23 April 2026

We have added a section on important information for a visa application in the Summer 2026 period.

Visa Brake

On 4 March 2026, the UK Government (Home Office) announced new measures for a 'visa brake' to be applied to four countries temporarily.

The visa brake applies to visa applications made outside the UK (entry clearance) based on the nationality of the main applicant. It does not depend on where you live or from where you apply.

The visa brake applies to Student visa applications from main applicants who are nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan and Skilled Worker visa applications from main applicants who are nationals of Afghanistan.

The above changes come into effect from 26 March 2026 and will be regularly reviewed by the Home Office. 

If you already hold a valid UK visa, then your permission (visa) remain valid until its expiry date and would not be cancelled by this visa brake. You will still be eligible to apply for an in-country visa extension or another visa category if the eligibility crietria is satisfied.

You can also refer to the UKCISA webpages below for information about this - https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/news/home-office-announces-a-visa-brake-on-students-coming-from-afghanistan-cameroon-myanmar-and-sudan/

https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/news/your-questions-answered-the-visa-brake-for-afghanistan-cameroon-myanmar-and-sudan-announced-march-2026/

Financial Requirements - Definition of an Official Financial Sponsor

The UKVI have recently circulated guidance on who meets the definition of an official financial sponsor as follows:

Who qualifies as an official financial sponsor

The Immigration Rules define the following as acceptable official financial sponsors:

• His Majesty’s Government
• the applicant’s national government
• certain international organisations
• approved universities
• reputable international companies

Sponsors should ensure that any funding relied upon by an applicant clearly falls within one of the categories above and is evidenced in line with the Rules.

Funding that cannot be used

Funding provided by bodies that do not meet the definition of an official financial sponsor cannot be relied upon for the purposes of a Student visa application. This includes funding provided by, for example:

• local authorities
• regional or state governments
• devolved administrations
• state-owned or government-linked entities

Applicants seeking to rely on funding from these sources risk refusal if they do not otherwise meet the financial requirements of the route.

You are therefore advised to seek alternative sources of funding, if your planned official financial sponsor is listed as 'funding that cannot be used'.  Find out more about how you can meet the financial requirements by reading the guidance for your cohort on this web page.

The immigration rules are complex, but we have detailed guidance available that is bespoke for your level of study.  You should not just refer to the guides on completing the application forms as these do not explain the rules.

When you contact us, we will always refer you to our guidance first, especially if we know the answer is already provided or we have given a link to the relevant UKVI information on your question.

To accompany our detailed guidance, we have a range of info sheets that cover FAQS from students.  You can find our info sheets and other news for international students on our Visa Advice FAQs web page. These are not standalone documents and support the detailed guidance on this page.

There are various teams that issue CAS numbers at LSE:

• Undergraduate Admissions - Undergraduate degree offer holders
• General Course Team - General Course and GO LSE offer holdesr
• Graduate Admissions - Taught Masters and Research Degree offer holders
• Student Advice and Engagement Team - all enrolled students including second-year double-degree joining LSE.

CAS numbers are issued to the School by the Home Office and we have to apply for our CAS allocation each year.  We are given a set number, so they are not infiinite and there is also a cost of £55 for each CAS that we issue. 

In some instances it may not be possible to issue someone with a CAS as explained in the following document:

CAS Issuing Policy

FAQ: My visa application has been refused. Can I use the same CAS number to apply again?

A CAS can only be used once for an application where a decision has been made by the UKVI.  If your visa application is refused, you will need a new CAS to re-apply for your visa.  You will only receive your new CAS once you have been advised by the Student Advice and Engagement Team and they have confirmed to the relevant team you have been given information on how to avoid a second refusal.

FAQ: Can you expedite my CAS? I have made plans for the summer and want my CAS earlier.

The Student Advice and Engagement Team cannot expedite CAS numbers issued by other teams. Your CAS can only be issued when:

• You have an unconditional offer
• You have accepted your offer;
• You have completed your Financial Undertaking Form
• You have checked your pre-CAS statement for errors and responded to the relevant team
• You have answered any further requests for information e.g. justification for study at the same level or evidence of previous UK study visas

CAS's are issued based on programme start dates and when you are 'CAS ready' by the relevant team at offer holder stage. They are unable to expedite CAS numbers if you have personal travel arranged and you should plan your travel accordingly based on acquiring your visa for your studies as the priority.

You must not come to the UK as a tourist (Visitor) without having been granted your Student visa first. You should always apply for and obtain your Student visa before travelling to the UK on or after the visa start date.

Plan to apply as soon as you are eligible, as not getting your Student visa in time may lead to you not being able to join LSE. You can apply up to six months in advance of your sponsorship start date outside the UK and up to three months in advance in the UK if you are able to be issued with a CAS. 

Case One: Student travels as a tourist to the UK and plans to apply for their Student visa in the UK.

The Immigration Rules do not allow someone to switch from a Standard Visitor visa into the Student Route in the UK. If you apply for your Student visa from a Standard Visitor visa, you will not be able to campus enrol for your programme and should be refused your visa. You would also need to return to a country where you are permitted to apply and complete the process, then return to the UK when your Student visa is valid. 

You risk not being able to join LSE as there is a latest course start date for all degree programmes. There is no flexibility in this rule and attending teaching when you are not campus enrolled is not permitted by LSE.

Case Two: Student has a Student visa application in progress in their home country.  They travel to the UK as a tourist to start their studies and their Student visa is granted whilst they are in the UK.

If you need a visa to study your degree programme at LSE and you do not have a Student visa already, you must apply for and obtain this before travelling to join your programme.

If you arrive in the UK on a tourist visa (this is how you enter if you have an ETA), you will not be able to campus enrol for your degree or attend any teaching until you have a Student visa in place. You would also need to return to your country of application to complete the process and only return to the UK when your Student visa is valid. 

If you choose to travel and your visa is granted whilst you are in the UK, you will need to leave the Common Travel Area (UK and Republic of Ireland) and re-enter the UK during the validity of your Student visa to activate your visa. Our enrolment system flags when an individual has entered the UK prior to the start date of their Student visa. You should not attempt to campus enrol if you have not activated your Student visa. 

There are some circumstances where it is possible to extend your visa for your studies or switch into the route if you are joining a new degree programme at LSE:

• You already have a valid LSE Student visa and you are starting a new programme - you must submit your application by the expiry date of your visa or within six weeks of campus enrolling, whichever is sooner.
• You are joining LSE for a new programme, you are in the UK and you have a Student visa for another institution
• You are switching from a valid Graduate Route/Skilled Worker/Dependant visa (please contact us for advice, especially if you have been reported to the UKVI);

IMPORTANT: If you are switching from a Graduate Route visa, you will be unable to campus enrol and attend teaching until you have your Student visa in place.  The immigration rules do not allow you to start studying whilst you are still on the conditions of a Graduate Route visa.  Plan to apply with enough time to obtain your visa before you need to join LSE.

FAQ One: My current visa expires more than 28 days before my new programme at LSE starts. Can I switch or extend my visa in the UK?

Unfortunately, the immigration rules state that you will not be eligible to apply for your new visa in the UK and will need to apply from overseas. 

FAQ Two: I have a valid Student visa for another institution. Can I start my programme at LSE using this visa and extend it close to the expiry date?

If you have a Student visa for another institution, you will not be able to campus enrol and start your programme at LSE until you have applied for a new Student visa using your LSE CAS.  You do not need to have your visa in place at enrolment if you are extending in the UK, but you will need to show that you at least have an application in progress.

The only exceptions are students who are sponsored by LSHTM on the MSc HPPF, intercalating students and students who are attending on an intercollegiate basis.

FAQ Three: I already have an LSE visa.  Can I enrol for my new programme on this visa and extend closer to the expiry date of my current visa?

You can enrol on your current, LSE visa, but you will need to submit a new application within six weeks of campus enrolling or the expiry date of your visa (whichever is sooner). For example, if you had a visa for a 12 month MSc and you will be joining us for a PhD, you can enrol on your current visa.   You will not be able to delay applying for an extension until when your visa expires in January. You will need to apply within six weeks of campus enrolling for your new degree.

FAQ Four: It takes eight weeks for a decision on an application. Can I continue studying if my visa expires during the process?

If you have applied for your new visa before your current visa expired, you will be protected by a law known as Section 3C leave. Section 3C leave means the conditions of your previous visa continue whilst you are waiting for the outcome of your application, even if your visa expires in the process. You only benefit from this provision if you applied before your previous visa expired.

FAQ Five: I have submitted my application and still have my passport and a valid digital status.  Does this mean I can travel out of the UK whilst my application is being decided?

Once you have submitted and paid for your new Student visa application, you should not travel outside the UK, even if your digital status is still valid.  If you travel you are considered to be withdrawing your application.  This means you may not be allowed to re-enter the UK and continue your studies until you have obtained a new visa from overseas. 

Useful web pages:

UKCISA: Making a Student route application in the UK

There are some circumstances where students are able to extend/switch into the  Student visa route in the UK to continue on the same programme:

• You are switching from a valid Skilled Worker/Dependant visa (please contact us for advice especially if you have been reported to the UKVI);
• You have a extension of your thesis submission date/viva/corrections which goes beyond the validity of your current visa. We recommend that once your new end date is confirmed you submit an application as soon as possible, so that you are not using your additional time on your visa for your new period of studies. 
• You have had repeat teaching and need additional time on your visa to complete your programme.
• You are returning from study abroad/have an official work placement that is an integral and assessed part of your programme and your current visa is not long enough to cover the change in circumstances
• You sat all your assessments as expected, but were informed you had failed a course and are required to resit in January RDAP/RDAP 2 - this depends on the individual and you should contact us for advice.
• You deferred/failed an Postgraduate IRDAP enabled course and are required to attempt your assessment in the August IRDAP period. Please seek advice on your options, as you may be required to apply again for January RDAP if you have non-Economics courses outstanding as well.

To start the process, you will need to request a new CAS.

The following groups of students are not able to apply for their Student visa in the UK to continue on the same programme. They will only be able to submit an application from outside the UK:

• Students who are in the UK as a Standard Visitor.
• Students who have applied for internal readmission on to a new undergraduate programme.
• Students who are transferring from the MPA LSE and Toronto to the LSE MPA only.
• Students whose previous visa expired/was cancelled by the UKVI and they did not submit an in-time application. It is important to understand the risks of becoming an overstayer in the UK. 
• Students who have interrupted their studies and have been reported to the UKVI. 
• Postgraduate taught students who have deferred assessments and are required to attend January RDAP. You will only be able to apply from outside the UK as you will have been reported to the UKVI for non-progression and there are more than 60 days between your last period of academic engagement and RDAP. 
  
  If you request a CAS for a resit and deferred assessment period, you are agreeing that you will travel and submit in the UK during the period of sponsorship as stated on the CAS. If you do not travel as expected, we will withdraw sponsorship of your visa. We are sponsoring you for your studies and not solely to facilitate an application to the Graduate Route.
• Postgraduate taught students who have deferred assessments in January RDAP and are required to attend RDAP 2 in May. You will only be able to apply from outside the UK as you will have been reported to the UKVI for deferring your assessments and there are more than 60 days between your last period of academic engagement and RDAP 2. 
  
  If you request a CAS for a resit and deferred assessment period, you are agreeing that you will travel and submit in the UK during the period of sponsorship as stated on the CAS. If you do not travel as expected, we will withdraw sponsorship of your visa. We are sponsoring you for your studies and not solely to facilitate an application to the Graduate Route.

To start the process, you will need to request a new CAS.  

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) Numbers

To be able to apply for a Student visa for LSE you will need a CAS number. It is an electronic document that will be sent to you by email.

A CAS can only be used for one Student application. Find out more about how you can get a CAS in our CAS Issuing Policy.

Step One:  Read the guide to applying for Student visa for Undergraduate Students 

Guide to applying for a Student visa for Undergraduates (pdf)

Step Two: if you are applying from overseas read this guide

Completing the application form overseas: FAQS (PDF)

When you reach this stage, you need to read the text as well as refer to the screenshots for the supporting advice. FAQs are in red. 

Step Two: if you are applying in the UK read this guide 

Completing the application form in the UK: FAQS (pdf)

Further LSE Guidance

You should refer to our infosheets which are available on the right hand side of this web page. 

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) Numbers

To be able to apply for a student visa for LSE you will need a CAS number. It is an electronic document that will be sent to you by email.

A CAS can only be used for one application. Find out more about how you can get a CAS in our CAS Issuing Policy. 

FAQ: My exchange is less than six months.  Will I be issued with a CAS?
If your exchange is less than six months, you will not be issued with a CAS.  You should refer to the information on the fol

Step One:  Read the guide to applying for Student visa for General Course students 

Applying for a Student Visa for General Course students - (pdf)

Step Two: if you are applying from overseas read this guide

Completing the application form overseas:FAQS (pdf)

When you reach this stage, you need to read the text as well as refer to the screenshots for the supporting advice. FAQs are in red. 

Further LSE Guidance

You should refer to our infosheets which are available on the right hand side of this web page.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) Numbers

To be able to apply for a Student visa for LSE you will need a CAS number. It is an electronic document that will be sent to you by email.

A CAS can only be used for one Student visa application. Find out more about how you can get a CAS in our CAS Issuing Policy.

Whilst waiting, we recommend you read the relevant guidance on applying for a Student visa to avoid risking a refusal of your application. 

Step One: Read the guide to applying for Student Visa for Taught Masters Students 

Applying for a Student visa for Masters students (pdf)

Step Two: if you are applying from overseas read this guide

Completing the application form overseas:FAQS (pdf)

If you haven't read the guide to applying for a Student visa, you need to start there.  This guide only answers the most frequently asked questions about the application form.  It doesn't explain the rules.  

When you reach this stage, you need to read the text as well as refer to the screenshots for the supporting advice. FAQs are in red. 

Step Two: if you are applying in the UK read this guide

Completing the application form in the UK:FAQS (pdf)

Double/Joint degree students

If you are studying one of our double/dual degree programmes, please refer to our info sheet for advice on Student visas for your programmes.

Double/joint degree info sheet (pdf)

Part-time Student visa 

LSE does not sponsor students on a part-time Student visa. If you have applied for a part-time programme you should speak to Graduate Admissions regarding your options.   The part-time Student visa is a much more restrictive route but you are still required to meet the same requirements as a full time student rules when applying for your visa:

• You cannot start your programme on a full-time basis and then switch to part-time using the same visa.  To be able to study on a Student part-time visa, you would need to leave the UK and re-apply for a visa before you change your mode of attendance;
• You cannot work on a Student part-time visa or undertake a work placement;
• The UKVI have confirmed you can access the NHS but you will need to pay the full amount of the Immigration Health Surcharge for the length of your programme.  

Further LSE Guidance

You should also refer to our infosheets which are available on the right hand side of this web page.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) Numbers

To be able to apply for a Student visa for LSE you will need a CAS number. It is an electronic document that will be sent to you by email. Find out more about how you can get a CAS in our CAS Issuing Policy.

Extending your Student visa due to an extension of your thesis submission date

If you have received an extension on your thesis submission date, which takes you beyond the current expiry date of your visa, it is permitted under the immigration rules that you can extend your visa.  It is simply seen as an extension to continue on a course of study that you need to complete.

You should note that if you are required to extend your visa beyond the original end date, this will affect when you are able to start working full time. You will be unable to work full time until after the new programme end date as stated on your CAS has passed.

Step One: Read the guide to applying for Student visa for Research Degree Students 

Applying for the Student visa for Research Students (pdf)

Step Two: if you are applying from overseas read this guide

Completing the application form overseas:FAQS (pdf)

If you haven't read the guide to applying for a Student visa, you need to start there.  This guide only answers the most frequently asked questions about the application form.  It doesn't explain the rules.  

When you reach this stage, you need to read the text as well as refer to the screenshots for the supporting advice. FAQs are in red.  

Step Two: if you are applying in the UK read this guide

Completing the application form in the UK:FAQS (pdf)

Part-time Student visa 

LSE does not sponsor students on a part-time Student visa. If you have applied for a part-time programme you should speak to Graduate Admissions regarding your options.   The part-time Student visa is a much more restrictive route but you are still required to meet the same as a full time student rules when applying for your visa:

• You cannot start your programme on a full-time basis and then switch to part-time using the same visa.  To be able to study on a Student part-time visa, you would need to leave the UK and re-apply for a visa before you change your mode of attendance;
• You cannot work on a Student part-time visa or undertake a work placement;
• You cannot bring dependants with you - this means that you would not be able to have dependants on the Graduate Route
• The UKVI have confirmed you can access the NHS but you will need to pay the full amount of the Immigration Health Surcharge for the length of your programme.  

Further LSE Guidance

You should also refer to our infosheets which are available on the right hand side of this web page.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) Numbers

To be able to apply for a Student visa for LSE you will need a CAS number. It is an electronic document that will be sent to you by email. Your CAS will be sent to you by Graduate Admissions.

A CAS can only be used for one Student visa application. Find out more about how you can get a CAS in our CAS Issuing Policy.

Whilst waiting, we recommend you read the relevant guidance on applying for a Student visa to avoid risking a refusal of your application.

Step One: Read the guide to applying for Student Visa for Language Centre Pre-sessional English Students 

Applying for a Student visa for Language Centre students (pdf)

Step Two: if you are applying from overseas read this guide

Completing the application form overseas (pdf)

If you haven't read the guide to applying for a Student visa, you need to start there.  This guide only answers the most frequently asked questions about the application form.  It doesn't explain the rules.  

When you reach this stage, you need to read the text as well as refer to the screenshots for the supporting advice. FAQs are in red. 

When you reach this stage, you need to read the text as well as refer to the screenshots for the supporting advice. FAQs are in red. 

Step Two: if you are applying in the UK read this guide

Completing the application form in the UK for non-EU/EEA students (pdf) 

Further LSE Guidance

You should also refer to our infosheets which are available on the right hand side of this web page.

Student Dependants

You can find detailed advice on dependant applications on the UKCISA web pages:

Dependants

The following cohorts of students can apply to bring dependants with them  to the UK:

Cohort One:

You are in receipt of an award from a Government and your course is full-time and at least six months. As UKCISA explains:

'Home Office guidance explains that: "Scholarships and sponsorships may on occasion be awarded using different  terminology", and that "[t]his should not prevent the applicant from meeting the requirement, as long as the evidence provided refers to a financial award issued by a national government for the purpose of completing a course of study which meets the requirements of the student route". In addtion, for the purposes of being eligible to bring dependants, the scholarship or sponsorship does not need to cover your full fees and living costs. You and your dependants are, however, still required to meet the financial requirements. 

Home Office guidance currently adds additional requirements relating to the term 'government'. If your dependants are refused immigration permission on the basis that your scholarhsip or sponsorship is from a government that is not your national government or the UK government you have the opportunity to pursue an administrative review. This is on the basis that the Immigration Rules only require that you, the Student, are in receipt of an award from 'a government' (with no specification about it being your national government or the UK government).' 

Cohort Two:

You are doing a full-time research-based higher degree, a PhD or other doctoral qualification of nine months or longer at a higher education provider with a track record of compliance, where the start date of the course was on or after 1 January 2024. If your course start date was before 1 January 2024, the course must be a full-time postgraduate level course of nine months or longer undertaken at a higher education provider with a track record of compliance.

What is the definition of a research degree for dependant visa purposes?

LSE has informed the UKVI of its eligible research degree programmes and these will all be at RQF 8 doctorate level.  RQF 7 Masters by Research will not be eilgible to bring dependants because they do not meet the definition outlined by the UKVI.

Cohort Three:

You are studying or have studied on a full-time course lasting at least six months and all four bullet points below apply:

• Your Student permission is current or expired no more than three months before this immigration application.

• Your new immigration application is for a full-time course that is at least six months.

• Your dependant already has Student dependant immigration permission (or it expired no more than three months before this application), or your dependant is your child who was born since you were last granted your immigration permission.

• You are applying for immigration permission at the same time as your dependant.

There are additional provisions for children born to Students - see Children born while Student in the UK.

We also have an info sheet based on FAQs from LSE students:Depandants and family members

What options do I have if my family are not eligible for the Student Dependant Visa?

If your family cannot come to the UK as your dependants under the rules, they may choose to come to the UK as Standard Visitors.  This would allow them to come to the UK for a maximum  of six months in any 12 month period. However, this route is not intended for successive visits or for them to be residing in the UK, so you should ensure this is not the case.

Visitors cannot do any work (paid or unpaid) and they cannot use the National Health Service (NHS) except in emergencies. 

We advise that your family has private health insurance to cover their visits to the UK.

For details go to:

UK Visas and Immigration- Standard Visitors

Inviting your family/friends to visit you

If your family or friends will visit you in the UK during your studies, they may choose to come as a Standard Visitor.

You will need to provide them with a letter of invitation confirming that you are inviting them to visit you, where they will be staying and the potential length of the visit. LSE is unable to provide a letter for your visitors' visa applications, but we can provide a Certificate of Registration from the Student Services Centre which will confirm you are a registered student at LSE.

Further advice:

UKCISA

Home Office

As well as the LSE specific advice, you can find general guidance on the following web pages:

UKVI: Student Guidance

UKVI: Appendix ATAS

UKVI: Appendix Student

UKVI: Appendix Finance

UKVI: English Language

UKCISA: Student eligibility and requirements 

UKCISA: Making a Student visa application in the UK 

UKCISA: Making a Student visa application outside the UK

The Student Advice and Engagement Team works within a strict code of confidentiality as outlined in GDPR and following the Immigration Advice Authority (formerly OISC) code of standards. 

LSE is a member of the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) and we subscribe to the UKCISA / AISA Code of Ethics.    We are regulated to give immigration advice under Immigration Advice Authority guidelines. They are an independent organisation that monitors immigration advice and services. We attend regular training to be able to do this. We may need to refer you externally if your question is outside our area of expertise. 

Any information about you is kept confidential to the service.  You can find out more about the members of the team and our confidentiality policy here.  Not all members of the team are trained immigration advisers, so you will always be directed to speak with the dedicated immigration advice staff on the team. 

Where can I make a complaint about advice I have received?

LSE’s complaints procedure can be found here. The Immigration Advice Authority complaints process can be found here.