The UK Student visa is predictable if you prepare the documents in the right order. Almost every refusal we have seen came from money shown for the wrong period, a CAS with an error, or an interview answer that contradicted the statement of purpose.
Timeline from offer to arrival
- 5 to 6 months before: accept your unconditional offer and pay the deposit.
- 4 months before: get funds into the right account and leave them there for 28 days; book a TB test if your country requires one; apply for ATAS if your CAS says so.
- 3 months before: receive your CAS; apply online; pay the visa fee and health surcharge; book biometrics. You can apply up to six months before the course starts.
- 3 weeks after applying: standard decision time in most countries; priority services take five working days.
- Up to 1 month before the course: you may enter the UK.
Documents
- Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number and statement from your university.
- Current passport with a blank page, plus old passports with travel history.
- Financial evidence: bank statements or a loan sanction letter (see the 28-day rule below).
- If using parents' money: their bank statements, your birth certificate and a signed letter of consent.
- English evidence as stated on the CAS: IELTS, PTE, Duolingo or the university's own assessment.
- Academic certificates listed on the CAS.
- TB test certificate from an approved clinic if you live in a listed country (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Ghana and others).
- ATAS certificate for certain postgraduate science and engineering courses.
- Consent letter and financial evidence from your official sponsor if a government or company is paying.
Fees
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application | £524 | Paid online at application |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | £776 a year | Paid upfront for the whole course; refunded if refused |
| Priority service (optional) | £500 | Decision in five working days |
| TB test | £50 to £100 | Varies by country |
| Biometrics | Usually free | Some centres charge for premium lounges |
The 28-day money rule
You must show the first year's tuition (minus what you have paid) plus living costs: £1,483 a month for London or £1,136 a month elsewhere, for up to nine months. The money must be in your account, your parents' account or a joint account for 28 consecutive days before the date of the application, and the closing balance must be no older than 31 days. An education loan letter from a recognised bank counts without the 28-day wait. Fixed deposits are accepted if the funds can be withdrawn; some countries have specific bank requirements.
Credibility interviews
Some applicants are asked a short interview by video. Questions cover why this course, why this university, why the UK, how you are funding it and what you plan to do after. Answer as you wrote in your statement of purpose. Know your course modules and your university's city. We rehearse this with every student who is called.
After you arrive
- Check your eVisa in your UKVI account within 10 days and link it to your passport.
- Register with the university and with a GP.
- Open a bank account with your passport and a university letter.
- Keep your attendance up: universities must report students who stop attending.
The rules above reflect the position in September 2026. Check gov.uk or ask us before you rely on any figure.
