UK Student Visa

You need to show that you have enough money to support yourself in the UK. You will need to be able to prove that you have this sufficient money for 28 consecutive days, and the end date of this period must be within 31 days of the date you apply for the visa.

The financial requirements are:

• £1,136 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London
• £1,136 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses outside London

As part of the application, applicants have to demonstrate a good level of English. This is done by doing a SELT English language test, which can be done at one of the test centres around the world.

However, there are some exemptions from the English language requirements.  These exemptions are:

• You have already completed a course in English at either undergraduate or postgraduate level at one of the approved educational providers
• You have already proved the required level of English via a different visa application
• You are applying to come to the UK for a study abroad programme as part of a university degree course in the USA

Students from a majority of English-speaking countries will not need to fulfil the English language requirements. These countries are exempt:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• the Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Canada
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• Malta
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• UK
• USA

There are a number of steps to applying for a UK student visa and you can start the application six months before you plan to start your studies in the UK.

1. You must apply for a UK eligible course and be issued an acceptance letter
2. You can apply online from inside and outside the UK
3. You must provide all supporting documents and pay the visa fee as part of the application process
4. If requested you must attend an interview at a local UK embassy to provide biometric information and answer any questions about your plans to study in the UK.
5. You can expect to receive a decision on your application within three to eight weeks depending on whether you applied from overseas or in the UK.
6. Students can arrive in the UK up to 1 week before their course starts, if the length of your course is 6 months or less, or can arrive in the UK up to 1 month before the course starts if it lasts more than 6 months.

As per the Student Visa application, you are required to submit certain information and documents. Without providing this information and documentation, your application will be rendered unsuccessful.

Some of the required information and documents for the UK Student Visa are:

• Your current passport or another valid travel document
• A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies from your educational provider
• Proof that you have the necessary financial means
• A valid Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate (if applicable)
• Tuberculosis (TB) test results (if applicable)
• Written consent from your sponsor if they have agreed to financially support you for your course fees and living costs

If you are under 18 at the time of study in the UK, you will need to provide additional information including written consent from your parents/legal guardians showing that they consent to your visa application, your living and care arrangements in the UK, and your travels.

All documents must be translated by an accredited translator into English or Welsh.

Identification verification is an important step at this stage of your student visa application. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.

You will either provide fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) to a visa application centre or use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document. To use the app, you’ll also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account

Normally, the student visa process does not involve an interview for many international students, unless your case is considered complex.

Should your application be approved, you will receive a shareable code as proof you can study in the UK through the ‘UK Immigration: ID check.’

At present, the visa fees for the student visa are as follows:

• £558 for applications made outside the UK
• £558 for application made inside the UK
• £558 for Student Visa extensions

You will also be responsible for paying the immigration health surcharge fee and biometric fee.

Reasons for Student Visa Rejection 

There are a number of reasons why your application for a student visa may be rejected. You will be informed by the UK Home Office why your application was rejected and whether you can appeal the decision.

The most common reasons for rejection of an application are:

• Failure to meet the financial support criteria
• Incomplete or inaccurate documents
• Providing incorrect or misleading information as part of the application.

You should reach out to an immigration expert for advice on the next steps following a visa denial.

Is There a UK Post-study Work Visa?

If you wish to remain in the UK after finishing your study then you may be eligible for the UK graduate visa or a skilled worker visa.

Both of these options allow holders to work in the UK in qualifying job roles. The route allows international students to work or look for work after their studies for two years, or three years for PhD students – importantly there is no need to have employer sponsorship for a graduate visa.

As of January 2024, international students will not be able to bring dependents with them to the UK unless they are either:

• A government-sponsored student starting a course that lasts 6 months or longer
• Enrolled in a postgraduate course designated as a research programme that lasts 9 months or longer

Eligible postgraduate programmes include PhDs and other doctoral qualifications or masters programmes with a research component, including a requirement to produce original work.

International students who do not fit either one of these categories will not be eligible to bring their dependents with them to the UK.

This restriction will apply for all international students starting courses from 1 January 2024.

The UK government defines a dependent as a legal spouse, civil partner, or common-law partner, children under the age of 18. Families will need to prove their relationships with their dependents by providing original copies of marriage/civil partnership paperwork and/or birth certificates for children.

If your child/ren does live with you, you’ll need to provide 2 of the following documents:

• A bank account statement
• Credit card bills
• Driving license
• NHS (health insurance) registration document
• An official letter from their university degree program or college

The dependent visa will be valid for as long as the Student’s visa is valid.