Student Visa

To apply for a UK Student visa you must have an unconditional offer from a licensed student sponsor, confirmed by a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number. You need to prove your English-language ability to the level your course requires (often B2 for degree study), show you have enough money for fees and living costs, and demonstrate you are a genuine student who intends to study and comply with visa conditions.

The CAS is issued by your university or college and contains key details about your course, fees already paid and your sponsor licence number. You can apply up to six months before your course starts if you are outside the UK. Applicants aged 16 to 17 need parental consent, and some students from certain countries must also provide a tuberculosis test certificate.

You must show you can pay your first year of tuition plus living costs (maintenance). For 2026 the maintenance rates are £1,483 per month for courses in London (up to nine months, so £13,347) and £1,136 per month outside London (up to £10,224). The money must usually be held for at least 28 consecutive days, with the closing balance no older than 31 days when you apply.

Students who have been in the UK with valid permission for at least 12 months may be exempt from showing maintenance. Acceptable evidence includes personal bank statements, a loan letter from a recognised provider, or official financial sponsorship. As with study permits elsewhere, sudden large deposits or poorly sourced funds raise questions, so plan your finances well before the 28-day window.

Apply online on GOV.UK using your CAS. Complete the form, upload your passport, CAS details, financial evidence, English-test results and any TB certificate, then pay the £558 application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year for students. You then book and attend a biometrics appointment at a visa application centre, or verify your identity through the UK Immigration: ID Check app if eligible. Decisions usually take about three weeks for applications made outside the UK. Apply early, especially before peak autumn intake, because appointment availability and processing can slow down. Once granted, your permission is recorded digitally in your UKVI account (eVisa), and you should check that all the details, including your work conditions and course dates, are correct before you travel.

Work rights depend on your course. Students on full-time degree-level courses at a university can usually work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays, while those at below degree level are typically limited to 10 hours. You cannot be self-employed or work as a professional sportsperson on a Student visa. Most students can no longer bring dependants unless they are on a postgraduate research programme or a government-sponsored course.

The biggest post-study benefit is the Graduate route, which lets eligible graduates stay and work, or look for work, for two years after a bachelor's or master's degree (three years after a PhD), with no sponsorship needed. Many students then switch into the Skilled Worker visa, making the Student visa a recognised first step toward longer-term work and settlement in the UK.

Planning around the real numbers makes the Student Visa far less stressful. On cost, Application fee £558 plus the Immigration Health Surcharge (£776/year for students). On timing, About 3 weeks for applications from outside the UK. Budget a little extra for document translation, certified or notarised copies, any required medical examination, photos to specification, and travel to a consulate or biometrics appointment. These smaller costs add up and are easy to overlook. Start gathering your documents early. A confirmed place on a course with a licensed student sponsor (CAS), proof of funds for fees and living costs, and English language ability appropriate to the course. Beyond those specifics, almost every applicant needs a passport valid well beyond the intended stay, recent photographs, and proof of funds or income. Where papers are issued in another language, official translations and sometimes an apostille or legalisation are expected, so confirm the exact format before booking your appointment.

Approval hinges on three things: a genuine place at an approved institution, money to cover tuition and living costs, and credible study intent. Keep your acceptance or enrolment confirmation, proof of fees paid, and bank statements organised and recent. Be ready to explain how your course fits your goals. Know the work-hour limits attached to the visa and never breach them, and remember you must remain enrolled and maintain attendance to keep your status. Apply as early as your offer allows, because consular appointments and processing can be slow in peak intake seasons.