What happens if I become an 'overstayer'?
Overstaying means that you have stayed in the UK beyond the expiry date of your visa.
Overstaying is a criminal offence. There is no period for which you can lawfully overstay. Overstaying is recorded in your immigration history and can impact future immigration applications to the UK and other countries. You must declare periods of overstay in future immigration applications.
If you overstay your student visa for more than 30 days, you will be subject to a mandatory refusal period of 12 months from the date you leave the UK (if you leave voluntarily and at your own expense) and an entry clearance application made within the 12-month refusal period should be refused.
If your visa is due to expire and it appears that you might need more time to complete your studies, you should contact the International Student Team at least 3 months before your visa expiry date for advice. You do not have a right to study if you have overstayed your visa.