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Visa and Immigration for Current Students
Information on visas and the EU settlement scheme for current Abertay students.
Information on visas and the EU settlement scheme for current Abertay students.
Use this page if you're already studying at Abertay on a Student Visa, or with settled or pre-settled status.
Visa rules change. Always check GOV.UK before you apply, and talk to our Advisory Service if you're unsure.
Applying to study with us? Read our visa information for new students.
Apply for your Graduate visa by 31 December 2026 to get two years.
If you apply on or after 1 January 2027, you'll get 18 months. If you complete a PhD, you'll get three years whenever you apply.
You can apply once we've told the Home Office you've completed your course. You don't need to wait for graduation or your certificate.
Apply for a Graduate visa on GOV.UK
The Graduate visa lets you stay in the UK to work or look for work after you complete your course. You don't need a job offer or an employer to sponsor you.
|
Your qualification |
Apply on or before 31 Dec 2026 |
Apply on or after 1 January 2027 |
|
Bachelor's or master's degree |
Two years |
18 months |
|
PhD or other doctorate |
Three years |
Three years |
Your visa starts on the day your application is approved.
You can apply once we've told the Home Office you've successfully completed your course. You must be in the UK and you must apply before your Student visa expires.
You'll usually get a decision within eight weeks. You can stay in the UK while you wait. Don't travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision, or your application will be withdrawn.
You can work in most jobs, be self-employed, look for work and travel abroad. You can't claim most benefits or work as a professional sportsperson.
You can't extend a Graduate visa. To stay longer, you'll need to switch to another visa, such as a Skilled Worker visa with an employer sponsor.
Your Student Visa has conditions. Your eVisa shows the ones that apply to you. Breaking them can end your visa and affect future UK visa applications.
As your visa sponsor, we monitor your engagement with your course. We must tell the Home Office if you stop engaging. Read our academic engagement policy for Student visa holders.
At degree level, you can usually work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full time during official vacations. Check your eVisa for your limit, and the academic calendar for term dates.
You can't be self-employed, work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach, or fill a permanent full-time job. You can't claim most benefits.
We must tell the Home Office if you:
interrupt your studies
withdraw from your course
stop engaging with your course
finish your course earlier than expected
Thinking about pausing, leaving or changing your course? Talk to us first. Your visa may be cut short, and you may need to leave the UK or apply for a different visa.
Your immigration status is an eVisa: a digital record you access through a free UKVI account. eVisas have replaced BRP cards.
If you still have a BRP and haven't set up a UKVI account, do it now, even if the card has expired.
Update your UKVI account if you get a new passport or change your name, email address or phone number. The passport you travel with must be linked to your account.
To prove your status to an employer, a landlord or us, sign in and create a share code.
If you need more time to finish your course, for example because of resits or an approved extension, you may need to extend your Student visa. You'll need a new CAS from us first.
Apply from inside the UK before your current visa expires. Your course must restart within 28 days of your current visa ending. You'll usually get a decision within eight weeks.
Don't travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man while you wait, or your application will be withdrawn.
If you've been in the UK on a visa for at least 12 months, you don't need to show money for your fees or living costs.
You can usually study at degree level on a Student visa for up to 5 years in total. If you've studied in the UK before, talk to our Advisory Service before you apply.
Before you travel:
check the passport you're travelling with is linked to your UKVI account
check your visa will still be valid when you return
don't travel if you've applied to extend or switch your visa and you're still waiting for a decision
tell us if you'll be away during term time
At the border, you may be asked to prove your status. Your eVisa is linked to your passport, so you don't need a physical document.
You don't need a Student Visa. Your status is an eVisa in your UKVI account.
If you have pre-settled status, the Home Office may convert it to settled status automatically once you're eligible. If it can't confirm you're eligible, it extends your pre-settled status by 5 years instead. You can also apply for settled status yourself once you have 5 years' continuous residence.
Long periods outside the UK can affect your status. Talk to our Advisory Service before you spend a long time abroad.
