Permission to remain – applying from inside the UK

If you are already in the UK and need to extend your visa for a new course, to continue studying your existing course, or to transfer to Derby, you need to complete a Leave to Remain application. Leave to Remain applications are submitted using the Tier 4 Student online application.

How much does the application cost?

The standard service costs £475 and the super priority service £1,275. This fee will not be refunded if your application is refused. Please note there is also an additional fee of £19.20 for standard service applications that will be added to the visa cost to cover your fingerprints being taken.

You may also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge prior to the submission of your application.

How long will my application take to process?

The standard service takes approximately eight weeks to process, however this is no guarantee and many applications can take longer.

Most premium service applications are processed within one day. You will need to book an appointment at a Premium Service Centre when you pay for your application.

When should I apply?

Leave to Remain applications must be submitted before your current visa expires. If you cannot meet the criteria for a Student visa before your visa expires then you will be expected to leave the UK and apply for Permission to Enter. You cannot overstay your visa as you would be in breach of immigration rules and the University of Derby would not be able to enrol you on the course or make you an offer.

If you are an existing Derby student you will receive automated emails to your university email address that your visa is expiring approximately three months before it expires. You should start planning your visa extension around this time.

If you are progressing to a new course it must start within 28 days of your current visa expiring. You will have to return to your home country if there is a gap of more than 28 days and apply for Permission to Enter.

What documents will I need to submit?

You will need to submit the following documents with your application. All documents must be the originals, not copies.

• Current passport(s)
• Previous passports used to travel to the UK (if applicable)
• Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) (if applicable)
• Police Registration Certificate (if applicable)
• Tuberculosis (TB) test results (if applicable)
• Evidence that you have the required amount of funds available (see Maintenance (funds)) (unless you are eligible for the differentiation arrangements)
• Documents listed in your CAS under “Evidence used to obtain offer”. This could be qualifications, certificates, transcripts and/or English language test reports (unless you are eligible for the differentiation arrangements)
• Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate (if applicable)
• Additional documents if you are including family members in your application. See our Dependants page for further details.

Documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation by a professional translator/translation company. Each translation must contain:

• Confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
• The date of the translation
• The full name and signature of the translator, or an authorised official of the company
• The translator’s contact details

What are the differentiation arrangements?

A visa applicant eligible for the differentiation arrangements does not need to provide evidence of their finances, their qualifications or their English language proof with their visa application. All other documents will need to be provided as normal. Please make sure that you do meet the requirements and have these documents available as UKVI could ask to see them during the application process.

This only applies to nationals of the countries listed in the Immigration Rules under “Differential evidence requirement”.

Will I need to have my fingerprints taken?

Yes, your biometric details will be taken as part of the application process. If you apply through the standard service you will also need to pay to have your biometric (fingerprint) details taken, which will cost £19.20.

After you have submitted your visa application you will be prompted to book an appointment at a centre administered by UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS). Here you will you need to create an account on their website in order to book an appointment to have your biometric details taken and submit your documents. There are numerous centres across the UK, with the closest centre being located in Nottingham (extra fee) or Birmingham (appointments with no extra fees available).

Derby-based students

Babington Court
Babington Lane
Derby
DE1 1SD

Buxton-based students

36-40 Great Underbank
Stockport
SK1 1QF

You can use the post office branch finder to find your nearest post office. Select ‘Home Office Biometric Enrolment’ under Products & Services to filter the search.

Who can help me with the application?

Applications in the UK must be checked by the Immigration Advisor before they are paid for and submitted. Please email visa@derby.ac.uk to book an appointment to go through your application and documents once they are ready to be submitted.