Types of UK Student Visas
Student Route Visa (Main Category)
For international students aged 16+ pursuing higher education.
Allows you to:
- Study at a licensed UK institution with CAS
- Work part-time (20 hours/week during term)
- Work full-time during holidays
- Bring dependants only if you are a PhD/doctorate or research-based higher degree student on a course of 9+ months, or a government-sponsored student on a course over 6 months
Validity: Course duration plus 2-4 months extra
UK Student Visa Requirements
Essential Documents
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| CAS | From licensed sponsor institution |
| Passport | Valid for travel |
| TB Test | Certificate from approved center |
| English Proof | IELTS, PTE, or equivalent |
| Financial Proof | See below |
| Photos | Passport-sized |
Financial Requirements (updated 11 November 2025)
| Location | Monthly Requirement | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| London | £1,529 | 9 months |
| Outside London | £1,171 | 9 months |
Plus: First year's tuition (if not pre-paid)
Note: Indian nationals are "low-risk" applicants and may not need to upload financial documents initially, but must have funds available for verification.
Visa Fees (updated 8 April 2026)
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa Application | £558 |
| IHS (per year) | £776 |
| Biometrics | Free (at VAC) |
| Priority (optional) | £500 |
| Super Priority (optional) | £1,000 |
Important policy changes
Graduate Route Update: From January 2027, the Graduate Route will reduce to 18 months (from 24 months) for Bachelor's and Master's graduates. PhD graduates will continue to receive 3 years. Students applying before January 2027 will receive the full 2-year visa.
Dependent Restrictions: Students pursuing 1-year Master's programs can no longer bring dependents. Only PhD and research students may bring family members.
Application Timeline
Standard Timeline
- 6+ months before: Receive unconditional offer
- 4-6 months before: Pay deposit, receive CAS
- 3 months before: Apply for visa
- 3 weeks: Standard processing
- 5 days: Priority processing
- 24 hours: Super priority
Step-by-Step Process
- Accept university offer
- Pay deposit and receive CAS
- Complete online application
- Pay visa fee and IHS
- Book biometrics appointment
- Attend appointment with documents
- Receive decision
Common Rejection Reasons
| Reason | Prevention |
|---|---|
| Insufficient funds | Show 28+ days in account |
| Incomplete documents | Use checklist |
| CAS errors | Verify all details |
| English score mismatch | Confirm UKVI approved test |
Last reviewed: August 2026
