The UK Student visa allows study at an institution holding a student sponsor licence. It cannot be applied for without a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) issued by that institution, so the sequence is always: offer, then CAS, then visa.
Two requirements carry most applications: the CAS itself, and the maintenance funds requirement — which is prescriptive about how much, held for how long, and in what form of evidence.
Eligibility and Entry Requirements at a Glance
The core requirements for a Student visa.
- An unconditional offer from a licensed student sponsor, evidenced by a CAS
- Sufficient maintenance funds for course fees and living costs, at the prescribed level
- Funds held for the prescribed consecutive period before applying, evidenced in the prescribed form
- English language ability at the required level, evidenced as the rules prescribe
- A valid passport and payment of the visa fee
- Payment of the Immigration Health Surcharge for the full period
- A tuberculosis test certificate from an approved clinic
- Parental consent and care arrangements for applicants under 18
Passport and Travel Document Requirements
The maintenance funds rule is where applications fail. The rules specify an amount for living costs per month up to a maximum number of months, plus any outstanding course fees, and require the money to have been held in a qualifying account for a prescribed consecutive period ending shortly before the application.
Money that arrived recently does not count, however much it is. Neither does money in an account the rules do not accept, or held by someone other than you or a qualifying parent. Read the funds guidance for your circumstances specifically.
The bank statement must show the balance never dropped below the required level across the whole qualifying period. A single dip below it during that period fails the requirement, even if the balance is high before and after.
The CAS has a validity period and can only be used once. If your application is refused, the institution must issue a new one. That is another reason to get the funds evidence right the first time.
Working while studying is limited and the limit depends on the level of the course and whether it is term time. Exceeding it breaches the visa and affects future applications. Confirm the limit for your specific course.
Dependants. Restrictions on bringing dependants on certain student routes were introduced and have been amended. Confirm the current position for your course level before assuming family can accompany you.
Visa and Supporting Document Requirements
The evidence set for a Student visa.
- Valid passport, and previous passports
- CAS reference number from the licensed sponsor
- Completed online application and proof of fee and health surcharge payment
- Biometrics appointment confirmation
- Financial evidence covering the prescribed consecutive period in the prescribed form
- Where a parent’s funds are used: their bank evidence, proof of relationship and their written consent
- Evidence of course fees already paid, where applicable
- English language test result from an approved provider, or evidence of exemption
- Academic qualifications listed on the CAS
- Tuberculosis test certificate from an approved clinic
- For under-18 applicants: parental consent and care arrangements
- Unabridged birth certificate, apostilled where required
Financial, Health and Entry Conditions
Confirm every figure and requirement before you apply. Visa fees, processing times, forms and document lists change frequently and differ between missions and application centres. Work only from the issuing authority’s own official website, and treat anything else — including this page — as orientation rather than as the requirement.
Only an approved English test from an approved provider at an approved centre counts. A test taken elsewhere does not, regardless of the score. Where the CAS states the sponsor has assessed your English, that may satisfy the requirement for some course levels — check what your CAS says.
Only approved clinics may do the tuberculosis test. Applicants from South Africa are generally required to provide one.
Budget for the whole cost, not the first year. Tuition, the visa fee, the Immigration Health Surcharge for the full period, maintenance funds that must be demonstrably available, and living costs that exceed the prescribed minimum in most cities. The prescribed maintenance figure is a threshold for the visa, not a realistic budget.
The Graduate route permits eligible students to remain and work for a defined period after completing a qualifying course. Confirm the current position and duration, since it has been the subject of review, and note that it is applied for from within the UK before the Student visa expires.
Attendance and engagement are monitored. Licensed sponsors have reporting duties, and a student who stops attending is reported, which affects immigration status. Speak to the institution early if you are struggling.
Overstaying results in a re-entry ban and affects applications to other countries, since immigration histories are asked about on most forms.
South African children travelling are subject to documentation requirements applied at departure, commonly including the unabridged birth certificate and, where a child travels without both parents, parental consent in the prescribed form. Confirm the current position with the Department of Home Affairs before travelling.
On agents and “guaranteed” visas. You do not need an agent, applications can be made directly, and official fees are published. Nobody can guarantee an outcome. Anyone offering to obtain a visa outside the normal process, or asking for payment to influence a decision, is not operating lawfully — and false documents result in refusal and, commonly, a multi-year ban.
How to Prepare or Apply
Get the offer, confirm the institution is a licensed student sponsor, obtain the CAS, then prepare the funds evidence for the prescribed period before applying online and attending biometrics.
Plan the funds timing backwards from your intended application date. The money must sit in a qualifying account, at or above the required level, for the whole prescribed consecutive period — so it needs to be in place well before you apply.
- Confirm the institution holds a student sponsor licence before accepting
- Plan the maintenance funds timing backwards from your application date
- Ensure the balance never dips below the required level during the period
- Read the funds guidance for your specific circumstances
- Book the English test with an approved provider at an approved centre
- Use only an approved clinic for the tuberculosis test
- Budget for the health surcharge across the full course period
- Confirm the working hours limit for your course level
- Check the current position on dependants for your course
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply without a CAS?
No. The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies from a licensed sponsor is a prerequisite, and it can only be used for one application.
Why do applications fail on funds?
Because the money must be held in a qualifying account, at or above the required level, for a prescribed consecutive period. Recent deposits and a single dip below the level both fail the requirement.
How many hours can I work?
It depends on the course level and whether it is term time. Confirm the limit for your specific course — exceeding it breaches the visa.
Can I stay and work after graduating?
The Graduate route permits eligible students to remain for a defined period. Confirm the current position, and note it is applied for from within the UK before the Student visa expires.
Maintenance funds levels, qualifying periods, English requirements, the health surcharge and dependant rules are set by the UK government and are revised frequently. Confirm current requirements on the UK government’s official website before applying.