Everything you need to successfully apply for your UK Student Route visa in 2026. Updated requirements, costs, documents checklist, and expert tips from 40 years of helping international students study in the UK.
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The UK offers several visa routes for students depending on your age, course length, and study goals. Understanding which visa you need is the first step to a successful application.
The standard visa for most international students aged 16+ studying in the UK.
For shorter English language courses between 6–11 months.
For short courses of 6 months or less, or doing research.
Meeting all requirements is essential for visa approval. Here's the complete checklist for the Student Route visa (the main route for international students):
You must prove you have enough money to cover your course and living expenses. The money must be in your account for at least 28 consecutive days before applying.
Many visa refusals happen because of inadequate financial evidence. Your bank statement must show the full required amount maintained for 28 consecutive days, with the closing balance dated within 31 days of your visa application. Use our free document checking service to avoid this common mistake.
Select a course at a UK institution with a Student Route sponsor licence. Ensure the course meets visa requirements (minimum NQF Level 3 for degree-level courses). Check the institution's licence status on the UKVI register of licensed sponsors.
Most courses require IELTS for UKVI (or another approved SELT test). Typical requirements: B2 level courses need IELTS 5.5–6.0, degree courses need 6.0–6.5, postgraduate courses need 6.5–7.0. Some pre-sessional English courses accept lower scores. Check with your institution.
Once accepted, your institution will issue a CAS — a unique reference number required for your visa application. The CAS is valid for 6 months. Check all details on your CAS carefully: name spelling, course details, fees paid, and sponsor licence number.
Ensure you have the required funds in your account for 28 consecutive days. Gather bank statements, scholarship letters, or student loan documents. If using parent's funds, include their financial documents plus your birth certificate and a consent letter.
Apply online at gov.uk/student-visa. Complete the application form accurately, pay the £490 visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (£776 per year of study). Book a biometric appointment at your nearest visa application centre.
Attend your appointment at the visa application centre to provide fingerprints, photograph, and submit your passport. Bring all supporting documents. Some centres offer document scanning services. You may be interviewed about your study plans.
Standard processing takes 3 weeks. You'll receive an email when your decision is ready. Collect your passport with the visa vignette (valid for 30 days) and a decision letter. Collect your BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) within 10 days of arriving in the UK.
| Cost Item | Amount (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application fee | £490 | Standard Student Route |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | £776/year | Pro-rata for course duration |
| Biometric enrolment | £0 (included) | Free at most centres |
| Priority service (5 days) | £500 | Optional upgrade |
| Super priority (24 hours) | £1,000 | Optional upgrade |
| Tuberculosis test | £50–£150 | Required for listed countries |
| IELTS for UKVI test | £200–£220 | If required for course |
| Document translation | £20–£100 | If documents not in English |
| Travel to visa centre | Variable | Depends on your location |
| Total estimated cost | £1,536–£2,736 | Excluding tuition & living |
You can apply for your Student Route visa up to 6 months before your course start date (if applying from outside the UK) or 3 months before (if switching from inside the UK). We recommend applying at least 8–12 weeks before your intended travel date to allow plenty of time for processing and to address any issues. Avoid peak periods (July–September) if possible, as processing times can be longer.
Yes — Student Route visa holders can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during official university holidays. This is one of the most generous work allowances among English-speaking study destinations. Common student jobs include retail, hospitality, tutoring, and administrative roles. The National Minimum Wage for workers aged 21+ is £11.44 per hour (2026 rate). Working can significantly help with living expenses.
After successfully completing your course, you can apply for the Graduate visa (formerly Post-Study Work visa), which allows you to stay and work in the UK for 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates) at any skill level. This is an excellent pathway to gaining UK work experience and potentially switching to a Skilled Worker visa. You must apply for the Graduate visa before your Student visa expires.
Only students on postgraduate research programmes (PhD and research-based masters) can bring dependants (partner and children under 18) on a Student Route visa. Undergraduate and taught postgraduate students cannot bring family members. Your dependants can work full-time in the UK and access the NHS. You'll need to show additional funds: £845/month for your partner (London) or £680/month (outside London), plus £315/month per child.
A CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) is a unique electronic document issued by your UK educational institution. It contains a reference number that you enter in your visa application. To receive a CAS, you must have accepted an unconditional offer, paid any required deposit (usually £2,000–£5,000), and provided a copy of your passport. Your institution will email the CAS statement to you. It is valid for 6 months and can only be used once.
If your visa is refused, you'll receive a refusal letter explaining the reason. Common reasons include insufficient funds, incorrect documents, or failure to meet English requirements. You can either request an administrative review (if you believe an error was made) or submit a new application addressing the refusal reasons. Our visa team can help you understand the refusal and plan your next steps. Never submit the same application twice without fixing the issue.
If you pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your visa application, you'll have access to the UK's National Health Service (NHS) on the same basis as UK residents. This covers GP visits, hospital treatment, and emergency care. However, it doesn't cover dental treatment, optical care, or repatriation. We recommend taking out additional travel insurance for these services and for coverage during your journey to the UK.
Yes! As a Home Office licensed student sponsor, we provide comprehensive visa support to all our students. This includes free CAS issuance, document checking service, application guidance, and a pre-departure briefing. Our visa team has a 99% success rate and is available to answer questions throughout your application process. Visit tools.anglotec-ai.com to start your application.
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