How to apply for a UK student visa?

Want to move to the UK to study? If you’ve had an offer from a UK university, the next step is to apply for your student visa.

But how easy is it to apply for the student visa in the UK, and how much does it cost? Read on, as we’ve put together a complete guide covering everything you need to know. This includes the UK visa fees, required documents, processing times and a step-by-step guide to the application process.

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You can even get a Wise international debit card, to start spending like a local from the moment you arrive in the UK.

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What is a student visa in the UK?

The UK Student visa is designed for international students aged 16 and over. It grants permission to stay in the UK for the purposes of further or higher education. You can stay for the length of your course, which ranges from 2-5 years depending on whether your course is at or below degree level.¹

To get this visa, you’ll need to have been offered a place at a university or institution that is designated a ‘licensed student sponsor’. There’s a full list of participating institutions available here.

Types of student visas in the UK

Currently, there’s only one type of Student visa in the UK for people over the age of 16. But there are a couple of additional visas that may be relevant to certain circumstances. These include:²

• The Child Student visa for children aged 4 to 17, who are coming to the UK to study at an independent school
• A Short-term study visa for those studying on an English language course for up to 11 months.

What is a Tier 4 dependent visa?

If you’ve been researching UK visas for students, you’re likely to have come across the term ‘Tier 4 visa’.

The Student visa has replaced the Tier 4 visa for the UK, which means that you can no longer apply for it. If you want to study in the UK, you’ll need to apply for the UK Student visa.

There’s also been a change in relation to the Tier 4 dependent visa. This was the visa which permitted spouses and children of international students and Tier 4 visa holders to join them in the UK. This has been replaced by the dependent visa, as part of the Student visa application.

Does a student visa count towards residency in the UK?

No, any time spent in the UK on a Student visa will not count towards applications for residency, Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or British citizenship.

However, if you stay in the UK on a Graduate Visa or Work visa after your initial period of study, you may be able to put this time towards a UK residency application.³

What are the requirements for a student visa in the UK?

Here are the UK student visa requirements you’ll need to meet:¹

• Be over 16 years old
• Have an offer from a UK educational institution that is a licensed student sponsor
• Have a good level of spoken and written English
• Have consent from your parents or guardians (if under 18).

You’ll also need to provide a number of documents to support your application. These include the following:⁴

• A valid passport
• Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider
• Proof of parental/guardian consent, and of your relationship to each other (if you’re under 18)
• A valid Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate (if required by your course or nationality)
• Evidence of support from your financial sponsor (if relevant)
• Your tuberculosis test results (if required)

The average processing time for UK student visas

The UK student visa processing time depends on whether you’re applying from inside or outside the country.

If applying from inside the UK, you should get a decision within 3 weeks. If you’re outside the country, it could be up to 8 weeks before your application is fully processed.¹

Are there any restrictions on working hours with a UK student visa?

You may be able to work in the UK on this visa. However, there are restrictions on UK student visa working hours. How much you’ll be able to work depends on what you’re studying and whether you’re working in or out of term-time.

You’ll be told about any particular restrictions which apply to you after your application has been successfully processed.

What happens if you work over 20 hours on a student visa in the UK?

On this visa, you won’t be able to work more than 20 hours a week during term time. If you exceed this limit, you could be in breach of your visa conditions. This could prevent you from completing your studies or getting a new visa in the future.⁵

You can however work full-time outside of term time.⁵

Student visa application fees for the UK

The Student visa fees for the UK are £363 to apply from outside the country, or £490 if you’re extending or switching to a Student visa from inside the UK.¹

If a partner or child is joining you in the UK under this visa, you’ll need to pay this fee for each person.¹

Need an easy, affordable way to pay visa fees in GBP? Open a Wise account, and you can get a Wise card. It’s ideal for spending in multiple currencies, including online. So you can use it to pay your visa fee in GBP without losing out to high bank charges and unfavourable exchange rates.

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Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

How to apply for a UK student visa?

If you’re ready to apply for your visa, here’s a step-by-step guide to the process:⁶

1. Check that you meet all eligibility requirements for the visa, and gather your supporting documents
2. Go to the UK Government website to start your application online
3. Complete the online application form and upload supporting documents where required
4. Pay your visa application fee online
5. Submit your application and wait for a decision. You’ll usually receive a letter or email, which will explain the decision and what to do next.

You’ll also need to prove your identity. This usually involves visiting a UK visa application centre in your country (find your nearest here) to provide your fingerprints and a photograph. This is used to create your biometric residence permit.

You may also be able to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app to verify your identity.

Is the UK study visa easy to get?

As the process is online and only really requires proof that you’ve been offered a place at an approved educational institution, the UK student visa is pretty easy to get.

However, you’ll need to make sure you have all the right paperwork before applying.

How long can you stay in the UK after your student visa expires?

You’re expected to leave the UK on or before your visa expiry date, which is usually when your course ends.

If you’re applying to extend or switch your visa, you can stay in the UK until you get a decision - as long as you apply before your current visa expires.⁷

How to extend your UK student visa?

To extend your visa to continue your course or start a new one, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:⁷

• Have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor
• Be able to show that your studies are at a higher academic level than your current course
• Prove that you have enough money to support yourself in the UK.

You can apply to extend your visa online, and pay the fee of £490.

Can you change a student visa to work visa in the UK?

You may be able to change a Student visa to a work visa once you finish your studies, but you’ll need to meet the eligibility requirements. You can read all about it here.

After reading this guide, you should have all the essential info you need to start a UK Student visa application. Then you can get on with the rest of your pre-move tasks, whether it’s opening a bank account (or a Wise account) or researching the cost of living in the UK.

Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 18-May-2023