UK Student Visa Application Service

The UK Student Visa allows eligible international students aged 16 or over to study with an approved education provider in the United Kingdom.

James Immigration Solutions Ltd provides IAA-regulated advice and application assistance for straightforward UK Student Visa applications, extensions and eligible switching applications.

We can review your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, calculate the applicable financial requirement, assess your supporting documents and assist with the online application.

Read the current UK Student Visa requirements on GOV.UK.

Who Can Apply for a UK Student Visa?

You may qualify for a Student Visa if you:

Are aged 16 or over
Have an unconditional offer from a licensed student sponsor
Have received a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies
Meet the applicable financial requirement
Meet the English-language requirement
Have parental consent if you are aged 16 or 17
Meet the course and academic requirements
Intend to study and comply with your visa conditions
Satisfy the relevant suitability requirements

Students aged 16 or 17 who intend to study at an independent school may need a Child Student Visa instead.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies

A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, commonly known as a CAS, is an electronic record issued by a licensed student sponsor.

Your CAS contains important information, including:

Your CAS reference number
The education provider’s sponsor details
Course title and level
Course start and end dates
Tuition fees
Fees already paid
English-language assessment
Qualifications used to obtain the offer
ATAS requirements, where applicable

The details in your visa application must be consistent with the CAS.

A CAS does not guarantee that the visa will be granted. UKVI makes a separate decision under the Immigration Rules.

Licensed Student Sponsor

Your course provider must hold the appropriate student sponsor licence.

Before accepting an offer or paying substantial fees, students should confirm that the institution appears on the official register of licensed student sponsors.

A university, college or other education provider decides whether to offer admission and issue a CAS. JISL cannot guarantee admission or the issue of a CAS.

UK Student Visa Financial Requirement

Most applicants must show that they have enough money to:

Pay the outstanding course fees shown on the CAS; and
Support themselves in the UK.

The maintenance requirement depends on where the course is based.

Course location	Monthly amount	Maximum for nine months
London	£1,529	£13,761
Outside London	£1,171	£10,539

London means the City of London and the 32 London boroughs.

The amount required for tuition fees will normally be the outstanding fees for the relevant academic period shown on the CAS.

Check the current Student Visa financial requirement before applying.

The 28-Day Financial Rule

Where financial evidence is required, the necessary funds must normally be held for at least 28 consecutive days.

The end of that 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date the visa application is submitted.

Applicants should check:

The account holder’s name
The account number
The financial institution
The statement dates
The closing balance
The currency used
Whether the institution is acceptable to UKVI
Whether the funds are immediately available
Whether the required amount remained available for the entire period

Falling below the required amount for even one day can affect the application.

Who May Not Need to Submit Financial Evidence?

You may not need to provide financial evidence with the application where:

You have been living in the UK with valid permission for at least 12 months before applying
You qualify under the differential evidence arrangements
You are applying as a student union sabbatical officer

UKVI can still request evidence. Applicants should ensure that they genuinely meet the requirement even where documents are not submitted initially.

Permitted Sources of Funds

Depending on the rules and your circumstances, you may be able to rely on:

Money held in your own account
Money held in a parent’s account
An eligible student loan
Official financial sponsorship
Money already paid to the education provider
Another source permitted under the Student rules

If using a parent’s funds, you will normally need evidence of the relationship and written permission to use the money.

Student loans and official sponsorship must be evidenced in the required format.

English-Language Requirement

Students must normally demonstrate English-language ability in reading, writing, speaking and listening.

The required level is generally:

Course level	Required English level
Degree level or above	CEFR B2
Below degree level	CEFR B1

English may be demonstrated through:

An approved Secure English Language Test
An eligible UK school qualification
A degree awarded by a UK institution
An eligible overseas degree taught in English with an Ecctis assessment
Assessment by an eligible Higher Education Provider
A nationality or previous application exemption

Read the official Student Visa English-language guidance.

UK Student Visa Document Checklist

The precise documents depend on the applicant, course, nationality and source of funds.

Essential Documents

Current passport or valid travel document
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies
Online application details
Required identity or biometric information

Financial Documents

Bank statements
Bank letter, where appropriate
Evidence of tuition fees already paid
Student-loan confirmation
Official sponsorship letter
Birth certificate if relying on a parent’s funds
Parent’s signed consent to use their money

Academic and English Documents

Qualifications listed on the CAS
Degree certificates or academic transcripts
English-language test certificate
Ecctis reference where required
Documents requested by the education provider

Additional Documents

ATAS certificate where required
Tuberculosis test certificate where required
Written consent from a financial sponsor
Evidence of lawful immigration status when applying inside the UK
Certified translations for documents not in English or Welsh
Evidence relating to previous immigration applications
Parental consent documents for applicants under 18

The official Student Visa document list should be checked before submission.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme

Some students studying or researching sensitive subjects at postgraduate level may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate.

Whether ATAS is required depends on:

The applicant’s nationality
The course subject
The course level
The relevant CAH code
The information recorded on the CAS

Where ATAS is required, the certificate should be obtained before submitting the Student Visa application.

Tuberculosis Test Requirement

An applicant may need an approved tuberculosis test certificate if they:

Are applying from outside the UK
Intend to remain for more than six months
Have lived in a listed country for the required period

The certificate must come from a clinic approved by the Home Office.

Applicants Aged 16 or 17

Applicants under 18 must normally provide written consent from both parents or legal guardians, unless one person has sole legal responsibility.

The consent should cover:

The visa application
Travel to the UK
Living and care arrangements in the UK

The applicant must also provide a birth certificate or another government-issued document confirming the relationship with the parent or guardian.

Applying from Outside the UK

An applicant outside the UK can normally apply up to six months before the course starts.

The process generally involves:

Receiving an unconditional offer
Obtaining the CAS
Meeting the financial requirement
Preparing the supporting documents
Completing the online application
Paying the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge
Proving identity through the UK Immigration: ID Check app or a biometric appointment
Uploading supporting documents
Attending an interview if requested
Receiving the UKVI decision

If successful, the applicant will receive an eVisa and should link their current travel document to their UKVI account.

Applying from Inside the UK

A person with eligible UK immigration permission may be able to switch to a Student Visa.

The earliest an in-country application can normally be made is three months before the course starts.

The applicant must:

Apply before their current permission expires
Have a valid CAS
Meet the financial requirement where applicable
Ensure the new course starts within the permitted period
Satisfy any academic-progression requirement

The new course must generally begin within 28 days after the applicant’s current permission expires.

Who Cannot Normally Switch Inside the UK?

A person cannot normally switch to a Student Visa from:

A Visitor Visa
A Short-term Student Visa
A Parent of a Child Student Visa
A Seasonal Worker Visa
A Domestic Worker in a Private Household Visa
Permission granted outside the Immigration Rules

These applicants will normally need to leave the UK and apply from overseas. Check the official Student Visa switching rules.

Student Visa Extensions

A Student Visa holder may be able to extend their permission to continue studying in the UK.

An extension application will normally require:

A new CAS
An eligible course
Compliance with the academic-progression requirement
Valid immigration permission
Financial evidence where required
Application before the current visa expires

Students should contact their education provider well before their current permission expires.

Can Student Visa Holders Work?

Some Student Visa holders may work during their studies. The permitted hours depend on:

The type and level of course
The education provider
Whether it is term time or an official vacation
The conditions recorded on the student’s immigration permission

A Student Visa holder must not normally:

Be self-employed
Engage in business activity
Work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach
Fill a permanent full-time vacancy except where specifically permitted
Claim public funds

Students must check the conditions shown on their eVisa before accepting employment.

Student Visa Dependants

Student dependant eligibility is now restricted.

A student may normally bring a partner or children where the student is:

Government-sponsored on a course lasting more than six months; or
Studying full-time on an eligible postgraduate course lasting at least nine months.

For courses starting on or after 1 January 2024, the postgraduate course must normally be:

A PhD or other doctorate; or
A research-based higher degree.

Each dependant must make a separate application and provide evidence of the relationship.

The current dependant maintenance requirement is:

Study location	Monthly amount for each dependant	Maximum for nine months
London	£845	£7,605
Outside London	£680	£6,120

Read the official Student dependant eligibility rules.

Student Visa Length

The length of the visa depends on the course and the applicant’s previous UK study.

An adult studying at degree level can usually remain under the Student route for up to five years. Below-degree study is normally limited to a shorter period, commonly up to two years.

The actual grant will include time before and after the course in accordance with the Immigration Rules.

Arriving in the UK

A successful applicant may normally arrive:

Up to one week before a course lasting six months or less
Up to one month before a course lasting more than six months

The applicant must not travel before the start date shown on their immigration permission.

Graduate Visa After Completing Your Course

After successfully completing an eligible UK course, a Student Visa holder may qualify for the Graduate route.

Under the current published rules:

Applications made on or before 31 December 2026 may receive two years
Applications made on or after 1 January 2027 may receive 18 months
Eligible PhD and doctoral graduates may receive three years

Graduate Visa eligibility and application support will be addressed separately.

How JISL Can Help

Our UK Student Visa service can include:

Initial eligibility and regulatory-scope assessment
CAS review
Financial requirement calculation
Review of bank statements and financial evidence
English-language evidence review
ATAS and TB requirement check
Personalised supporting-document checklist
Preparation of the online visa application
Preparation of an application representation letter
Document organisation and upload guidance
Biometric or identity-verification guidance
Application submission assistance
Advice regarding UKVI correspondence

Student Visa Fees

The following government charges were correct on 2 August 2026:

Application	UKVI application fee
Applying outside the UK	£558
Extending inside the UK	£558
Switching inside the UK	£558

The Immigration Health Surcharge for students and their dependants is currently £776 per year. The final amount depends on the full length of permission granted and may include part of a year.

Each eligible dependant pays a separate application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.

Check the current Student Visa fees and Immigration Health Surcharge rates before applying.

JISL Professional Fee

Our professional fee depends on:

Whether the application is made inside or outside the UK
The number of applicants
The source of the maintenance funds
The documents available
Whether dependants are applying
The applicant’s immigration history
The precise scope and urgency of the work

The professional fee is confirmed in writing before substantive work begins. Government and third-party charges are separate unless expressly stated otherwise.

Student Visa Processing Times

Application location	Usual processing time
Outside the UK	3 weeks
Inside the UK	8 weeks

Processing may take longer where:

Supporting documents require verification
The applicant is invited to an interview
Further information is required
The application is complex
UKVI is experiencing increased demand

A faster decision service may be available for an additional fee.

University Admission and Visa Advice

University admission, CAS issuance and immigration advice are separate processes.

JISL may provide student counselling or admissions assistance under a separately agreed service. However:

Universities make their own admission decisions
Only a licensed student sponsor can issue a CAS
JISL cannot guarantee admission
JISL cannot guarantee that a CAS will be issued
UKVI makes the final visa decision
No applicant is required to purchase an additional service as a condition of applying

Any student counselling or university-admissions service will be clearly distinguished from regulated immigration advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a CAS?

A CAS is an electronic Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies issued by a licensed student sponsor. It contains the information required for the Student Visa application.

How much maintenance money do I need?

You currently need up to £13,761 for a course in London or £10,539 for a course outside London, in addition to the outstanding tuition fees shown on your CAS.

How long must I hold the money?

The required funds must normally be held for at least 28 consecutive days. The final day must be within 31 days of the application date.

Can I use my parents’ bank account?

You may be able to rely on a parent’s funds with appropriate evidence of your relationship and written permission to use the money.

Can I apply without a CAS?

No. A valid CAS from a licensed student sponsor is normally required before submitting the Student Visa application.

Can JISL guarantee university admission or a CAS?

No. The education provider controls admission and CAS issuance. JISL can assist with the process but cannot guarantee either outcome.

Can Student Visa holders bring dependants?

Only certain students qualify, including eligible government-sponsored students and students undertaking a PhD, doctorate or research-based higher degree.

Can I switch from a Visitor Visa?

No. A person with Visitor permission cannot normally switch to a Student Visa inside the UK.

Can I work while studying?

Possibly. The permitted hours and work conditions depend on the course, sponsor and conditions recorded on the eVisa.

How long does the application take?

The usual processing time is three weeks outside the UK and eight weeks inside the UK.

Does a Student Visa lead directly to settlement?

The Student route is not normally a direct route to settlement. Time may count towards qualifying long-residence applications, subject to the applicable rules.

Book a UK Student Visa Consultation

Speak with James Immigration Solutions Ltd before submitting your UK Student Visa application.

Telephone/WhatsApp: +44 7944 222484
Email: admin@jisl.co.uk
Website: www.jisl.co.uk

Important Regulatory Information

James Immigration Solutions Ltd is regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority at Level 1, organisation reference F202538614.

IAA adviser: Fahad Zohaib Asghar
IAA adviser number: 061760
Company number: 15056317

Our Student Visa service is limited to suitable applications involving the straightforward presentation of facts and evidence under the Immigration Rules.

Cases involving significant adverse immigration history, allegations of deception, complex refusals, human-rights arguments or matters requiring detailed legal representations may require referral to an adviser authorised at a higher level.

Universities decide admission and CAS issuance. UKVI decides visa applications. Professional assistance does not guarantee admission, a CAS or a successful visa outcome.

Immigration Rules, fees, financial requirements and processing times can change. The applicable requirements should always be checked at the date of application.