UK Student Route

The UK Student Route is the immigration permission issued by the UK Home Office to international students pursuing qualifications at approved institutions (licensed Tier 4 providers). Replacing the legacy Tier 4 visa post-2021, the Student Route requires sponsorship from a licensed provider and a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), evidencing enrollment and financial proof. Students may remain in the UK for the duration of their course plus 4 months (degree level) or 2 months (below-degree level). The visa permits on-campus work (typically up to 20 hours per week during term) and substantial off-campus work during vacations. Since January 2024, dependants (spouses and children) have been significantly restricted under new policy aimed at reducing net migration; only a minority of students can now sponsor family members.

Key facts

Eligibility

• Acceptance to a full-time course at a UK institution licensed as a Tier 4 sponsor (all major UK universities are licensed; check UK Home Office register at gov.uk)
• Qualification level: Foundation, A-Levels, Diploma, HND, Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, PhD, or other RQF-regulated qualification (English language courses and other preparatory courses eligible if sponsored by a Tier 4 provider; some non-regulated qualifications may not qualify)
• Receipt of valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the institution
• Financial proof: Ability to cover tuition fees and living costs for the full course duration (tuition evidence + maintenance funds: £1,334/month in London or £1,023/month outside London as of 2026)
• English language proficiency: IELTS 6.0+ (or equivalent TOEFL, Duolingo, etc.; specific requirements vary by institution and course level)
• Valid passport (should be valid for duration of stay plus some buffer, typically 6+ months recommended)
• No visa refusal in the past (prior refusals are disclosed and may delay processing)
• Genuine student intention (must satisfy the genuine student test, assessing ties to home country, financial capability, intent to depart post-study)

Required documents

• Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS): Issued by the licensed sponsor institution; includes CAS reference number, course details, tuition costs, and institutional details
• Valid passport: Photo page and any pages with visas/stamps
• Proof of financial capability:
  • Bank statements or passbook (typically 28 days of statements showing funds are available)
  • Official letter from financial institution confirming funds held in account
  • Proof of scholarship or government sponsorship
  • Proof of parental/sponsor financial support (statutory declaration or affidavit if funds held by parent)
  • Evidence of personal income or employment (payslips, tax returns) if self-funding
• Tuition fee invoice or letter from the institution confirming the total course fees
• Proof of English language proficiency: IELTS certificate, TOEFL score, Duolingo English Test, or PTE Academic (if required by course and institution)
• Academic qualifications: Transcripts, certificates showing qualifications leading to current enrollment
• Statement of purpose or personal statement: Brief explanation of study intentions (some institutions/visa applications require this; not universally mandated)
• Proof of identity and right to reside: If you have held a previous UK visa, evidence of lawful immigration status
• Medical examination results: If required by institution or if you have certain health conditions (TB screening required for applicants from high-incidence countries)
• Police clearance certificate: Required for certain nationalities or if you have spent substantial time (typically 6+ months) in certain countries

Application steps

1. Receive admission offer from a UK institution licensed as a Tier 4 sponsor. Confirm the institution is licensed by checking the UK Home Office register.

2. Accept the offer through the institution’s enrollment portal or by returning a signed offer letter (most institutions require confirmation by a deadline, typically 4–8 weeks after offer).

3. Pay deposit or full tuition as required by the institution. Most UK universities require either:

   • A deposit payment (typically 10–20% of first-year fees) to proceed with enrollment
   • Full payment of first-year fees (varies by institution and funding situation)
   • Evidence of scholarship or loan approval (if not paying directly)

4. Request Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the institution’s international student office or admissions team. Provide:

   • Confirmation that tuition deposit/payment is made
   • Proof of financial capability for course duration
   • Proof of English language proficiency (if not yet submitted)
   • Any other documents required by the institution

5. Receive CAS (typically issued within 5–10 working days of providing all required documentation). The CAS is a unique reference number tied to your specific course, institution, and financial details; it is valid for 6 months from issue date.

6. Create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) online account at apply-uk-visa.homeoffice.gov.uk (or via the UKVI app, available since 2024). Create an account and start the Student Route visa application form.

7. Complete online visa application (form Type D - Student or equivalent):

   • Personal details (full name, date of birth, passport number, nationality)
   • Course details (institution name, CAS reference, course level, start date, course duration)
   • Financial details (total funds available, source of funds, how long funds have been held)
   • Work history and employment details
   • Travel history and previous visas
   • Statement of ties to home country (family, employment, property, etc.)
   • Genuine student declaration

8. Pay visa fee: Approximately £719 (approximately USD 900) as of 2026 for most student visas; research Master’s and PhD courses may have different fees or durations affecting total cost. Payment is through the UKVI portal using credit/debit card.

9. Pay Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): Additional health surcharge (approximately £1,035/year or approximately USD 1,300/year as of 2026) is paid with the visa fee. This grants access to NHS (National Health Service) healthcare.

10. Book biometric appointment: After form submission and fee payment, book a biometric appointment at a visa application center (VAC) in your home country or country of residence. Appointments typically available within 2–8 weeks depending on location.

11. Attend biometric appointment at a VAC with:

    • Passport
    • Visa application receipt (printout or screenshot)
    • Proof of fee and IHS payment
    • All supporting documents (CAS, financial proof, English language certificate, academic transcripts, police certificate if required)

12. Provide biometrics: Provide fingerprints and have photograph taken at the VAC. Processing time is typically 3 weeks standard service or 1 week fast-track (if available and paid).

13. Receive visa decision: Decision notification is sent to your registered email address. If approved, visa is added to your passport (if sticker visa) or you receive an eVisa confirmation.

14. Collect visa (if sticker): If you opted for a sticker visa, collect your passport from the VAC. eVisas are digital and require no collection.

Financial proof / maintenance funds

The UK Student Route requires specific, evidenced financial proof.

• Tuition cost: Full cost of tuition for the course (institution provides invoice/letter)
• Maintenance/living costs: As of 2026:
  • London: £1,334 per month (for 9-month academic year: £12,006; for 12-month year: £16,008)
  • Outside London: £1,023 per month (for 9-month year: £9,207; for 12-month year: £12,276)
• Total required: Tuition + (maintenance × number of months in course). Example: 1-year Master’s at London university costing £15,000 tuition + £16,008 living costs = £31,008 total required
• Evidence: Bank statements (28 days current); if funds in parent’s account, notarized letter of support plus parent’s financial statements; scholarship/sponsorship letters from government or organization
• Fund holding period: No formal minimum, but funds should appear stable; sudden large deposits immediately before visa application may be scrutinized
• Account holder: Student’s own account, parent’s account (with sponsor letter), or scholarship organization

Work rights

On-campus work:

• Up to 20 hours per week during the academic term (semester/teaching period)
• Full-time during official university holidays/breaks (Christmas, Easter, summer vacation)
• Restricted to the institution or approved affiliated organizations

Off-campus work:

• Degree level (RQF level 6+, i.e., bachelor’s, master’s, PhD): Can work full-time off-campus during official breaks; during term, usually restricted to 20 hours/week on-campus but some institutions permit off-campus part-time work with DSO approval
• Below-degree level (RQF level 3–5, i.e., foundation, A-Levels, HND): Limited to 10 hours per week during term; full-time during breaks

Post-graduation (Graduate Route):

• Bachelor’s degree holders: 2-year Graduate Route visa allowing unrestricted work (see separate entry on Graduate Route)
• Master’s and PhD holders: 3-year Graduate Route visa (PhD extended from 2 to 3 years as of April 2023)

Common refusal reasons

• Lack of financial proof: Insufficient funds evidenced, funds held for insufficient duration, or unexplained source of funds
• Genuine student concern: Home Office assesses whether applicant genuinely intends to study; red flags include: previous visa overstay, inconsistencies between claimed intentions and history, significant age gap between student and age-appropriate cohort (mature student, but with poor prior academic record), lack of credible ties to home country
• CAS issues: CAS is incorrect, expired, or fraudulent; institution not licensed; course details do not match application
• English language requirement not met: Score below 6.0 IELTS (or equivalent) for most courses; some courses require 6.5+
• Police clearance missing or adverse: Applicant from high-risk country without certificate; previous criminal convictions (particularly relevant for non-custodial conduct and residence-related offenses); security concerns
• Medical grounds: TB infection (positive test from high-incidence countries); other serious health conditions may result in refusal or conditional approval
• Previous visa breach: Prior overstay, work outside authorized conditions, or fraudulent documentation; each previous violation increases scrutiny
• Inconsistencies in application: Answers on form do not match supporting documents; discrepancies in dates, employment history, or financial sources

Recent changes

Dependent visa restrictions (January 2024): Significant restrictions on student dependants took effect January 1, 2024:

• Undergraduates and below-degree students can no longer bring spouses or children
• Postgraduate taught students cannot bring dependants unless they are also postgraduate taught students with separate visas
• Postgraduate research students (PhD) can bring spouses if household income exceeds c. £38,600; children dependants more restricted
• These changes have effectively reduced the dependent visa pool for most student categories

eVisa rollout (2024): Digital eVisas became standard for all new UK Student Route applicants; sticker visas phased out. eVisas are linked to passport number and do not require physical stickers.

IHS fee increase (April 2024): Immigration Health Surcharge increased from c. £470 annually to c. £1,035 annually (approximately USD 1,300).

English language test acceptance expanded (2024): UKVI expanded recognized English language tests; Duolingo English Test and certain other online tests now accepted for degree-level courses (previously IELTS and TOEFL only).

Post-Graduate Student Visas (PGSV) pilot (2025): UK trialing a separate postgraduate student visa with extended duration (up to 3 years) and relaxed work restrictions; limited to select institutions and fields initially.

Related visas or statuses

• Graduate Route: 2–3 year post-study work visa for degree holders; no sponsor required
• Skilled Worker visa: Employment-based visa typically requiring £25,600+ annual salary (pathway from Student Route to permanent work visa)
• Spouse/Partner visa: Separate family visa; student dependants seeking independent visas must meet spouse visa requirements
• Health and Care Worker visa: Specific pathway for healthcare professionals; some international students transition via this route
• Innovator/Start-up visa: For graduates wishing to start a business in the UK
• Ancestry visa: For those with Commonwealth ancestry; alternative to Student Route for eligible applicants

Primary sources

• UK Government: Student Visa
• UK Home Office: Licensed Tier 4 Sponsor Search
• UKVI: Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
• UKVI: Student Visa Financial Requirements
• UK Government: Points-Based Immigration System
• Study UK: International Student Information

Last updated: 2026-04-18.