UK Student visa

People aged 16 or over who have an unconditional offer for an eligible course and meet the English and financial requirements.

• Be at least 16

  You must be 16 or over.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Have an eligible course offer

  You must have an unconditional offer from a licensed student sponsor. Eligible courses include specified full-time courses at or below degree level, part-time courses leading to a qualification above degree level, and English language courses at CEFR B2 or above.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Get a CAS

  You need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) before applying, must enter its reference number in your application, and must apply within 6 months of receiving it.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Have money for course fees

  You need enough money to pay for 1 academic year of your course, up to 9 months; the amount is shown on your CAS. You do not need to prove you have this money if you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Have money for living costs

  The requirement is £1,529 per month for up to 9 months for a course in London, or £1,171 per month for up to 9 months outside London. Exceptions to proving the financial requirement apply, including for applicants who have lived in the UK with a visa for at least 12 months and student union sabbatical officers. Some nationalities do not normally need to provide financial evidence but may be asked for it.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Hold required funds

  Where you must show funds, you must have the money for at least 28 consecutive days, with that period ending within 31 days of your visa application.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Meet the English requirement

  You must be able to read, write, speak and understand English. The level is equivalent to CEFR B2 for study at degree level or above, and CEFR B1 below degree level. The page lists ways to prove English and circumstances in which proof is not needed; a higher education provider may assess English itself for degree-level study.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Get consent if under 18

  If you are 16 or 17, you need written consent from your parents or legal guardians covering your application, living and care arrangements, and travel to the UK.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Have a valid travel document

  You must provide a current passport or other valid travel documentation when applying.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Get ATAS clearance if needed

  You may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate if your course and nationality require it; if required for a Student visa, you must get it before applying.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Take a TB test if needed

  A tuberculosis test is needed if you are coming for 6 months or more, have lived in a listed country for 6 months or more, and were living in a listed country within the last 6 months.

  gov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource

• Student visa application from outside the UKgov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£558 per person
• Student visa extension or switch from inside the UKgov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£558 per person
• Immigration health surcharge for studentsgov.uk · checked 5 days agoSource£776 a year
• Decision timeFor applications outside the UK, the published time is 3 weeks, expressed here as 15 UK working days. For applications inside the UK, it is 8 weeks, or 40 UK working days. These are separate processing times, not a 15-to-40-day range; an application can take longer.About 2 weeks

1. Get ready

   • Check your course and sponsor

     Check that your proposed course qualifies and that your education provider is a licensed student sponsor.

   • Get your offer and CAS

     Accept an unconditional offer and get the CAS reference number from your education provider before applying.

     You’ll need: Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies reference number

   • Prepare your funds

     Check the course-fee and living-cost amounts that apply to you and, where you must show funds, meet the 28-day holding requirement.

     You’ll need: Financial evidence, if required, Student loan or financial sponsorship evidence, if applicable

   • Prepare English evidence

     Check whether you must prove your English and use a method accepted for your course and circumstances.

     You’ll need: English-language evidence, if required

   • Check additional documents

     Check whether you need an ATAS certificate, TB test result, parental consent or financial sponsor consent.

     You’ll need: ATAS certificate, if required, TB test result, if required, Parental consent and proof of relationship, if under 18, Financial sponsor consent, if required

2. Apply

   • Apply online and pay

     Apply online within 6 months of receiving your CAS and pay the visa fee and applicable healthcare surcharge; from outside the UK, you can apply no earlier than 6 months before your course starts.

     You’ll need: Current passport or other valid travel document, CAS reference number

   • Prove your identity

     Follow the instructions in your application to use the ID Check app or provide fingerprints and a photograph at a visa application centre.

     You’ll need: Passport or other identity document

3. Visa

   • Access your eVisa

     If your application succeeds, follow your decision notice to access your eVisa and link the travel document you will use.

     You’ll need: Decision email or letter, Travel document

4. Travel

   • Travel within your visa dates

     When you arrive

     Do not travel before the start date on your visa; you may arrive up to 1 week before a course lasting 6 months or less, or up to 1 month before a longer course.

     You’ll need: Travel document

5. Settle in

   • Follow your visa conditions

     When you arrive

     Study and follow the work and other conditions of your Student visa while you are in the UK.

An eligible student may extend their Student visa to continue studying or switch to a Graduate visa after successfully completing their course.

• Student visa : Your course - GOV.UK gov.ukOfficial
• Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
• Tuberculosis tests for visa applicants: Check if you need a TB test for your visa application - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
• gov.uk/student-visa/apply-onlineOfficial
• Student visa : Overview - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
• Student visa : Money you need - GOV.UK gov.ukOfficial
• Student visa : Knowledge of English - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
• Student visa : Documents you'll need to apply - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
• Visa processing times: applications outside the UK - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
• Pay for UK healthcare as part of your immigration application: How much you have to pay - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.