A UK Student visa requires a licensed sponsor's CAS and the applicable course, English and financial conditions. A dated maintenance-funds increase is scheduled for 30 November 2026.
Route overview
Typical timeline / duration: Length depends on course and previous study; extension/switching possible if eligible.
Important notes
Be aged 16+, have an offer from a licensed student sponsor and a CAS, meet English requirements, and provide parental consent if under 18.
Unless a substantive financial exemption applies, hold the required funds for 28 consecutive days ending within 31 days before applying, or use qualifying loan/official sponsorship evidence. Tuition, maintenance and the immigration health surcharge are separate costs.
Choose the maintenance rate by application date: before 30 November 2026, London £1,529/month and elsewhere £1,171; from that date, London £1,570/month and elsewhere £1,203. Multiply by the course months, capped at nine, and add outstanding tuition; separate exceptions apply.
Current for applications before 30 November 2026: maintenance is £1,529 per month in London or £1,171 outside London, for up to nine months, plus outstanding course fees. Nine-month maintenance alone is £13,761 or £10,539.
Scheduled for applications on or after 30 November 2026 under HC 584: maintenance rises to £1,570 per month in London or £1,203 outside London, up to nine months. Nine-month maintenance alone becomes £14,130 or £10,827; tuition remains additional. Earlier applications retain the earlier rules.
Chinese nationals applying from their country of residence or within the UK can qualify for differential evidence under ST 22.1: financial evidence need not accompany the initial application, but may be requested. The underlying funds requirement still applies unless a separate exemption applies.
The 8 October 2026 fee table lists the standard Student application fee at £558 inside or outside the UK, with no increase on that date. The health surcharge and optional services are separate.
Work rights depend on course, sponsor and visa conditions; a Student visa is not unrestricted permission to work.
Preparation checklist
Confirm admission, CAS, course and English evidence, and parental consent if under 18.
Choose the current or scheduled maintenance rate by the visa application submission date—not the course start or decision date.
Budget outstanding tuition and the required study-month maintenance separately from the visa fee and health surcharge; prepare qualifying funding evidence.
Check whether you qualify for differential evidence or a substantive exemption. Keep funds and supporting records ready for any request even where initial submission is simplified.
Check your course-specific work rights and any dependant eligibility before making commitments.