If you are an international student planning to study in the UK, understanding the UK student visa process is one of the most important steps you will take before you arrive. Furthermore, the rules changed significantly in 2024 and 2025, and further changes are already confirmed for 2027, so reading up-to-date guidance is essential. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know: eligibility, costs, the step-by-step application process, financial requirements, work restrictions, and what happens to your visa after you graduate.
At Briggate Educational Consultants, we support international students through every stage of the journey from university selection to arrival in the UK. This guide draws on that expertise, alongside official UK Government guidance, to give you a clear, practical and fully up-to-date overview of the UK student visa in 2026.
What Is the UK Student Visa?
The UK student visa, formally known as the Student Route, is the main immigration pathway for international students aged 16 or over who want to study a course lasting longer than six months at a UK university, college or school. Moreover, your institution must hold a valid Student Sponsor Licence from the Home Office. If your institution does not hold this licence, it cannot issue you a visa and you cannot study there as an international student.
The student visa replaced the old Tier 4 (General) Student Visa in 2020. If you have previously held a Tier 4 visa, the rules and conditions that apply to the current Student Route are broadly similar, though there have been several important updates since then.
The three types of student visa
There are three student visa types available in the UK, and choosing the correct one for your circumstances matters considerably.
The Student Visa is the main visa for anyone aged 16 or over who wants to study a course lasting more than six months at a licensed institution. This is the visa that the vast majority of international university students apply for. Furthermore, it grants permission to work part-time during term time and full-time during vacations, subject to the conditions explained later in this guide.
The Child Student Visa applies to students aged between four and 17 who wish to study at an independent (fee-paying) school in the UK. The application fee is £490, the same as the standard student visa, and the child’s parents or legal guardians must provide written consent as part of the application.
The Short-Term Study Visa covers courses lasting between six and eleven months, such as English language programmes. However, this visa does not permit work during your stay and does not lead to the Graduate Route visa on completion. Therefore, most university applicants should apply for the standard Student Visa rather than the short-term route.
Who Needs a UK Student Visa?
Most international students need a UK student visa to study here. However, citizens of the following groups do not require one: British and Irish nationals, individuals with indefinite leave to remain in the UK, and those with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
If you are unsure whether you need a visa, the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) check tool on the GOV.UK website gives you a definitive answer based on your nationality and the course you intend to study.
UK Student Visa Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a UK student visa, you must meet all of the following conditions. Understanding these requirements before you apply is essential, because a failure to meet even one of them can result in a refused application.
A confirmed place at a licensed institution
You must have an unconditional offer from a UK institution that holds a valid Student Sponsor Licence. Your institution issues you a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number once you accept your unconditional offer. Importantly, you cannot apply for a student visa without a valid CAS. Furthermore, a CAS can only be used once. If your application is refused, you must request a new CAS from your institution before reapplying.
Sufficient funds
You must demonstrate that you have enough money to cover your tuition fees and living costs for the duration of your course. Specifically, the financial requirements for 2026 are as follows.
For tuition fees, you must show that you can cover your first year’s fees in full. The amount appears on your CAS letter and varies by institution and course.
For living costs, you must show that you hold one of the following amounts: £1,334 per month for up to nine months if you will study in London (a total of £12,006), or £1,023 per month for up to nine months if you will study outside London (a total of £9,207).
Critically, these funds must sit in your bank account continuously for 28 consecutive days before you submit your visa application. The 28-day period must end no more than 31 days before the date of your application. Therefore, timing your bank statements carefully is essential.
English language proficiency
You must demonstrate that your English language ability meets the threshold required for your course. Most applicants do this by providing a valid score from an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), such as IELTS for UKVI or a Trinity ISE qualification. However, applicants from certain countries, or those who have previously studied at a UK school or university, may be exempt from this requirement. Check directly with your institution and with the UKVI guidance to confirm whether an exemption applies to your situation.
A valid passport
You must hold a current, valid passport. Furthermore, your passport must remain valid for the duration of your course.
Parental consent (if aged 16 or 17)
If you are 16 or 17 years old, your parents or legal guardians must provide written consent confirming they agree to you living and studying in the UK.
Tuberculosis (TB) test
Applicants from certain countries must provide a certificate from an approved clinic confirming that they do not have active tuberculosis. The GOV.UK TB testing page lists the countries affected. If your country appears on this list, you must complete the test before you apply.
How to Apply: Step by Step
Understanding the sequence of the application is just as important as meeting the individual requirements. The following steps outline the process in the order you must complete them.
Step 1: Receive your unconditional offer and accept it
You must have a confirmed, unconditional offer from your university before you can begin a visa application. A conditional offer does not allow you to apply. Therefore, if you are still awaiting examination results, you must wait until your offer converts to unconditional before proceeding.
Step 2: Receive your CAS from your institution
Once you accept your unconditional offer, your university will issue your CAS reference number. This is a unique digital code shared directly between your institution and UKVI. It is not a physical document. Your CAS will contain details of your course, your tuition fees, your start date and your institution’s sponsor licence number, all of which UKVI uses to assess your application.
Step 3: Gather your documents
Before you begin your online application, collect the following documents. Having everything ready in advance prevents delays once you start the form.
- Valid passport
- CAS reference number
- Bank statements covering the 28-day financial window
- English language test certificate (if required)
- Tuberculosis test certificate (if required)
- Written parental consent (if aged 16 or 17)
- ATAS certificate, if your course involves sensitive research subjects (check the ATAS guidance on GOV.UK)
Step 4: Complete your online application
You must apply online through the official GOV.UK student visa application portal. Applications submitted through any other channel are not valid. If you are applying from outside the UK, you can submit your application up to six months before your course start date. If you are already in the UK on another visa, you can apply up to three months before your course begins.
Step 5: Pay the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge
As part of the online application, you must pay two separate fees: the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Both are explained in detail in the costs section below.
Step 6: Prove your identity
Since January 2024, the UK has moved to a fully digital eVisa system. As part of your application, you must prove your identity either through the UK Immigration: ID Check app on a smartphone, or by attending a visa application centre in your country to submit your biometric information (fingerprints and photograph). EU, EEA and Swiss nationals can generally use the app. Applicants from other countries typically attend a visa application centre.
Step 7: Wait for a decision
Processing times vary depending on where you apply from and the time of year. Standard processing takes approximately three weeks for applications made from outside the UK, and up to eight weeks for applications made from inside the UK. During peak months (June to September), processing times can be longer. Consequently, applying as early as possible is strongly advisable. You can pay an additional £500 for the Priority Service, which aims to process your application within five working days of your biometric appointment.
UK Student Visa Costs: A Full Breakdown
Understanding the full cost of a UK student visa is essential for financial planning. The fees below are correct as of March 2026, though it is important to note that visa fees are increasing from 8 April 2026.
Visa application fee
The standard student visa application fee is currently £524 for applications made from outside the UK and for applications to extend or switch to a student visa from inside the UK. From 8 April 2026, this fee will rise to £558. Therefore, if you have flexibility over your application timing, submitting before 8 April 2026 will save you £34.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
In addition to the application fee, all student visa applicants must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. This fee grants you access to the National Health Service (NHS) during your time in the UK, in the same way as a UK resident. The current IHS rate for students is £776 per year of your visa. Therefore, for a three-year undergraduate degree, the total IHS payment is £2,328. For a one-year master’s programme, it is £776.
Importantly, you must pay the full IHS amount upfront as part of your online application, not on arrival. Furthermore, errors in the amount paid, even by a few pounds, can invalidate your application and delay processing significantly. Use the UKVI IHS calculator to confirm the exact amount before you pay.
Priority and Super Priority services
If you need a faster decision, two additional services are available. The Priority Service costs an additional £500 and aims to process your application within five working days of your biometric appointment. The Super Priority Service costs an additional £1,000 and aims to deliver a decision by the end of the next working day. However, neither service guarantees a specific outcome date, and availability varies by country.
Graduate Visa fee
If you intend to apply for the Graduate Route visa after completing your degree (explained fully below), the application fee is £880, plus an IHS of £1,035 for the duration of that visa.
Total estimated cost for a three-year degree
To give you a realistic picture of the full visa cost, the table below summarises the typical total for a student studying a three-year undergraduate degree starting in September 2026.
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Student visa application fee (from April 2026) | £558 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (3 years at £776) | £2,328 |
| Graduate Visa application fee (post-graduation) | £880 |
| Graduate Visa IHS (2 years at £1,035 per year) | £2,070 |
| Total visa costs across degree and post-study period | £5,836 |
This figure does not include tuition fees, living costs or travel. However, it gives families a realistic baseline for visa-related expenditure over the full study and early career period.
Work Restrictions on a UK Student Visa
One of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of the UK student visa is what you can and cannot do in terms of employment during your studies. Understanding these rules before you arrive prevents serious immigration consequences.
What you can do
Most degree-level students at UK universities can work up to 20 hours per week during term time. Furthermore, you can work full-time during official university vacation periods, including the summer holiday, Easter vacation and Christmas break. You can also take up a work placement or internship if it forms an assessed part of your course, even if it takes you above the 20-hour weekly limit.
What you cannot do
There are two absolute restrictions that apply to all student visa holders regardless of their course level. First, you cannot work as a self-employed person or run your own business. Second, you cannot work as a professional sportsperson or coach. In addition, students on certain courses below degree level may face a more restrictive limit of ten hours per week during term time. Check your visa and your institution’s own rules carefully before taking any employment.
Consequences of working in excess of your visa conditions
Working more hours than your visa permits is a serious breach of your immigration conditions. Consequently, it can result in your visa being curtailed (cancelled early), a bar on re-entry to the UK, and in serious cases, a deportation order. Therefore, tracking your working hours carefully throughout term time is essential.
Bringing Family Members to the UK
The rules on bringing dependants (a partner or children) to the UK as a student changed significantly in January 2024, and they remain in place for 2026.
Who can bring dependants
Only students on PhD or other research-level programmes, and those who hold a UK government-sponsored scholarship that specifically permits dependants, can bring a partner or children to the UK under the student dependant visa route. As a result, undergraduate students and taught master’s students can no longer bring family members to the UK under the student route, regardless of their personal circumstances.
This is one of the most significant restrictions introduced in recent years, and it affects a substantial number of international students. Families who are affected should plan carefully and seek specialist immigration advice before applying.
What dependants can do in the UK
Dependants who are eligible to accompany a research student can work in the UK without restriction on their hours or the type of employment, unless they are prohibited from doing so by their own specific visa conditions.
After Your Degree: The Graduate Route Visa
The Graduate Route visa is one of the most attractive features of studying in the UK. It allows international students who have successfully completed an eligible UK degree to remain in the UK after graduation to work, look for work or be self-employed, without needing employer sponsorship. However, there is a critical deadline that every international student starting a course in 2026 must understand.
How long the Graduate Route lasts
Currently, bachelor’s and master’s graduates who apply for the Graduate Route on or before 31 December 2026 receive two years of post-study permission. PhD and doctoral graduates receive three years, regardless of when they apply.
However, from 1 January 2027, the Graduate Route will be reduced to 18 months for bachelor’s and master’s graduates. This means that students who begin a three-year undergraduate degree in September 2026 will complete their course in summer 2029, well after the 2027 cut-off date. Consequently, they will receive only 18 months of post-study permission rather than two years.
The only students in the 2026 intake who can benefit from the full two-year Graduate Route are those completing shorter courses (such as one-year master’s programmes) who graduate and successfully apply for their Graduate Visa before 31 December 2026.
What you can do on the Graduate Route
The Graduate Route is a highly flexible visa. You can work in any sector, at any skill level, without employer sponsorship. Moreover, you can switch jobs freely, combine employment with self-employment or voluntary work, and travel outside the UK and return during your leave period. There is no minimum salary requirement under this route. As a result, it gives graduates valuable time to explore careers, build UK work experience and find a pathway to long-term employment.
What you cannot do on the Graduate Route
The Graduate Route cannot be extended once granted. Furthermore, you cannot apply for it more than once. Time spent on the Graduate Route does not generally count towards settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain). You also cannot access most public funds or work as a professional sportsperson.
Moving from the Graduate Route to a Skilled Worker Visa
The most common next step after the Graduate Route is the Skilled Worker Visa, which requires a job offer from a UK employer that holds a sponsor licence. The current minimum salary threshold for most Skilled Worker roles is £41,700 per year. Therefore, international graduates who wish to remain in the UK long-term should begin networking and applying for sponsored roles from the early stages of their degree, not just in their final year.
The eVisa: What Has Changed Since 2024
Since January 2024, the UK has operated a fully digital eVisa system. This replaces the physical Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) that international students previously received. As a result, your immigration status now exists entirely as a digital record held by UKVI, linked to your passport.
You access your eVisa through the UKVI online service using a Government Gateway account. You share proof of your right to study or work in the UK through a digital share code rather than a physical document. Consequently, if you need to show your status to an employer, landlord or the university itself, you generate a share code online and provide it to whoever needs to verify your status.
If you have not yet created your UKVI online account and linked your eVisa to it, you should do so as soon as your visa is granted. Furthermore, if you change your passport during your studies, you must update your UKVI account immediately to ensure your eVisa remains linked to your current travel document.
Common Mistakes That Lead to Visa Refusals
Understanding the most common reasons for student visa refusals helps you avoid them. The following are the errors our team at Briggate sees most frequently.
Insufficient funds or incorrect bank statement dates. The 28-day rule is frequently misunderstood. Your funds must be present for 28 consecutive days, and the period must end within 31 days of your application date. Many applicants calculate these dates incorrectly and submit statements that fall outside the valid window.
CAS details that do not match the application. Every detail on your visa application must match exactly what appears on your CAS. Discrepancies in your name, course title, start date or fee amount are a common cause of refusal or delay.
Applying too early or too late. You can apply up to six months before your course start date if applying from outside the UK. Applying earlier than this means UKVI will reject your application without considering it. Conversely, applying too close to your start date risks delays that could prevent you from arriving in time.
Incorrect IHS payment. Even a small error in the health surcharge amount, caused by miscounting the months of your visa, can cause significant problems. Always use the official UKVI calculator to confirm the exact figure.
Missing or expired supporting documents. All supporting documents, including your English language certificate and TB test certificate where required, must be valid on the date you submit your application. An expired IELTS certificate, for example, will result in a refused application even if your score was sufficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a UK student visa cost in 2026? The standard application fee is £524, rising to £558 from 8 April 2026. In addition, you must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year of your visa. Therefore, for a three-year degree, the total visa and IHS cost at application is approximately £2,886 (using the fee from April 2026).
How long does it take to get a UK student visa? Standard processing takes approximately three weeks for applications from outside the UK. However, processing times can be longer during peak months from June to September. You can pay £500 for the Priority Service, which aims to process your application within five working days of your biometric appointment.
Can I work on a UK student visa? Yes. Most degree-level students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during official university vacations. However, you cannot work as a self-employed person or professional sportsperson under any circumstances. Working more hours than your visa permits is a serious breach of your immigration conditions.
Can I bring my family to the UK on a student visa? Since January 2024, only PhD and research-level students, and those on government-sponsored scholarships that permit dependants, can bring a partner or children to the UK. Undergraduate and taught master’s students cannot bring dependants under the student route.
What is the Graduate Route visa? The Graduate Route allows eligible international graduates to remain in the UK after completing their degree to work without employer sponsorship. Bachelor’s and master’s graduates currently receive two years of permission if their Graduate Visa is granted on or before 31 December 2026. From 1 January 2027, this reduces to 18 months. PhD graduates receive three years, regardless of application date.
What happens if my student visa application is refused? A refusal is not the end of the road, but it does require careful management. You can reapply with a new CAS and corrected application. However, if you miss your course start date as a result of a refusal, you must discuss deferral with your university. In addition, a refusal on the basis of deception or misrepresentation can result in a multi-year ban on re-entry to the UK. Therefore, getting your application right first time is essential.
Do EU students need a UK student visa? Yes. Since the UK’s departure from the EU, EU, EEA and Swiss nationals require the same student visa as students from all other countries. However, EU students can use the UK Immigration: ID Check app to complete the identity stage of their application rather than attending a visa application centre in person.
How Briggate Can Help
Navigating the UK student visa process alongside your university applications, admissions tests and personal statement is a significant undertaking. Furthermore, the consequences of errors in a visa application, from delays to outright refusals, can jeopardise a place that took years of work to secure.
At Briggate, we support international students through every stage of the process. We help students select the right universities, build strong applications, and prepare for every practical step of relocating to the UK. In addition, our specialist student security service, operated by former UK police detectives, ensures that students and their families feel safe and supported from the moment they arrive.
Book a free initial consultation with a Briggate educational consultant today.
This article was written by the Briggate Educational Consultants team. Visa fees, financial requirements and immigration rules are correct as of March 2026. Immigration rules change frequently; always verify current requirements on the official GOV.UK student visa page before applying.
