Student Visa

Study, Learn and Experience the UK



The Student Visa is the main route for international students who are 16 or older and want to study in the United Kingdom on a full-time course at a further or higher education provider. It replaced the old Tier 4 visa and is designed to support your academic journey while allowing limited work rights and opportunities to develop skills for the future.

 

What is a Student Visa?

The Student Visa allows you to live in the UK during your course and, subject to conditions, work part-time during term and full-time during vacations. To qualify you must have an offer from a licensed UK education provider and a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies

 

What You Can Do on a Student Visa

  • Study in the UK: You can pursue full-time courses leading to qualifications at various levels, from further education to postgraduate degrees.
  • Work part-time during term time (limits apply, usually up to 20 hours/week).
  • Work full-time during official vacation periods if you are on a degree-level course.
  • Work as a student union sabbatical officer.
  • Volunteer or do unpaid work (counts towards work hour limits).
  • Bring Dependants: You may be able to bring your spouse/partner and children to the UK if you are on a government-sponsored course longer than 6 months or a full-time postgraduate course (RQF level 7+) of 9 months or more.

Important: You cannot claim public funds, be self-employed, or work in certain restricted professions (e.g., professional sportsperson or coach) on a Student Visa.

 

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for a Student Visa you must meet all of the following:

1. Age:

You must be 16 or older at the time of application. If you are 16 or 17 years old when applying for a Student Visa, you must have written consent from your parent(s) or legal guardian(s), and provide evidence of this in your visa application.

2. Course and Provider:

You must have an unconditional offer on a full-time course from a licensed UK education provider and a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

3. English Language:

You must meet minimum English language requirements specified by your course level and provider (e.g., IELTS or equivalent).

4. A valid ATAS certificate if your course and nationality require it:

If you are applying for a Student Visa for certain postgraduate courses in science, engineering, technology, medicine or other sensitive subjects, you may need to obtain a valid Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before you apply. Your ATAS certificate must be approved and valid at the time you submit your visa application, otherwise your Student Visa application may be refused.

5. Evidence of Funds:

You must show that you have sufficient funds to pay course fees and support yourself during your stay (the exact amount depends on your situation and location). If you've been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months, you do not need to prove you have this money for your visa application.

6. TB Test:

If required based on your country of residence, you must provide evidence of a tuberculosis test.

 

Courses You Can Study

You can study:

  • A full-time course leading to a qualification that's below degree level (RQF level 3, 4 or 5), where you study for at least 15 hours per week of organised daytime study.
  • A full-time course leading to a qualification that's degree level or above (RQF level 6, 7 or 8).
  • A full-time course at degree level or above (RQF level 6, 7 or 8) that's equivalent to a UK higher education course and is being delivered overseas as part of a longer programme.
  • A part-time course leading to a qualification that's above degree level (RQF level 7 or above).
  • An English language course at CEFR Level B2 or above.
  • A full-time elected position as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer; you can apply for this visa if you are taking up that role.
  • You may also need a valid ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) certificate if your course involves certain sensitive postgraduate study or research at RQF level 7 or above.

 

Application Process

Step 1: Prepare Your CAS and Documents

Obtain a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your licensed education provider and gather supporting documentation, including passport, financial evidence, English language proof and ATAS certificate if required.

Step 2: Submit Online Application

Apply for your Student Visa via the UK government website.

Step 3: Pay Fees & IHS

Pay the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of your online submission.

Step 4: Provide Biometrics / ID Check

Attend a biometric appointment at a visa application centre or use the UK Immigration ID Check app, where available.

Step 5: Await Decision

Applications from outside the UK are usually decided within 3 weeks.

Applications from inside the UK (e.g., for extensions) are usually decided within 8 weeks.

 

How Long You Can Stay

Your visa is usually granted for the length of your course plus a short period after completion. The exact duration depends on your course level and whether you are extending/switching within the UK.

 

Extending, Switching and Post-Study Work Options

After successfully completing your course, you may be eligible to apply for a Graduate Visa, which allows you to stay in the UK to work or look for work without needing employer sponsorship. This is a popular option for international students who wish to gain professional experience in the UK after graduation.


Under current rules:

  • If you apply for the Graduate Visa on or before 31 December 2026, you can stay in the UK for up to 2 years after completing your course.
  • If you apply on or after 1 January 2027, your stay will normally be up to 18 months (for bachelor's, master's and similar qualifications).
  • If you completed a PhD or other doctoral qualification, you can stay for up to 3 years under the Graduate Visa, regardless of when you apply.


You must apply for the Graduate Visa from within the UK before your Student Visa expires, and you will need to pay the relevant visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge as part of your application.

In addition to the Graduate Visa, you can also extend your stay by switching to another eligible visa category, such as a Skilled Worker Visa, Scale-up Worker Visa, High Potential Individual Visa, or other routes, provided you meet their respective requirements. Switching must be done from within the UK and before your current permission expires.

 

Visa Fees & Costs

  • Visa application fee: £524 for the main applicant, whether applying from outside the UK or extending/switching inside the UK.
  • Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): As part of your Student Visa application you must pay the NHS Immigration Health Surcharge. For students and their dependants, this is typically £776 per year of the visa (with £388 charged for any part-year less than 12 months), calculated across the full duration of your stay..
  • You must pay the visa fee for each dependant who joins you.

 

Speak to LNvisa

Every Student Visa application is assessed on its own facts.

Small details around course eligibility, CAS issuance, financial evidence, ATAS requirements, parental consent (for 16 to 17 year olds), and application timing can have a significant impact on the outcome.

LNvisa provides tailored immigration advice to international students, taking into account academic background, sponsor requirements, current immigration status and long-term study and work plans in the UK.

If you would like guidance on a Student Visa application, extension or switching to another visa route after your studies, our team would be happy to assist.