United Kingdom · Student

Student visa

Student visa is issued by UK Visas and Immigration. VisaAI tracks 20 official requirements for it, each traced to the government page that states it.

Last verified against the official source on .

VisaAI is not a government body and does not issue visas. It cannot decide, predict or guarantee the outcome of an application, and this page is not legal or immigration advice.

Requirements change. Confirm every item on UK Visas and Immigration’s own page before you apply.

Each requirement below is written in plain English by VisaAI. The indented text beneath it is quoted from UK Visas and Immigration’s own page, so you can check what we say against what they say. Where a quotation shows “ ... ”, text has been left out.

Conditions you must meet

  • Be 16 or over
    You can apply for a Student visa to study in the UK if you’re 16 or over and you:
  • Have an unconditional offer of a place with a licensed student sponsorThe landing page states the offer requirement; the course page adds that the offer must be unconditional.
    You must have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor.
  • Have enough money to support yourself and pay for your courseGOV.UK states the amount varies by circumstance and publishes the figures on a sub-page that is not a registered source, so no threshold is recorded here.
    have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course - the amount will vary depending on your circumstances
  • Be able to speak, read, write and understand English
    can speak, read, write and understand English
  • Have your parents' consent if you are 16 or 17GOV.UK states this applies at ages 16 and 17 specifically, and that you need evidence of the consent when you apply.
    have consent from your parents if you’re 16 or 17 - you’ll need evidence of this when you apply
  • Study a course eligible for the Student visaGOV.UK lists: a full-time course below degree level (RQF level 3, 4 or 5) with at least 15 hours a week of organised daytime study; a full-time course at degree level or above (RQF level 6, 7 or 8); a full-time degree-level course equivalent to a UK higher education course delivered as part of a longer overseas course; a part-time course above degree level (RQF level 7 or above); an English language course at CEFR level B2 or above. A full-time elected student union sabbatical officer post also qualifies. Qualification levels differ in Scotland.
    You can do one of the following courses: a full-time course leading to a qualification that’s below degree level (RQF level 3, 4 or 5) with at least 15 hours a week of organised daytime study
  • Apply within 6 months of receiving your CAS
    You must apply for your visa within 6 months of receiving your CAS.
  • Apply no earlier than 6 months before your course starts (outside the UK)GOV.UK gives a different window for applications made inside the UK: the earliest is 3 months before the course starts, you must apply before your current visa expires, and the new course must begin within 28 days of that expiry.
    Applying from outside the UK The earliest you can apply for a visa is 6 months before you start your course.

Documents you must provide

  • Current passport or other valid travel documentation
    When you apply for your Student visa you must provide: a current passport or other valid travel documentation
  • Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course providerThe CAS is an electronic reference number your education provider sends you after offering a place; you must enter it on your visa application. It is not a physical document.
    a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider
  • Proof you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your courseGOV.UK lists this under "you may also need to provide" and states the amount varies by circumstance.
    You may also need to provide: proof you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course - this will vary depending on your circumstances
  • Valid ATAS certificate, if your course and nationality require itThe course page adds that an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate may be needed if you are studying or researching sensitive topics at RQF level 7 or above.
    a valid ATAS certificate if your course and nationality require it
  • Written consent from both parents or legal guardians if you are under 18GOV.UK requires consent from both parents or legal guardians (or one parent with sole responsibility), covering the visa application, your living and care arrangements in the UK, and your travel to the UK.
    If you’re under 18 you’ll need written consent from both parents or legal guardians (or one parent if they have sole responsibility).
  • Proof of your relationship to your parent or guardian if you are under 18GOV.UK also asks for a copy of your birth certificate, or another government-issued document showing the names of your parents.
    proof of your relationship to your parent or guardian if you’re under 18
  • Tuberculosis test resultsListed by GOV.UK among documents you may also need. The page does not state which nationalities must test; that list is a separate GOV.UK service.
    your tuberculosis test results
  • Written consent from your financial sponsorRequired where a sponsor has covered your course fees and living costs in the last 12 months.
    written consent for your application from your financial sponsor if you’ve received sponsorship for your course fees and living costs in the last 12 months

Steps in the process

  • Apply online for the Student visaThe UK publishes no application form number for this route — the application exists only as an online service. GOV.UK states you can save the form and complete it later.
    You must apply online for a Student visa.
  • Prove your identity, by app or at a visa application centreGOV.UK states you will either use the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app to scan your identity document (creating or signing into a UKVI account), or have your fingerprints and photo taken at a visa application centre. Which one applies depends on where you are from and what type of passport you have; you are told when you apply. If you need an appointment you must take your passport, and the centre may be in another country.
    As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.

Government fees

  • Student visa application feeGBP 558 whether you apply from outside the UK or extend or switch from inside the UK. The fee is payable for each person that joins you.
    It costs: £558 to apply for a Student visa from outside the UK ... £558 to extend or switch to a Student visa from inside the UK ... You must pay the visa fee for each person that joins you.
  • Immigration healthcare surchargePayable as part of the application. GOV.UK states the amount depends on how long your visa lasts but publishes no figure on any registered source for this route, so no amount is recorded.
    You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. How much you pay depends on how long your visa lasts.

Official sources

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