UK Student Visa
The UK Student Visa allows international students to study at recognised universities and colleges across the United Kingdom. To qualify, you must hold a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed sponsor and meet the 70-point requirement under the UK’s points-based immigration system.
Immigration Solicitors UK provides tailored legal support to ensure your Student Visa application is fully compliant and strategically prepared. Call +44 20 8016 2308 or contact us online to speak directly with one of our immigration solicitors.
Book your FREE consultation today!
About the UK Student Visa
The UK Student Visa enables international and EEA nationals to study full-time at recognised educational institutions. You must hold an unconditional offer from a licensed sponsor and demonstrate that you can meet all financial and academic requirements.
Once your course is completed, you can apply for a Graduate Visa to remain in the UK for two years (or three years if you have completed a PhD).
Applicants must reach 70 points under the current Home Office framework.
Requirement | Points | Description |
|---|---|---|
Offer from a licensed sponsor | 50 | CAS confirming your unconditional offer |
Financial maintenance | 10 | Proof of funds to pay tuition and living expenses |
English language | 10 | Evidence of English proficiency at the required level |
Our solicitors carefully review your eligibility and documents to ensure every point is securely met.
English Language Requirement (2026 Update)
From 8 January 2026, the Home Office raises the English level for many work-related routes to B2. For Student Visas, the standard remains as follows:
- Degree-level study: B2
- Below degree-level study: B1
For degree-level courses, most universities can self-assess your English proficiency, meaning you may not need an external IELTS test if your sponsor confirms your level on your CAS.
If your previous qualification was taught in English, this may also satisfy the requirement automatically.
Need urgent help? Call:
To apply for a Student Visa, you must show that you can support yourself financially while studying.
Inside London: £1,529 per month (up to nine months)
Outside London: £1,171 per month (up to nine months)
This means you must show a total of £13,761 for London or £10,539 for courses outside London.
The required funds must be held for 28 consecutive days in your account, and your bank statement must be dated within 31 days before the date you submit your application. Caseworkers often reject statements that are exactly 31 days old or beyond that date.
If you have been lawfully living in the UK for at least twelve months under a valid visa, you are generally exempt from this requirement.
Evidence Waiver (Differentiation Arrangement)
Applicants from low-risk countries, including the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, the UAE, and several European nations, benefit from the Differentiation Arrangement.
This means they do not need to upload financial or English language evidence with their initial Student Visa application, although they must hold the evidence and provide it if the Home Office requests it later.
Our solicitors confirm whether you qualify for this arrangement and help you prepare supporting documents in advance to avoid last-minute refusals.
Need urgent help? Call:
Each visa application must include properly formatted and certified documents. Our solicitors ensure all evidence meets Home Office standards.
You will need:
- A valid passport or travel document
- CAS reference number from your university or college
- Proof of financial resources (bank statements or sponsor letter)
- Proof of English proficiency (if applicable)
- ATAS certificate if your course involves sensitive or research-based subjects such as STEM, AI, or Aerospace
- Tuberculosis test results (if applicable)
- Parental consent and accommodation details if under 18
All documents not in English or Welsh must include a certified translation.
Application Process
You can apply for your Student Visa online from inside or outside the UK.
- Complete the online application form.
- Upload supporting documents and pay the relevant fees.
- Verify your identity through the UK Immigration ID Check app or at a visa application centre.
- Wait for a decision. Most applications are decided within three weeks (outside the UK) or eight weeks (inside the UK).
Our solicitors manage your submission from start to finish, preventing common technical errors and ensuring timely approval.
Need urgent help? Call:
The Student Visa application fee is £524 whether you apply from inside or outside the UK. In addition, you must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year to access NHS services.
We provide a full breakdown of application costs to help you plan your study budget.
Extending or Switching Your Visa
You can extend your Student Visa if you are continuing your studies at a higher academic level with a licensed sponsor. You must hold a valid Student or Tier 4 visa and apply while in the UK.
Our solicitors also assist students switching to other visa categories such as the Graduate, Skilled Worker, or Innovator routes.
After Your Studies
Once you complete your course, you may apply for a Graduate Visa to remain in the UK for up to two years (three years for PhD graduates).
Applications submitted on or before 31 December 2026 will still receive the full two-year stay. Applications made on or after 1 January 2027 will be limited to 18 months, except for PhD holders, who remain eligible for three years.
The Graduate Visa application fee is £880, and the Immigration Health Surcharge applies at the same rate.
Our solicitors help you plan this transition early, ensuring you meet every requirement and avoid gaps in your immigration status.
Bringing Family Members
From January 2024, dependants can only accompany international students who are:
• Enrolled in a postgraduate research programme (RQF Level 7 or 8, such as a PhD or research-based Master’s), or
• Sponsored by a government for a course lasting six months or longer.
Dependant maintenance funds (as of 11 November 2025):
London: £845 per month per dependant
Outside London: £680 per month per dependant
We provide strategic guidance for families to ensure all dependant applications are compliant and synchronised with the main applicant’s visa.
Need urgent help? Call:
Step | Average Timeframe | Key Action |
|---|---|---|
Online application submitted | Day 0 | Pay visa and IHS fees |
Biometric appointment or ID check | Within 7 days | Identity verification |
Decision issued | Within 3 weeks (outside UK) or 8 weeks (inside UK) | Receive eVisa |
Arrival in the UK | Up to 30 days before course start date | Begin studies |
eVisas and Travel
Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) have now been fully replaced by digital eVisas. Students must ensure their passport is correctly linked to their UKVI account before travelling.
If your digital visa is not properly linked, airline carriers may refuse boarding or you may experience entry delays at the UK border. Our solicitors assist with your UKVI digital setup and verification to avoid these issues.
Visa Refusals and Reviews
If your visa is refused, you can request an administrative review or submit a new application. Our solicitors analyse refusal reasons, address procedural or evidential weaknesses, and prepare a compliant reapplication.
Need urgent help? Call:
Immigration Solicitors UK is a regulated law firm authorised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. We provide legally precise advice and application support for international students at every stage of the immigration process.
Our services include:
- Student Visa and Graduate Visa applications
- Visa extensions and category switches
- Financial and documentary verification
- Appeals and administrative reviews
- Digital eVisa setup and compliance management
To begin your Student Visa application, call +44 20 8016 2308 or fill in our online form. A qualified immigration solicitor will contact you within one working day.
Key Legal Updates for 2025 and 2026
- Financial thresholds increased on 11 November 2025 (£1,529 London / £1,171 outside London).
- Dependant maintenance funds updated (£845 London / £680 outside London).
- English level B2 confirmed for degree-level study and B1 for sub-degree courses.
- ATAS certificate mandatory for STEM and research-based degrees.
- Graduate Visa reduced to 18 months from January 2027 (PhD remains 3 years).
- Graduate Visa fee £880 as of late 2025.
- Differentiation Arrangement remains active for low-risk nationals.
- BRP cards replaced by digital eVisas, passport linkage required for travel.
Need urgent help? Call:
What We Offer
Our Services
we understand that immigrating to a new country is a significant
decision that comes with its own set of challenges.
Family Visas
Partner Visas
UK Visit Visas
Settlement in the UK
Settlement of EEA Nationals
Student Visas
Challenge a Refusal
Removals/Deportations
Asylum/Human Rights
Sponsor License for a UK Business
UK Business Visas
Popular Work Visas
Visas without a job offer
Work for an overseas employer
Temporary work visas
Other work visas and permits
British Citizenship and The Right of Abode
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I apply for a Student Visa?
You can apply up to six months before your course begins from outside the UK or three months before from within.
Can I work while studying?
Yes. Most students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays.
Do I need an ATAS certificate?
Yes, if your course involves sensitive research or advanced STEM areas. Without ATAS clearance, your visa will be refused.
Can my family join me in the UK?
Only postgraduate research students (RQF Level 7 or 8) and government-sponsored students can bring dependants.
Do I need to show financial evidence?
If you are from a low-risk country under the Differentiation Arrangement, you do not need to upload evidence with your application, though you must hold it if requested.
How do I travel with an eVisa?
You must link your passport to your UKVI digital status before travel. If not properly linked, you may be denied boarding or delayed at the UK border.
