At the end of term and finishing studies
Answers to your questions about what happens when you are nearly finished your studies, and when your visa is close to expiring.
Answers to your questions about what happens near the end of your studies, and when your visa is expiring.
The expiry date of your visa is printed on your BRP. You must leave the UK, or make an appropriate visa application to remain, on or before that date.
There is no ‘grace’ period after this date. If you stay beyond the date of your visa without having made a valid visa application, you will become an overstayer, which is a criminal offence, and which can have serious consequences, up to and including a 10 year ban from the UK.
If your Tier 4 or Student visa is still valid (even for a short period), and providing you are coming back for reasons which are deemed permissible by your visa (for example, to pack up your belongings, apply for the Graduate /Skilled Work visa, or attend graduation), you should be permitted to re-enter the UK. It is important that you are clear with the Border Force officer when you return as, if you state that you are coming back for a purpose that is not compatible with your Tier 4 /Student visa, or that you will overstay your visa, they may refuse entry.
If your Tier 4/ Student visa has expired, you will need to seek alternative immigration permission to return to the UK, such as entering as a standard visitor.
Unless you have a job offer at an appropriate level, or meet the requirements of another visa route, it is very unlikely that you will be able to stay in the UK after the end of your study visa.
There is no option to extend your Tier 4 or Student visa in the UK for work experience or to do an internship, and it is not possible to work or extend your stay in the UK if you hold a Standard Visitor visa.