What you need to do

You need to get permission from the UKBA to change to the University of Birmingham. To apply for permission you need complete the form Permission to Switch - (PDF - 439KB) and pay the fee of £160. There are guidance notes (PDF - 111KB) to help you understand the questions on the form.

This is a very important application so you should send your application by Special Delivery and keep the proof of postage receipt from the Post Office.

The UKBA will send you two letters.

First letter - this will confirm receipt of your application.

Second letter - this will inform you of the UKBA decision on your application.

If you have made your application for Permission to Switch - (PDF - 439KB) you will only be able to start your course if you meet one of the following criteria:

• You have the UKBA letter confirming permission to switch has been granted, or
• You have received the first UKBA letter confirming receipt of your application and are still waiting for the second letter. 

If you do not meet the above criteria you should check what the latest registration date is for your course. If you do not have the required letter from the UKBA you will not be able to be registered for your course.

The UKBA have not given any waiting times for these applications and as the form was only introduced at the end of April 2011, ISAS does not have indication of waiting times. 

There is nothing the University can do to speed up your application so you should apply as early as possible (after finishing with your previous college or university), and to pay the application fee with postal orders.

Evidence you need to provide at registration

If the UKBA have sent you a letter confirming that you have permission to switch you will need to provide this at registration.

If you have received the first letter confirming receipt of your application you need to provide all of the following:

• the UKBA letter confirming receipt of your application
• special delivery receipt from the Post Office
• photocopy of the completed application you sent

It is your responsibility to provide this proof, without proof you cannot be registered.

Check your visa length

You should check if your current visa will cover the graduation ceremony for your course.  Normally students on courses of 12 months or longer are given an additional 4 months on their visa from their course length, and in most cases this will allow students to attend their graduation.  If you will not have this extra 4 months on your visa and would like to stay in the UK for your graduation you may choose to apply for a new student visa before the start of your course instead of applying for permission to switch.

What you need to do

You must apply for a new student visa before you can be registered at the University of Birmingham.  You will not be able to start your course if you have not applied for a new visa.

If you have made your visa application inside the UK you can start your course before you receive the UKBA decision, however this is at your own risk because the visa may not be granted.  

Applying for a new student visa from:

• outside the UK
• inside the UK

Evidence you need to provide at registration

If you have your new visa you will need this for registration.

If you have not received the visa the University will need to see proof that you have made an application before you can be registered, you need to provide all of the following:

• special delivery receipt from the Post Office
• photocopy of the photograph page of your passport
• photocopies of all UK visas (including any that were issued on a biometric card)
• photocopies of the completed application form and supporting documents you sent
• UKBA letter confirming receipt of your application (if received)

It is your responsibility to provide this proof, without proof you cannot be registered.