UK Student Visa Guide: Your Complete Step‑by‑Step Application Companion

UK Student Visa Eligibility

To qualify for a Student visa, you must meet all of the following basic requirements. These are the same whether you’re self‑funded, sponsored, or a Chevening Scholar.

• You are 16 years or older.
• You have a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a UK institution licensed as a student sponsor.
• You have enough money to support yourself (maintenance funds – see financial evidence section).
• You can speak, read, and write English (meet the English proficiency level required by your course).
• You have consent from your parent/guardian if you’re 16 or 17.

Chevening Scholar? You still apply for the same Student visa, but your scholarship letter may serve as proof of funds and the visa fee is reimbursed. Jump to Chevening‑specific details.

Get Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

The CAS is an electronic document your university issues once you’ve been unconditionally accepted. You cannot apply for a Student visa without it. It contains a unique reference number used in the online application and details about your course, fees already paid, and sponsor licence.

When to request: Immediately after you receive your unconditional offer. Don’t wait—processing can take weeks.

Use our CAS deadline calculator to find the latest date you should apply for your visa based on your course start date.

UK Student Visa Documents Checklist

Gathering the right documents is critical, missing even one can lead to refusal. Our interactive checklist tracks everything you need, with dual progress bars for documents you upload and those you need to obtain.

Key documents include: current passport, CAS statement, financial evidence, TB test results (if applicable), ATAS certificate (if required), and parent/guardian consent for under‑18s. See the official checklist on GOV.UK for your country’s specific requirements.

Student Visa Financial Evidence & Maintenance Funds

You must prove you have enough money to cover your course fees (first year) and living costs. For courses outside London, the maintenance requirement is £1,334 per month (up to a maximum of 9 months); for London it’s £1,668 per month. You’ll need to show the money for 28 consecutive days in your bank account, ending no more than 31 days before you apply.

Chevening Scholars: Your scholarship award letter confirming full tuition and living stipend can fully satisfy the financial evidence requirement. You don’t need to show personal bank statements. See Chevening‑specific notes.

🔗 Official maintenance funds rules →

Tuberculosis (TB) Test Requirement

If you’re coming to the UK for more than 6 months and are a citizen of certain countries, you must provide a valid TB test certificate with your visa application. The test must be taken at a Home Office‑approved clinic. Not everyone needs one, use our interactive quiz to check instantly.

The list of countries requiring a TB test can change. As a general rule, many African, Asian, and Eastern European nations are on the list. Even if your country is exempt, you may still need the test if you have lived in a listed country for 6 months or more in the past 6 months. The certificate is valid for 6 months, so time your appointment accordingly.

🔗 Official TB test requirements for UK visa →

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

The Immigration Health Surcharge gives you access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). It must be paid upfront as part of your visa application. The standard rate for students is £776 per year. If your course includes part of a year (e.g., 6 months after your course end for wrap‑up), you’ll pay for that extra period.

For a typical one‑year master’s, you’d pay approximately £776 + £388 (half year) = £1,164. Our calculator below gives you a precise estimate based on your visa length and dependants.

Chevening Scholars are not exempt from the IHS; however, the overall visa cost (including IHS) is reimbursed by Chevening after you arrive. You must pay it initially. Always keep your receipt for reimbursement claims.

Online Application & Biometrics

Once you have your CAS and documents, apply online via the GOV.UK Student visa application page. You’ll create an account, fill in personal details, upload documents, pay the £490 fee and IHS, and book a biometrics appointment at a visa application centre (VAC).

What happens at biometrics: Your fingerprints and photo are taken. You may also hand in your passport and supporting documents (unless you upload digitally). Some centres offer a “keep my passport” service for an extra fee.

After biometrics, you’ll receive a confirmation and your application is processed. Processing times vary by country, so use our deadline calculator to ensure you’re not cutting it too close.

Fees, Processing Times & Decisions

You can apply up to 6 months before your course starts. Once a decision is made, you’ll get a visa vignette (sticker) in your passport valid for 90 days to enter the UK, after which you collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).

After You Get Your Visa

When your visa is approved, check the vignette sticker for correct dates. You must collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) within 10 days of arriving in the UK (or before your vignette expires, whichever is later). The BRP is your main immigration document during your stay.

You can travel to the UK up to 1 month before your course starts. Ensure you have all documents with you when entering, as Border Force officers may ask to see your CAS and financial proof.

UK Student Visa for Chevening Scholars

As a Chevening Scholar, you apply for the same Student visa but with key advantages:

• Financial evidence waived: Your official Chevening award letter (which states full funding) replaces bank statements. Upload it as proof of maintenance funds.
• Visa fee & IHS reimbursed: Pay the fees upfront; after arrival, Chevening refunds both the £490 visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
• CAS timeline: Your unconditional offer deadline is mid‑July; universities then issue CAS shortly after. Use our CAS deadline calculator to plan your application window.

Remember: the two‑year return home requirement remains part of your scholarship conditions, but it does not affect the visa process itself. For full details on managing the Chevening application timeline alongside your visa, refer back to the Chevening Scholarship Guide.

Common Reasons for UK Student Visa Refusal

Even small errors can lead to a refusal. Protect your application by avoiding these frequent mistakes:

• Incorrect or missing financial evidence. Bank statements must show the required amount for 28 consecutive days, in the right format, and not older than 31 days.
• Submitting without a CAS, or with an outdated CAS. Your CAS must be valid and issued by a licensed sponsor.
• Failing the TB test requirement if applicable.
• Incomplete documents or translations. All non‑English documents need certified translations.
• Applying too late. Processing delays can mean missing your course start date. Use our deadline calculator to find your “apply by” date.

Frequently Asked Questions

This guide is independently produced by LearnViaHub. It is not legal advice. Always confirm requirements on official government websites.

• Author
• Recent Posts

CASEY FROST

CASEY FROST is an education researcher and content writer who helps students find international scholarships, study abroad opportunities, student visas, and trusted higher education resources.

Latest posts by CASEY FROST (see all)

• MEXT Scholarship Requirements: Complete Guide for International Students - August 1, 2026
• MEXT Application Guide: How to Apply for the MEXT Scholarship - August 1, 2026
• MEXT Scholarship Required Documents: Complete Checklist & Preparation Guide - August 1, 2026