Student Visa
for an eligible course with a licensed UK sponsor
Review the course, licensed student sponsor, Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), English-language requirement, finances and immigration history before preparing a UK Student visa application.
Course details, qualifications, finances and answers in the form should remain consistent with the sponsor’s records.
Route Overview
How the UK Student visa route works
with a licensed student sponsor
The UK Student visa route is for applicants aged 16 or over who have been offered an eligible course by a licensed student sponsor and meet the applicable course, English, financial and immigration requirements.
The education provider issues a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for the sponsored course. The CAS reference and course details should be reviewed carefully, and the visa application must normally be made within 6 months of receiving the CAS.
The application must also address English-language ability, available funds, identity and immigration history, together with any additional document required for the course or applicant. The usual English level is CEFR B2 for degree-level study or above and B1 for study below degree level, subject to the accepted evidence and permitted sponsor assessment.
Confirm that the provider is sponsoring the correct course
Check every detail recorded on the CAS before applying
Prepare the evidence required for the applicant’s circumstances
Course dates, fees, qualifications and personal details should agree with the CAS and supporting documents.
Route Snapshot
Core areas to establish
These areas provide an initial overview. The complete assessment depends on the course, sponsor, application location, immigration history and any additional requirements applying to the applicant.
01
Licensed sponsor
The education provider must hold the appropriate student sponsor status and issue a valid CAS for the intended course.
02
Eligible course
The course, study level and mode of study must fit the Student route and the sponsorship recorded on the CAS.
03
English language
The applicant normally needs English at CEFR B2 for degree-level study or above and B1 for study below degree level, subject to the permitted evidence and sponsor assessment.
04
Funds and evidence
Course fees, living costs and the financial evidence rules should be checked before submission. Current maintenance levels differ for study in London and outside London.
Important Route Check
Student visa or another study route?
The correct immigration route depends on the course, its duration, the education provider and the activities the applicant intends to undertake in the UK.
Some short courses may fall under the Visitor route, while certain English-language courses may use the Short-term Study route. The route should be confirmed before an application is prepared.
Student visa eligibility depends on the applicant’s age, licensed student sponsor, course and CAS, English-language position, finances, immigration history and any additional requirement applying to the application.
01
Age and identity
The Student route is generally for applicants aged 16 or over. Identity, nationality and previous immigration records should remain consistent throughout the application.
Review passport and personal records
02
CAS and course sponsorship
The education provider must sponsor the applicant for an eligible course and provide a CAS containing the details relied on in the visa application.
Check course, dates, fees and sponsor details
03
English-language position
The required English level is normally CEFR B2 for degree-level study or above and B1 for study below degree level. The applicant may rely on an accepted test, qualification, sponsor assessment or exemption where the rules permit.
Confirm how the requirement is being met
04
Funds and additional evidence
The applicant may need to show outstanding course fees plus living costs of £1,529 per month in London or £1,171 per month outside London, for up to 9 months. Financial evidence and additional records such as consent, tuberculosis testing or ATAS documentation may also be required.
Identify every document before applying
Main Requirements
Student visa requirements
to consider together
The application should connect the sponsored course, the applicant’s academic position and the evidence relied on.
The precise documents and assessment depend on the CAS, study level, application location and individual circumstances.
01
Course and CAS
The applicant must be sponsored for an eligible course by a licensed student sponsor, and the application should accurately reflect the information recorded on the CAS. The visa application must normally be made within 6 months of receiving the CAS.
ReviewSponsor, course level, dates, fees and CAS details
02
English language
The applicant must normally meet CEFR B2 English for degree-level study or above and B1 for study below degree level, using an accepted method unless an exemption or permitted sponsor assessment applies.
ReviewRequired level, test, qualification or exemption
03
Financial position
The financial requirement can include outstanding course fees plus living costs of £1,529 per month in London or £1,171 per month outside London, for up to 9 months. Where financial evidence is required, the funds normally need to be held for 28 consecutive days and the end of that period must be within 31 days of the application.
ReviewCourse fees, funds, sponsorship and evidence dates
04
Identity and immigration position
The application should accurately address identity, previous permissions, study history, refusals and any switching or academic progression issue relevant to the route.
ReviewPassport, status, applications and study history
Additional requirements can apply
Depending on the applicant and course, the application may also require parental consent, tuberculosis evidence, an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate or other specified documents.
Supporting Evidence
Student visa supporting evidence
for the sponsored study application
Documents should confirm the applicant’s identity, course sponsorship, academic position, English-language basis, finances and any additional requirement applying to the application.
Check consistency before submissionNames, course details, fees, dates and financial information should agree across the CAS, form and evidence.
Evidence Groups
Organise documents by purpose
The exact evidence depends on the sponsor, course and applicant. Review the current GOV.UK Student visa document guidance before deciding what must be submitted.
01Identity, status and CAS
Confirm who the applicant is, their immigration position and the sponsorship relied on.
Current passport or accepted travel document
CAS reference and sponsor information
Relevant previous immigration records
02Academic and English evidence
Support the qualifications and English-language basis connected to the course and CAS.
Qualifications referred to by the sponsor
Accepted English evidence where required
Certified translations for relevant documents
03Financial evidence
The documents should correspond to the financial basis used in the application. Where funds must be evidenced, they normally need to be held for 28 consecutive days, with the end of that period falling within 31 days of the visa application.
Bank or financial institution evidence
Official financial sponsorship evidence
Evidence of course fees already paid where relevant
04Additional specified documents
Check whether personal circumstances or the subject of study create further document requirements.
Parental consent and relationship evidence where required
Tuberculosis test certificate where applicable
ATAS certificate for an affected course where required
Review translations and document quality
Evidence should be complete and readable. Documents not in English or Welsh may require an appropriate certified translation.
Application Process
Student visa application process
from CAS review to decision
A structured process helps keep the CAS, application form, supporting evidence and information provided at later stages consistent.
Confirm the route, course and application position
Review the applicant’s age, proposed study, education provider and current immigration position. Applications from outside the UK can normally be made up to 6 months before the course starts, while applications from inside the UK can normally be made up to 3 months before the course starts.
02
Sponsorship
Check the CAS and organise the evidence
Review the sponsor, course, fees and dates recorded on the CAS, then collect the identity, academic, English, financial and additional documents required.
03
Online Submission
Complete the form and required payments
Use information that agrees with the CAS and supporting documents, review the declarations and complete the payments requested for the application.
04
Identity Stage
Provide identity information and documents
Follow the instructions issued after submission, including using the identity app or attending a biometric appointment and providing supporting evidence where required.
05
Decision
Review the outcome and visa conditions
Retain copies of the form, evidence and correspondence. When the decision is received, review the permission dates, work conditions and practical arrangements before travel or study.
Follow the instructions issued for the individual application
Identity checks, evidence submission and any later request for information can depend on where and how the application is made.
Common Questions
Student visa
frequently asked questions
These answers provide a general introduction. The correct position will depend on the course, sponsor, applicant’s immigration history and individual circumstances.
Individual Circumstances
Need a more specific review?
Prepare a short summary of the course, education provider, CAS, current immigration status, finances and intended application date.
A Student visa application normally requires a valid CAS issued by a licensed student sponsor. The CAS reference and sponsor information should be checked before submission, and the application must normally be made within 6 months of receiving the CAS. Review the current GOV.UK course and CAS rules.
Work permission depends on the course, sponsor and the conditions attached to the visa. Restrictions can apply to working hours, self-employment and certain occupations, so the individual conditions should be reviewed.
Dependants are restricted to specific Student route cases. This includes government-sponsored students on courses longer than 6 months and qualifying full-time postgraduate students; for courses starting on or after 1 January 2024, the postgraduate course must normally be a PhD, other doctorate or research-based higher degree. Check the current GOV.UK dependant rules.
Some applicants can switch inside the UK, but switching is not permitted from categories including Visitor, Short-term Student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker and Domestic Worker in a Private Household. The application must also meet the timing and course requirements. Review the current switching rules.
The calculation can include outstanding course fees plus living costs of £1,529 per month in London or £1,171 per month outside London, for up to 9 months. Where financial evidence is required, funds normally need to be held for 28 consecutive days and the end of that period must be within 31 days of the application. Check the current GOV.UK financial requirement.
The applicant should follow the identity, biometric and document instructions issued for the application. Any later request for information should be reviewed carefully and answered within the stated period.
Review Your Circumstances
Prepare your Student visa application with
a clearer understanding of the sponsored route
Provide a brief summary of the course, sponsor and CAS, English-language position, available funds, immigration history, additional document requirements and intended application process when sending your enquiry.
