Visa Application Process Overview
The visa application centre for your region will provide detailed steps on how to apply. Below is a simplified overview of the process.
1. Complete and Submit the Online Application
You can access the online Student Visa application form through the UKVI website. Many of the form’s questions can be answered using information from your visa documents (like your CAS and passport).
2. Pay the Visa Fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
- Visa Fee: The standard fee for a Student Visa is £524. You can also choose a priority service for faster processing at an additional cost.
- IHS: Most applicants need to pay IHS, the cost depends on the length of your course. For courses of 12 months or more, you will pay £776 for each year of study in one full payment plus a 6 months wrap-up fee of £338. UKVI add 4 months to the end of your course length and as part of the IHS payment, they round up to the nearest half year (e.g PhD of 4 years x £776 + £338 = £3442 total payment). Courses of 6 months or less do not need to pay the surcharge if you’re applying from outside the UK. If you’re applying from inside the UK, you’ll have to pay half the yearly cost - £388. Some students (e.g. those with certain scholarships) may be exempt.
3. Submit Your Documents
Check the visa application centre’s website for how to submit your documents. You may need to upload them at an appointment. See our "Documents and CAS" section.
4. Meet the Maintenance Requirement
You must show you have enough money to cover:
- Unpaid tuition fees (from your CAS)
- £1,136 per month for living costs (up to 9 months, or £10,224 total)
***Increase to maintenance requirements for Students from 11 November 2025***
We want to highlight an important change in this Statement for Students applying for immigration permission under the ‘Student’ route on or after 11 November 2025.
The amounts of money Students will be required to have available as evidence of meeting the maintenance requirements are increasing, for those applying under the Student route on or after 11 November 2025. The new amounts are as follows:
- £1171 per month outside London (up to a maximum of 9 months)
You can read more about this here
Important: Make sure to calculate the required amount based on your course length (round up to a full month if needed).
5. Appointments, Biometric Information & Interviews
- Appointments: Book an appointment when you pay your application fee. This is where you’ll submit your documents.
- Biometrics: Most applicants need to provide fingerprints and a digital photo at the appointment.
- Credibility Interview: You may have a brief video interview about your background, study plans, and finances.
6. Wait for Your Decision
If your application is successful, you’ll get a decision email from UKVI. Check the details carefully to ensure:
- Your personal info is correct
- The visa type and duration are right
- Your visa is valid from the right date for your travel
Once you get your visa, you can travel to the UK according to the "valid from" date on your visa.