Adult students - Tier 4 (General)
When to apply from inside the UK
This page explains when you should apply for permission to remain in the UK as a Tier 4 (General) student, if you are currently in the UK.
If you are making a Tier 4 application from inside the UK, you can apply when your sponsor has assigned a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) to you.
We suggest that, if possible, you apply during the last 3 months of your current permission to stay. When we approve your application, your new Tier 4 sponsor (which has assigned your new CAS to you) will immediately become responsible for you.
You must apply no later than 6 months after your CAS has been assigned, or it will become invalid.
More information
- If your existing permission to stay has expired If you are already in the UK and your permission to stay expires more than 1 month before the start date of your proposed course of study, you must return overseas and apply from outside the UK. If you apply from inside the UK, we will refuse to extend your permission to stay.
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What is the date of your application? (Applying by post or courier from inside the UK)
If you send your application form and application fee by post, the date of application is the date of posting. This is decided by the postmark. If the postmark is illegible or missing, the date of postage is taken as being at least 1 day before it is received by us.
If you send your application form and application fee by courier, the date of application is the date when it is delivered to our payment handling service.
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What is the date of your application? (Applying in person inside the UK)
If you are applying in person at one of our public enquiry offices, your application date will be the date when you attend the public enquiry office to make your application and pay your application fee.
Application forms
Policy guidance for Tier 4 students
- Tier 4 policy guidance PDF 690KB opens in a new window