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A UK student visa is a specific category of visa that allows the holder to come to the UK and undertake the academic qualifications detailed in their visa application. The term student visa relates to a broad area of the UK immigration system, and there are various nuances and variations to the criteria, depending on the specific qualifications undertaken. However, several key criteria apply to all student visas:
As part of your application, you will need to evidence you meet the above criteria, plus any additional criteria for your specific course and based on your individual circumstances. Over the course of this guide we’ll look at this criteria in greater detail and cover all aspects of the student visa application process.
Any student visa application must start with an offer from an approved education provider with a license to sponsor students. They will need to issue you with a document known as a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). This document will have a unique reference number and contain all the relevant information for your course. You can begin the visa application process only once you have your CAS number, which is valid for a maximum of 6 months. You must obtain a new CAS number if you don’t apply within this timeframe.
As well as attending an approved education provider, you must also enroll in an approved course. The following courses are all acceptable:
If you’re a postgraduate dentist or doctor, you can apply for a student visa providing you meet the relevant criteria:
One of the most important requirements of a UK student visa is proving you have sufficient funds to pay the course fee and to support yourself in the UK. Anyone applying from overseas will need to satisfy this requirement. However, if you’re applying inside the UK and you’ve been in the UK for at least the past 12 months, you do not need to meet this specific requirement.
How Much Do I Need to Show?
You need to show you have sufficient cash funds to cover the following:
The amount you need to show for daily living expenses varies by region, with courses in the London area requiring additional funds. The specific thresholds are as follows:
If you’re boarding with a residential independent school, the fees will be stated on your CAS.
Proving You Have the Money
You must maintain the specific amount based on your circumstances in an account in your name for at least 28 consecutive days. You will need to provide bank statements showing the balance has been maintained for this full period. The end date of this 28-day period must fall within 31 days of your visa application date.
Exceptions to the Financial Requirement
There are some exemptions to the financial requirement. These include if:
Countries Exempt from the Student Visa Financial Requirement
Citizens of the following countries do not need to prove funds to demonstrate they can support themselves:
When applying for your student visa, you will need to prove your knowledge of the English language. There are a number of different ways you can satisfy this requirement:
You need to demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English at a specified level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale. For degree level or above this is equivalent to CEFR level B2. For courses below degree level the requirement is CEFR level B1.
The cost for any student visa is £490, regardless of the length and whether you apply within the UK or from overseas. In addition to the visa cost, you will have to pay several other compulsory fees, and depending on your circumstances, you may incur other costs.
The following is a summary of all the fees you must pay for a student visa:
In addition to the above fees, there may be supplementary charges for English language proficiency tests, tuberculosis tests, or translation services if required. If you choose to opt for a priority service to expedite your application, you will also need to pay an additional fee.
The point at which you can apply and the processing time for a student visa varies between applications made from outside the UK and those made inside the UK.
Applications from Outside the UK
You can make an application up to 6 months before the proposed start date of your course. Applications are generally processed quickly and decisions are typically returned with 3 weeks at present,
Applications from Inside the UK
If you are already in the UK on a valid visa, you can only apply 3 months before the proposed start date of the course. You must apply before the expiry of your present visa, and the new course must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring. Once an application has been submitted, you can expect to get a decision within 8 weeks.
If you need a faster turnaround on your student visa application, then you will need to opt for a priority service. Typically, these are available overseas and in the UK, although availability can vary by location. These services ensure a much faster decision, sometime within 1 working day. However, additional fees are payable, and availability is limited.
Upon approval of your student visa application, you will receive clear guidelines outlining what you can and can’t do on your specific Student visa. As a general rule, the following criteria apply to most students visas.
Things you can do:
Things you cannot do:
If you’re ever in any doubt about what you can or can’t do, it’s best to get expert advice or refer to the guidelines provided with your initial visa approval.
If you want expert advice about the UK Visa options available to you or if you are preparing your UK Visa application and want access to a UK Visa Expert’s knowledge and experience, this is the service for you.
If you wish to prepare your UK Visa application, why not let our Visa Experts be your insurance policy to ensure your application is approved and you do not lose the very high government fees you will be paying.
To secure your visa approval as easily as possible, provide your UK Visa Expert with the documents they request using the document list and templates provided, and they will do everything else for you.
Our Priority Service provides you with all the benefits of the Full Consultancy Service plus we will prepare and submit your application within 48 working hours of receiving the supporting documents.
Many clients choose First Migration for its long history of excellent service and track record of successful visa applications. However, what we feel is our biggest strength and what makes us unique is our small dedicated team that offers a truly personalised service. We genuinely love what we do, and our team relishes making a difference to the lives of our clients.
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