Master prompt
Student visa extension — CAS + financial maintenance package (UK)
Extension under Appendix Student for a current Tier 4 / Student visa holder continuing or progressing in their course. Covers new CAS, maintenance funds, ATAS, and progression rule.
UKVisa extensionStudent visaCASAppendix StudentIHSATAS
You are drafting a Student visa extension for [CLIENT_NAME] under Appendix Student to continue at [SPONSOR_LICENCE] in [CURRENT_PROGRAM].
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
• Appendix Student of the Immigration Rules (replacing former Tier 4)
• ST 9.1 — Course requirement (must be with licensed Student sponsor)
• ST 10.1 — Genuine Student requirement
• ST 13.1-14.4 — Financial requirement (maintenance funds)
• ST 19.1 — Academic Progression rule (when extending in UK)
• ATAS — Academic Technology Approval Scheme (FCDO) for specified STEM PhD/MSc subjects
§1 — TIMING + 3C LEAVE
(a) Lodge BEFORE [CURRENT_VISA_EXPIRY] — s.3C extends leave on same conditions during decision
(b) Recommend lodging 8-12 weeks before expiry
(c) Out-of-time within 14 days: para 39E discretion (good reasons)
(d) Late lodgement > 14 days: refusal certain; must leave + re-apply offshore
(e) Cannot apply more than 3 months before course start date (ST 7.4)
§2 — ACADEMIC PROGRESSION RULE — ST 19.1
When extending in-country, [CLIENT_NAME]'s new course must be either:
(a) AT a HIGHER level than the current course; OR
(b) AT the SAME LEVEL where progression is genuine + clearly demonstrated (e.g. UG → another UG in different field with academic rationale); OR
(c) Re-sits / repeat year at SAME COURSE for reasons documented by [SPONSOR_LICENCE]
State explicitly whether [CURRENT_PROGRAM] satisfies progression. If not: cover letter must justify.
§3 — FINANCIAL REQUIREMENT — ST 13-14
Maintenance funds requirement (ST 13.1):
• Inner London study (Zones 1-6 boundary): £1,483/month × max 9 months = £13,347
• Outside London: £1,136/month × max 9 months = £10,224
If applicant has held a UK visa for 12+ months immediately before application AND has been in the UK for 12+ months: financial requirement WAIVED (ST 14.1 — Establishment Test)
Funds must be held continuously for 28 consecutive days, ending no more than 31 days before the date of application (ST 14.4).
For [CLIENT_NAME] holding GBP [MAINTENANCE_FUNDS_GBP]:
• Confirm held for 28 days
• Confirm closing balance dated within 31 days of application
If sponsored by parents: bank statements must be in parent's name + birth certificate + parental consent letter.
§4 — FORM PACK
A. UKVI online application (Student route extension)
B. CAS [CAS_NUMBER] from [SPONSOR_LICENCE]:
• Issued within 6 months of application
• Sponsor's licence on Student Sponsor List (active, A-rated)
• Course details match Immigration Rules requirements
C. Proof of tuition paid: GBP [TUITION_PAID_GBP] (sponsor letter confirming on CAS preferred)
D. Maintenance funds evidence:
• Bank statement(s) showing GBP [MAINTENANCE_FUNDS_GBP] held 28 days continuously
• Bank-issued letter (if statement not in standard format)
• If parent-funded: birth certificate + parental letter + parent's bank statements
E. Academic qualifications obtained for current course:
• Degree certificate + transcript (interim if course not complete)
• For PG progression: UG transcript + certificate
F. ATAS clearance certificate — IF No is "Yes":
• Apply via FCDO online portal (gov.uk → ATAS)
• 4-6 weeks processing
• Specific to course code + start date
G. English language evidence:
• Generally embedded in sponsor's CAS assessment for HEIs
• SELT (Secure English Language Test) certificate if required
H. TB test certificate (for first applications from certain countries; rarely needed for in-country extension)
I. Passport biographical + visa pages
J. IHS payment — £776/year (Student/Dependant rate) // 2026-05 — verify; payable upfront for entire visa duration
K. Application fee: £490 in-country // 2026-05 — verify
L. UKVCAS biometrics appointment
M. Form OISC if represented by OISC adviser
§5 — COVER LETTER (250-350 words)
Open: "Application under Appendix Student of the Immigration Rules for further leave to remain as a Student for [CLIENT_NAME], CAS reference [CAS_NUMBER], to study [CURRENT_PROGRAM] at [SPONSOR_LICENCE] until [INTENDED_NEW_EXPIRY]."
Structure:
¶1 — Identity + current Student leave + sponsor + course
¶2 — Progression rationale under ST 19.1 ([ACADEMIC_STANDING] + how new course progresses or repeats with justification)
¶3 — Financial: GBP [MAINTENANCE_FUNDS_GBP] held 28 days; tuition GBP [TUITION_PAID_GBP] paid (or balance plan)
¶4 — Sponsor licence: active A-rated; CAS issued within 6 months
¶5 — ATAS status: No
¶6 — Compliance: current attendance, no work breaches, IHS paid
¶7 — Post-completion plan: Graduate route application; OR departure intent
§6 — CONDITIONS COMPLIANCE NARRATIVE
Caseworker cross-checks compliance with prior Student visa conditions:
(a) Attendance with [SPONSOR_LICENCE] — provide enrolment letter, attendance record
(b) Work limits — undergraduate: 20 hours/week term-time, full-time vacation; PG taught: 20 hours/week term-time
— Postgraduate research: full-time during course breaks; check sponsor terms
(c) No work as professional sportsperson, entertainer, or self-employed (ST 31.1 prohibitions)
(d) ATAS clearance maintained if applicable
If breaches occurred: disclose; explain; sponsor letter acknowledging continued sponsorship.
§7 — POST-COMPLETION TRANSITION
After [PROGRAM_COMPLETION_DATE]:
(a) Graduate route eligibility — Appendix Graduate; 2 years for UG/PG; 3 years for PhD; apply before Student visa expires
(b) Skilled Worker route — if employer sponsor secured pre-graduation
(c) Further study — new course requires new CAS + new application
(d) Departure — typically 4 months wrap-up window from course completion
§8 — RED FLAGS
• Course gap (between courses) > 1 month — explain; sponsor letter
• Sponsor licence suspended / revoked during course — must move sponsor or depart
• Failed academic year — repeat condonement letter from sponsor explaining recovery
• CAS withdrawn before submission — application invalid
• Maintenance dip below threshold during 28-day window — fatal
End with: "DRAFT Student extension package — for OISC-regulated adviser or solicitor review. Verify current Appendix Student wording (rules change annually in October); confirm [SPONSOR_LICENCE] is currently A-rated on the Register of Student Sponsors; confirm current IHS rate before client submission. Cross-check [CAS_NUMBER] is issued within 6 months of intended application date."Unlock the vault to see the full prompt