UK Student Visa Requirements 2026: Step-by-Step Guide

To get a UK student visa from India, Pakistan or elsewhere in South Asia, you need a CAS from your university, the £558 application fee, the Immigration Health Surcharge, proof of funds held for 28 consecutive days and a TB test certificate from an approved clinic. You also prove your identity before you get a decision.

What documents do you need for a UK student visa?

Start with the documents, because one missing piece can hold up everything. For most applicants from South Asia, the core set looks like this:

• A valid passport.
• Your CAS reference number from your university.
• Proof of money for your living costs and any unpaid first-year tuition, held for 28 consecutive days.
• A TB test certificate from a Home Office-approved clinic.
• The qualification documents your university used to offer you the place, as listed on your CAS.
• An ATAS certificate, if your course needs one. It applies to some science and technology subjects, and your university will tell you.
• Proof of relationship and a consent letter from your parent, if the money is in their account.

The official checklist on gov.uk is the one to follow, and caseworkers can ask for more depending on your situation. Any document that isn't in English needs a certified translation.

What is a CAS and when do you get it?

A CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) is a reference number your university issues after you accept an unconditional offer. You can't submit a Student visa application without one. Some universities ask for a tuition deposit or run a short interview before they issue it, so reply to their emails quickly.

When it arrives, check every detail against your passport and documents: your name, date of birth, passport number, course dates and any fees already paid. If something is wrong, ask the university to fix it before you apply. The caseworker compares your application with the CAS, and a mismatch is an avoidable problem.

How much money do you need to show?

You need living-cost funds for up to nine months, plus any first-year tuition you haven't paid yet, as shown on your CAS.

The current figures are £1,529 a month in London (£13,761 for nine months) and £1,171 a month elsewhere in the UK (£10,539). From 30 November 2026 they rise to £1,570 a month in London (£14,130) and £1,203 a month elsewhere (£10,827). If you'll apply close to that date, hold the higher amount so you're covered either way. For example, outside London you'd show £10,539 plus whatever tuition your CAS lists as unpaid, and all of it has to stay in the account for the full 28 days.

The money must sit in your account or your parent's account for 28 consecutive days, and the balance can't dip below the required total on any of those days. Your statement also has to be recent when you apply, so check the current figure on gov.uk for how recent it must be. Treat those 28 days as untouchable: no transfers out and no spending from that account.

Do you need a TB test?

Yes, if you've lived in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal or Sri Lanka. The test must be done at a clinic approved by the Home Office, and a certificate from any other clinic won't count. gov.uk lists the approved clinics by country.

The certificate is only valid for a limited time, so check the current figure on gov.uk before you book too early. A sensible point to book is once your CAS is close and your funds are in place.

What are the steps, and how long does it take?

Here is the usual order for applying from outside the UK:

1. Accept an unconditional offer and pay any deposit your university asks for.
2. Receive your CAS and check every detail.
3. Put your funds in place and let the 28 days run.
4. Take your TB test at an approved clinic.
5. Apply online through gov.uk and pay the £558 fee and the health surcharge.
6. Prove your identity, either with fingerprints and a photo at a visa application centre or through the UK Immigration: ID Check app. Which one depends on your passport, and you'll be told when you apply.
7. Wait for a decision, then follow the instructions it gives you before you travel.

Processing times vary by country and time of year. gov.uk publishes the current standard times and the earliest date you can apply before your course starts, so check those rather than a number from a forum. The practical rule: apply as soon as your CAS, funds and TB certificate are ready. Keep copies of everything you upload so you can answer any follow-up quickly.

Is the process different from India or Pakistan?

Not in substance. Applicants from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka follow the same Student visa rules, pay the same fee and need the same TB test. What changes is practical: where your nearest visa application centre is, how busy it is and how your bank formats its statements.

That last point matters more than people expect. Your statement should clearly show the account holder's name, the account number, the bank's name and the balance across the whole 28 days. If your bank's standard statement doesn't show all of that, ask the branch for a letter or a stamped statement that does, and check gov.uk for what it accepts. If the money is in a parent's account, prepare the consent letter and your birth certificate at the same time as the statement, so nothing holds up your appointment.

Next steps

Plot your CAS, funds and visa dates on the dated application roadmap, and use our UK study guide for costs, courses and the Graduate Route. If Germany is also on your list, compare this with the German student visa process.

FAQ

How much is the UK student visa fee in 2026?

The application fee is £558, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year (£388 for six months or less). Fees change, so check the current figure on gov.uk before you pay.

Do I need IELTS for a UK student visa?

Not always. For degree-level study, your university can assess your English itself, and some accept a previous English-medium degree. Where the visa does need a secure English test, it must be an approved SELT such as IELTS for UKVI, PTE Academic UKVI, LanguageCert or PSI Skills for English. Standard Academic IELTS and Duolingo don't count.

Can I use my parent's bank account for the funds?

Yes. The money can be in your account or your parent's, as long as it's held for 28 consecutive days. You'll also need proof of your relationship and your parent's consent.

Do I need a TB test if I'm applying from Nepal or Sri Lanka?

Yes. The requirement covers applicants who have lived in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal or Sri Lanka, and the test must be done at an approved clinic.