UK Student Visa Requirements 2026: Full Documents Checklist
A UK Student visa application is refused far more often for a missing or incorrectly formatted document than for a genuine eligibility problem. Get the requirements right and the process is straightforward: most decisions arrive within three weeks. This 2026 guide lists every UK Student visa requirement and gives you a complete documents checklist, written for international students — including applicants from Pakistan, India and Nigeria.
UK Student visa eligibility requirements (2026)
To qualify for a UK Student visa you must:
- have an offer and a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) from a licensed student sponsor (your university);
- have enough money to pay your course fees and support yourself (the maintenance requirement — covered below);
- be able to read, write, speak and understand English to the required level;
- be 16 or over (with parental consent if under 18).
You can apply from outside the UK up to 6 months before your course starts, and you will usually get a decision within 3 weeks.
What is a CAS and why it matters
The CAS is a unique reference number your university issues once you accept an unconditional offer and meet its conditions (including any deposit). You cannot apply for the visa without it. Your CAS confirms your course, its dates, the tuition fee and any fees already paid. Everything on your visa application must match your CAS exactly — a mismatch in course dates or fees is a common cause of delay.
Proof of funds (the maintenance requirement)
You must show your first year of tuition (minus any deposit already paid) plus living costs of £1,529 per month for courses in London or £1,171 per month outside London, for up to 9 months. The money must sit in an eligible account for 28 consecutive days, ending within 31 days of your application. Because this is where most applications go wrong, we cover it in full in our guide to how much bank statement you need for a UK Student visa.
English language requirement
You normally prove your English with an approved test (IELTS for UKVI / SELT) at CEFR level B2 for degree-level study. However, your university can often assess your English itself — through a recognised test, a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter, or its own online test — and confirm it on your CAS. If it does, you may not need a separate SELT. See which universities accept alternatives in our guide to studying in the UK without IELTS.
The TB test
If you live in a country such as Pakistan and are applying for a visa longer than 6 months, you must take a tuberculosis (TB) test at a UKVI-approved clinic before you apply and include the certificate. See our step-by-step guide to the TB test for a UK visa in Pakistan.
UK Student visa costs in 2026
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee (from outside the UK) | £558 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (student rate) | £776 per year of visa |
| TB test (Pakistan, approximate) | PKR 10,000–15,000 |
For a full breakdown in local currency, see our UK study visa price guide for Pakistan and the wider cost of studying in the UK.
UK Student visa documents checklist
Have these ready before you apply:
- Your CAS reference number from your university.
- A valid passport (and any previous passports showing travel history).
- Proof of funds — bank statements or an official financial-sponsor/loan letter meeting the 28-day rule.
- Academic documents listed on your CAS (degree/HSSC certificates and transcripts).
- English evidence — your SELT result, or confirmation your university assessed your English.
- TB test certificate (if applying from a listed country such as Pakistan).
- ATAS certificate if your postgraduate course requires one (certain science and technology subjects).
- Parental consent and birth certificate if you are under 18.
- Certified English translations of any document not in English.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main requirements for a UK Student visa?
A CAS from a licensed university, proof you can pay your fees and living costs, evidence of your English ability, and — from listed countries such as Pakistan — a TB test certificate. You must be 16 or over.
How much is the UK Student visa fee in 2026?
£558 to apply from outside the UK, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge at £776 for each year of your visa, paid upfront.
How long does a UK Student visa take?
Usually within 3 weeks of your biometrics appointment when you apply from outside the UK. You can apply up to 6 months before your course starts.
Do I need IELTS for a UK Student visa?
Not always. Many universities assess your English themselves — via a test, an MOI letter or their own assessment — and confirm it on your CAS, which UKVI accepts. Check your university's policy.
Not sure your documents meet UKVI's exact requirements? A missed detail costs weeks. Global Pathways checks every document before submission and manages your Student visa end to end. Book a free consultation.