UK Student Visa in 2026: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Everything an international student needs to get a UK Student visa — CAS, financial proof, IHS, biometrics, timelines and the mistakes that cause refusals.
Getting your UK Student visa is the first real step of your journey — and the one that causes the most stress. This guide walks through the whole process in the order it actually happens, from the moment your university sends your offer to the day you land at Heathrow and one of our drivers is waiting for you.
1. Get your unconditional offer and CAS
Your university issues a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) once you have accepted an unconditional offer and usually paid a deposit. The CAS is a 14-character reference number, not a document you print. It contains your course dates, fees and how much you have already paid — check every detail, because a mismatch between your CAS and your application is one of the most common reasons for delay.
Your visa start date is tied to the course start date on the CAS. If your university changes the date after you apply, you may need a new CAS. Always ask your admissions team before booking flights.
2. Prove your finances (the 28-day rule)
You must show you can cover your first year of tuition (minus anything already paid) plus living costs. Outside London the living-cost requirement is £1,136 per month for up to nine months (£10,224). The money must have been in your account, or your parent's account, for 28 consecutive days and the closing balance date must be no more than 31 days before you apply.
Applicants from countries on the UKVI "differential evidence" list are not always asked for bank statements, but you must still have the money — the Home Office can request it at any time.
3. Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge
The IHS gives you full NHS access from day one, exactly like a UK resident. You pay it as part of the online application and the amount is calculated from your visa length. Once you arrive, read our guide to registering with a GP in Oxford so you can actually use what you paid for.
4. Apply online and book biometrics
The application is at gov.uk/student-visa. You will upload documents, pay the £490 fee and book an appointment at a visa application centre for fingerprints and a photo. Many countries now offer the UK Immigration: ID Check app instead of an in-person appointment, so check what applies to your passport.
Priority (decision in about 5 working days) costs an extra £500 and super priority (next working day) £1,000. If your course starts within six weeks, priority is usually worth it. Otherwise the standard service is fine — apply early instead.
5. Receive your decision and eVisa
Since 2025 most students receive a digital eVisa rather than a sticker. You create a UKVI account, link it to your passport, and generate a share code when a landlord, employer or bank needs to check your status. Keep your login details somewhere safe — your parents should have a copy too.
6. Plan your arrival
Your visa lets you enter the UK up to one month before your course starts. That is the window most students use to settle in. Our arrival packages cover airport pickup, the first night, SIM card, bank appointment and NHS registration so week one is not spent on buses and waiting rooms. If you are unsure which package fits, book a free 15-minute call and we will map it out with you.
Common reasons for refusal
| Reason | How to avoid it |
|---|---|
| Funds held for fewer than 28 days | Deposit money early and do not move it between accounts |
| Statement older than 31 days | Apply within a month of your closing balance date |
| CAS details don't match application | Re-read your CAS letter and copy details exactly |
| Missing English test or wrong level | Confirm your CAS records the English evidence the university accepted |
| Unexplained large deposits | Add a short letter explaining where the money came from |
Since January 2024 only postgraduate research students and government-sponsored students can bring dependants. Taught master's students cannot. Plan accordingly before accepting an offer.
What happens after you land
Within the first ten days you should collect your BRP if you were issued one, register with the university, open a UK bank account, register with a GP and get your National Insurance number if you plan to work. Our Pre-arrival checklist inside UniLife tracks all of these for you, and your parents can follow progress from the parent portal.
Sources: UK Visas and Immigration Student route guidance; UKCISA; NHS Immigration Health Surcharge pages. Figures correct at September 2026 — always confirm on gov.uk before applying.
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