embassy in Canada website to see if visa applications are considered by citizens of the student’s country.

Work Authorization

All off-campus paid and unpaid positions require work authorization prior to the start of the internship/training.
All GU-funded students with service obligations need a Social Security Number (SSN).
All first-year students who do not have an SSN but have been awarded a Georgetown non-service stipend will need an ITIN for taxes. To apply for an ITIN, you should wait to file your federal tax return via Sprintax (promo codes available from OGS mid-February to mid-April). Sprintax will assist with preparing your ITIN application in tandem with your federal tax return. Please review our Tax Website for more information .
Students with a non-service stipend are not permitted to work on-campus, in paid or unpaid positions.
Students with a service stipend are restricted to a combined total of 20 hours per week, for all on- and off-campus positions.
F-1 PhD students may work on campus without any special authorization and are limited to 20 hours per week during required academic terms. During summer vacation, there is no limit to the number of hours a student can work on campus.
J-1 PhD students must get OGS authorization to work in each and every on-campus position. Students are limited to 20 hours per week during the academic year and may work full-time during summer vacations.
Work for any organization other than Georgetown requires authorization prior to beginning the internship/training. Working without proper authorization jeopardizes a student’s legal status.
Work with an International Organization (IO) is a specific type of off-campus authorization available to students who wish to work with one of the approved international organizations. While an excellent alternative to CPT, the timing is always complicated because these applications are adjudicated by USCIS and take 3-4 months for approval. Students cannot work until they have the application is approved and they have received the Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
Optional Practical Training (OPT) (3-4 month processing with USCIS)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) (3-5 days in OGS)
Work with an International Organization (IO) (3-4 month processing with USCIS)
CPT is highly scrutinized by the U.S. government. Students may enroll in internship courses up to 3 times if new skills are being learned each time.
Many doctoral students use CPT during the program of study if the work is required for completion of the dissertation. In these cases, there is no course enrollment and no limit to the number of times a student can apply for CPT. However, a justification letter is required from the dissertation advisor for each authorization period.
Students are encouraged to keep detailed and accurate records of the work performed with each authorization to prove that it is integral to the student’s curriculum.

Dissertation Research Abroad

Students who wish to keep their F-1 record active and will be engaged in dissertation research abroad must report the foreign address and research dates to their IS Advisor within the first 5 days of each semester. The IS Advisor will report the research abroad in SEVIS. Students are responsible for making sure their I-20 Form has a valid travel signature at every entry to the United States. Travel signatures are valid for 12 months during the program of study. If a student needs a new travel signature while outside the United States, they must register and pay for a FedEx shipment to have the Form I-20 shipped.
J-1 students must end their J-1 SEVIS record upon departure for any research or study abroad experience longer than 30 days.

Living Out of the DC/MD/VA Area

To keep their F-1 or J-1 record active, students who want to conduct dissertation research outside of this area should update their local off-campus address in MyAccess within 10 days of the change or the first 5 days of the semester.

Dependents

Students must submit sufficient financial documentation for each of their dependents.
OGS requires 3-5 days to issue a dependent document when a dependent joins the F-1 or J-1 student during the course of study.
Children born in the United States to F-1 or J-1 students have American citizenship and do not need a dependent Form I-20 or DS-2019.
F-2 dependents can study part-time, can volunteer with a charitable or humanitarian organization but cannot be employed in any paid or unpaid capacity.
J-2 dependents can study full time and apply for work authorization through USCIS. Once they receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), J-2s may begin employment.
Dependents are generally welcome at all University events. If you are unsure, ask!
The Premier Plan allows for dependent coverage. The coverage is excellent but expensive.
If your dependent makes a final departure from the United States, contact OGS to end the SEVIS record to avoid any future problems entering the United States.
J-2 dependents cannot remain in the United States if the J-1 will be out of the country for more than 30 days.

Completion of Studies/Graduation

Many students complete their doctoral degrees before the end of the 7-year Form I-20 period.
Graduation and completion are two separate events. Graduation is the administrative conferral of the degree. Completion is either the date of the defense or the date of submission of the dissertation to the Graduate School.
Students must contact the IS Advisor when setting a defense date.
Students who complete before the Form I-20 end date must report their early completion to OGS and OGS is required to shorten the immigration document accordingly.
Students who complete their program early but have a teaching or research obligation as part of their funding in the semester they complete the dissertation, will be shortened to the end of that semester.
Students who do not have a teaching or research obligation must be shortened to either the defense date or the dissertation submission date.
Students must declare a completion of studies date to OGS before they will be permitted to apply for post-completion work authorization.
Students in certain fields may be eligible for the 24-Month STEM OPT Extension . Review the list of applicable programs to determine eligibility.
View the PhD OP T Advising Timeline .

How to Obtain More Information

PhD specific sessions each semester
Appointments with IS Advisor
OGS Employment page
OGS Tax page
Study in the States website
Graduate Career Modules
J-1 Exchange Visitor page

Questions about other special PhD considerations? What happens after year 5? What are my responsibilities if I must depart the United States for more than 30 days for research or study abroad?

Doctorate Extension Scheme

The Doctorate Extension Scheme is a type of Student Visa.

It allows students finishing their PhD or doctorate qualification in the UK to extend their current Student Visa for 12 months to look for a job and start work.

The information on this page is about applying for the Doctorate Extension Scheme, including:

Who is eligible?
When can I apply?
What do I need to prepare?
How do I apply?
What happens after I apply?

1. Who is eligible?

You must meet all the following requirements to apply for the Doctorate Extension Scheme at Southampton:

have a valid Student Visa/Tier 4 (general) visa sponsored by University of Southampton
study a programme leading to a PhD or doctorate qualification

You can only apply for the Doctorate Extension Scheme inside the UK.

2. When can I apply?

There is a very short window of opportunity to apply for the Doctorate Extension Scheme. If you are interested, contact us around the time of your viva voce exam to talk to a Visa Advisor.

You can apply for the Doctorate Extension Scheme:

no more than 60 days before the date you are awarded your PhD or doctorate qualification
after your corrected thesis is approved by the examiner, you complete your final tasks and your Faculty decide your expected award date
before you are awarded or your current visa expires, whichever is earliest

If you will not be able to complete your corrections before your current visa expires, you would usually need to extend your current Student Visa and would not become eligible for the Doctorate Extension Scheme until you complete your corrections. Contact us if you are unsure.

3. What do I need to prepare?

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
Money to pay the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge

This is very similar to what you need to prepare for a Student Visa application but with some important differences listed below.

You can find general information about what to prepare to apply for a Student Visa on the University webpage about applying inside the UK .

What's different about preparing for the Doctorate Extension Scheme?

Applying for a cas.

You must contact us for information about the documents you will need to apply for a Doctorate Extension Scheme CAS. There is an administrative fee of £100 payable to the University for the Doctorate Extension Scheme CAS.

Amount of money for financial evidence

If you and your Dependents have been living in the UK for the past 12 months or more on a Tier 4 (general) or Student Visa, then you will not need to provide financial evidence for your Doctorate Extension Scheme visa application.

However, If you have left the UK within the last 12 months and you have not had a valid Tier 4 (general) or Student Visa but you have since returned here on a Tier 4 (general) or Student Visa, then you will need to show financial evidence for the visa application. This will also apply to all of your dependents.

The money you would need to prepare in financial evidence for the Doctorate Extension Scheme is the equivalent of 2 months for each applicant.

This applies to you and any family members joining you as Dependants of a Student. The amount of money per month is different for Students and for Dependant family members, but the number of months to prepare is the same.

You can find the amount of money you and your Dependents need to prepare for each month in the Student Visa guidance

4. How do I apply?

Similar to a Student Visa application:

1. Prepare your CAS, documents and money for the visa application fees and IHS .

2. Prepare your online visa application form If you will apply with the help of the University VISAS team, do not sign the declaration or pay for your application online before you book your visa advice appointment.

3. Book a visa advice appointment with the University VISAS team so that a Visa Advisor can check your documents and online application form and help you complete your application. We will help you to upload electronic copies of your documents to the UKVCAS website.

5. What happens after I apply?

Biometric reuse.

If you have provided your fingerprints for a previous visa application within the last 5 years, you may be contacted by UKVI to inform you that they will re-use your fingerprints for your new visa application.

You will then be sent a link to download the IDV app. The IDV app is available to download on the following smart phones:

Android: IDV app works on devices having a camera with minimum 5 megapixels and running Android 7.0 and above.
iOS: IDV app works on iPhone 6 and above and having version iOS 12 and above.
The IDV app is currently not compatible with tablets/iPads

Please see the IDV app FAQs for further information.

There is also a video available to help you navigate the app.

You can either upload your documents onto the UKVCAS website, after you have submitted and paid for your application, or you can upload your documents onto the app. Once you have submitted on the app, UKVI will start to process your application. You will not need to book an appointment at a UKVCAS centre. Your application will be invalid if you do not complete the final submission on the app.

If UKVI cannot reuse your biometrics, then you will be invited to book an appointment at a UKVCAS centre.

Book an appointment at a UKVCAS Centre

Appointments at 'Core' centres, such as Croydon, are free during regular opening hours, but there will be a fee to pay for an appointment outside of these hours.

For appointments at 'Enhanced' centres such as Southampton, you will have to pay a fee during regular opening hours, and an increased fee for an appointment outside of these hours.

You must ensure that you upload all of the mandatory documents, which are required for your application (and for all of your dependents if applicable) to the UKVCAS website, before you attend your appointment. If you plan to apply with the University VISAS team at a visa advice appointment, we can help you with this step. If you do not plan to apply with the University VISAS team, you must book and attend a UKVCAS appointment yourself.

When you attend your appointment, you must take with you the following documents:

Appointment booking confirmation
Your current passport (and current passports for all of your dependents, if applicable)
Documents required for your application (you will have already uploaded these to the UKVCAS website, but it is recommended to take these to your appointment in case there is a technical error and your document scans are not showing)

At your appointment, you will:

Provide your passport (and for each of your dependents, if applicable)
Give your fingerprints and have a photo taken of your face (and for each of your dependents, if applicable)
Give your signature (and for each of your dependents, if applicable)
You may also have an interview

Your application will be invalid if you do not attend a UKVCAS appointment to enrol your biometrics.

Receive application decision

You will usually receive an email from the Home Office GOV.UK to inform you of your application decision.

If you do not receive a decision email before you receive your BRP, contact us .

Receive your BRP

If your application is successful and the University is your postal address , VISAS will email you to collect your BRP when it has been delivered. This is usually 5 - 10 working days after you receive your application decision.

If your application is successful and the University is not your postal address , you must contact us to let us know you have received your BRP.

Check your BRP and decision letter or email

You must check that all of the following information is correct on your new Doctorate Extension Scheme visa - your BRP card:

Your personal details, including your name, date of birth and nationality
Expiry date - this should be exactly 12 months following your award date.
Police registration. Your decision letter or email will confirm if you and your Dependants (if applicable) are required to register with the police. If it is not written in your decision letter or email, it is not a requirement of your visa. You can find out how to register with the police or update your existing registration on our police registration webpage .

Work conditions

Your work conditions will be printed on the front of your BRP. You can find an explanation of your new work conditions in the Student Visa Guidance and on the UKCISA webpage about working after studies .

Working hours

There is no restriction on the number of hours you can work per week.

Type of work

You cannot work as

a Doctor or Dentist in training
a professional sportsperson or coach

There is no other restriction on type of employment.

Contact points

You must update your contact details throughout the Doctorate Extension Scheme.

The University will be the Student Sponsor of your Doctorate Extension Scheme visa and must maintain contact with you during the 12 month duration of your visa.

We will contact you on two occasions. If you miss these contact points without a reasonable explanation, the University must remove sponsorship of your Doctorate Extension Scheme visa.

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Doctorate Extension Scheme Applications

How do you qualify for the DES scheme? You must:

• Hold a valid Tier 4 (General) visa for a course that leads to the award of a PhD, and • Not have completed your PhD course, and • Be applying no more than 60 days before the PhD expected end date as stated on your new CAS, and • Apply from within the UK.

What documents are required for your application?

Documents not in English must be translated by a fully certified translator/translation company and the translations must meet specific requirements. Please see the Translation webpage for guidance. • Completed Student online application form. Please see ‘How to make a Student visa application in the UK’ below. You must tick ‘yes’ to the question ‘Are you applying for the Doctorate Extension Scheme?’. • Current passport or travel document. • Current Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card. • Assigned CAS number (you will get a new CAS to support a DES application via the Doctoral Research Office). • Police Registration Certificate if you were required to register with the police. Make sure this is up-to-date. • Letter from your financial sponsor confirming that they have no objection to your application to remain in the UK (if you were financially sponsored during your course). • You and any dependants need to meet the maintenance requirements . • If dependants will be applying with you, please see the Requirements for Dependant Applications for guidance on the required documents.

Fees and biometric enrolment

* Plus an additional £19.20 biometric enrolment fee At times Priority and Super Priority applications may not be available. Immigration Health Surcharge As part of the application process, you and any dependants will each be required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) to cover the duration of your stay in the UK. You will then be able to use the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK and will not require private medical insurance. Please note that you will still need to pay for certain types of services (e.g. prescriptions, dental treatment and eye tests). That is a requirement for everybody, including British nationals. If you pay the surcharge twice for the same period, you will be entitled to a refund of the surcharge for this overlapping period of time. The cost of this charge will be £470 for each applicant and dependent per year of the actual visa to be granted, including any final extra period. Periods less than six months are charged at £235. Periods between 6 and 12 months are charged at the full year rate. Biometric enrolment appointment You will need to book an appointment to attend a UKVCAS service point to enrol your biometrics (facial photograph and to provide your fingerprints) and to provide your required documents (if you have not uploaded the documents yourself online). There are three different types of service points: Core – offering both free and chargeable appointments. The closest core service point to Reading is in Croydon. You will either need to upload the documents yourself online before your appointment or pay extra for the Document Scanning Service. Enhanced – offering chargeable appointments only, but document scanning is included. The closest service point is Reading Central Library in the town centre. Premium lounge – offers a personalised customer experience for a higher fee. How to make a Student visa application in the UK The form is only available online and can be completed by following the steps listed below:

Go to the Home Office’s UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) website and click ‘Start now’
Follow the instructions on the form.
If you would like an International Student Adviser to check your visa application, stop when you get to stage ‘3: Documents' (pictured below) of the application, click ‘return to this application later’, ‘Download your part-completed application (PDF)’ and email the form and your documents to [email protected] . If you go beyond this point it may not be possible to make any changes or corrections to the form. DO NOT MAKE ANY PAYMENTS or finish the application.

You will receive an email with a link, which allows you to return to the form using the password you set up.
After you have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge and the visa application fee, you will be redirected to the UKVCAS/Sopra Steria website to book your biometric appointment at a service point. You can upload copies of your supporting documents to this website. The closest centre is Reading library, which is an Enhanced service point.
You will retain your documents (including your passport) whilst your application is being processed, but you must not leave the UK before a decision has been made on your application. If you do, UK Visas and Immigration will treat your application as being withdrawn. If you must leave the UK due to an emergency, please contact the International Student Advisory Team.

What happens next? You should provide the University with evidence that you have made a visa application to ensure that your student record is updated. This is important, because as your Student sponsor the University needs to have up-to-date records of your immigration status. After you have attended your appointment to provide your biometrics and supporting documents the next correspondence you receive should be from UK Visas and Immigration with your visa application decision. Your BRP will arrive shortly after. If your BRP card is delivered to you directly you will need to provide a copy of your BRP to the University by sending a colour photo/copy to [email protected] . You should check the details on the BRP card are correct and update the police records (if applicable). If your visa application is refused, make sure you contact the International Student Advisory Team and supply a copy of the visa refusal notice. Need more help? If clarification is needed on any aspect of the Rules or you have questions about your visa application, please email the International Student Advisory Team at [email protected] where we will respond to you as soon as possible, alternatively telephone +44(0)118 378 8038.

Support for new students

New students
Student visas and immigration
During your course of study

Study/time limit extensions

How to extend your study/time limits as a postgraduate student on a Student or Tier 4 visa.

Study extension (PGT)

If you're a taught postgraduate student and require a study extension to submit your dissertation, please apply through your department for approval.

You should check with your department if you are expected to remain in the UK and will continue to be supervised for the extension period, or if you have the flexibility to return home and submit from overseas instead.

If your current visa does not cover your new course end date then you will need to either:

Leave the UK before your visa expiry date and complete your studies from overseas
Apply for a new visa in good time before your current visa expiry date (you will need to request a new CAS for this)

To receive a new CAS

After your extension has been approved you can visit this webpage to request a CAS to apply for a new Student visa to complete your studies in the UK.

Please note that a new CAS will only be issued if your department confirms that you will continue to be supervised and that your attendance will be recorded. When emailing your CAS request please also include or attach email evidence from your department that confirms this is the case, or the team can check with your department directly.

Applying for a new Student visa

A study extension doesn't exempt you from meeting the ‘academic progression’ rules that decide if you can apply for your new visa in the UK or not. You can read more about academic progression rules here .

For most postgraduate taught extensions you must apply for your new visa from outside the UK. This is unless you previously repeated any modules during the course which means you would then be exempt from the academic progression requirements.

If you leave the UK during your extension period

If you leave the UK with the intention of completing your studies from overseas during your extension period you must inform the University by completing an online form. Before doing this you should ensure you understand how this impacts your visa and eligibility to apply for the Graduate visa in future. You should read this webpage for more information and to inform the University:

Change of location

Time limit extension (PGR)

Extension to complete phd.

Once your extension has been approved, you must apply for your visa before your new course end date or your visa expiry date (whichever is sooner).

Submitted thesis and awaiting viva

If you've submitted your thesis and awaiting your viva you can either:

Apply for a Student Visa extension inside the UK if your Student or Tier 4 visa is still valid. A CAS can only be issued for this if your expected or actual viva date is still in the future at the time the CAS is issued
Leave the UK before your visa expires and return for the viva using a Visitor Visa.

With a Student Visa, your new visa expiry date will be your c urrent thesis submission date or actual viva date + four months.

Minor corrections (three months), major corrections (six months) and resubmission (12 months) without a second viva

You can apply for a Student visa extension inside the UK if:

you have received the outcome of your viva before your current visa expires, and
your new course end date is after your current visa expires

Your new visa expiry date will be four months after your new course end date .

Resubmission (12 months) with a second viva

You can apply for a Student Visa extension inside the UK if:

Your new visa expiry date will be your resubmission date or actual 2nd viva date + four months

Alternatively, you could leave the UK before your visa expires and return for the second viva using a Visitor visa.

If you complete your course with a Visitor visa you will not be eligible for the Graduate Immigration Route.

How to extend your study/time limit

Discuss your proposed study extension with your supervisor/academic advisor in your department.
Use our self-help tool for information on the actions you're required to take regarding your visa.
Visit the following pages to apply: Information for Taught students Information for PGR students
If your extension is approved you'll receive confirmation to your University email.

Financial implications

You may be required to pay an extension fee as a result of your study/time limit extension.

If you're a PGT student, your study extension may also impact on tuition fees (paid or due).

If you finish before the extension deadline you are eligible for a pro rata refund of the extension fee.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

If your course requires ATAS clearance and your course end date is extended by more than 3 months, you must apply for new ATAS clearance.

Your new ATAS certificate will only be valid for six months.

If you submit your visa application more than 6 months after the new ATAS is issued, you'll need to apply for ATAS clearance again before applying for the visa.

For more information on how to apply:

Still got questions?

Find what you're looking for on Student Answers, our FAQ knowledgebase.

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Doctorate Extension Scheme

Visitor visas
Family members

The Doctorate Extension Scheme has been merged into the new Graduate route under which PhD graduates can apply for 3 years' permission in the UK to work.

If you are a PhD (or equivalent) student and are interested in gaining experience in the UK at the end of your degree, then extending your visa under the Doctorate Extension Scheme (DES) may be a good option for you.

This 12 month visa extension allows students and their dependants to extend their Tier 4/ Student visas to allow them to look for and start employment or set up as a business in the UK. There are fewer work restrictions and you do not need to have a job offer to apply for this visa. You will need a new CAS number issued by our office to submit with your visa application. Your DES visa will expire 12 months after your award date.

Eligibility

You must be studying a programme at PhD level (including EdD, EngD, Doctor of Engineering, DClin, Doctor of Educational Psychology);

You can apply no more than 60 days before your award date. You cannot apply after you have completed your programme;

You must meet the financial requirements;

You must have a Tier 4 (General) / Student visa and

You must apply from within the UK through our office.

During your appointment you will need to confirm that you understand and agree to the above conditions.

You can submit an application no more than 60 days before your award date which will be very shortly after you submit your final corrected thesis, you cannot apply for DES after your PhD has been awarded. We strongly advise that you book an appointment with us before you have your viva so that we can fully prepare you for an application.

We would strongly recommend that you use our service as we will check and submit your application and supporting documents.

As your application must be made from within the UK, you should use this guide.

If you are having trouble viewing this guide, you can download it here: In-country application form guide

For applications under the Student route, people who have been living in the UK with permission for 12 months or more are exempt from meeting the financial requirements and therefore do not need to show funds in their bank account. These rules also apply to their dependants.

In some situations, you or your dependants may need to show finances. If any of the below applies to you or your dependants you should seek advice from International Student Support for details:

If you have been living in the UK with permission for less than 12 months at the time of applying for DES, or
You have been outside the UK for a significant amount of time during the last 12 months or
You have had a break in your immigration permission.

Passport and visas

You must provide clear scans or photos of:

Your current valid passport. Your current Tier 4/Student visa which is usually on a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number

Your CAS statement lists your CAS number and other important information which you will need to include on your application form. Our office will agree the details with you and issue your CAS number prior to your final appointment with us. This will list your award date as your course end date which will be used to calculate the beginning of your 12 month DES visa.

Police registration certificate

If you are required to register with the police, you must submit an up-to-date police registration certificate which includes your current visa details and your current address.

Evidence of money

Unless you are exempt as described above or qualify for differentiation arrangements , you will need either a bank statement or a bank letter to show that you have held the required funds for the required amount of time as described in the Money section.

If an ATAS certificate was required for your programme of study, you will need to submit it with your Doctorate Extension Scheme application. ATAS is only required for certain subject areas, including Computer Science, Physics, Medicine, Biosciences and Engineering. If it was required for your programme, you will have needed this to apply for your original Tier 4/Student visa.

In most cases, if you are required to submit an ATAS certificate, you will be able to use the original ATAS certificate that you were issued, even though it will have expired. However, if your award date will be more than 3 months after the course end date that was on the CAS for your last Tier 4/Student visa, you will need to apply for a new ATAS certificate. This can take 4-6 weeks to be processed. Our team will be able to help you work out whether a new ATAS certificate is required.

Translations

Any documents not in English must also include a professional translation. Translations must include:

confirmation that the translation is an accurate reflection of the original,
translator’s name, signature and date of translation,
translator’s contact details
list of translator’s qualifications or credentials.

Additional documents

The Home Office should not request any additional documents except in exceptional circumstances.

If your dependant family members are applying with you, please see our Dependants section for information about other documents required for them. The Dependant documents are the same as for a Student Dependant.

Costs

To apply for the Doctorate Extension Scheme, you must submit your application through International Student Support. We recommend that you contact us for a first appointment after you have submitted your initial thesis (and at least one month before your viva). You will then usually need to attend an appointment with us as soon as possible after your viva. Contact us to book an appointment or ask a question.

Schools & departments

Doctorate Extension Scheme

This route is now closed to new applicants. Please refer to our Graduate Route visa page for information on applying to remain in the UK after your studies.

Can I apply for the Doctorate Extension Scheme visa?

In order to qualify for this visa you must:

Have a valid a Tier 4 (General) visa or a Student visa at the time of application
Be studying a PhD or other doctorate level qualification
Apply before completing your course (expected submission date of the final version of your thesis)
Apply in the 60 days prior to your final thesis submission
Meet the financial requirement (maintenance)
Apply from inside the UK

Check our flowchart to see when you can apply:

What if your current visa expires before your expected date of award?

Once you had your visa, you will be notified of your expected date of award. If you have corrections and your current visa is not long enough to allow you to complete them, you will need to apply for a Tier 4 (General) visa extension.

Applying for a Tier 4 visa

What documents will I need?

Confirmation of acceptance for studies (cas).

The CAS is an electronic document which is stored on the UKVI’s secure database.

The University will provide information about you to the UKVI, and they will provide us with a reference number, called the CAS number.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate (ATAS)

If you are studying a programme which requires an ATAS clearance certificate and your programme end date has been postponed by more than 3 months, you need to apply for ATAS to cover the remainder of your programme. Whilst you do not need to submit an ATAS certificate with your DES application, having a valid ATAS for the full duration of your course is one of the conditions attached to your Tier 4 visa.

Find out more about ATAS

Financial evidence

If you are making your application from the UK and have been living here continuously with valid leave for 12 months or more on the date of application, you will meet the financial requirement and won’t need to show funds.

If you do not qualify for the above concession, you will need to submit a bank statement showing that you have held at least £2046 in your bank account for at least 28 days. The funds must be either in your personal bank account or in your parents’ or legal guardian’s account.

The statement must be in the format required for Student visa application, and must not be more than 31 days old on the date that you apply.

How do I apply?

The application process is the same as the Student visa application.

Apply for a Tier 4 visa

At the end of the application, you will need to pay the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Find out more about the Immigration Health Surcharge

UKVI: information about visa application fees

Please note that we offer a visa application checking service - this is an optional service, and you can use it once you are ready to apply. If you would like to know more about this, contact us.

What type of work can I do?

Once your award is confirmed, and the University has informed the Home Office, you will be able to work full time.

There are no restrictions on the kind of work you can do except:

You can’t work as a doctor or dentist in training;
You can’t work as a professional sportsperson or coach;
You can’t work as an entertainer.

If you have dependants in the UK with you, they will be able to extend their stay by applying for a visa extension as a Student DES dependant.

If your dependants are in the UK, they will need to make their visa applications at the same time as you.

If your dependants are not currently in the UK, they will be able to join you by applying for a Student DES dependant entry clearance visa. More information and guidance can be found on the UK Visas & Immigration website.

Tier 4 DES dependant (UKVI website)

More information

If you have any queries about the Doctorate Extension Scheme visa please do not hesitate to contact us.

For more information on what happens at the end of your studies:

At the end of your studies

Useful Links

UKCISA website

UK Visas & Immigration website

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Graduate visa.

The Graduate Visa gives you permission to stay in the UK for 2 years after successfully completing your MSc course in the UK with us and for 3 years after successfully completing your PhD or DrPH course with us.

The Graduate visa cannot be extended. However, you may be able to switch to a different visa, for example a Skilled Worker visa .

Please visit The Graduate immigration route for further details

Eligibility

You can apply for a Graduate visa if all the following are true:

you are in the UK
your current visa is a student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
you studied an eligible course for a minimum period of time with your student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
you have successfully completed that course

Getting a decision

Once you have applied online, proved your identity, and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 8 weeks.

You can stay in the UK while you wait for a decision.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

The UKVI is now accepting the Graduate visa applications, the application must only be submitted from within the UK once you have successfully completed the eligible course your most recent CAS was issued for. Please note you can only submit the application from within the UK if your current visa is a student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa.

You must apply online .

Your partner and children can also apply to stay in the UK if they are eligible.

Students will also need to know the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) they used for their most recent Student (or Tier 4) application in order to apply for the Graduate route.

Contact the Student Visa Team at [email protected] to check when you can apply, please do not apply until you have contacted us.

When you apply for a Graduate visa, you will need to:

pay the application fee - this is usually £700
pay the healthcare surcharge - this is usually £624 for each year you will be in the UK

Check how much it will cost .

Yes, you will need to apply for a separate Graduate Route visa before your Student Visa (Tier 4) expires. As part of your application, you will need to prove your identity and provide your documents. Your application may take longer if you need an appointment to do this. You will find out if you need one when you start your application.

Yes, the Graduate Route will replace the Doctorate Extension Scheme for PhD students who graduate from summer 2021. This is good news for PhD/DrPH visa holders as the new option provides a much more generous post-study work period (three years rather than one) and a simpler application process.

The Graduate Route will be available to students on Student Visa. EU and EEA students arriving in the UK to study from 1 January 2021 or after will require a visa. The Graduate Route will therefore be available to EU and EEA students as well as other international students on a Student Visa (Tier 4).

If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

The deadline to apply was 30 June 2021 for most people. You can still apply if either:

you have a later deadline - for example, you’re joining a family member in the UK
you have ‘reasonable grounds’ for being unable to apply by 30 June 2021 - for example, you had an illness or were the victim of domestic abuse

Check if you can still apply to the EU Settlement Scheme .

You don't need to be in work to qualify for the Graduate Route and periods of unemployment won't have any impact on the length of your post-study work visa.

The Graduate visa cannot be extended, at the end of the two-year period after a master's or three-year period after a PhD/DrPH degree, you will need to leave the UK or apply for a different visa, such as a Tier 2 General work visa. The Tier 2 visa requires you to have an employment offer with a minimum skill and salary level, but your time on the Graduate Route should make it much easier to work towards this.

The Graduate route will require a new visa application, which will only be possible from inside the UK.

You must apply online

With a Graduate visa you can:

work in most jobs
look for work
be self-employed
continue living in the UK with your partner and children if they’re eligible
do voluntary work
travel abroad and return to the UK

If your application is successful, you will get a full list of what you can and cannot do with a Graduate visa.

You cannot:

apply for most benefits ( public funds ), or the State Pension
work as a professional sportsperson

You can only study with a Graduate visa if your chosen course is not eligible for a Student visa .

When you apply, you’ll need to provide:

a valid passport or other travel document that shows your identity and nationality
your biometric residence permit (BRP), if you were given one when you applied for your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number from when you applied for your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa

Your CAS reference number was sent to you by us to apply for the Tier 4 / student visa. If you cannot find it, please contact us at [email protected]

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Visas and immigration
Work in the UK

Graduate visa

A Graduate visa gives you permission to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after successfully completing a course in the UK.

You must be in the UK when you apply.

Eligibility

You can apply for a Graduate visa if all of the following are true:

you’re in the UK
your current visa is a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
you studied a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree or other eligible course for a minimum period of time with your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
your education provider (such as your university or college) has told the Home Office you’ve successfully completed your course

You can ask your education provider if you’re not sure whether they’ve told the Home Office you’ve successfully completed your course.

Check if your course is eligible and how long you need to have studied in the UK .

If you’re not eligible for a Graduate visa, you may be eligible for another type of visa to stay in the UK .

How long you can stay

A Graduate visa lasts for 2 years. If you have a PHD or other doctoral qualification, it will last for 3 years.

Your visa will start from the day your application is approved.

If you want to stay longer in the UK

You cannot extend your Graduate visa. However, you may be able to switch to a different visa, for example a Skilled Worker visa .

Check you can apply for another type of visa to stay in the UK .

How to apply

You must apply online .

Your partner and children can also apply to stay in the UK if they are eligible.

When to apply

You must apply before your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa expires.

You can apply after your education provider (such as your university or college) has told the Home Office that you’ve successfully completed the course you took with your Student or Tier 4 (General) student visa. You do not have to wait until you’ve graduated or have been given a certificate.

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

Your application may take longer if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 8 weeks.

You can stay in the UK while you wait for a decision.

How much it costs

When you apply for a Graduate visa, you’ll need to:

pay the £822 application fee
pay the healthcare surcharge - this is usually £1,035 for each year you’ll be in the UK

Check how much it will cost .

If you work in public sector healthcare

If you’re a doctor or nurse, or you work in health or adult social care, check if you’re eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead. It’s cheaper to apply for and you do not need to pay the annual immigration health surcharge.

If you get a job in public sector healthcare after you have paid the healthcare surcharge, you may be able to get a refund .

What you can and cannot do

With a Graduate visa you can:

work in most jobs
look for work
be self-employed
continue living in the UK with your partner and children , if they’re eligible
do voluntary work
travel abroad and return to the UK

You cannot:

apply for most benefits ( public funds ), or the State Pension
work as a professional sportsperson

If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with a Graduate visa.

Studying with a Graduate visa

You can only study with a Graduate visa if your chosen course is not eligible for a Student visa . If your course is eligible for a Student visa, you can extend your Student visa instead.

You may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if you’re studying or researching sensitive topics.

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International services.

Office of Global Learning

Extend Your End Date

For Students

F-1 and J-1 student regulations require you to be full-time every term and make normal progress toward your degree—but you might find that you need more time. Maybe you changed majors or added a dual degree, for example, or need to make up for time missed during a leave of absence .

If you need more time to complete your academic program, you’ll need to apply for an extension to your I-20 or DS-2019. For an extension, regulations require that the delays are caused by compelling academic or medical reasons, such as changes of major or research topics, unexpected research problems, or documented illnesses. An extension cannot be done for sake of employment or for administrative purposes.

If you do not obtain an approved extension before the end date on your I-20 or DS-2019, you’ll be in violation of your immigration status.

The form described below extends the end date of your current degree program. If you are applying for a degree level or major change, please use the degree change request form instead.

How to Extend Your End Date

Meet Grad Reqs

1 Leave yourself plenty of time.

We recommend that you apply for an extension at least 30 days before the end date on your I-20 or DS-2019. To have your end date extended, you must continue to be registered in your current program.

2 Obtain proof of your financial support.

You must prove you have sufficient funding to cover your tuition and living expenses for the entire period of the extension. You will need to provide documentation: for example, an award letter, assistantship letter, bank statement, or sponsor letter. Any documentation provided needs to be date stamped from the last 60 days.

3 Meet graduate student requirements.

You must also obtain the signature of your student services representative in the Graduate School if you are a student in one of the following graduate or professional degree programs:

Ph.D., M.S., M.A.

JSD, Law
DMA & M.F.A. (Music)
M.F.A. (English)
M.P.S. Information Science
M.P.S. Statistics
Non-degree graduate students

4 Submit your extension request to the Office of Global Learning.

Submit your extension application using one of these online forms: F-1 Extension Request or J-1 Extension Request . Talk with one of our advisors to make sure your extension is processed in time. The advisor will create your new form in five business days after we receive the approval of your academic advisor and/or the Graduate School or your school representative.

Will I need to update my I-9?

Yes. If you work on campus, your I-9 employment eligibility form will need to be updated with your department.

The visa stamp in my passport and my new end date don’t match!

Changing your degree program will extend the end date of your I-20 or DS-2019, but it will not extend the visa stamp in your passport.

If you have an expired visa stamp in your passport, it is okay to remain in the United States! The next time you travel out of the United States, you’ll need to apply for a new visa stamp at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country or anywhere in the world before you can reenter. It is not possible to renew your visa from within the U.S.

Next Up: Transfer from Cornell

Campus Resources

international student studying on Libe Slope

Extend Your Study

As an international student, you are granted a specific period of time to complete your degree requirements. You must complete your degree by the completion date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019. If you are unable to finish your degree requirements by the estimated program end date, you must apply for a program extension and your request must have been approved before your current document expires.

Who is eligible?

You must have completed a full course load every semester, and otherwise be in valid F-1 or J-1 status.
You must have a compelling academic reason such as a change of major or adding a major or minor (including admission to a dual degree program), or documented medical reasons for needing more time to complete your program.
You must have sufficient funds to cover the remaining time needed to complete your requirements. If another individual, such as a family member, will sponsor you, that person must submit a financial support agreement in addition to proof of his or her funding ability. J-1 students must also maintain health insurance during this remaining time.
You must not have failed classes repeatedly or been on academic probation repeatedly.
You must apply no later than three weeks before your current I-20 or DS-2019 expires.

NOTE: If a student received a grade of Incomplete and must finish up that previous semester’s course work, that is not a compelling academic reason for a program extension. In addition, students who have repeatedly failed classes and/or repeatedly been on academic probation generally are not eligible to apply for a program extension because they have failed to make normal academic progress and therefore need to speak to an OGS advisor about ways to Regain Your F-1 Status .

Special Note for Shanghai / Abu Dhabi / Visiting Students:

Shanghai or Abu Dhabi degree students studying away in the US must contact their home campus study away office to discuss extending their US-based studies. Extension request instructions will be provided by the home campus.

Visiting students who are granted an extension of their stay will need to have their department contact our office directly.

How to apply

Determine whom in your academic department can confirm your academic progress and eligibility for a program extension.

You will need to provide the name and NYU email address of your academic advisor, department chair, program coordinator, or faculty advisor in your academic department to the OGS in order to apply for a program extension. It’s helpful to speak with them first to discuss your request. Your academic advisor must confirm:

your reason for needing an extension to complete your academic program,
your academic plan for each term of the remainder of your academic program, and
your new program completion date.

Please note that if you have been previously approved for a program extension and now need additional time, your academic advisor must confirm the academic progress you’ve made since your previous extension.

Submit an Online Request to OGS for an I-20/DS-2019 with Your New Program End Date

In order to submit your request successfully, you will need to upload scanned copies of:

your most recent I-94 record
proof of sufficient funds to cover the remaining time needed to complete your study (you will need to provide proof of $3,309 per month for living expenses, in addition to tuition, fees, health insurance, and any dependent expenses, if applicable). If you will use on-campus employment to contribute to your financial documents, please refer to this template letter for on-campus funding .
be on medical office letterhead and dated,
state your name and NYU ID number or your date of birth,
state when your medical condition that affected your academic studies occurred, and
be signed by a suitable, qualified medical professional
A copy of your previous I-20 that indicated you have previously been authorized for a medical reduced course load.

If you have any problems submitting the online request, review our troubleshooting tips . Once OGS receives both your request for an extension of program and the electronic confirmation from your department, it takes 5 business days to process your request. If approved, we email you the details of when and how to get your new I-20 or DS-2019 with the updated program end date.

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Options for Noncitizen STEM Professionals to Work in the United States

The United States has long been a destination for top talent from all over the world. Our ability to attract global talent—especially in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)—has spurred path-breaking innovation, leading to the creation of jobs, new industries, and new opportunities for all Americans.

This online resource provides an overview of some of the temporary and permanent pathways for noncitizens to work in the United States in STEM fields. This guide also highlights some of the most important considerations for STEM professionals contemplating working in the United States. Subsequent sections outline these pathways in more detail.

More information on how to apply is available on uscis.gov for both temporary and permanent pathways as well as for optional practical training for students. In addition, a general guide to employment in the United States can be found in the Working in the United States section of uscis.gov. You may wish to consult with an attorney to evaluate the best classification for you.

Key Questions to Consider When Choosing a STEM Pathway

Do I have the education, experience, or skills needed to qualify?

Some pathways, such as the O-1 nonimmigrant visa classification and the EB-1A immigrant visa classification, are for those with “extraordinary ability.” These require that a person have widespread and sustained acclaim. Others, such as the H-1B, require at least a relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent. And others, such as the L-1, require a pre-existing relationship with a company that does business both in the United States and abroad.

Do I need to have a job offer? Do I need a company to submit a petition for me?

Most pathways require you to already have a job offer, in which case an employer will submit a petition to USCIS on your behalf. However, some classifications do not require a job offer and permit you to directly submit an application or petition with USCIS (“self-petitioning”). For example, if you are seeking lawful permanent resident status (a Green Card) based on a classification as an individual with “extraordinary ability” (the EB-1A category), you do not need a job offer and do not need an employer to file the immigrant petition on your behalf (meaning, you may self-petition). Although a job offer is not required in this example, you must provide evidence establishing that you are coming to the United States to continue work in your area of expertise.

Will I be working in the United States on a permanent basis as a lawful permanent resident, or will I be working on a temporary basis as a nonimmigrant?

Some opportunities provide a basis for individuals, including STEM professionals, to obtain permanent resident status in the United States. Permanent resident status allows you to live and work in the United States permanently, and typically provides you with a path to citizenship. These opportunities are known as “immigrant” pathways.

Others (for example, F-1 OPT, H-1B, L-1 and O-1), also known as “nonimmigrant” pathways, allow you to temporarily live and work in the United States. Many people who do work through one of these nonimmigrant pathways eventually transition to permanent resident pathways, and eventually U.S. citizenship .

Are there any other criteria that are required for a specific pathway?

Some criteria that are not directly related to professional qualifications can affect visa eligibility. For instance, only citizens of Canada and Mexico qualify for TN visas. In addition, there can be some timing or other requirements particular to certain pathways. For example, some immigrant pathways require the employer to first obtain an approved labor certification from the U.S. Department of Labor. The labor certification verifies that there are insufficient able, available, qualified, and willing U.S. workers to fill the position and that such employment will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. citizens.

Program Extension

Updated 11/29/2023

F-1/J-1 students are given a specific period of time to complete the academic program requirements. Please refer to the program end date that is printed on page one of the I-20 or DS-2019.

Students who are unable to meet the academic program requirements by the program end date must apply for a Program Extension before their I-20/DS-2019 program end date. If the expiration date on the I-20/DS-2019 has passed, students must meet with an OIS advisor immediately, as the student is considered to be out of status.

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Eligibility requirements.

F-1 Program Extension Process
J-1 Program Extension Process

To qualify for a program extension, F-1/J-1 students must meet the following requirements:

The expiration date of the I-20/DS-2019 has not yet passed
Continuously maintained the F-1/J-1 student status
Medical reasons (must have required medical documentation signed by MD, DO, or licensed clinical psychologist)
Change of major
Change in a research topic
Unexpected research problems
Other compelling academic reasons–academic advisor must specify in detail

If none of these reasons apply, please contact the Office of International Services to consult with an advisor.

NOTE: Program extensions may affect future pre-completion OPT or CPT eligibility . Please consult with an OIS advisor the semester before your current I-20/DS-2019 expires to determine your practical training eligibility.

Program Extension for Progressive Degree Program

Students admitted into a Progressive Degree Program (PDP) must apply for a Progressive Degree Program I-20 Request during the final semester of the bachelor’s degree portion of their studies. The student’s I-20 will be updated to reflect the master’s degree. If needed, the I-20 program end date will also be extended to allow enough time to complete the master’s degree curriculum.

Students should ensure they have been admitted and will be pursuing a Progressive Degree Program before submitting the Progressive Degree Program I-20 Request to OIS. Students should refrain from switching back and forth between their PDP and stand-alone bachelor’s degree as this is an extremely time sensitive matter that could ultimately affect their immigration status, including OPT eligibility.

With permission from the academic department, PDP students may pursue Optional Practical Training (OPT) upon completion of their bachelor’s degree requirements and take a Leave of Absence (LOA) from the master’s degree portion of the PDP program. Students who want to participate in OPT during their PDP program should submit an OPT I-20 Request and a Leave of Absence request . Upon completion of OPT, students must submit a Return to USC: Initial I-20 request to resume the master’s degree portion of the PDP. Students will receive an updated I-20 with a new program start and end date.

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F-1 student program extension i-20 request process.

Click here for Program Extension I-20 Request Form

STEP 1: All Students (Except Viterbi Graduate Students or PDP Students)

In the Program Extension I-20 Request Form, enter your name as it appears on your passport, your @usc.edu email, and your Academic Advisor’s name and email.

STEP 1: Viterbi Graduate Students

In the Program Extension I-20 Request Form, enter your name as it appears on your passport, your @usc.edu email and “VGASP” as your Advisor’s name, and [email protected] or [email protected] as your Advisor’s email. Students may submit their Program Extension requests in Trojan International after the add/drop date of each semester but no later than one month before the I-20 expiration date. VGASP will begin reviewing Program Extension requests after the last add/drop date. Once OIS receives VGASP’s approval, OIS will process the program extension in 10 business days.

STEP 1: Progressive Degree (PDP) Students

On the Progressive Degree Program I-20 Request Form, enter your name as it appears on your passport, your @usc.edu email and your graduate program academic advisor’s name and email. If you are pursuing a graduate degree in Viterbi, enter “VGASP” as the advisor’s name and [email protected] for the advisor’s email.

STEP 2: Complete Form & Attach Supporting Documents

Step 3: processing.

After completing the form and attaching supporting documents (if applicable) click “Finish”. Your Academic (or VGASP) Advisor, and then OIS, will automatically receive your completed form. Once OIS receives the form, the processing time is 10 business days. Your extended Form I-20 will be signed electronically and sent to you via email.

J-1 Student Program Extension DS-2019 Request Process

Please allow at least 7 business days to review and process the program extension request.

Complete Program Extension Form
Receive approval and signature from the department advisor. (Viterbi graduate students must receive approval from their Viterbi Admission & Student Engagement (VGASP advisor) .
Obtain proof of funding: Funding letter or bank statement in U.S. dollars and dated within the past three months – must cover the cost of tuition and $2000 per month for living expenses for the duration of the program extension
Submit the signed Program Extension form along with the proof of funding to OIS via email ( [email protected] ) at least one month before the expiration date of the DS-2019. In the email subject line write: J-1 Program Extension Request: Last Name, First Name — SEVIS ID #

A step-by-step guide on how to extend your F-1 student visa

An F-1 visa is granted for the duration of your programme . Most times, you won’t have to do anything to legally stay in the US.

But sometimes you’ll need a student visa extension.

Anything can happen while you’re studying abroad. You may face problems in your research or have a medical condition.

In such situations, you’ll need more time to complete your coursework, which may go beyond your “F-1 status.”

Having “F-1 status” means you are legally in the US, with benefits and restrictions as conferred by the F-1 visa’s immigration regulations.

The F-1 status covers the period when:

You are a full-time registered student progressing through your degree
An optional period of practical training following the completion of your studies if you have applied for Optional Practical Training (OPT)
A 60-day “grace period” to prepare to depart the US or change to another status (in this situation, your grace period will start when you complete your degree or your OPT period)

If you end up in the US longer than this period, it’s not the end of the world. you can file for a student visa extension to stay in the US longer.

If you find yourself in this situation, don’t worry. We’ll walk you through the process of student visa extension in the US:

You are allowed to apply for a student visa extension if your visa is expiring before your programme ends. Source: Jeenah Moon/Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP

Am I eligible to apply for a student visa extension?

Before applying for your F-1 student visa extension, check if you’re eligible to apply for it.

There are requirements that should be met when applying for a student visa extension:

You entered the US lawfully with a nonimmigrant F-1 visa
Your F-1 visa status is still valid
You have not committed crimes that make you ineligible for a visa
You have not violated any of the conditions of your F-1 visa
Your passport is valid for the remainder of your intended stay

Once you find out you require additional time to finish your programme, reach out to your designated school official (DSO).

Your DSO will help you determine your eligibility for an extension and will verify that you’ve legally maintained your F-1 status and are applying due to academic or medical reasons.

Reasons may include:

Documented medical illness
Change of desired major or research topic
Unforeseen challenges encountered during research

You have a higher chance of your student visa extension being approved if it’s a health-related problem.

This is provided you can prove your ability to support yourself financially during your extension period and if there’s enough time before the end date indicated on your Form I-20 .

It’s important to know that the following situations may not be considered valid reasons:

For personal interests, such as taking extra classes to raise your GPA
To retake a class after receiving an incomplete grade
To take delayed classes because you participated in curricular practical training that was not required by your programme
To take classes after an academic suspension

What documents do I need?

If you’re eligible for a student visa extension, prepare the required documents needed. Source: Money Sharma/AFP

Once you’ve checked if you’re eligible, below are some documents you have to prepare for your F-1 student visa extension:

Your passport has to be valid for at least six months after you plan on leaving the US.
Visa picture. You have to upload your visa photo when you fill in your online application, but make sure you get your picture taken so you can have a physical copy in case the digital version fails to upload.
Application form. You need to print the confirmation page of Form DS- 160.
Form I-20. You must also have your Form I-20 which you receive from your education provider.
A description of your study programme
A description of your research activities in the US
A copy of your school transcripts and CV
A letter of confirmation for your current programme
Evidence that you have paid all the visa fees.
Evidence of the funding for your study program.
Proof that you were not involved in any type of criminal activity during your stay in the US.
Proof that you will return to your home country.

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Official website of the Department of Homeland Security

SEVIS Help Hub

Extending the F-1 Form I-20

Student Records
Manage Program Dates, Registration and Course Load

Quick Links:

General information, extending f-1 status, reviewing program extensions.

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Students may need to extend their F-1 status for an academic reason, a medical reason, or a designated school official (DSO) error. In these cases, DSOs can extend a student’s program of study prior to the program end date in SEVIS. For F-1 students, this update does not require the Student and Exchange Visitor Program’s (SEVP) adjudication. The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) allows for an extension period of up to one year.

Regulations and Policy

Check these regulations and policy guidance to determine if your F-1 student is eligible for an extension:

[F-1] Extension of Stay: 8 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 214.2(f)(7)
Determining Financial Status of F-1 and M-1 Students: 9 Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) 402.5-5(G)(1) , which implements the financial requirements for nonimmigrant students in 22 CFR 41.61(b)(1)(ii)

Best Practices

Before you extend, it is best practice to:

Obtain an explanation from the student’s advisor/instructor for the extension and the new program end date.
Obtain current financial documentation showing enough funds to pay tuition and living expenses for the student and any dependents.
Update Financial Information in SEVIS.

Always print, sign and issue to students an updated Form I-20 with adjusted program dates.

To extend the student’s F-1 status:

1. Search for the student in SEVIS and go to the Student Information page.

2. Click Extend Program under the Actions column. The Extend Program page opens. The Extend Program page allows users to view and enter required information on a student’s program extension.

This date must be after the current date.
This is a required field.
Enter the reason for the Medical or Academic Circumstances that Necessitate the Extension. This field is required.
Click Extend Program to submit the new information. If the program extension is successful, an Update Successful page opens.

Return to View Record: Returns to Student Information page.
Print I-20: Prints a new Form I-20 for the student.

It is a best practice to print a copy of the Form I-20 for the student, if the program end date changes.

To view the newly made program extension:

1. Go to the Student Information page.

2. Select Event History under the View tab. The Event History page opens.

3. Click the Plus icon on the Program Extension row to display the extension data.

What's New

Try the Facebook Chatbot

Visit the tool on the Study in the States Facebook page to learn how to become an F or M international student in the United States.

Learn About Summer Employment

While employed this summer, make sure you have all the relevant information on maintaining your student status, and the steps you must take before returning to school.

See the SEVIS Help Icons on the SEVIS Help Hub for a quick-reference of the icons used in this user guide.

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SEVP Response Center

703-603-3400

Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET, except holidays

[email protected]

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Please note that applications submitted after your submission deadline will be declined.

Doctoral, MSc and MLitt students please note that applications received any earlier than 3-6 months before the thesis submission deadline will be declined and you will be asked to reapply at the appropriate time.

Applications should only be submitted if you know that you need additional time and not 'just in case' you do.

Extension requests for coursework other than the thesis or dissertation (for example, essays, portfolio coursework, the First Year Assessment) should not be submitted via CamSIS - please contact your Department for advice on how to apply.

For taught courses, short deadlines which would not impact on the dates on which the marks would be considered by the Exam Board and Degree Committee can normally be considered locally - see below under 'Your submission date and how to apply'.

Note that a longer extension may result in you completing and graduating later than the rest of your cohort, so you should seek clarification on the impact of this from your Department, Faculty or Degree Committee, particularly if the timing of your degree completion will have an impact on your future plans, such as further study, employment or visa applications.

For all applications made via CamSIS self-service, each case is considered in line with the policy of the Postgraduate Committee, which is set out in the guidance on this page.

Instructions on how to submit an application can be found on the 'Applying for a change in your student status' page. Please check the guidance below before applying.

If you have any questions about applying for an extension, please submit a query here: University of Cambridge Student Registry Office (zendesk.com)

All requests for an extension must include the following information:

Visa issues
Medical issues or family circumstances, where a period of intermission should have been requested or a break from study is currently needed
Attending conferences
Writing/publishing papers
Undertaking further research, unless your supervisor, department or Degree Committee make a very strong academic case for this
A safety net 'just in case' additional time is needed
Employment
Job applications
Not wishing to leave Cambridge
Continued funding
Poor planning - it should be feasible to complete your research project within the maximum time-frame for your degree (for example, 4 years for a full-time PhD). Therefore reasons such as having collected too much data or a change of direction (unless due to circumstances outside your control) will not normally be considered valid
Wanting to incorporate new material at a late stage unless there is a very strong case for this material being essential to your thesis rather than merely enhancing its quality
Needing time for proofreading, editing or support with academic writing or wanting more time in order to improve the quality of your thesis - students are expected to produce a thesis to the required standard within the normal time-frame for submission. In planning your thesis you should factor in time for proofreading/editing.

Research students who do not submit their thesis by their submission date and do not have an extension approved, will be withdrawn from study. They may be able to apply for reinstatement when their thesis is ready for submission for examination but not to continue studying. Temporary withdrawal may not always be possible. You can find more information about the effects of withdrawal from study on the Withdrawal from Study page.

Students on taught Masters courses should contact their Department for information about the penalties applied for late or non-submission of work.

PhD students are advised to read the information outlined on the International Student Office webpage: https://www.internationalstudents.cam.ac.uk/immigration/student-visa/extending-your-visa-current-phd-student

It is advisable for MPhil students to contact the International Student Office to check the implications of a change to your submission deadline. Some considerations include:

Graduate visa eligibility – you may no longer be eligible if your new deadline means that degree approval would not be considered on the same timeline as the rest of your cohort.
Student visa extension – Masters students are not normally eligible for a student visa extension.
ATAS requirements – If ATAS is required for your course and nationality, a change in your course dates may mean that a new ATAS certificate is necessary.

The International Student Office can be contacted by emailing [email protected] .

Your submission date (thesis/dissertation)

If applying for an extension to the deadline for submitting corrections to your doctoral thesis you need to apply in the same way.

If your course does not include a dissertation and you have an extension for other work approved by your Department which means your marks cannot be considered by the Exam Board and Degree Committee with those of your cohort, please forward the approval for your extension to [email protected] so that we can update your record to show why this is still active beyond your original completion date.

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Extend a residence permit for doctoral studies

If you have a residence permit and will continue studying after your permit expires, you must apply to extend it before your current permit expires. Apply no earlier than six months before your current permit expires. A residence permit for doctoral studies can be granted for up to four years at a time.

Requirements for a residence permit extension

For a permit extension, you must

have a valid passport
be admitted to a full-time doctoral programme, which requires your presence in Sweden
have made acceptable progress in your studies
be able to support yourself during the time for which you are applying for a residence permit
have, or have applied for, a comprehensive health insurance policy.

Requirements to use the e-service

In order to use the e-service, you need

a copy of your valid passport ( read more about how the copies should look )

a copy of documents that show that you have, or have applied for, a comprehensive health insurance policy that is valid in Sweden (if you are not registered in Sweden and you are admitted to studies for less than one year)
documents that show that you have a doctoral grant or employment as a doctoral candidate with information on the monthly amount and the period during which you receive the money, or documents issued in your name that show that you have a stipend or the like with information on the monthly amount and the period during which you will receive the money, or account statements that show that you have money for your support for the time for which you are applying for a residence permit
be able to pay a possible fee for the application with a credit card or charge card ( fees for residence permits for studies ).

If your family is also applying for residence permit extensions

If you have family who live with you in Sweden, who also need to extend their permits, you apply together in the same online application.

If you have already submitted an application for a residence permit extension, your family member can submit his or her own online application afterwards.

The Swedish Migration Agency always makes an individual assessment. This means that it is not certain that your family member will receive a residence permit even if you do.

If your family applies for residence permit extensions at the same time, you must send in

copies of the pages in your family members’ passports that show personal data, photo, signature, passport number, issuing country, period of validity, entry stamps and if they have permission to live in countries other than their home country. Read about what the copies must look like on this page
documents, such as bank account statements, that confirm that the family’s support for living expenses has been arranged. The living expense requirement for the entire period of stay is SEK 4 297,50 per month for a spouse or cohabitating partner SEK 2 578,50 per month for each child
a copy of the marriage certificate or the equivalent (for married couples and registered partners)
documents that show that you have lived together, such as civil registration certificates, joint rental contracts or joint purchase evidence for a home (applies to cohabitating partners)
consent from the other guardian of children under 18 if the other guardian does not accompanying you to Sweden, or evidence of sole custody. For example, this can be a court decision, or death certificate if the other parent is deceased. The consent must be signed and it should state if the child has permission to stay in Sweden for the time you intend to be here. For joint custody, a copy of the other guardian’s passport or other identification document must also be attached
adoption documents if the child is adopted.

You must be admitted to full-time studies

You must be admitted to a full-time doctoral programme in Sweden. You cannot receive a residence permit for studies that have distance learning as the way of studying.

You must include the university’s formal decision on admission as a doctoral student, with information on the date for admission. You also need to include a supplementary certificate regarding the doctoral studies, issued by the university. For these certificates, you can refer the university to the Swedish Migration Agency’s checklist.

Doctoral students who will stay in both Sweden and another country

You can get a residence permit in Sweden even if you will be staying in another country for part of the permit period, if the stay abroad is part of the study programme that you are admitted to in Sweden. If you are going to another country as a part of the study programme, you should contact the authorities of that country to find out what is required for a stay in that country.

If you have to leave Sweden during semester time for longer than a month for activities that are not part of your study programme, you must contact the unit at the Swedish Migration Agency that granted your residence permit to notify them of this. Longer periods of absence for such other activities during your ongoing permit period can mean that you are no longer entitled to a residence permit in Sweden. This means that the permit can be withdrawn. A withdrawal of a residence permit does not mean that it will be more difficult for you when you apply for a new permit to continue your studies in Sweden. However, it is important that you apply for a new permit in time before returning to Sweden. You must have the new permit before you return to Sweden.

Contact details of the Swedish Migration Agency’s student units (in Swedish)

Are these not the studies you will conduct?

Have you ended up on the wrong webpage? Information about different types of studies and how you apply is available on the focus page for higher studies .

You must have made acceptable progress in your studies

As a doctoral student, you must send in a certificate from your supervisor with information on what programme you are attending and if you have made acceptable progress in your studies. Refer your supervisor to the Swedish Migration Agency’s checklists for certificates regarding applications for extension of residence permits for studies.

You must be able to support yourself

For applications received by the Swedish Migration Agency on or after 1 January 2024 , the living expense requirement is at least SEK 10 314 per month .The living expense requirement for you as an applicant in 2023 is at least SEK 9 450 per month .

You must show that you have secured your financial support for the time for which you are applying for a residence permit. This means that you must show that you have money available through salary, a stipend or bank assets.

If you have received a doctoral grant, you must include documents with information on the monthly amount and the time during which you will receive the money.
If you support yourself by employment, you must submit wage specifications for the past three months and an employment contract.
If you have received a stipend, scholarship or the like, you must include a recently issued document in your name with information on the monthly amount and the time during which you will receive the money. It shall be clear from the document that you will still receive funds disbursed during the permit period applied for and how much of the money will be available for your living expenses.
If you support yourself through your own bank assets, the documents that you send in with your application to show that your support for living expenses is secured may not be older than six months. You must then include an account statement or other document that shows that you have money for your support for the entire time for which you are applying for a residence permit. Information on balance, account holder’s name and currency shall be stated by the account statement.

If you refer to your own bank assets in Iranian rials (IRR), the Swedish Migration Agency uses the same exchange rate as the Ministry for Foreign Affairs uses in visa matters.

If you can show that you receive free housing and/or food through the higher education organiser or an organisation that works for international exchange, the amount per month can be reduced. For applications received by the Swedish Migration Agency on or after 1 January 2024 , the monthly amount is reduced by SEK 2 865 per month for free food and SEK 4 584 per month for free housing. For applications that have been received in 2023 , the monthly amount is reduced by SEK 2 625 per month for free food and SEK 4 200 per month for free housing.

You may need to show your passport

The Swedish Migration Agency may need to check your passport before a decision can be made. You will then need to visit one of the Swedish Migration Agency's service centres to present your passport.

In some cases, you will not be required to present your passport, for example, if we have already checked your passport during a previous visit.

If you need to show your passport, we will contact you with information on how and when to do so.

If your family also applies for a residence permit, the Swedish Migration Agency may need to check their passports as well.

You must have, or have applied for, a comprehensive health insurance policy

If the total continuous period of time for your residence permits in Sweden is more than one year, you can be registered in the national registration. If you are nationally registered in Sweden, you are considered to have a comprehensive health insurance.

If the total continuous period of time for your residence permits in Sweden is less than one year, you cannot be registered in the national registration in Sweden. Then you must have, or have applied for, your own insurance. The insurance must be valid for the entire time you will be in Sweden and cover costs for emergency and other medical care, dental care and hospital stays. It must also cover expenses for transportation home for medical reasons.

If you do not apply online

If you are not able to apply online, you must fill out the form Application for a residence permit for students – Application to extend, 115011. Send your application to the Swedish Migration Agency, Box 3100, 903 03 Umeå.

In most cases you must pay a fee.

Application fees for residence permits

After you have sent the application

When we have received your application

Once you have submitted an extension application, you have the right to stay in Sweden until the Swedish Migration Agency has made its decision.

Time to a decision

In order to obtain an impression how long you need to wait for your decision, you can visit the page Time to a decision. Note that the average time that is shown on the page is calculated based on previously decided cases in the same category. The time can vary from application to application.

Time to a decision

Travel abroad during the processing period

If you travel abroad before you have had your new permit granted, it may be difficult for you to get back into Sweden. You may then need to wait for your new decision outside Sweden. It is also important to be aware that the Swedish Migration Agency no longer grants priority.

Working during the processing period

You continue to have the right to work during the time you are waiting on a decision if you had a residence permit for higher education and submitted your application for extension before your earlier residence permit expired. If you are granted an extended residence permit, you may continue to work alongside your studies.

Read more about applying for a work permit

Read more about residence permits to seek employment or investigate the possibilities of starting your own company

After the decision

Permit cards

If you are granted a residence permit, you get a residence permit card. The card is a certification that you have permission to be in Sweden and contains your fingerprints and a photo of you, among other information. In order for the permit card to be manufactured, you must first book an appointment to be photographed and submit your fingerprints. You book an appointment on the Swedish Migration Agency website.

If you plan on travelling out of Sweden, the Swedish Migration Agency recommends that you wait to book an appointment until after the Swedish Migration Agency has made a decision on an extended residence permit because it will then be possible to choose where the card will be sent. You can also be photographed and submit your fingerprints at a Swedish embassy or a Swedish consulate-general abroad that handles migration matters. Not all embassies or consulates-general have the possibility of taking appointments to photograph you and get your fingerprints. Therefore, always contact the embassy or consulate-general before your visit for more information.

If you previously had a permit card

You need to be photographed and submit your fingerprints even if you previously had a residence permit card because your photo and your fingerprints cannot be saved.

The Swedish Migration Agency can revoke a permit

Your permit can be revoked if you provided incorrect information in your application or did not tell about something of significance to your residence permit. The permit can also be revoked if the conditions for the permit are no longer met.

What is a power of attorney?

A power of attorney can be a signed letter in which the person applying for a permit allows another person to represent him or her. A power of attorney can, for example, give someone the right to apply, be informed of the reasons for a decision, or lodge an appeal for someone else. The power of attorney must be signed by the person who gives their power of attorney to another person, and must be presented in the original if required by the Swedish Migration Agency.

In order to give another person power of attorney, you will need to send a letter to the Swedish Migration Agency stating
that it is a power of attorney
the name, date of birth and address of the person giving someone else the power of attorney
what the person who has the power of attorney has to do the name, personal identity number and address of the person who is given the power of attorney
the signature of the person giving someone else the power of attorney
the date and place where the power of attorney is signed.

Useful information when you move to Sweden

Information for persons arriving in sweden with a residence permit.

Do not forget to save your residence permit decision. It will be useful when contacting various national authorities and organisations.

Some municipalities have municipal housing agencies where you can look for accommodation. The municipality can also give you advice on private landlords.

The municipality in which you live will offer child care and schooling for children.

Last updated: 2024-01-03

Imperial Overseas Educational Consultant

Study Overseas Education Consultants in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Hyderabad & Bengaluru

Stay Back & Work Options after Studying in the UK

Studying in the UK can be a fulfilling experience, but what occurs once you’ve completed your degree? Numerous international students aspire to remain in the UK and establish their careers. This comprehensive guide will delve into the stay-back and work options available for students after completing their studies in the United Kingdom. From understanding the work permit to exploring employment opportunities, we’ve got you covered. Let’s discover how to turn your UK education into a promising career.

Table of Contents

Stay Back & Work Permit after Study in the UK

Overseas Indian students studying in the UK can opt for a work permit known as a Post-Study Work Visa (PSW). This visa enables students to stay in the UK for a maximum of two years after completing their studies. Walk on the steps below to secure your PSW visa—

Visa Eligibility: Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria, including graduating from a recognized UK institution and having a valid Tier 4 visa.
Application Process: Submit your PSW visa application within the specified time frame.
Required Documents: Prepare essential documents, such as your graduation certificate, academic transcripts, and a valid passport.
Financial Requirements : Prove that you have enough funds to support yourself during your stay in the UK.
Job Search: Start your job search in the UK, as you can work in any role and skill level with the PSW visa.
Transition to a Work Visa: After securing a job, consider transitioning to a long-term work visa, such as the Tier 2 General Visa, to continue your career in the UK.

Stay Back Options in the Job While Studying in the UK

Overseas students in the UK can work part-time during the academic session, with a maximum allowance of 20 hours per week. Students can even elevate their functional hours and work full-time during university holidays. Exploring part-time and full-time job opportunities enables students to support their financial requirements.

Additionally, many UK universities integrate internships and work placement programs into their academic curriculum to provide high hands-on experience in the chosen field of study.

Tier 4 Visa Regulations: Familiarize yourself with Tier 4 visa regulations regarding work permissions. Ensure you comply with these rules to avoid any visa-related issues.
Career Services : Utilize your university’s career services to access job listings, career guidance, and interview preparation. They can help you secure relevant work experience.
Networking: Attend career fairs and community events to network with potential employers and gain insights into the job market.
Balancing Act: Maintain a healthy balance between work and studies to excel academically while gaining valuable work experience.

Stay Back Options for UK Visa

To amplify your stay in the UK after graduation, consider these four options—

Post-Study Work Visa: Apply for the Graduate Route Visa, which allows you to stay for two years after completing your degree.
Tier 2 (General) Visa: Employers may sponsor you for a Tier 2 (General) Visa for potential permanent residency.
Entrepreneur Visa: You can explore the Entrepreneur Visa with an innovative business idea. This visa enables budding entrepreneurs to establish themselves in the UK.
Family Route: Individuals can obtain a UK visa through the family immigration pathway. It is possible when they have immediate family members with British citizenship or permanent residency in the UK.
PhD Extension Visa: After finishing a PhD in the UK, graduates can request a PhD Extension Visa. This visa enables them to prolong their time in the UK for an extra year, allowing them to continue their research or pursue work in their field.

Wrapping Up

Staying back and working in the UK after completing your studies can be fulfilling. You can make the most of your educational journey in the UK by understanding the various stay-back options, visa pathways, and strategies for managing work and studies. Extensive experience in a country like the UK can lead to a bright and promising future!

Need help to unlock a future in the land of your dreams? Imperial Overseas can guide you towards your educational dreams abroad. Contact us today for personalized assistance and take the first step towards an enriching global education journey. Your future awaits!

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COMMENTS

Doctorate Extension Scheme
Applicants must hold a valid Tier 4 student visa as well as £2668 for 28 days at the time of making the application. You will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £470 to cover the 12-month period of the Doctorate Extension visa. The 12-month Tier 4 Doctorate Extension visa will begin on the PhD date of award.
Extending your visa as a current PhD student
If you are a registered student currently sponsored under Tier 4/Student visa and need more time to complete the PhD examination process or have had an extension to your submission deadline approved, you would normally be eligible to apply for a new student visa. We advise you to contact the International Student Office 3 - 4 months before your current visa expires if you believe you will need ...
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Here are 5 of the most common visa options international PhD students must know to help get an early advantage while focusing on your career transition …. 1. F1-OPT. If you came to the U.S. as a graduate student, you must have started out on an F1 visa, also known as a student visa.
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PhD Students
PhD Students Open sub-navigation Close sub-navigation; ... by the dissertation advisor in writing and the student must submit sufficient funds to cover the length of the extension. ... OGS recommends renewing the visa in the student's home country to avoid any distress if there is a delay in processing.
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Our guide explains how PhD visa applications work, including details of the new Graduate Route scheme. International PhD students require a student visa to study in the UK. This is a points-based system, available for full-time and part-time courses. ... This option will replace the Doctorate Extension scheme for new PhD students starting in ...
Doctorate Extension Scheme
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Doctorate Extension Scheme Applications
Doctorate Extension Scheme Applications. How do you qualify for the DES scheme? You must: • Hold a valid Tier 4 (General) visa for a course that leads to the award of a PhD, and. • Not have completed your PhD course, and. • Be applying no more than 60 days before the PhD expected end date as stated on your new CAS, and. • Apply from ...
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Doctorate Extension Scheme
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Doctorate Extension Scheme
In order to qualify for this visa you must: Have a valid a Tier 4 (General) visa or a Student visa at the time of application; Be studying a PhD or other doctorate level qualification; Apply before completing your course (expected submission date of the final version of your thesis) Apply in the 60 days prior to your final thesis submission
Graduate Visa
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Extending the F-1 Form I-20
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Extending your submission date
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Extend a residence permit for doctoral studies
Requirements for a residence permit extension. For a permit extension, you must. have a valid passport. be admitted to a full-time doctoral programme, which requires your presence in Sweden. have made acceptable progress in your studies. be able to support yourself during the time for which you are applying for a residence permit.
Stay Back & Work Options after Studying in the UK
PhD Extension Visa: After finishing a PhD in the UK, graduates can request a PhD Extension Visa. This visa enables them to prolong their time in the UK for an extra year, allowing them to continue their research or pursue work in their field. Wrapping Up. Staying back and working in the UK after completing your studies can be fulfilling. You ...

Doctorate Extension Scheme

Eligibility

Application

Expected award date

What if your current visa expires before your expected award date?

University monitoring and reporting duties

Working on the Doctorate Extension Scheme

DES CAS Request Form

Tier 4 Doctorate Extension Scheme student responsibilities

Study at Cambridge

Student visa

ATAS clearance

Applying for a student visa extension inside the UK

Applying for a student visa from overseas

Switching into student visa

Switching to a different visa

Need more time but completing overseas?

Need more time but not a PhD student?

PhD Students

Considerations for F-1/J-1 PhD Students

J-1 Status

Renewing the F-1/J-1 Visa

Work Authorization

Dissertation Research Abroad

Living Out of the DC/MD/VA Area

Dependents

Completion of Studies/Graduation

How to Obtain More Information

Doctorate Extension Scheme

1. Who is eligible?

2. When can I apply?

3. What do I need to prepare?

What's different about preparing for the Doctorate Extension Scheme?

Amount of money for financial evidence

4. How do I apply?

5. What happens after I apply?

Book an appointment at a UKVCAS Centre

Receive application decision

Receive your BRP

Check your BRP and decision letter or email

Work conditions

Working hours

Type of work

Contact points

Useful external links

University of Reading Cookie Policy

Doctorate Extension Scheme Applications

Support for new students

Study/time limit extensions

Study extension (PGT)

Time limit extension (PGR)

Submitted thesis and awaiting viva

Minor corrections (three months), major corrections (six months) and resubmission (12 months) without a second viva

Resubmission (12 months) with a second viva

How to extend your study/time limit

Financial implications

Still got questions?

Doctorate Extension Scheme

Passport and visas

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number

Police registration certificate

Evidence of money

Translations

Costs

Doctorate Extension Scheme

Can I apply for the Doctorate Extension Scheme visa?

What if your current visa expires before your expected date of award?

What documents will I need?

Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate (ATAS)

Financial evidence

Other documents

How do I apply?

What type of work can I do?

More information

Useful Links

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Eligibility

Getting a decision

Cookies on GOV.UK

Graduate visa

Requirements to use the e-service

If your family applies for residence permit extensions at the same time, you must send in