UK Student Visa: Requirements, Cost, and Application Process for International Students and Canadians (2025/2026)

• Explains the UK Student Visa, eligibility, requirements, proof of funds, CAS, and essential documents. 

• How to apply, when to apply, applying from Canada, visa fees, processing time, and new rules for 2025/2026. 

• Includes visa types, post-study options, tips to avoid rejection, what to do after getting the visa, support details. 

Most international students begin their UK journey with the same document: the Student Visa. It is the permission that turns an offer letter into something real. Once granted, it lets you stay for the length of your course, live in the country as a student, and take part in the everyday things that make up a temporary life abroad. You can rent a place to stay, register with a local doctor, open a bank account, and work within the limits of your visa conditions. 

The rules behind the visa are exact and publicly defined by the UK Government. To qualify, you need an offer from a licensed Student sponsor and a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), the official electronic record your institution assigns to you. Both requirements are outlined in the UK Government’s guidance for Student visas (gov.uk/student-visa). Your course length, your work rights, and even the date your permission ends all depend upon what appears on your CAS. 

You can apply online through the UK’s immigration system, usually from outside the country, and you can begin your application up to six months before your course starts, as stated in the government’s application timing rule. 

For Canadians, this is the standard route into full time study at universities and colleges across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is also the same route that later leads to the Graduate Route for those who want to stay and work after completing their studies. 

Eligibility

This is less about nationality and more about preparation. To apply, you must: 

• Hold an unconditional offer from a licensed university or college 

• Receive a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from that institution 

• Show proof of sufficient funds to cover tuition and living costs 

• Meet English language requirements, typically through an approved test such as IELTS for UKVI Academic 

• Have consent from a parent or guardian if you’re under 18 

Students from Canada are treated as standard international applicants. The process is nearly identical, though Canadian citizens are exempt from tuberculosis testing. For more background on what studying in the UK involves (i.e., courses, lifestyle, and intakes), see Study in the UK for Canadian and International Students. 

The UK asks for some things before it lets you begin your course. You must show what you will study, how you will understand the lessons, and whether you can support yourself while living far from home. These are practical questions, shaped into formal criteria in the UK Government’s Student visa guidance. 

Academic and English Language Requirements

Everything begins with an unconditional offer from a licensed Student sponsor. When your university assigns your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), it is essentially telling the UK that you belong in that classroom. Your CAS lists the course, start date, level of study, and fee amount. 

For language requirements, most students are asked to show evidence that they can follow the course material in English. Universities often accept IELTS Academic or IELTS for UKVI as proof of this, and the differences between the tests are outlined by IDP’s IELTS guide. This is simply the country’s way of making sure you do not arrive only to struggle through every paragraph and seminar.

Financial Requirements

This requirement is exact. You must show: 

• Your first year of tuition, as listed on your CAS 

• Living costs set by the UK Government as: 

  • £1,334 per month for up to nine months if you study in London 

  • £1,023 per month for up to nine months if you study outside London 

Source: UK Government Student visa financial rules (gov.uk/student-visa)  

These funds must sit in your account for 28 consecutive days. The final day of that period must fall within 31 days of your application. 

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

The CAS is the thread that ties the entire application together. It is issued electronically by your institution and confirms that your course and sponsorship meet UK immigration rules. Without it, there is no application at all. If you’re still choosing your program, have a look at our UK universities and application guide.

Applying for a UK Student visa is a structured process. You gather your documents, complete the online form, provide biometrics, and wait for the decision. Universities often say the same thing: take it one piece at a time. 

Below is the full process, based on UK Government guidance.

Step 1: Accept your offer and receive your CAS 

Your university issues a CAS after you accept your offer and meet all academic conditions. 

A CAS includes: 

• your personal details 

• course name, level, and start/end dates 

• tuition fees and any payments already made 

• your university’s sponsor licence number 

• whether you need ATAS clearance 

• the English evidence your university used to assess you  

A CAS can only be used once, applies to a single course, and cannot be edited after submission except by the university itself. If anything on it is incorrect, you must ask your university to reissue it before applying. 

Source: UKVI CAS rules

Step 2: Prepare your documents 

Here are the documents you need to have ready: 

• Passport (must be valid for the entire application period) 

• CAS number 

• Proof of English (IELTS for UKVI, PTE UKVI, or other SELT if required) 

• Proof of funds that satisfy the financial requirement 

• Official translations for any non-English documents 

You’ll also need financial evidence accepted by UKVI. You can show funds using: 

• Personal bank account statements 

• Parent’s bank account statements, plus: 

  • your birth certificate 

  • a signed letter of permission 
     

• Student loan letters, which must: 

  • come from a government or regulated loan provider 

  • state that the loan is available to you 

  • confirm release of funds 
     

• Official financial sponsorship letters, which must: 

  • be on headed paper 

  • include sponsor contact information 

  • clearly state what costs are covered 

Funds must meet all of the following rules: 

• Held for 28 consecutive days 

• The final day of the 28-day period must be within 31 days of your application 

• Funds must be in cash (no cryptocurrency, stocks, pension funds, wealth, or fixed assets) 

• Joint accounts are acceptable only if your name is on the account 
   

Source: https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/money

Step 3: Apply online

Once the folder’s ready, go to the official UK Government Student Visa application page and apply. 

The form asks for: 

• your personal details 

• your travel history 

• your CAS number 

• information about your finances 

• any previous visas 

It typically takes 45 to 90 minutes to fill out. Students can save partway through and return once they’ve double-checked their documents.

Step 4: Pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) 

At the end of the online form, you pay: 

• £490 for the visa application fee 

• the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is: 

  • £1,035 per year of your course 
    Example of totals: 

  • 3-year undergraduate: £3,105 

  • 1-year master’s: £1,035 

  • 4-year PhD: £4,140 (IHS amounts are from UK Government IHS guidance) 

You pay these fees online during the form submission.

Step 5: Book and attend your biometrics appointment

Most applicants outside the UK must book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to provide: 

• fingerprints 

• a digital photograph 

• your passport (which will be kept temporarily) 

Booking is done through the partner organization, depending on your country. 

If you qualify for the UK Immigration: ID Check app, you can use your phone instead of visiting a centre, but this option depends on your passport type.

Step 6: Upload your supporting documents

At this stage, you upload your documents directly through the UKVI portal or during your VAC appointment. Documents must be clear scans with readable dates, logos, and account balances. 

If your funds are in a parent’s account, the letter of consent must: 

• include their full name (s) 

• confirm the funds are available to you 

• be signed and dated

Step 7: Wait for a decision

Standard processing time is around 3 weeks for applications made outside the UK, according to UK Government processing times guidance. In many locations, you can pay extra for faster processing: 

• Priority service: usually 5 working days 

• Super priority: next working day availability  

Both depend on VAC capacity. You may wait longer if: 

• your documents need extra verification 

• you submitted something incomplete 

• UKVI is experiencing high volume 

• UKVI needs to verify bank documents 

• funds do not meet the 28-day rule 

• CAS inconsistencies 

• criminality or identity checks 

The decision arrives by email. If you used a VAC, your passport will be returned with an entry vignette. If you applied using the ID Check app, your status will appear digitally in your UK Visas and Immigration account. 

Step 8: Travel to the UK 

Once approved, you can travel up to one month before your course begins (or earlier if your CAS allows it). 
Your decision letter will explain: 

• how to enter the UK 

• how to collect your BRP (if applicable) 

• how to access your digital status if you were issued an eVisa 

Students usually save that letter in both print and digital form since border officers may ask to see it. 

Applying from Canada

For Canadians, the process is straightforward. You apply online, pay the same fees, and book your biometrics at a local UK visa centre. No tuberculosis test, no special exemptions, no separate forms. The waiting period, about three weeks, remains the same. 

For more on studying and living in the UK as a Canadian student, visit our Study in the UK for Canadian and International Students page.

Here’s what you’ll need before you submit your application: 

• Valid passport or travel document. Check the expiry date; it should last the full length of your stay. 

• Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your university. Without it, the process stops before it begins. 

• Proof of funds that meet the financial requirement. Bank statements or sponsor letters must show the right balance held for the right number of days. 

• Evidence of English language ability, such as your IELTS for UKVI Academic test results. 

• Academic documents: transcripts, certificates, or other records your school used to issue the CAS. 

• ATAS certificate (only if your course or nationality requires one). 

• Parental or guardian consent if you’re under 18. 

• Translations for any non-English documents. 

• Sponsor consent if someone has financially supported you within the past year. 

Once everything is gathered, make digital copies. You’ll upload them during the online application and bring the originals to your biometrics appointment. 

Keep the folder neat. Once approved, your documents will be returned with instructions on collecting your visa or accessing your eVisa. That’s when you can start booking flights.

If you have been planning a move to the UK, one of the first details you eventually worry about is how long the visa will take and what it will cost you to reach the starting line. The UK’s system is steady and driven by rules. When your documents are clean and your timing is reasonable, the process unfolds without much drama. But it helps to understand the numbers before you submit anything. 

Below is what students can realistically expect, based on guidance from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and the official visa fee tables.

Typical Processing Duration 

For applications submitted from outside the UK, Student visas usually take about 3 weeks to process once your application is considered complete. 

A few points shape that timeline: 

• Processing doesn’t begin when you hit “submit.” 
  UKVI starts the clock only after you either: 
  • verify your identity through the UK Immigration: ID Check app, or 
  • attend your VFS Global biometrics appointment in Canada. 

• Three weeks is a standard window, not a guarantee. 
  Late summer and early autumn, when global demand peaks, can stretch that timeline. 

• If UKVI needs more evidence, they will contact you. 
  As long as your application is still within the published timeframe, they won’t provide status updates. 

When a decision is made, you’ll receive an email. For 2025–2026 applicants, that email matters more than ever, because the UK is moving toward digital immigration status. 

eVisa Rollout for International Students (2025–2026)

The UK is gradually replacing physical visa stickers with eVisas: secure, digital records of your immigration status accessed through a UKVI account. 

What students need to know: 

• Since 15 July 2025, some successful work and study visa applicants already receive an eVisa instead of a vignette. 

• From 30 October 2025, certain successful applicants on work, study, and family routes may no longer receive a physical vignette at all. Instead, you will view your immigration permission through your online UKVI account before traveling. 

• From early 2026, many applicants will receive both a vignette and an eVisa as part of a transition period. 

• Later in 2026, vignette stickers will be phased out entirely. 

• From 11 November 2025, UKVI will begin emailing some successful applicants (those who initially received only a vignette) with instructions to activate their eVisa. If you do not receive an email, you do not need to take any action. 

Having an eVisa does not change your immigration conditions. You may still need to provide biometrics in person, even if your final status is digital. 

UK Student Visa Cost

Studying in the UK involves two mandatory fees: the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). 

1. Visa Application Fee 

• £490 

2. Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) 

The IHS gives you access to the National Health Service during your studies. It is £1,035 per year, charged upfront for the full length of your course. 

Typical totals: 

• Nine-month master’s degree: £776 

• Three-year undergraduate degree: £2,716 

• Four-year PhD: £3,492 

3. Optional Priority Services 

Availability varies by country and season: 

• Priority (5-day decision): + £500 

• Super Priority (next-day decision): + £1,000 

Factors That Affect Processing Times 

Several issues can slow down an application: 

• Missing or unclear documents: UKVI may delay or refuse applications where bank statements are incomplete, illegible, missing pages, or not formatted according to the Standard Financial Requirements. 

• Verification checks: Bank letters, sponsorship documents, academic records, and financial statements may need to be verified, which adds time. 

• Seasonal peaks: Processing slows during late summer and early autumn when global demand surges. 

• Credibility interviews: If selected for an interview, your application will pause until you complete it and UKVI reviews the recording. 

• Technical or system delays: UKVI occasionally reports outages or small backlogs that affect turnaround times.

Important Considerations

• These timelines and costs apply to the standard Student visa. Other routes, like the Short-term Study visa, follow different rules. 

• Canadian applicants are exempt from tuberculosis (TB) testing. 

• All Canadian biometrics are handled through VFS Global, not the British Embassy. 

• Students switching to an eVisa in 2025–2026 must follow the instructions in their UKVI decision email carefully.

For the 2025–2026 intake, here’s what’s changing. 

• Graduate Route: From 1 January 2027, the post-study work period shortens from two years to 18 months for most graduates. PhD holders keep their three-year allowance. (UK Parliament Briefing) 

• University sponsorship: The Home Office is tightening its checks on institutions to make sure they’re meeting compliance standards. 

• Dependants: Expect more scrutiny of who qualifies to accompany or join students in the UK. 

Different visas fit different kinds of study. Some are for short courses; others let you build a life that lasts years. The right one depends on how long you’ll stay, what you’ll study, and whether anyone’s coming with you. Below are the visa types to consider.

For most, the Student Visa covers everything. The others exist for short courses, younger students, or those hoping to stay a little longer. 

The Graduate Route visa lets you stay on after finishing your degree at a licensed university. It gives you time to work, explore options, or simply see the country beyond campus life. 

• Length of stay: up to two years for most graduates, or three years if you’ve completed a PhD. 

• Work rights: you can work full-time, change employers, or look for a job without sponsorship. 

• Application location: you must apply from within the UK before your current visa expires. 

• Cost: Cost: £880 plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year. (gov.uk) 

From 1 January 2027, the stay period will shorten to 18 months for most graduates, while PhD holders will keep three years. (UK Parliament Briefing) 

It’s a visa built for transition and gives you space to decide what comes next. When it ends, you can apply for a Skilled Worker visa or another route if you’ve found your place. 

iming matters. Apply too early, and your documents might expire before you travel. Too late, and you risk cutting it close to your start date. The UK’s system is predictable once you know the pattern. 

Ideal Time to Start Your Application

Most students begin their visa application three to four months before their course starts. That gives time for any delays, especially if you need to update documents or attend a biometric appointment. Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) can only be issued up to six months before your program begins, so that’s the earliest point you can start preparing.

How Early You Can Apply Before Your Course Starts

You can apply for your UK Student visa up to six months before your course start date if applying from outside the UK. If you’re already in the UK and switching from another visa, you can apply up to three months before your new course begins. Visa decisions for applications made outside the UK usually arrive within three weeks, but it’s wise to plan for longer during busy seasons. 

Note: you can enter the UK up to one month before your course begins (if your course lasts six months or more). It’s just enough time to settle in and find your bearings before term officially starts. 

Most UK Student visa refusals come down to the same issues: unclear financial evidence, errors on the CAS, documents that do not meet UKVI standards, or applications submitted too close to travel dates. The rules are strict, but they are predictable. If you prepare carefully, you can avoid the problems that cause most refusals. 

1. Meet the financial requirements exactly as UKVI defines them 

The UK Government is precise about what counts as acceptable financial evidence. To avoid refusal: 

• Make sure your funds meet the 28-day rule with no dips in balance 

• Ensure the closing balance date is within 31 days of your visa application 

• Use only cash funds (no stocks, cryptocurrency, or fixed deposits) 

• If using a parent’s account, include your birth certificate and their signed consent letter 

• Double check that bank statements show: 

• your name 

• the account number 

• the financial institution’s name and logo 

• all transaction dates 

• the balance for every day of the 28-day period 

Most refusals happen because one of these details is missing, even by accident. 
 Source: https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/money 

2. Check your CAS for accuracy before you apply 

A CAS cannot be corrected after you submit your application. You must verify: 

• your name and date of birth 

• your course title and dates 

• the tuition fee amount 

• how much you have already paid 

• whether your university marked your English evidence correctly 

• whether ATAS is required 

Even a minor error (for example, incorrect fee totals) can cause refusal. Source: UKVI CAS guidance 
  

3. Use the correct Secure English Language Test (SELT) 

Only approved SELT providers count for visa purposes. IELTS Academic (non-UKVI) is accepted for admissions at many universities, but not for the visa unless the test type specifically states IELTS for UKVI. Avoid refusal by checking: 

• your test is listed as a Secure English Language Test (SELT) 

• your scores meet the CEFR level required (B2 for degree level, B1 for below) 

• your test certificate is valid and shows your full name 

Source: Approved SELTs

4. Upload clear, complete documents 

Visa officers often refuse applications because documents are: 

• blurry 

• partially cut off 

• missing a page 

• not translated properly 

• uploaded in the wrong category 

Before uploading, check each file for legibility. If your documents are translated, the translation must include: 

• the translator’s details 

• certification that it is accurate 

• the date 

• the translator’s signature 
   

5. Be honest and consistent on the application form 

UKVI routinely checks for inconsistencies. Small errors can look like misrepresentation if they contradict the CAS or your documents. Double check the sections that commonly cause issues: 

• travel history 

• funding sources 

• prior visa refusals for any country 

• tuberculosis test exemption (Canada does not require it, but some applicants accidentally select “yes”) 

If the form contradicts your CAS, UKVI may refuse the application. 

6. Apply early enough to allow for checks or additional requests 

Standard processing takes around 3 weeks, but UKVI may contact you for: 

• additional financial evidence 

• verification of bank documents 

• an interview (credibility interview) 

• clarification around past immigration history 

Last-minute applications leave no room to respond to these requests. Applying six to eight weeks before your intended travel date is the safest window. 

7. Prepare for a credibility interview (if selected) 

Not every student is interviewed, but it does happen. UKVI may ask about: 

• your course choice 

• your university 

• your career plans 

• how you will fund your studies 

They want to confirm that you are a genuine student. Be straightforward and consistent with your CAS and application. 

8. Keep copies of everything you submit 

Sometimes the visa officer will refer to earlier documents or request clarification. Having copies helps you respond quickly and clearly. 

The approval notice looks ordinary, a short email, a few lines of text, but it changes everything. After weeks of waiting, your plans can finally move. Flights to book, bags to pack, a new routine waiting across the ocean. 

Biometric Residence Permits (BRP)

Biometric residence permits (BRPs) are cards that were used to prove immigration status. You might have a BRP if you were granted permission to live or work in the UK on or before 31 October 2024. However, all BRPs have now expired and have been replaced by eVisas—a digital record of your identity and immigration status. Find out more here.

Entering the UK for the First Time 

When you arrive, your passport and visa details will be checked and you may be asked a brief question about your course or where you’ll be staying. It’s a simple process, similar every time you enter the UK, though officers often look a little more closely on that first arrival.

What to Carry with You at Immigration 

Border officers don’t ask for much, but they expect you to have the essentials within reach. The UK’s own arrival guidance notes that you may be asked for documents that support the purpose of your travel and your ability to study in the country (UK Border Force). Universities and student advisers repeat the same advice: keep the important papers in your hand luggage, not buried in a checked bag. Here’s what most students carry for a smooth arrival: 

• Passport and visa documents (entry vignette or eVisa status) 

• CAS letter and your university offer 

• Proof of funds, such as recent bank statements, in case an officer asks to see them 

• The address where you’ll be staying 

• A printed copy of your visa decision email 

You may not be asked for everything, but having it close makes the first few minutes in the UK easier.  

IDP has decades of global experience supporting students through the UK student visa process, and our counsellors provide free, personalized guidance at every step. The UK Student Visa has a lot of moving parts, and each one has its own rules, such as financial evidence, timelines, English tests, and document formats. An IDP counsellor can help you navigate all of it:

Our counselling is free, and you can meet with us in person or online. Book a free counselling session.

How much money is required for a UK student visa in 2025? 

You’ll need enough to cover your first year of tuition, plus living expenses for up to nine months. The Home Office sets the minimum at £1,483 per month if you study in London, and £1,136 per month if you study outside London. 

The money must stay in your account for at least 28 days before you apply. Think of it less as a number and more as proof that you can stand on your own once you arrive. 

How long does it take to get a UK student visa from Canada? 

Most applications made from Canada receive a decision in about three weeks, which is the UK’s current standard processing time for Student visas. Applications can take longer if documents need to be verified, if any information is unclear, or if you’re asked for additional evidence, like proof of funds. Seasonal surges also slow things down, especially in late summer.  

Can I work while studying in the UK on a student visa? 

Many students can work, but the permission depends on the type of institution sponsoring your visa. Your exact work rights are shown in your eVisa record, and those details always take priority (Source: UKCISA – Student Work Guidance). If your university or college is a student sponsor with a track record, most full-time degree students can: 

• work up to 20 hours per week during term time, and 

• work full time outside term time, including vacations and the period before and after your course. 
   

Some students have a 10-hour weekly limit, and a smaller group has no work permission at all, so it’s essential to check the wording on your immigration documents. A “week” means any Monday–Sunday period. You’re responsible for making sure your combined hours from all jobs stay within the limit, something to keep an eye on if you work irregular shifts or have more than one employer. 

Work placements included in your course usually don’t count toward your weekly limit, even if you otherwise have no permission to work. Term dates vary by institution, so check your university’s calendar or ask your academic department, especially if you're a research student with a less traditional schedule. 

Students can take on most kinds of paid work, on or off campus. Employers may ask for your term dates and confirmation of your visa conditions; both are normal. As long as you stay within your permitted hours and keep up with your studies, part-time work can be a good way to earn money, meet people, and understand how life in the UK works outside the classroom. 

Can my family come with me on a student visa? 

Some families can join you, but the rules are specific. According to the UK Government’s Student Visa guidance, your partner or children may apply as dependents only if your course and funding meet certain criteria. You can bring dependants if you are: 

• a government-sponsored student on a course lasting more than 6 months, or 

• a full-time postgraduate student on a course at RQF Level 7 or above that lasts 9 months or longer 

For postgraduate courses starting on or after 1 January 2024, dependants are allowed only if the course is: 

• a PhD or doctorate (RQF Level 8), or 

• a research-based higher degree 

Your partner can be: 

• a husband, wife, or civil partner 

• an unmarried partner in a long-term relationship 
   

Your children must be under 18, not married, and normally living with you. You’ll need documents to show these relationships: marriage certificates, birth certificates, or official letters confirming address. Each dependant needs to show they can support themselves financially. The required amounts are: 

• £845 per month (up to 9 months) if you study in London 

• £680 per month (up to 9 months) outside London 

This is in addition to the funds you must show for yourself. The money must stay in the account for 28 consecutive days before they apply. If your family has already lived in the UK for 12 months on a valid visa, they may not need to show financial evidence again. Dependants apply online, using your application number (GWF or UAN). If approved, their visas will end on the same day as yours. 

What happens after my studies end? 

When you finish your course, your Student Visa doesn’t end on the same day. The UK adds a short post-study period to give you time to wrap things up or plan your next step. The length of this period depends on your course duration, as set out by UK immigration rules (Source: University of Cambridge – Student Visa Responsibilities, 2025): 

• Courses 12 months or longer: an extra 4 months 

• Courses between 6 and 12 months: an extra 2 months 

• Pre-sessional courses: 1 month 

• Courses under 6 months: 7 days 

This additional time is built into the expiry date printed on your visa or eVisa record. You’re expected to leave the UK on or before that date unless you apply for new immigration permission. Most students use this window to consider the Graduate Route visa, which allows up to 2 years of post-study work (or 3 years for PhD holders). 

If you complete your course earlier than expected, your visa may be shortened (“curtailed”) to match the standard post-study period. Universities are required to report early completion, and the Home Office adjusts your visa accordingly. 

During this post-study period, you’re generally allowed to work full-time within the permitted restrictions. It’s a practical stretch of time: enough to finish exams, attend end-of-course events, and decide whether to stay under a new visa or return home.