United Kingdom Student Visa (2027): Requirements, Proof of Funds, Fee, Processing Time

What you need

• A valid passport or other travel document.
• A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number from a licensed Student sponsor, issued no more than 6 months before the application for a new course.
• Proof of funds: GBP 1,529 a month for up to 9 months if studying in London, or GBP 1,171 a month for up to 9 months outside London, held for a consecutive 28 day period ending no more than 31 days before the application date, unless exempt (for example, having held a UK visa for the previous 12 months, or being a national of a country on the differential evidence requirement list).
• Evidence of English language ability, unless exempt.
• Parental or guardian consent and details if the applicant is 16 or 17.
• A tuberculosis test certificate if arriving from a country where the UK requires one.
• An Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if the course is in certain sensitive science, engineering or technology subjects, mainly at postgraduate level.
• Work condition on grant: 20 hours a week in term time for a degree level course at a higher education provider with a track record of compliance (10 hours a week below degree level), full time in vacations; no employment at all on some other course types.
• Bringing a partner or child (dependant) is allowed only for government sponsored students on courses longer than 6 months, or full time postgraduate research students on a course at RQF level 7 or above lasting 9 months or more, and, for courses starting 1 January 2024 or later, only if the qualification is a PhD/doctorate or another research based higher degree; this does not apply to the standard bachelor's route.

How to apply

1. Get an unconditional offer from the university and accept it, then wait for the university to issue the CAS.
2. Apply online at gov.uk: from outside the UK up to 6 months before the course starts, or from inside the UK up to 3 months before.
3. Pay the GBP 558 application fee and the immigration health surcharge (GBP 776 a year at the student rate) as part of the online application.
4. Give fingerprints and a photo (biometrics) at a visa application centre, or verify identity through the UK immigration ID Check app if the passport is eligible.
5. Wait for a decision: usually within 3 weeks when applying from outside the UK, or 8 weeks when applying from inside the UK.
6. Collect the biometric residence permit, or check the eVisa account online, then travel and start the course.

Why applications are refused

Common reasons a Student visa application is refused: the maintenance funds shown do not meet the required amount, were not held for the full consecutive 28 day period, or the closing balance date on the evidence is too far from the application date; the CAS details (sponsor, course, dates, fee) do not match the application; the caseworker is not satisfied the applicant genuinely intends to study, sometimes tested through a credibility interview; a previous UK visa breach, overstay or refusal was not declared; the English language evidence does not meet the sponsor's or Home Office's requirement; or a required document, such as a tuberculosis test certificate or an ATAS certificate, is missing.