UK Student Visa: Requirements, Financial Evidence & Application

The UK Student Visa is the main immigration route for international students aged 16 and over who wish to study at a licensed UK educational institution — a university, college, or higher education provider. Introduced in October 2020 as a replacement for the Tier 4 (General) visa, it covers degree programmes, postgraduate study, further education courses, foundation years, and short courses lasting more than six months.

The Student Visa is a points-based route. Applicants must score 70 points across three mandatory criteria: the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed sponsor, the financial requirement, and the English language requirement. All three must be met before an application can succeed.

The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is the cornerstone of a Student Visa application. It is an electronic reference number issued by your university or college after you have received and accepted an unconditional offer of a place on an eligible course. Your institution must hold a valid Student Sponsor Licence from the Home Office to issue a CAS. The CAS contains key information about your course, including its duration, start date, level, and your tuition fees, and it is valid for six months from the date it is issued. It can only be used once and cannot be edited after submission, so checking its accuracy before applying is essential.

You should not apply for your Student Visa until after you have received your CAS. You can apply up to six months before your course starts.

English Language Requirement

All Student Visa applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency at a level appropriate to their course. For degree-level and most higher education courses, the requirement is CEFR Level B2 — a standard that took effect for all new applicants from 8 January 2026. This represents an increase from the previous B1 requirement.

The B2 requirement can be met through an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) — most commonly IELTS for UKVI Academic — or through a medium of instruction letter confirming that your previous degree was taught and assessed in English. Nationals of certain majority English-speaking countries are exempt from this requirement. Some courses have specific English language requirements set by the institution that may differ from the UKVI minimum; you should confirm what your sponsor requires.

Financial Evidence Requirements

To meet the financial requirement, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover both your tuition fees and your living costs for your first year of study. The funds must be genuinely available, held in your name (or in the name of an official sponsor), and must satisfy the 28-day rule — meaning the required balance must have been held continuously for a minimum of 28 consecutive days ending not more than 31 days before your visa application date.

The living cost element (maintenance funds) from January 2025 is:

• £1,334 per month for students studying in London (up to a maximum of 9 months — up to £12,006 for the living cost portion).
• £1,023 per month for students studying outside London (up to a maximum of 9 months — up to £9,207 for the living cost portion).

In addition to the living cost element, you must demonstrate that you hold the full amount of your outstanding first-year tuition fees — the total course fee for the year, less any deposit or advance payment already made. These two figures are added together to produce the total financial evidence requirement.

For example, if your tuition fee is £20,000 and you have paid a £4,000 deposit, you need to show £16,000 in tuition funds plus the relevant living cost amount. Funds held must be in a personal bank account (not fixed deposits, shares, or cryptocurrency), and the balance must not have dipped below the required amount during the 28-day holding period.

Students from countries on the Home Office's 'differential evidence requirement' list — including most EU countries, the US, Canada, Australia, and others — do not need to submit financial documents with their application, but must genuinely hold the required funds.

Work Rights on a Student Visa

Student Visa holders studying at degree level or above may work during their studies. The standard work allowance is:

• Up to 20 hours per week during term time.
• Full-time during official vacation periods, including the period after your course ends and before your visa expires.

These work rights apply to the sponsored student only. Students on some shorter or lower-level courses may have more restricted work rights or no work rights at all. Your CAS will confirm what applies to your course.

Since January 2024, most Student Visa holders cannot bring dependant family members to the UK. Exceptions apply for students on postgraduate research programmes (PhD and research master's degrees) and government-sponsored students on fully-funded undergraduate programmes.

Digital Status: No Physical Document

All Student Visa holders receive their immigration status digitally as an eVisa — a digital record held in a UKVI account. Physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) have been phased out. You access your status online and share it with landlords, employers, and others using a share code generated from your UKVI account. It is important to keep your UKVI account up to date, including your current passport details.

How Long Is the Visa and What Happens After It Ends?

The Student Visa is granted for the duration of your course plus an additional period of leave. After completing a qualifying UK degree, you may apply for the Graduate Visa, which gives you the right to remain in the UK and work without sponsorship. From 1 January 2027, the Graduate Visa duration reduces from two years to 18 months for bachelor's and master's graduates. Many graduates then switch to the Skilled Worker Visa once they secure sponsored employment.