Early completion happens when you officially finish your course earlier than the expected end date recorded on your CAS. As an international student, it's really important to be fully aware of how this can impact on your Student Visa, to avoid any risks to your immigration status.
Completing your studies earlier than expected can affect your Student Visa. If you finish your course before the end date shown on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), the university may need to inform UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). This can lead to your Student Visa being shortened.
What to do if you have completed studies early
If you think you may complete your studies early:
- Check how this may affect your Student Visa.
- Keep your contact details updated with the university and UKVI.
- Read all emails from the university and UKVI carefully.
- Avoid making travel plans until you understand how early completion affects your immigration status.
- If you want to stay in the UK, apply for another visa before your revised Student Visa expiry date.
If you are unsure about your situation, seek advice from the International Student Advice Service as early as possible.
Reporting of Early Completion to UKVI
The point at which you are considered to have completed your studies depends on your type of course. For most students, completion is linked to the release of official results or confirmation of the award. For postgraduate research students, completion is usually linked to the formal award process.
The university will normally contact you after reporting your early completion to UKVI. You should read any messages carefully because they will explain what happens next and what actions you may need to take.
How Early Completion affects a Student Visa
Once UKVI receives an early completion report, they will usually shorten your Student Visa. This process is called visa curtailment. It means your permission to stay in the UK is reduced because you no longer need Student Visa sponsorship for your studies.
Your visa does not usually end immediately if you are in the UK. Instead, UKVI will normally provide a period of time after your new completion date so that you can prepare to leave the UK or make another visa application if you are eligible.
For students studying courses of 12 months or longer, this period should normally be four months after the new course completion date. However, the amount of time you receive depends on your original visa conditions and course length.
UKVI will contact you with your revised visa expiry date. The university cannot confirm exactly when UKVI will make this decision or when your visa will be updated. It can vary, sometimes UKVI may take the action quickly, sometimes more slowly.
Your online immigration record may not immediately show the updated expiry date, so you should rely on official communication from UKVI.
Staying in the UK after Early Completion of studies
You can normally remain in the UK until your revised visa expiry date, provided you continue to meet your visa conditions.
Before the new revised visa expiry date date, you must either:
- leave the UK, or
- apply for another immigration route if you are eligible.
Travelling outside the UK after Early Completion
Travelling after Early Completion has been reported to UKVI can affect your ability to return to the UK.
If you leave the UK after the University has reported your early completion:
- You may not be able to re-enter the UK using your Student visa;
- UKVI may cancel your visa while you are outside the UK;
- Your visa will end immediately if you are outside the UK when cancellation action is taken
Applying for the Graduate Route Visa after Early Completion
Completing your studies early does not usually prevent you from applying for the Graduate Route, as long as you meet all eligibility requirements.
If you are considering applying for the Graduate Route, it is important that you remain in the UK after your course completion and avoid travelling until your application has been decided.
If you receive a different or lower qualification than expected, check your eligibility carefully, as not all qualifications meet the Graduate Route requirements.
Working after completing your course early
Your Student Visa work conditions normally continue until your revised visa expiry date. If in any doubt about the right to work, always check this before carrying out any work.
After you have successfully completed your course and received your official results letter, you can usually work full-time until your visa expires. However, you must continue to follow the restrictions that apply to Student Visa holders. For example, you cannot normally take a permanent full-time role while you still hold Student Visa permission.
You should tell your employer if your visa circumstances change and make sure that they complete the required right-to-work checks.