UK Student Visa 2026: Requirements, Fees & How to Apply

✓ All fees and figures verified from gov.uk & UKVI official guidance · Last reviewed January 2026 · Not legal advice

⚠ Important Disclaimer This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Fees, maintenance amounts, and requirements change annually — always verify current figures at official government websites before applying.

What Is the UK Student Visa — and Who Needs It?

The UK Student visa is the immigration route for non-UK, non-Irish nationals aged 16 and over who want to study full-time at a UK university, college, or language school for longer than 6 months. It replaced the old Tier 4 (General) Student visa in October 2020 — the rules are largely the same, so if you have been searching for "Tier 4 visa 2026," this is the guide you need.

This guide covers everything required to apply successfully in 2026: your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), English language requirements and approved tests, the financial evidence rules including the all-important 28-day rule, a full documents checklist, current fees and IHS calculations, a step-by-step application process, and your working rights once you arrive. All fees and figures are verified from gov.uk — last reviewed January 2026.

📌 Quick Definition — What is the UK Student Visa (Tier 4)? The UK Student visa — formerly called the Tier 4 (General) Student visa — allows international students aged 16 and over to study a full-time course at a UK university, college, or language school that holds a Student Route sponsor licence. It replaced the old Tier 4 visa in October 2020. The application process and requirements are largely the same.

Who Is Eligible for a UK Student Visa?

Check every requirement below before gathering documents. If any single requirement is not met, your application will be refused and your fees will not be refunded.

Basic eligibility requirements

You are a non-UK, non-Irish citizen — Irish nationals can study freely in the UK under the Common Travel Area with no visa required
You have an unconditional offer from a UK institution that holds a valid Student Route sponsor licence
Your course is full-time and longer than 6 months — courses under 6 months require a Short-term Study visa instead
You are aged 16 or over — students aged 4 to 15 must apply under the separate Child Student route with different rules
You do not fall under any general grounds for refusal, such as a previous visa breach or an unspent criminal conviction

Who does NOT need a UK Student visa

Category	Why exempt
Irish citizens	Free movement preserved under the UK–Ireland Common Travel Area — no visa needed at any time
ILR or settled status holders	Already have unrestricted right to live and study in the UK
Courses under 6 months	A Standard Visitor visa or Short-term Study visa applies instead — different rules and fees
Students already in the UK on a valid visa	May be able to switch without leaving — check gov.uk for eligible in-country switching routes

What Is a CAS — and How Do You Get One?

The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is the single most important item in a UK Student visa application. The Home Office cannot process any application without a valid CAS reference number — yet it is the part of the process that confuses first-time applicants the most.

What the CAS actually is

CAS stands for Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies — a unique alphanumeric reference number issued by your UK university or college
It is not a physical document — it is a code your university assigns through the UKVI Sponsor Management System and emails to you
You cannot begin your visa application until you have this reference number in hand

What your CAS contains

Your institution's Sponsor Licence number and institution name
Your full name and the passport number used when your offer was accepted
Course name, RQF level, start date, and end date
Total tuition fee and the amount already paid by you to date
Whether the university is certifying your English language ability (reduces your paperwork)
Whether the university is certifying your finances (may remove the bank statement requirement)

How to get your CAS

Accept your unconditional offer

The institution must hold a valid Student Route sponsor licence — verify this on the gov.uk Register of Licensed Student Sponsors before accepting.

Provide your passport details

Give your current passport number and personal details to the international admissions or enrolment team exactly as they appear on your passport.

Receive your CAS by email

Your university issues the CAS reference number by email — typically 3 to 6 months before your course start date. You cannot begin your visa application until this number arrives.

⏰ Critical CAS Timing Rule Your CAS expires exactly 6 months from the date it is assigned — your visa application must be submitted before this date. A CAS that has expired is treated as if it was never issued. If your CAS expires before you apply, ask your university to issue a new one.

💡 Highly Trusted Sponsor Shortcut Institutions with a high trust level from the Home Office can add a certification to your CAS confirming they are satisfied with your English language ability and/or maintenance. If your CAS includes this certification, you may not need to submit those documents separately. Ask your international admissions team before gathering evidence.

English Language Requirement 2026

The English language requirement for the Student visa is set at B2 level on the CEFR — higher than the B1 required for work and family visas. This reflects the academic demands of university-level study in English. Note that many universities set their own requirements higher than the Home Office minimum — always check your specific course requirements too.

Accepted English language tests — 2026 minimum scores

Approved test provider	Min. overall	Min. per component	Key note
IELTS for UKVI (Academic)	6.0	5.5 in each of 4 components	Must be the UKVI version — standard IELTS is not accepted for the visa
TOEFL iBT	72	17–18 per section	Accepted by most UK universities
Pearson PTE Academic UKVI	59	51 per component	Results in 24–48 hours
Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE)	Grade C (169)	No component minimum	No expiry date — valid indefinitely
Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE)	Grade C (180)	No component minimum	No expiry date — valid indefinitely
Trinity ISE II	Pass in all four skills	Pass per skill	Accepted for Student visa

Ways to meet the requirement without a test

Be a national of a majority English-speaking country — automatic exemption (USA, Canada, Australia, NZ, Jamaica, Barbados, and others on gov.uk)
Hold a degree taught entirely in English — must be verified by UK ENIC if awarded outside the UK
Have previously held a UK Student or Tier 4 visa and met the English requirement at that time — no need to re-prove

🚨 Most Common Mistake — Wrong IELTS Test Booking the standard IELTS Academic test (the version universities use for admissions) instead of IELTS for UKVI Academic is one of the most common reasons for UK Student visa refusal. They are two different products from the same organisation. Only IELTS for UKVI is accepted for the visa — even if your university accepted standard IELTS for your course offer. Verify the approved test centre on gov.uk before booking.

Financial Requirement — How Much Money You Need in 2026

The financial requirement has two components — and both must be met. Failing either will result in an automatic refusal, regardless of how strong the rest of your application is.

The two components you must show

Component 1 — Tuition fees: The outstanding amount shown on your CAS — your first year's fees minus any amount already paid to the university
Component 2 — Maintenance (living costs): Up to 9 months of living costs at the rates below — regardless of how long your course is, you only ever need to show a maximum of 9 months

Maintenance amounts — 2026 figures

Location of study	Amount required per month	Maximum total required (9 months)
📍 London (inner and outer London boroughs)	£1,334 per month	£12,006
📍 Outside London (all other UK locations)	£1,023 per month	£9,207

⚠ Verify Before Applying Always verify current maintenance figures at gov.uk/student-visa/money before applying — these amounts are reviewed by the Home Office annually and may change. The figures above are correct as of January 2026.

The 28-day rule — the most misunderstood requirement

The required funds must be held continuously in a bank account for 28 consecutive days immediately before the application date
The closing balance on the 28th day must meet or exceed the required total — a single large deposit made on day 5 and applied on day 28 does not qualify
It is not an average — the balance must be at or above the required level on every single day of the 28-day window
The account can be in the applicant's name OR a parent's or legal guardian's name — a letter confirming the relationship must be included

Accepted types of financial evidence

Type of evidence	Key condition	Accepted?
Official bank statements (personal)	28-day rule applies — balance must be sufficient throughout all 28 days	✅ Yes
Parent or legal guardian's bank statements	Same 28-day rule — include a signed letter confirming the relationship	✅ Yes
Government student loan documentation	Must be from an official government loan company (e.g. Student Finance England)	✅ Yes
Official scholarship or sponsorship letter	Must explicitly confirm tuition AND living costs are covered in full	✅ Yes
Funds from a friend, sibling, or non-guardian relative	Not accepted under any circumstances regardless of amount	❌ No

🎓 Scholarship Shortcut If you hold a full scholarship or government sponsorship letter that explicitly covers both tuition fees and living costs, you may not need to submit personal bank statements at all. The official award letter alone is sufficient. Always include the complete scholarship documentation as a separate supporting document.

How to Apply for a UK Student Visa — Step by Step

Follow these steps in order. Do not begin Step 5 until Steps 1 to 4 are fully complete — submitting without a valid CAS or with incomplete financial evidence results in a refusal and fees are non-refundable.

Accept your offer and receive your CAS

Do not begin the application until you have the CAS reference number from your university in hand.

Book and sit your English language test

Book IELTS for UKVI Academic — not standard IELTS. Allow 2–4 weeks for results to arrive before you apply.

Satisfy the 28-day bank balance rule

Ensure the full required funds have been held continuously in your account for 28 consecutive days before your application date. Or prepare your scholarship letter if fully funded.

Apply for ATAS clearance (if required)

Check gov.uk for which nationalities and postgraduate STEM subjects require it. ATAS is free but takes up to 20 working days — apply well in advance of your visa application.

Create a UKVI account and complete the online form

Go to gov.uk/student-visa. Allow 45–60 minutes. Save your progress regularly.

Pay the visa application fee and IHS

Both are paid online at this stage. The IHS is paid upfront in full for the entire visa duration. All payments are non-refundable.

Book your biometric appointment

Find your nearest VFS Global or TLScontact centre through gov.uk. Book as early as possible — popular VACs fill up quickly around university intake seasons.

Attend your biometric appointment

Bring your passport and confirmation email. Fingerprints and photograph are taken. Your passport is retained at the VAC during processing.

Upload your supporting documents

Via the UKVI online portal or at the VAC, depending on your country's process.

Track your application

Use gov.uk/track-your-application with your reference number. Check your spam folder for the decision email.

Collect your BRP on arrival

After arriving in the UK, collect your Biometric Residence Permit from the named Post Office branch within 10 days. This is your main proof of right to study and work.

Application timing guide — when should you apply?

Timing before course start	Recommended action	Risk level
6 months before	Earliest possible — apply now if CAS is ready and all documents are in order	🟢 None — maximum buffer
3–4 months before	Recommended sweet spot — CAS is usually issued by this point	🟢 Low
6–8 weeks before	Still workable for standard processing — prepare all documents immediately	🟡 Medium
Under 6 weeks	Use priority service (~£500 extra) to reduce processing to 5 working days	🔴 High — book priority now
Under 3 weeks	Super priority only option — not available at all VACs; contact your university urgently	🔴 Very high

Where to apply — by country

Country	Application method	VAC provider
🇮🇳 India	Online + in-person biometrics	VFS Global
🇳🇬 Nigeria	Online + in-person biometrics	VFS Global
🇵🇰 Pakistan	Online + in-person biometrics	VFS Global
🇧🇩 Bangladesh	Online + in-person biometrics	VFS Global
🇨🇳 China	Online + in-person biometrics	VFS Global
🇺🇸 USA	Online + in-person biometrics	VFS Global
All other countries	Online at gov.uk/student-visa	Local VAC — check gov.uk for nearest

UK Student Visa Documents Checklist 2026

Gather every document below before starting your online application. Missing a single required item is the most common cause of delay or refusal — there is no opportunity to add documents after submission.

Mandatory documents — every applicant must provide these

Valid passport — must be the same passport used when your CAS was assigned; must be valid for the entire duration of your visa
CAS reference number — the unique code issued by your UK university or college
English language test certificate — IELTS for UKVI Academic, PTE Academic UKVI, TOEFL iBT, or Cambridge C1/C2 (unless exempt by nationality or prior UK visa)
Bank statements — showing the required balance held for 28 consecutive days (unless your CAS confirms maintenance or you hold a full scholarship letter)
Passport-style photograph — white background, no glasses, neutral expression, meeting UKVI photo requirements

Conditional documents — required in specific situations

Scholarship or sponsorship award letter — if using sponsorship to meet the financial requirement instead of bank statements
ATAS clearance certificate — required for certain postgraduate STEM courses for nationals of most countries; apply free at gov.uk at least 6 weeks before applying for the visa
Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate — required if applying from a listed country; only from a UKBA-approved clinic (check gov.uk list before booking)
Parental consent letter — required if aged 16 or 17 and applying without a parent or legal guardian present at the VAC
UK ENIC letter — required if using a non-UK degree taught in English to meet the language requirement
Academic transcripts and degree certificates — to demonstrate genuine academic progression from your previous level of study
Previous UK visa or BRP copy — if you have held a UK Student or other UK visa before, include a copy in your bundle

💡 Pro Tip Print this checklist and tick each item as you gather it. Create separate labelled folders for mandatory and conditional documents before beginning your online application — it makes the UKVI document upload process significantly faster.

UK Student Visa Fees and Total Costs 2026

The Student visa application fee is among the most affordable of all UK visa categories — but the Immigration Health Surcharge adds a significant cost for longer courses. The table below breaks down every fee for 2026 including the IHS calculation for each common course length.

Fee type	Amount (2026)	Notes
Visa application fee — applying from outside UK	£363	Standard rate for all applicants from outside the UK
Visa application fee — switching from inside the UK	£490	If already in the UK on another visa
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) per year	£776 per year	Paid upfront in full for the entire visa duration at application stage
IHS — 1-year visa (e.g. one-year Master's)	£776	Paid in full at application
IHS — 2-year visa	£1,552	Paid in full at application
IHS — 3-year visa (e.g. undergraduate degree)	£2,328	Paid in full at application
IHS — 4-year visa (e.g. integrated Master's)	£3,104	Paid in full at application
IHS — 5-year visa (e.g. medicine or dentistry)	£3,880	Paid in full at application
Priority service (optional)	Approx. £500 extra	Reduces processing to 5 working days
IELTS for UKVI Academic (if required)	Approx. £200–£225	Varies by country and approved test centre
ATAS clearance	Free	No fee — but takes up to 20 working days; apply early
TB test (if required)	Approx. £50–£80	Only from UKBA-approved clinics

🧮 Total Cost Example 3-year undergraduate degree, applying from outside the UK: Visa fee £363 + IHS £2,328 + IELTS for UKVI £215 = approximately £2,906 in application costs, before tuition fees or travel. Always verify current fee amounts at gov.uk/student-visa — fees are reviewed annually.

Processing Times — How Long Does It Take?

Service type	Processing time	Additional cost
Standard service	Up to 3 weeks (15 working days)	Included in application fee
Priority service	Up to 5 working days	Approx. £500 extra
Super priority service	Next working day (not available at all VACs)	Approx. £1,000 extra

What happens during processing

Your passport stays with the VAC throughout processing — do not book non-refundable flights or accommodation until you receive your decision
You may be contacted for additional documents — respond promptly as processing pauses until you reply
Track your application at gov.uk/track-your-application using your UKVI reference number
Decision notification arrives by email — always check your spam folder as decision emails are frequently filtered
If approved, your passport is returned with a vignette sticker allowing one entry within 30 days of the visa start date
After arriving, collect your BRP from the named Post Office within 10 days — your BRP is your main proof of right to study and work

Working Rights on a UK Student Visa 2026

One of the most common questions from Student visa holders is how many hours they are permitted to work. The rules are straightforward — but the consequences of exceeding your hours are serious.

Situation	Maximum hours per week
During term time — degree level (RQF Level 6+) at a university	✅ 20 hours per week
During term time — below degree level (language schools, FE colleges)	⚠️ 10 hours per week
During official university vacation periods (Christmas, Easter, summer)	✅ Full time — no restriction
After course end date (until visa expires)	✅ Full time — no restriction
Self-employment of any kind	❌ Not permitted
Working as a doctor or dentist in training	⚠️ Only as a formal part of the course itself

🚨 Critical Warning — Exceeding Work Hours Working more than the permitted hours is a serious breach of Student visa conditions. It can result in visa curtailment, removal from the UK, and a ban on re-entry. Employers are legally required to check every employee's right to work before they start — a student who overstates their work entitlement puts both themselves and their employer at legal risk.

Common Reasons for Refusal — and How to Avoid Them

Each of the following refusal reasons appears regularly in Student visa decision letters. Every single one is avoidable with proper preparation.

Refusal reason	How to avoid it
Wrong English test — standard IELTS submitted instead of IELTS for UKVI	Only book IELTS for UKVI Academic — verify the test centre is on the gov.uk approved SELT provider list before booking; standard IELTS is never accepted
Bank balance not held for 28 consecutive days before application	Ensure the full required balance is present from day 1 of the 28-day window — do not make a large transfer on day 5 and apply on day 28; the opening balance counts
CAS reference number has expired (older than 6 months)	Apply within 6 months of CAS assignment — if it expires, ask your university to issue a new CAS before submitting
Genuine academic progression not demonstrated	The new course must be a logical step forward from your previous level of study — a postgraduate student dropping to an undergraduate course is a common red flag that triggers additional scrutiny
ATAS clearance certificate missing when required	Check gov.uk before applying — do not submit the visa application until you have your ATAS certificate; ATAS takes up to 20 working days and is the most commonly overlooked requirement for STEM postgraduates
TB test from a non-approved clinic	Only use clinics on the current gov.uk approved clinic list — verify before booking; an unofficial TB test is treated as if no test was submitted at all
Financial evidence from an unacceptable source — funds from a friend or non-guardian relative	Only personal funds or a parent's/legal guardian's funds are accepted — funds from siblings, friends, or any other relative are automatically refused regardless of the amount available

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on your course level. If you are studying a postgraduate programme (RQF Level 7 or above) of 9 months or longer at a university, your spouse or partner and children under 18 may apply as your dependants. Undergraduate students and those at language schools generally cannot bring dependants, unless they are a government-sponsored student. Each dependant requires a separate application and separate fees.

If your university withdraws your sponsorship, they are legally required to notify the Home Office. Your visa may then be curtailed — you typically receive 60 days to either re-enrol at another licensed institution, switch to another visa, or leave the UK. Contact your university's international student office immediately if academic difficulties arise — do not simply stop attending without notifying them.

ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance is required for nationals of most countries studying certain sensitive postgraduate STEM subjects at master's or PhD level. Your university will confirm whether it applies to your specific course. Apply free at gov.uk — processing takes up to 20 working days, so apply before your visa application, not at the same time.

Yes. If your university extends your course — for example due to a repeat year or an extended dissertation period — you can apply to extend your Student visa. You will need a new CAS from your university confirming the new course end date. Apply for the extension before your current visa expires — do not wait until the visa has lapsed.

They are two separate products from the same organisation. IELTS Academic is the standard test universities use for admissions purposes. IELTS for UKVI is a Secure English Language Test specifically approved by the UK Home Office for visa applications. For the Student visa, you must take IELTS for UKVI — standard IELTS Academic results are not accepted for the visa application, even if your university accepted it for your course offer.

Yes — the required funds can be held in a parent's or legal guardian's bank account, not just your own. The same 28-day rule applies to their account. You must provide their official bank statements showing the required balance throughout all 28 days, plus a signed letter confirming they are your parent or legal guardian and that the funds are available for your studies.

The most popular option is the Graduate visa, which allows you to stay in the UK for 2 years after graduation (3 years for PhD graduates) and work in any job at any salary without needing employer sponsorship. You must apply before your Student visa expires. See our complete Graduate visa guide for full eligibility and how to apply.

Next Steps — What to Do Now

Before submitting your application, make sure all three essentials are confirmed:

Your CAS reference number received from your UK university — do not apply without it
IELTS for UKVI Academic completed and results received — not standard IELTS Academic
The 28-day bank balance rule satisfied — full required funds in your account for all 28 consecutive days before the application date

All fees and figures in this guide are verified as of January 2026. Check gov.uk before applying — amounts are reviewed annually by the Home Office and can change without advance notice.

Bookmark this page — we update it every January when the Home Office reviews fees, maintenance thresholds, and IHS amounts for the new year.

🏛 Official Sources Used in This Guide

gov.uk/student-visa — UK Student Visa Main Page gov.uk/student-visa/money — Financial Requirement (maintenance amounts) gov.uk — Approved English Language Test (SELT) Providers gov.uk — Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) gov.uk — Register of Licensed Student Sponsors gov.uk/graduate-visa — Graduate Visa (Post-Study Route) gov.uk/track-your-application — Track Your Visa Application