UK Student Visa: Requirements and Process

What the UK Student visa is

The Student visa is the main UK immigration route for people aged 16 or over who have an offer to study a course at a licensed student sponsor (a university or college approved by the UK government). It replaced the older "Tier 4" student route and is the standard permission most international degree students apply under.

This page explains the building blocks of an application so you know what to prepare. It is general information only and not immigration advice — the authoritative rules, fees and eligibility are on the official UK government page, which you should check before you apply.

The core requirements

To apply for a Student visa you generally need a confirmed place on an eligible course, a reference number called a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) issued by your sponsoring university, enough money to cover your course fees and living costs, and — for most applicants — evidence that you can read, write, speak and understand English to the required level. You will also normally pay the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of the process.

• A CAS from a licensed student sponsor (your university)
• Proof of financial means (course fees plus living costs — verify the exact amounts on gov.uk)
• Evidence of English language ability at the required level
• A valid passport or travel document
• Payment of the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge
• A tuberculosis (TB) test result, if you are from a country where one is required

How the application process works

In broad terms, you first secure an offer and receive your CAS from the university, then complete the online application on the official gov.uk service, pay the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, and book and attend a biometrics appointment (fingerprints and a photo). Depending on your country and circumstances you may use an identity-check app or a visa application centre.

Exact steps, the order they happen in, and processing times vary and change, so follow the official step-by-step instructions on gov.uk and allow plenty of time before your course start date.

• Hold an unconditional offer and receive your CAS
• Complete the online Student visa application on gov.uk
• Pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge
• Provide biometrics and supporting documents
• Wait for the decision before you travel

Working, dependants and the Graduate route

A Student visa usually comes with conditions on working — for example limits on hours during term time — and rules on whether you can bring dependants, both of which depend on your course and circumstances. After completing an eligible course, some graduates apply to stay in the UK under the Graduate route for a period of time.

These conditions change and are set in the official rules, so check the current position on gov.uk for your specific course rather than relying on what applied to someone else in an earlier year.

Key reminders before you apply

No guide or agent can guarantee a visa — every decision rests with UK Visas and Immigration based on your individual application and the rules in force at the time. Be cautious of anyone promising a "guaranteed" visa for a fee, and never pay for a guaranteed outcome.

Apply only through the official gov.uk service or your university's international student office, keep your documents accurate and consistent with your CAS, and verify every fee and requirement on the official source before paying anything.