If you need to extend your visa to complete your course, to undertake a new course or for another reason (eg. Work), please see our advice pages in the first instance and contact the International Student Advisers if you need further advice about extending your visa.
If you have completed your course, and you are unable to leave the UK before your visa expires, please note the following:
If you had a visa that expired between 24 January 2020 and 31 July 2020 you were able to request an extension if you were not able to return home because of travel restrictions or self-isolation related to coronavirus.
Additionally, if you had leave which expired between 24 January and 31 August 2020, including those who received an extension between this period, you were able to take advantage of a grace period between 1 August to 31 August 2020. The conditions of your stay in the UK were the same as the conditions of your leave. If conditions allowed you to work, study or rent accommodation you were able to continue doing so during August 2020.
Now travel restrictions are lifting globally you will no longer be able to extend your visa on this basis and you are expected to take all reasonable steps to leave the UK where it is possible to do so or apply to regularise your stay in the UK.
If you intend to leave the UK but have not been able to do so and you have a visa or leave that expires between 1 September and 31 October 2020 you may request additional time to stay, also known as ‘exceptional assurance’. See further information on the gov.uk website.
If your visa expires after 31 October, and you cannot leave the UK due to COVID-19, please contact the International Student Advisers.