Apply for UK student visa? If you’re juggling an unconditional offer, bank statements and a tight timeline, this guide walks you through the Student route step-by-step so you can submit a clean, refusal‑proof application in 2026.

Read on and you’ll be able to: (1) collect the exact documents UKVI wants, (2) calculate and present your funds correctly, (3) complete the online form and biometric steps without guessing, and (4) avoid the small mistakes that cause the majority of refusals.

Quick checklist to apply for UK student visa

• What you need right now: unconditional offer + CAS, valid passport, 28‑day bank statement(s) or sponsor letter, English evidence, TB/ATAS if applicable, passport photo.

• Fees: application fee ~£524; IHS ~£776 per year (paid at application).

• Timing: apply up to 6 months before course start (from outside the UK). Typical non‑priority processing ~15 working days; allow more in peak months.

• Action: Save PDF copies of everything. Book biometrics immediately after submission. Use priority services only if you need a faster decision and can afford them.

• Download ExpatsUK’s one‑page Student Visa Checklist and bank‑statement annotation templates to save hours and avoid common mistakes.

 

Why this guide — and how ExpatsUK helps

Small mistakes — a typo in your name, a one‑day gap in your 28‑day funds period, or a mismatched CAS detail — are common reasons for refusals. This guide mirrors the UKVI process and shows the exact documents, format and entries that reduce friction.

How ExpatsUK helps:

• Nationality-specific notes (US / Australia / Germany) that flag common country-specific issues.

• Downloadable templates: parental consent, sponsor letter, bank‑statement annotation and a one‑page checklist.

• An upcoming peer‑review community where you can upload draft documents for feedback from other students (peer review opening times noted on the download page).

Snapshot (2026): application fee ~£524; IHS ~£776 per year; standard processing around 15 working days — but always check GOV.UK for live numbers before you pay.

How to apply for UK student visa (Student route): Step‑by‑step

1. Secure your offer and obtain your CASWhat is a CAS? The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is a unique reference issued by your licensed sponsor (the university or college). It’s an electronic record that ties your application to the sponsor and includes:

How to request a CAS: accept your offer as the university instructs, meet any conditions (e.g., pay deposit, provide passport and proof of English), and ask admissions to issue the CAS. Typical timing: CAS can take anywhere from a few days to 12 weeks depending on the provider and whether you needed to meet conditions.Sample CAS request email (copy and adapt):Subject: Request for CAS issuance – [Your Full Name] – [Course Name] Hi [Admissions contact], I have accepted my offer for [Course] (Student ID: [ID]) and have completed the requirements listed in my offer. Could you please confirm when my Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) will be issued and whether you need any further documents from me? I have attached a copy of my passport and payment receipt for the deposit. Thanks, [Your full name] [Passport number]

• Your personal details (full name and date of birth — check spelling)

• Course title and level

• Course start and end dates

• Tuition fees stated and amount paid (deposit)

• Sponsor licence number and confirmation that you have an unconditional offer

 

2. Gather required documentsCollect clear, high‑quality color scans of the following (more detail in the dedicated checklist below):

• Valid passport / travel document (scan photo page)
• Your CAS reference number (keep the email)
• Proof of funds (28 consecutive days of bank statements or sponsor letter)
• English language evidence (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or university‑accepted MOI)
• TB test certificate (if required for your country)
• ATAS certificate (if required for your course/nationality)
• Passport photos that meet UK specs
• Translations certified into English (if any document is not in English)
• Parental consent and birth certificate (if aged 16–17)
• Use PDF for official documents where possible and JPG/PNG for photos.
• Name files with a clear, ordered convention: e.g., 01_PASSPORT.pdf, 02_CAS.pdf, 03_FUNDS.pdf.
• Color scans only; avoid cropped or low‑resolution photos that obscure dates or balances.
• If you need certified copies, follow the university’s instructions — don’t guess.

 

3. Start the online application (gov.uk/student-visa)Steps in the form flow:

• Start the online application (gov.uk/student-visa)Steps in the form flow: Fields to double‑check before you submit: Tip: keep the CAS email and a PDF of it in your upload folder — sometimes adjudicators want to see the original wording. For a practical external walkthrough of the student visa steps, see this UK student visa guide.

• Create / login to your GOV.UK Verify or UKVI account.

• Select “Apply from outside the UK” (if you are applying from overseas).

• Enter your personal details and input your CAS reference when prompted — this links your application to your sponsor.

• Answer background and travel history questions honestly.

• Exact spelling of your name as in your passport (no nicknames).

• Date of birth and nationality.

• Passport number (and that the passport is the one you will travel with).

• CAS number, course title and dates — match the sponsor email exactly.

• Sponsor licence number (optional, but sometimes requested).

 

4. Pay fees & Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)Pay the visa application fee and the IHS during the online submission. Save the confirmation receipts as PDF.Example IHS calculation (2026): IHS is £776 per full year for students. For a 9‑month course you will pay £776 (since it’s more than 6 months); for a three‑year course you will pay 3 × £776 = £2,328.Keep receipts and payment reference numbers; they are evidence you must retain for arrival and enrolment.

5. Book biometrics & document submissionAfter you pay, you’ll be asked to book a biometric appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) or — where available — use the UK Immigration: ID Check app to prove identity and upload documents.What to bring to the VAC in person:

What to upload online (if using the portal): PDFs of passport, CAS, bank statements, English test and translations. At the VAC, present originals even if you uploaded scans.

• Printed appointment confirmation and application payment receipts.
• Original passport and any travel documents.
• Original academic certificates (if requested) and TB/ATAS certificates.
• Passport photos (check VAC guidance on whether digital upload is enough).

6. Wait for a decision and collect your visaStandard processing is around 15 working days (check country‑specific times). You can pay for priority services at many VACs for faster decisions — prices vary (ballpark: priority ~£500; super‑priority ~£1,000). Keep in mind these amounts change regionally and VAT or local charges may apply.What approval looks like in 2026: you will usually get an eVisa record or a vignette and instructions about collecting a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or receiving an electronic confirmation of your leave. Check the decision letter carefully for your travel window.

7. Last checks before travel

• Check passport validity (and that the passport you used is the one you will travel on).

• Bring CAS email, acceptance letter and proof of accommodation to your first enrolment session.

• Confirm BRP collection location or whether your visa is electronic.

• Bring proof of IHS payment—they may ask for NHS registration details at enrolment.

 

UK student visa documents checklist: what to upload and how to format

Mandatory documents (exact items and notes)

• Valid passport / travel document — scan the photo page. Your passport should be valid for the course length (and you should have at least one blank page).

• Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) — the CAS reference number links directly to your sponsor. Check that names, date of birth and passport number (if included) match your passport. If anything is wrong, ask your sponsor to reissue the CAS before you apply.

• Financial evidence — bank statements showing the required maintenance funds for 28 consecutive days before application, plus any unpaid tuition fees. Evidence options include personal bank statements, parental bank statements (with relationship evidence and consent letter), sponsor letters or loan approval letters.

• English language evidence — approved SELT (IELTS for UKVI, TOEFL, PTE) or a university‑accepted Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate. Use the exact test the sponsor accepts — if in doubt, ask admissions.

• Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate — required if your country is on the TB list; must be from an approved clinic and within the validity window.

• ATAS certificate — required for some postgraduate/research science or engineering courses for certain nationalities; apply for ATAS early (processing can take weeks).

• Passport photos — standard UK dimensions (45mm × 35mm). Neutral expression, plain background.

• Parental consent & birth certificate— if you are aged 16–17, provide a parental consent letter and copy of the birth certificate proving the relationship.

Optional but helpful documents

• Full admission letter (not only the CAS summary)

• Accommodation confirmation (university or private)

• Sponsor employment letter (if funding comes from employer or government)

• Scholarship award letter

• Previous UK immigration history (visas, BRP copies)

Translations & certification

All non‑English documents must be accompanied by a full certified translation. The translator’s statement must confirm completeness and accuracy and include the translator’s full contact details and credentials. Upload both the original and the translation (PDFs) and clearly label them.

File naming & upload order

Practical convention to save time with the VAC officer:

• 01_PASSPORT.pdf

• 02_CAS.pdf

• 03_FUNDS.pdf

• 04_ENGLISH.pdf

• 05_TB_ATAS.pdf

• 06_PHOTOS.jpg

Keep individual files under 10MB and combine multi‑page statements into single PDFs where possible.

You can copy the example file checklist from ExpatsUK’s downloadable pack and paste it into your folder before you start — it saves mistakes.

Proving funds: examples, math, and common red flags

The rules you must follow:

• Funds must be held for 28 consecutive days. The end of that 28‑day period must be no more than 31 days before you apply.

• You must show enough for unpaid tuition fees plus maintenance (living costs). Living-cost maintenance is published as a monthly amount and is used for up to 9 months of the course.

• Maintenance amounts (2026): £1,529 per month for London, £1,171 per month outside London. Multiply by up to 9 months.

Worked examples

Scenario	Calculation	Total required (maintenance)
9‑month Masters in London	£1,529 × 9 months	£13,761
9‑month Masters outside London	£1,171 × 9 months	£10,539

If any tuition fees are due and unpaid, add the exact unpaid tuition amount to the maintenance total. For example, if you have £5,000 of tuition unpaid and are studying outside London for 9 months, you must show £10,539 + £5,000 = £15,539.

Acceptable evidence and templates

• Personal bank statements (official, showing name, account number and balance)

• Parental/guardian bank statements: include birth certificate and a signed parental consent letter confirming funds are available for the student

• Sponsor letter: formal letter from an organisation (government, employer) confirming they will cover fees/living costs, with dates and amounts

• Student loan approval: official documentation showing funds have been approved

• Tuition receipts: evidence of payments already made

Common red flags and how to fix them

• Recent large deposits with no explanation — add a short notarised letter explaining the source and include supporting documents (sale agreement, gift letter).

• Mismatched names between bank statement and passport — provide official evidence of name change or use sponsor/family statements with proof of relationship.

• Business accounts (company accounts) — explain the relationship to the business and provide personal bank statements or a salary/sponsor letter. UKVI prefers personal funds unless clearly explained.

• Funds not held for 28 consecutive days — wait until the statement satisfies the 28‑day rule and then apply.

UK student visa fees, IHS & extra costs (2026 numbers + worked totals)

Core mandatory costs (examples for 2026):

• Visa application fee (main applicant): £524

• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £776 per year (or pro rata rules for shorter stays)

• VAC local service fees: vary by country — small charges for biometrics or document scanning

• Optional: priority (~£500) and super‑priority (~£1,000) services (regional variation)

Worked total examples

Course	Visa fee	IHS	Typical VAC fee	Approx. subtotal
9‑month Masters	£524	£776	£60	£1,360
3‑year undergraduate	£524	£776 × 3 = £2,328	£60	£2,912

Money‑saving tip: paying tuition early can help as evidence of funds, but verify refund and transfer policies carefully — you do not want to lock money in a tuition payment you can’t reclaim if your visa is refused. For a practical breakdown of typical visa fees, see a specialist summary on UK visa fees.

Processing times, when to apply, and a practical timeline

Official window: you can apply up to 6 months before your course starts (if applying from outside the UK). My practical recommendation: aim to apply 3–4 months before the start date for fall intakes to avoid peak delays.

Peak season (July–September) typically increases processing times; workload and local VAC backlogs mean some applicants wait longer than the official guideline.

Sample timeline — September intake

• 6 months before start: Accept offer and pay deposit.

• 12 weeks before start: Request CAS and gather documents.

• 8–10 weeks before start: Apply online and book biometrics.

• 4–6 weeks before start: Expect decision if standard; if delayed, contact your sponsor about deferral/enrolment options.

If you’re late: ask your sponsor about deferral or remote enrolment options; do not attempt to travel without a valid visa.

Common refusal reasons and refusal‑proof tips

Top triggers and how to prevent them:

• CAS mismatch — verify names, DOB, course title and fees against your CAS before submission.

• Insufficient/unstable funds — follow the 28‑day rule and annotate any unexplained deposits with supporting documents.

• Incomplete translations or uncertified copies — always include a translator’s declaration for non‑English docs.

• Previous immigration issues — disclose any past refusals/overstays and include mitigation evidence (appeals, removal records).

• Inconsistent statements — ensure everything (CV, personal statement, sponsor letter) is consistent with your course and intentions.

Final pre‑submit micro checklist (copy this into your browser before you hit submit):

• Passport page scanned and matches application name.

• CAS reference matches sponsor email and course dates.

• Funds held for 28 consecutive days and statement end date is within 31 days of application.

• All translations attached with translator declaration.

• Receipts for visa fee and IHS downloaded.

• VAC appointment booked (or ID Check app steps completed).

Special cases: under‑18s, dependants, ATAS, TB tests and switching visas

Under‑18s

Students aged 16–17 need parental consent, a welfare or accommodation letter from the sponsor and proof of the parent’s authority (birth certificate, passport). Universities often have specific welfare arrangements — ask admissions early.

Dependants

Dependants are usually allowed for postgraduate research students; other study levels typically don’t permit dependants. Bringing dependants increases the financial requirement significantly — check GOV.UK and the sponsor’s guidance.

ATAS

If your course falls in the list of sensitive research subjects and you’re of a nationality that requires ATAS, apply early — processing can take weeks. Your sponsor will tell you if ATAS is necessary, but double‑check during your CAS stage.

TB tests

If your country is on the TB list, you must have a TB test certificate from an approved clinic and the certificate must still be valid at the time of application. Check the list on GOV.UK.

Switching visas inside the UK

Switching into the Student route from certain visa types is allowed but rules and financial requirements differ. If you’re already in the UK on a different visa, check GOV.UK or your sponsor’s advice. If you’re unsure which visa type suits your circumstances, read our guide UK Visa Types Explained: Which One Is Right for You As An Expat? for a quick comparison.

Step‑by‑step walkthrough of the online form (fields & upload tips)

Where to enter the most critical fields:

• CAS reference: There’s a dedicated box. Paste it exactly; small typos cause a mismatch and lead to manual checks.

• Course start and end dates: Use the dates your sponsor gave in the CAS—not the provisional dates from your offer letter unless they match the CAS.

• Study and work questions: Answer the employment/ties questions honestly. If you plan to work (allowed hours vary by course level), be clear in the supporting documents.

Upload tips

• Combine multi‑page statements into single PDFs and use the file‑naming convention noted above.

• Compress photos to acceptable sizes but keep resolution readable. Avoid scanning at extremely low DPI.

• Double‑check thumbnails after upload — VAC systems sometimes reject rotated or clipped files.

• If you use the ID Check app, follow the app’s instructions for background, lighting and passport placement exactly.

Templates & sample text (ExpatsUK downloads)

What you’ll get when you download the ExpatsUK pack:

• One‑page Student Visa Checklist

• Bank‑statement annotation template (fill in source of funds)

• Parental consent template (for 16–17 year olds)

• Sponsor / CAS request email template

• Short sample sponsor confirmation letter

Quick sample: Parental consent letter (one paragraph)

I, [Parent/Guardian full name], confirm that I give permission for my child [Student full name], passport number [xxxx], to travel to and study in the United Kingdom for the duration of the [Course name] at [University name]. I confirm I will support them financially and can be contacted at [phone/email]. Signed: [Parent signature], Date: [dd/mm/yyyy]

Quick sample: Sponsor confirmation snippet

To whom it may concern,
This is to confirm that [Sponsor name / organisation] will sponsor [Student name], passport number [xxxx], for the amount of £[X] to cover [tuition / living costs / both] for the duration of [course name] starting [course start date]. Signed: [Sponsor rep], Position, Contact details.

Use these samples as starting points and adapt with the exact amounts, dates and contact details required by UKVI.

After approval: arrival, eVisa/BRP, enrolment and first‑month checklist

On arrival:

• Follow the decision letter instructions: collect BRP if applicable, or confirm eVisa access via your UKVI account.

• Register with your university (enrolment) and provide proof of IHS payment/NHS registration if requested.

• Open a UK bank account (many banks accept student letters for accounts designed for international students).

• Attend induction and register with local services (GP, council tax where relevant).

Work rights summary: students can usually work limited hours in term time (check the exact hours on your visa letter). Placement year work rules differ — confirm with your sponsor.

Find local student groups and peer help by registering with ExpatsUK’s community (peer review for documents will be available as noted on our downloads page). For a focused checklist of tasks in your first month, see our First 30 Days in the UK: A Complete Expat Checklist. If you’re relocating from the United States specifically, our practical moving plan may help — Moving to the UK from USA — A Calm, Practical Plan.

If your application is refused — read, respond, reapply

First: read the refusal letter carefully. It will list the reasons. Common language includes “insufficient funds,” “CAS mismatch,” or “documents not in English.”

Options:

• Administrative review: only appropriate in narrow cases where a factual error (e.g., mismatch between your paperwork and the decision) is evident. Timescales are short — act quickly.

• Fresh application: safest when the refusal is because of missing or inadequate evidence. Correct the issues and reapply — factor in the visa fee and IHS cost again.

Strategy: fix the specific reason given in the decision letter, add stronger evidence and use the ExpatsUK checklist to avoid repeating errors. If you still have questions after reading this guide, check our FAQ for quick answers.

Final action plan — 30/14/7/48‑hour checklists before applying and before travel

30 days before apply

• Lock funds into the account to meet the 28‑day rule.

• Confirm CAS details with sponsor.

• Order TB/ATAS if required (these can take weeks).

14 days before apply

• Scan and proof all documents; run them against the ExpatsUK checklist.

• Fill bank‑statement annotation template for any unusual transactions.

7 days before apply

• Book biometrics appointment (VAC) or test ID Check app flow.

• Download and save receipts for visa fee & IHS.

48 hours before travel

• Confirm enrolment appointment, accommodation address and arrival instructions.

• Print passports, CAS email, visa decision and any critical receipts.

Short FAQ (quick answers)

References & further reading

Always verify policy on GOV.UK — start here:

• GOV.UK — Student route (apply for a student visa)

• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

• Tuberculosis test information

• ExpatsUK — free Student Visa Checklist and templates

• Practical student-route eligibility notes are available fromUKCISA — student route eligibility and requirements.

Closing — next steps & CTA

Three immediate actions:

1. Ask your university for the CAS (or confirm the issuance timeline).

1. Lock the required funds in an account for 28 consecutive days and save the PDF statements.

1. Book your biometrics appointment as soon as you submit the online form.

Download ExpatsUK’s free Student Visa Checklist and the bank‑statement annotation template now to avoid the common traps people face when they apply for UK student visa. When the peer review community opens, you can upload draft documents for friendly feedback from fellow applicants and expat volunteers. If you want a quick refresher on our services or other guides, visit the ExpatsUK homepage.

Good luck — and remember: most refusals are avoidable with tidy paperwork, consistent details, and the 28‑day proof. If you follow the steps in this guide and use the checklist, you’ll remove the most common points of friction and give yourself the best chance of a smooth decision.