UK Student Visa Application: Step-by-Step Guide 2026/2027
If you have an offer from a UK university for the 2026/2027 academic year, the Student visa is the final legal step between you and your course — and it is the step where small, avoidable errors cause the most damage. A wrong bank statement date, a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) issued too early, or maintenance funds that dipped below the required level for a single day can lead to a refusal, a lost deposit window and, in the worst cases, a missed intake. This guide walks you through the complete UK student visa application process in order: eligibility, the CAS, how much money you must show and for how long, the exact fees verified on GOV.UK at the time of writing, every document you need, the online application, biometrics, the decision, and what happens after you arrive. It is written for international students — including applicants from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Nigeria and Indonesia — applying from outside the UK for undergraduate, postgraduate taught and research degrees starting in 2026 and 2027.
Two things to understand before you start. First, the rules and figures in this area change frequently, and several changes are already announced for late 2026 and 2027. Where a change is announced but not yet in force, this guide labels it clearly as announced, with its effective date, so you never plan around a rule that does not apply to your application date. Second, no guide can decide your case. Only UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) can do that, and the figures on GOV.UK on the day you apply are the ones that count. Use this guide to prepare a clean, complete application — then re-check the official pages before you submit.
UK Student Visa at a Glance
| Item | Current rule / figure (verified October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | Age 16 or over, with an unconditional offer and a CAS from a licensed student sponsor |
| Application fee (outside or inside the UK) | £558 per applicant — rose from £524 on 8 April 2026 (GOV.UK) |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | £776 per year of visa for students and their dependants; £388 per additional part-year of up to six months |
| Maintenance — London | £1,529 per month, up to 9 months (maximum £13,761), plus unpaid first-year course fees |
| Maintenance — outside London | £1,171 per month, up to 9 months (maximum £10,539), plus unpaid first-year course fees |
| Announced maintenance rise | £1,570 per month London / £1,203 outside London for applications on or after 30 November 2026 |
| Funds holding rule | Required amount held for 28 consecutive days, ending within 31 days of your application date |
| Earliest application (outside UK) | Up to 6 months before your course start date |
| Standard decision time (outside UK) | Usually within 3 weeks after identity verification (GOV.UK) |
| Work during study | Typically up to 20 hours per week in term time on degree-level courses at a higher education provider; full-time in vacations — check your visa conditions |
| Dependants | Only research postgraduate students (and government-sponsored students on longer courses) may bring dependants — rule in force since January 2024 |
| After graduation | Graduate Route: currently 2 years (3 years after a PhD); announced reduction to 18 months for applications on or after 1 January 2027 |
Step 1: Confirm You Are Eligible and Your Course Qualifies
The Student visa is for people aged 16 or over who want to study on a further or higher education course in the UK with a licensed student sponsor. Your course must be one of the types GOV.UK lists — for most readers of this guide that means a full-time undergraduate degree, a full-time postgraduate taught degree such as a one-year master’s, or a research degree such as a PhD. Part-time study is possible only in limited circumstances, mainly at postgraduate level, and part-time students face tighter conditions, including no dependants and restricted work rights, so confirm your exact position on GOV.UK before relying on it.
Your institution must hold a student sponsor licence and must be willing to sponsor you. Every university in StudyGraduate’s university directory that recruits international students operates under this system, but the sponsor for visa purposes is always the specific institution named on your CAS — not a partner college, agent or pathway provider unless that provider is itself the licensed sponsor. If you are applying through a foundation or pre-master’s pathway, check whose name will appear as your sponsor, because it affects both your visa and your work conditions.
You also need to meet three personal requirements. You must prove your knowledge of English to the level your sponsor requires for your course — your sponsor assesses this and records it on your CAS, sometimes using a Secure English Language Test and sometimes through its own assessment of your prior qualifications. You must show you have enough money, covered in detail below. And you must be a genuine student: UKVI can assess whether you genuinely intend to study, can afford the full course, and intend to leave or switch lawfully at the end. Students from some countries are interviewed as part of this credibility assessment, so everything in your application — course choice, study history, finances — should tell one consistent story.
Step 2: Get Your CAS — the Document Everything Depends On
The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies is not a letter. It is an electronic record with a unique reference number that your sponsor creates in UKVI’s system once you have an unconditional offer and have met any conditions the university sets, which often include paying a tuition deposit. Your CAS statement contains your course title, start and end dates, the tuition fees for the first year, any fees you have already paid, any accommodation payments the university will offset, and how your English and qualifications were assessed.
Check every field on your CAS statement the day you receive it. A misspelled name, a wrong passport number, an incorrect course start date or a missing record of a deposit you have paid can all cause problems, and it is far easier to have the university correct the CAS before you apply than to explain an inconsistency to a caseworker afterwards. Note the timing rules: a CAS is valid for six months, you can apply for your visa up to six months before your course start date when applying from outside the UK, and you must apply before your CAS expires. If your CAS is withdrawn or expires, you cannot use it.
If you have not yet secured your place, work backwards through the admission process first — our guide on how to apply to universities in the UK through UCAS covers undergraduate applications, while postgraduate applicants apply directly to each university. And if funding is the missing piece, browse scholarships for study in the UK, including the guide to scholarships in the UK for international students 2026/2027 — an official financial sponsorship letter can itself form part of your visa evidence.
Step 3: Work Out Exactly How Much Money You Must Show
The financial requirement has two parts: course fees and maintenance (living costs). For course fees, you must show the full fees for the first academic year of your course (or the whole course if it lasts under a year), minus anything already paid and recorded on your CAS. For maintenance, the current rates verified on GOV.UK are £1,529 per month if your course is in London and £1,171 per month if it is outside London, for each month of your course up to a maximum of nine months. That gives maximum maintenance figures of £13,761 in London and £10,539 outside London. “London” for this purpose means the City of London and the London boroughs — your university will confirm whether your campus counts as in London, and your CAS location determines it, not where you plan to live.
Two announced changes matter for 2027 applicants. For applications made on or after 30 November 2026, the maintenance rates rise to £1,570 per month in London and £1,203 per month outside London — maximums of £14,130 and £10,827 over nine months. If your application will be submitted in December 2026 or later, your 28-day holding period must already meet the higher figure. Plan to the rate that will apply on your actual submission date, not the rate in force when you started saving.
The 28-day rule — where most financial refusals begin
The money must be held in an acceptable account for at least 28 consecutive days, and the end date of that 28-day period must fall within 31 days of the date you submit and pay for your online application. The balance must never drop below the required total on any single day of those 28 days — not even briefly, and not because of exchange-rate movement if your funds are held in another currency. UKVI converts overseas currency using the OANDA spot rate on your application date, so holding a small buffer above the minimum protects you against a rate shift between your statement date and your application date. As a practical rule, hold at least a few hundred pounds above the calculated minimum, and start the 28-day clock as soon as your deposit is paid and your CAS figures are known.
Funds can be in your own name or a parent’s or legal guardian’s name; if you use a parent’s account you need their written consent and evidence of your relationship, such as a birth certificate. An official education loan letter from a regulated financial institution and an official sponsorship letter are also acceptable forms of evidence under the Immigration Rules’ finance appendix. Money that is not immediately available — shares, bonds, overdrafts, credit cards, pensions you cannot withdraw and property valuations — does not count. Some applicants are eligible for differentiation arrangements under which they are not routinely required to submit financial evidence with the application, based on nationality, but UKVI can still request the evidence at any point, so you must hold the funds in exactly the same way regardless.
Step 4: Prepare Every Document Before You Start the Form
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Current passport or travel document | Must be valid; you will link it to your UKVI account and eVisa after approval |
| CAS reference number | From your sponsor; the details on the CAS statement must match your application |
| Financial evidence | Bank statements or other accepted evidence meeting the 28-day rule, unless differentiation applies — and even then, be ready to provide it |
| English language evidence | As recorded on your CAS; a Secure English Language Test certificate if your sponsor used one |
| Academic qualifications | The certificates or transcripts your sponsor used to assess you, as listed on the CAS |
| TB test certificate | Required if you have been resident in a listed country — check the GOV.UK list for your country of residence |
| ATAS certificate | Required for certain sensitive postgraduate subjects; your university will tell you if your course needs one — apply early, it can take weeks |
| Parental consent (if under 18) | Written consent from both parents or legal guardians, plus evidence of care arrangements in the UK |
| Translations | Any document not in English or Welsh needs a full translation that can be independently verified, with the translator’s credentials and contact details |
GOV.UK publishes the official Student visa overview and a detailed page on the money you need for a Student visa; work through both alongside this table, because the documentary-evidence rules in Appendix Finance of the Immigration Rules are precise about formats, dates and account types. For a cross-country view of financial evidence, see our guide explaining proof of funds for a student visa.
Step 5: Complete the Online Application and Pay the Fees
Applications from outside the UK are made online through GOV.UK. You will enter your CAS number early in the form, and much of the form — course dates, sponsor, fees — is checked against the CAS record, which is why accuracy in Step 2 matters so much. Answer every question as it applies on the day you apply, and keep your answers consistent with your evidence: if your form says your father is funding you, your evidence must show your father’s account and consent letter.
At the end of the form you pay two charges. The application fee is £558 per applicant, the same whether you apply from outside the UK or extend or switch from inside it; GOV.UK’s current Student visa pages confirm this figure, which rose from £524 on 8 April 2026. You then pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which gives you access to the National Health Service during your stay. The student rate is £776 for each year of permission you will be granted, with £388 charged for an additional part-year of up to six months. Because permission normally runs beyond your course end date — a course of twelve months or more typically attracts permission covering the course plus a wrap-up period — the surcharge total for a one-year master’s is commonly £1,164 rather than £776. The application system calculates the exact amount from your course dates; budget for the system’s figure, not a round estimate, and make sure your payment card can complete a large online transaction in pounds sterling.
Step 6: Prove Your Identity and Submit Biometrics
After paying, you prove your identity in one of two ways, depending on your nationality and passport type. Some applicants can use the UK Immigration: ID Check smartphone app to scan their passport and face. Most applicants from outside Europe instead book an appointment at a visa application centre in their country to have fingerprints and a photograph taken, and either submit their passport there or upload supporting documents through the centre’s system or the UKVI commercial partner’s portal. Upload your evidence carefully before the appointment where self-upload is offered, and bring originals to the appointment. Keep copies of everything you submit — if UKVI later asks a question, you will want to see exactly what the caseworker saw.
Step 7: The Decision, Your eVisa and Travelling to the UK
GOV.UK states that applicants outside the UK usually receive a decision within three weeks of proving their identity. Priority services, where offered in your country, cost extra and shorten the decision time, but they do not influence the outcome. If your application is successful, you will be granted digital immigration status — an eVisa — rather than a physical vignette-and-BRP system of the past. You set up a UKVI account, link your passport to it, and use the online service to prove your status to airlines, universities and employers. Do not travel before the start date of your permission, and keep your passport details updated in your UKVI account if you renew your passport.
On arrival, your university will carry out a right-to-study check, usually by asking you to share your immigration status through the UKVI view-and-prove service. Enrol promptly, keep your term-time address and contact details updated with both your university and, where required, UKVI, and understand your conditions from day one: work limits during term time, no access to public funds, and attendance requirements set by your sponsor, whose licence depends on monitoring engagement. Your sponsor must report serious non-attendance, and a withdrawn sponsorship can lead to your permission being cancelled.
Costs and Fees Table: What the Visa Itself Costs
| Cost item | Amount | Paid to / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Student visa application fee | £558 | UKVI, per applicant, at online submission (outside or inside the UK) |
| Immigration Health Surcharge — 1-year course example | Commonly £1,164 | £776 per year of permission plus £388 for a part-year; system calculates exact total |
| Immigration Health Surcharge — 3-year degree example | Typically around £2,716 | Three years plus the post-course wrap-up period, calculated by the system from your dates |
| Priority decision service (where available) | Additional fee, varies by country and service | Optional; check the price offered in your application journey |
| TB test (if required) | Varies by approved clinic | Payable to the approved clinic in your country of residence |
| English test (if required) | Varies by test and centre | Payable to the test provider; only book a test your sponsor accepts |
| Tuition deposit | Set by your university | Paid to the university before CAS issue; recorded on the CAS and deducted from fees you must show |
For the full picture of tuition and living costs beyond the visa itself, read our breakdown of the cost of studying in the UK 2026/2027, and model your own numbers with the StudyGraduate tools, including the tuition calculator and budget planner, before your 28-day holding period begins.
Common Mistakes That Lead to Refusals and Delays
Funds dipping for one day. The 28-day rule is unforgiving: a balance that falls below the required total at any point restarts the clock. Large last-minute deposits also attract scrutiny about where the money came from, so build funds early and leave them untouched.
Applying with the wrong maintenance rate. Students starting in January 2027 who apply on or after 30 November 2026 must meet the higher announced rates — £1,570 London and £1,203 outside London. Using the older rate because a blog still lists it is a straightforward route to refusal.
CAS errors and expired CAS. A CAS is valid for six months and its data must match your passport and your form exactly. Check it on receipt, not on application day.
Missing ATAS or TB certificates. Both can take weeks to obtain and neither can be substituted. Your university flags ATAS on your offer; GOV.UK lists which residents need a TB test.
Inconsistent stories. A course choice that does not connect to your study or work history, finances that do not cover the real cost, or interview answers that contradict your form can all trigger a genuine-student refusal. Prepare to explain, honestly and specifically, why this course, why this university and why now.
Assuming dependants can join you. Since January 2024, only research postgraduate students and certain government-sponsored students can bring a partner or children. Taught master’s students cannot — plan family arrangements accordingly rather than discovering this at the application stage.
Practical Tips for a Smooth Application
Work backwards from your course start date: aim to have your CAS eight to ten weeks before you travel, your funds seasoned well before that, and your application submitted as soon as the six-month window and your evidence allow. Keep a single folder — physical or digital — with your CAS statement, statements covering the full 28 days, consent letters, test certificates and translations, because UKVI requests for further evidence come with short deadlines. If you are comparing destinations while you decide, our guides library covers the equivalent processes for the USA, Canada, Australia and Germany. Finally, think beyond arrival: the Graduate Route currently offers two years of post-study permission (three after a PhD), with an announced reduction to 18 months for applications on or after 1 January 2027 — our dedicated UK Graduate Route visa guide explains the timing in full.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the UK Student visa application fee in 2026?
The fee is £558 per applicant, whether you apply from outside the UK or extend or switch from inside it. GOV.UK’s Student visa pages confirm this figure, which increased from £524 on 8 April 2026. Each dependant, where dependants are permitted, pays the same fee for their own application.
How much money do I need to show for a UK Student visa?
You need your unpaid first-year course fees plus maintenance of £1,529 per month in London or £1,171 per month outside London, for up to nine months — maximums of £13,761 and £10,539. For applications on or after 30 November 2026 the announced rates are £1,570 and £1,203 per month. The total must be held for 28 consecutive days ending within 31 days of your application.
What is the Immigration Health Surcharge and how much will I pay?
The surcharge funds your access to the NHS while you are in the UK. Students pay £776 per year of permission, plus £388 for an additional part-year of up to six months. Because permission extends beyond your course end date, a one-year master’s commonly totals £1,164. The online system calculates your exact amount from your course dates before you pay.
When is the earliest I can apply?
From outside the UK, up to six months before the course start date on your CAS. Applying early is sensible once your evidence is ready, because the standard decision time is usually three weeks and peak summer periods are busy.
Can I bring my spouse or children with me?
Only if you are a research postgraduate student — for example a PhD or research master’s — or a government-sponsored student on a longer course. This restriction has applied since January 2024. Taught master’s and undergraduate students cannot bring dependants on the Student route.
Can I work while I study?
Most degree-level students at higher education providers may work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during official vacations, but your exact conditions are stated on your permission and depend on your sponsor and course level. Self-employment and filling a permanent full-time vacancy are not permitted. Always check your own conditions rather than relying on general descriptions.
What happens if my visa is refused?
Your refusal notice explains the reasons. Depending on the type of refusal, you may be able to request an administrative review if you believe a casework error was made, or submit a fresh application that fixes the problem — for example by completing a clean 28-day funds period. A refusal does not automatically prevent a future application, but repeating the same error will produce the same result, so address the stated reasons directly.
Do I still get a visa sticker and BRP?
The UK has moved to digital status. Successful applicants receive an eVisa linked to a UKVI account rather than relying on a biometric residence permit. Set up your account, link the passport you will travel on, and use the online service to prove your status when needed.
Sources & Verification
Figures and rules in this guide were checked in October 2026 against: GOV.UK — Study in the UK on a Student visa (application fee £558, decision times, eVisa); GOV.UK — Student visa: money you need (maintenance rates £1,529 London / £1,171 outside London, 28-day rule); GOV.UK — Immigration Health Surcharge guidance (£776 per year student rate); the Immigration Rules Appendix Student and Appendix Finance, including the announced maintenance increase effective for applications on or after 30 November 2026 and the announced Graduate Route change for applications on or after 1 January 2027. Figures and rules change — always confirm on the official government or university website before applying.
Disclaimer: StudyGraduate is an information portal, not a visa agency, immigration adviser or consultancy. This guide is general information only and is not immigration advice. We never promise or guarantee visa approval, admission, scholarships or any particular outcome; decisions rest solely with UK Visas and Immigration and your sponsoring institution.