UK Student Visa 2027: Cost, Documents and Steps

Who Can Apply for a UK Student Visa

You can generally apply for a Student visa if you are 16 or over, have an offer from a licensed student sponsor, can show you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course, and can demonstrate your English ability. If you are 16 or 17, you also need parental consent with evidence, or you may qualify for a Child Student visa instead. Receiving an offer from a university does not guarantee a visa, because the Home Office makes a separate decision on your application. Your course provider will issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), which you need to apply.

Student Visa Cost and the Healthcare Surcharge

The Student visa application fee is currently £558, whether you apply from outside the UK or extend or switch from inside the UK. Each partner or child who joins you must also pay the visa fee. You will also have to pay a healthcare surcharge, whose amount depends on how long your visa lasts. Confirm the current fee and surcharge on the official pages before you pay, because both can change.

Money You Need to Show for Living Costs

You must show that you can pay for your course and cover your living costs. The living-costs requirement is currently £1,529 per month if you will study in London, which means the City of London and the 32 London boroughs, and £1,171 per month elsewhere. The requirement applies for up to nine months. You must hold the funds for 28 days in a row, and that 28-day period must end within 31 days of your application date. The exact amount that applies to you depends on your circumstances, so use the official money page to calculate it.

Documents to Prepare Before You Apply

You must provide a current passport or other valid travel document and your CAS. Depending on your circumstances, you may also need proof of funds, a tuberculosis (TB) test result, an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate, or written consent from a financial sponsor who paid your fees and living costs in the last 12 months. Applicants under 18 need parental or guardian consent and proof of their relationship. Check the full document list on the official page, because requirements vary by nationality, course level, and age.

Steps to Apply, Timing, and Staying After Your Course

First, accept your offer and receive your CAS from the university. Next, check the money you need, take an English test or other accepted proof if required, and complete the online application. You can apply up to six months before your course starts if you are outside the UK, and decisions usually take about three weeks. A degree-level student aged 18 or over can usually stay up to five years, while courses below degree level allow up to two years. Do not travel before the start date shown on your visa.

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