HomeSettlementStudent Visa
Student visa solicitors
For students coming to the UK to study with a licensed education provider. We check the CAS, the finances and the evidence before the application is submitted, and plan the route you take when the course ends. Fixed-fee packages from £1,296 + VAT.
Written by Dipendra Fakira, Supervising Immigration Caseworker · Reviewed by Georgette Thomas, Principal Solicitor · Last reviewed 12 July 2026
At a glance
Home Office fee
Plus the immigration health surcharge
Length of grant
Plus a short wrap-around either side
English required
B1 for below-degree courses
Financial evidence
Held for 28 days before applying
Home Office fees and thresholds change - check gov.uk for the current figures. We confirm them in writing when we quote you.
The two student routes
The Student visa - the replacement for Tier 4 - is for people aged 16 and over studying at a UK university or other licensed institution. The Child Student visa covers children aged 4 to 17 at independent schools. Both require the education provider to hold a sponsor licence.
What you need
- A CAS from your provider - the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. No CAS, no visa.
- Financial evidence - funds for tuition and living costs, held in the right way.
- English language - around B2 for degree-level study, unless exempt.
- A valid passport.
- TB test certificate - required for some countries of residence.
- ATAS or criminal record certificate - only for certain courses and subjects.
Financial evidence is where student applications most often go wrong - the right amount, held for the right period, in an acceptable account. We check it line by line before submission.
Timing, dependants and what comes after
You must apply within six months of your CAS being issued and no more than three months before the course starts. The visa covers the length of the course plus a short period at the end. At degree level you can usually work up to 20 hours a week in term time and full time in the holidays; eligibility for dependants depends on the course.
Plan the exit before the course ends. Many students switch to the Graduate visa or, with a sponsor, straight into Skilled Worker. The timing matters, and we map it with you.
What it costs
| Service | Our fixed fee |
|---|---|
Full application package CAS and evidence check, financial documents, forms, submission and updates until the decision - dependants quoted alongside | £1,296–£2,700 + VAT |
Initial consultation A quick check of your CAS, finances and timing | from £50 + VAT |
The ultimate guide to UK Student visas
Student visa questions
Applicants aged 16 or over with an unconditional offer from a licensed sponsor for an eligible course, who can meet the English language and financial requirements. Different rules apply to children aged 4 to 17.
You must show you can cover course fees for the first year plus a set monthly amount for living costs, which differs for London and outside London. Funds must be held for a continuous 28-day period ending within 31 days of application.
Most students on full-time degree-level courses can work up to 20 hours a week during term and full-time in vacations. Doctoral extension, some short-term and part-time routes have tighter restrictions - check yours before you take a job.
Dependant visas are limited to postgraduate research courses of 9 months or more, government-sponsored courses of 6 months or more, or certain long doctoral programmes. Most taught-masters students can no longer bring dependants.
It usually covers the length of your course plus a short wrap-up period at the end - up to four months for degree-level courses. Time on Student routes counts towards the ten-year long residence route to settlement, but not the five-year work or family routes.
Yes. The Graduate route gives two years to work or look for work after a UK degree (three years for a PhD). Other options include switching to a Skilled Worker visa if you have a job offer from a licensed sponsor.
Your sponsor must report it, and your leave may be curtailed. If you are moving to a new licensed sponsor, apply for a new visa before you start. Do not simply switch quietly - it can affect future applications.
Only for certain sensitive science and technology postgraduate courses. Your offer letter will tell you if ATAS is required. Applying without it when required is an automatic refusal.
Get the application checked before it goes in
Book an initial consultation, from £50 + VAT. A refusal costs a lot more than a check.