United Kingdom•Europe

Open

Student Visa

Study Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

2 weeks – 2 months

Varies by processing route

Estimated Cost

£1,334 GBP

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

Up to 5 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information

Living in United Kingdom

Cost of Living

2% cheaper than United States

Avg Salary£31,200

Quality of Life

176/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Full-time study at a licensed Student sponsor institution with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

The UK Student Visa lets non-UK nationals aged 16 or over study full-time at a licensed UK institution. Applicants need an unconditional offer, a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference, English proficiency at B1 CEFR or above, and proof of sufficient funds for fees and living costs.

Fee is £558 plus £776/year healthcare surcharge. Degree-level students aged 18+ may stay up to 5 years; below-degree up to 2 years. Renewable — completers can switch to the Graduate Visa (2 years post-study work, 3 for PhD). Dependants may join government-sponsored or postgraduate research students on 9+ month courses.

This visa is ideal for international students aged 16 or over with a place at a UK-licensed institution who want a renewable study route with post-study work options.

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Cost Breakdown

Student Visa fee£558 GBP

Immigration Health Surcharge£776 GBP

Dependant visa fee (per person)£558 GBP

optional · per person

Total£1,334 GBP

Processing Time

Outside UK	2–3 weeks
Inside UK	1–2 months

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

United Kingdom

Graduate Visa

Validity2 years

Processing1 day – 2 months

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Skilled Worker Visa

Validity5 years per grant (renewable indefinitely)

Processing5 days – 2 months

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Global Talent Visa

Validity5 years

Processing5 days – 2 months

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Innovator Founder Visa

Validity3 years

Processing2 weeks – 2 months

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Spouse/Partner Visa

Validity33 months

Processing2 months – 1 year

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Scale-up Visa

Validity2 years

Processing2 weeks – 2 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be 16 or older

Unconditional offer from a licensed student sponsor

Sufficient funds to cover course fees and living costs

English language proficiency

Parental consent if under 18

KEY CRITERIA

Education

high_school or higher

Min. Savings

10,539 EUR

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Current passport or other valid travel documentation.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider.

Proof of sufficient funds (bank statements, loan letters, or scholarship evidence).

Proof of English language proficiency (e.g., test results).

ATAS certificate (if required for specific STEM subjects).

Tuberculosis (TB) test results (if applicable).

Parental/guardian consent (if under 18).

Academic qualifications and transcripts.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Limited part-time work permitted during studies
Can work as a student union sabbatical officer
Can extend to continue at a higher academic level
Qualifying to switch to Graduate Visa upon completion (2 years, or 3 years for PhD holders)
Dependants may accompany government-sponsored students or postgraduate (level 7+) students
Can switch from most other UK visa types

Worth Knowing

Self-employment and running a business are prohibited
Professional sports work is prohibited
Cannot access public funds
Cannot study at a state-funded school
Financial requirements: £1,529/month in London or £1,171/month outside London (up to 9 months)
Dependant living costs: £845/month (London), £680/month (outside London)
Dependants only permitted for government-sponsored students or postgraduate level 7+ courses of 9+ months

Application Process

Receive unconditional offer from a UK licensed student sponsor (obtain CAS reference)

Apply online up to 6 months before course start (outside UK) or 3 months (inside UK)

Pay visa fee (£558) and Immigration Health Surcharge

Provide biometric information at a visa application centre

Submit supporting documents

Await decision (~3 weeks outside UK, ~8 weeks inside UK)

Verified Claims (22)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps

Receive unconditional offer from a UK licensed student sponsor (obtain CAS reference); Apply online …

gov.uk

Dependent Visa

Dependent (if government-sponsored 6+ months, or postgraduate research/PhD 9+ months)

gov.uk

Fee Breakdown

Student Visa fee: 558 GBP; Immigration Health Surcharge: 776 GBP; Dependant visa fee (per person): 5…

gov.uk

Fees

£558 visa fee; £776 per year healthcare surcharge; £558 per dependant

gov.uk

Forms

—

gov.uk

Included Nationalities

—

gov.uk

Job Offer Required

false

gov.uk

Application Portal

https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/apply-online

gov.uk

Apply Now Official Information

Living in United Kingdom

Cost of Living

2% cheaper than United States

Avg Salary£31,200

Quality of Life

176/200

Full Country Guide

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Overview

Full-time study at a licensed Student sponsor institution with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

This visa is ideal for international students aged 16 or over with a place at a UK-licensed institution who want a renewable study route with post-study work options.

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

United Kingdom

Graduate Visa

Validity2 years

Processing1 day – 2 months

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Skilled Worker Visa

Validity5 years per grant (renewable indefinitely)

Processing5 days – 2 months

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Global Talent Visa

Validity5 years

Processing5 days – 2 months

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Innovator Founder Visa

Validity3 years

Processing2 weeks – 2 months

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Spouse/Partner Visa

Validity33 months

Processing2 months – 1 year

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Scale-up Visa

Validity2 years

Processing2 weeks – 2 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be 16 or older

Unconditional offer from a licensed student sponsor

Sufficient funds to cover course fees and living costs

English language proficiency

Parental consent if under 18

KEY CRITERIA

Education

high_school or higher

Min. Savings

10,539 EUR

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Current passport or other valid travel documentation.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider.

Proof of sufficient funds (bank statements, loan letters, or scholarship evidence).

Proof of English language proficiency (e.g., test results).

ATAS certificate (if required for specific STEM subjects).

Tuberculosis (TB) test results (if applicable).

Parental/guardian consent (if under 18).

Academic qualifications and transcripts.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Limited part-time work permitted during studies
Can work as a student union sabbatical officer
Can extend to continue at a higher academic level
Qualifying to switch to Graduate Visa upon completion (2 years, or 3 years for PhD holders)
Dependants may accompany government-sponsored students or postgraduate (level 7+) students
Can switch from most other UK visa types

Worth Knowing

Self-employment and running a business are prohibited
Professional sports work is prohibited
Cannot access public funds
Cannot study at a state-funded school
Financial requirements: £1,529/month in London or £1,171/month outside London (up to 9 months)
Dependant living costs: £845/month (London), £680/month (outside London)
Dependants only permitted for government-sponsored students or postgraduate level 7+ courses of 9+ months

Application Process