Student and Graduate Visas

Key takeaways

• A UK Student visa costs £558 to apply from outside the UK and £558 to extend or switch from inside the UK, as at August 2026.
• Students must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, charged at the discounted rate of £776 for each year of the visa (£388 for six months or less).
• You normally need to show £1,529 per month for courses in London and £1,171 per month for courses outside London, for up to nine months, held for 28 consecutive days.
• A degree-level Student visa usually lasts up to five years for students aged 18 or over, and up to two years for courses below degree level.
• After your studies, the Graduate (post-study work) visa lets eligible graduates stay to work for two years (three years after a PhD), with full details on our separate Graduate visa page.
• You can apply for a Student visa up to six months before your course starts from outside the UK, and up to three months before from inside the UK.

The UK Student visa lets people aged 16 or over study at a licensed education provider in the United Kingdom, and the Graduate visa lets eligible graduates stay on to work after their course.

Table of contents

• What is a Student visa?
• How long is a Student visa valid?
• Types of Student visas
• Eligibility requirements for a Student visa
• Required documents to apply for a Student visa
• How to apply for a Student visa?
• UK Student visa fees
• What is the Graduate visa?
• How can we help?
• FAQ

What is a Student visa?

A Student visa is permission to live in the United Kingdom for the purpose of studying at a licensed education provider. The main UK study visa is officially called the Student visa (the Student route), and it replaced the old Tier 4 (General) student visa. It is the main immigration route for international students aged 16 and over.

To be granted the visa you must have been offered a place on a course by an approved provider, be able to support yourself financially, and be able to speak, read, write and understand English to the required level. The visa also sets out whether you can work, and how much, alongside your studies.

How long is a Student visa valid?

The validity of a Student visa is usually up to five years if you are 18 or over and studying at degree level, and up to two years for courses below degree level. The exact length is tied to the duration of your course, plus a short additional period before and after it.

If your course finishes and you want to keep studying, work, or stay in the UK, you may be able to extend your Student visa or switch to another route, such as the Graduate visa or the Skilled Worker visa. Time spent on a Student visa can count towards other applications later, so it is worth planning the sequence early.

Types of Student visas

There are three main study routes into the UK, and the right one depends on your age and the type and length of your course.

Short-Term Study visa

The Short-Term Study visa is for people coming to the UK to study an English language course lasting longer than six months and up to eleven months. It cannot be extended, and it does not allow you to work or bring dependants. For most other short courses of six months or less, visitors use a Standard Visitor visa instead.

Student visa (the Student route, previously Tier 4 General)

The Student route is the main visa for those aged 16 or over who want to study at a licensed college or university in the UK. It covers undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses, foundation courses and many other qualifications, and it can lead on to work routes once studies are complete.

Child Student visa

The Child Student visa is for children aged 4 to 17 who will study at an independent (fee-paying) school in the UK, including students at UK independent schools. Children aged 16 or 17 can choose between a Child Student visa and a Student visa depending on their circumstances, and a parent may be able to join a younger child on a Parent of a Child Student visa.

Eligibility requirements for a Student visa

To qualify for a Student visa you must have an unconditional offer from a licensed student sponsor, evidenced by a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), and you must meet English language and financial requirements. In short, you need to show that you can pay for your course and support yourself while you study.

The core requirements are:

• an offer of a place on a course from a licensed education provider, confirmed by a CAS reference number;
• enough money to pay your course fees and to support yourself while living in the UK;
• the required level of English (usually assessed by an approved test or as part of your course);
• consent from a parent or guardian if you are aged 16 or 17.

For living costs, you must normally show that you have held enough money for at least 28 days in a row, ending no more than 31 days before you apply. The amounts are set by the Home Office and depend on where you will study.

Required documents to apply for a Student visa

The central document is your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), issued by your course provider, together with a valid passport or travel document. Missing or inconsistent documents are one of the most common reasons for refusal, so it is worth checking each item carefully before you apply.

Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to provide:

• proof that you have the required funds for course fees and living costs;
• evidence of your English language ability;
• your tuberculosis (TB) test results, if you are from a country where this is required;
• academic qualifications listed on your CAS;
• written consent from your parents and proof of relationship, if you are under 18;
• a valid ATAS certificate, if your course requires one.

How to apply for a Student visa?

You apply for a Student visa online, and you can only apply once your education provider has issued your CAS. From outside the UK you can apply up to six months before your course starts; from inside the UK you can apply up to three months before it begins, and before your current visa expires.

As part of the application you will pay the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, prove your identity (either at a visa application centre or using the UK Immigration: ID Check app), and submit your supporting documents. The standard processing time is up to three weeks for applications made outside the UK and up to eight weeks for applications made inside the UK, though a priority service may be available for an extra fee.

UK Student visa fees

A Student visa costs £558 whether you apply from outside the UK or extend or switch from inside the UK, as at August 2026. On top of the application fee you must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which for students is charged at £776 for each year of the visa (or £388 for a period of six months or less).

The Student visa fee has risen over recent years, so older figures are now out of date: the current fee is £558, not the widely quoted £490, so make sure you budget for the correct amount. Beyond these official fees, you should also budget for related costs such as your English test, the TB test where required, and proof of your living costs. Getting the fees and financial evidence right the first time avoids delays and reduces the risk of refusal.

What is the Graduate visa?

The Graduate visa is a post-study work route that lets you stay in the UK to work, or look for work, after you successfully complete an eligible course. To qualify you must be in the UK and hold a Student visa (or Tier 4 visa) when you apply, and your university must have confirmed to the Home Office that you have completed your course.

It usually lasts two years for bachelor’s and master’s graduates, or three years after a PhD, and the standard length is due to fall to 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027. You cannot extend a Graduate visa, but you may be able to switch to another route, such as the Skilled Worker visa, before it expires.

How can we help?

Our immigration solicitors and student visa lawyers advise students, parents, graduates and sponsors at every stage of the study journey, from choosing the right route to responding to a refusal. Whether you are applying for the first time, extending your Student visa, bringing a dependant, or moving on to the Graduate or Skilled Worker route, we help you put forward a complete and well-evidenced application.

Our work can include:

• assessing which study or post-study route best fits your circumstances;
• reviewing your CAS and checking eligibility before you apply;
• preparing and checking your financial evidence and supporting documents;
• advising on the English language and academic requirements;
• preparing Student, Child Student and Short-Term Study visa applications;
• preparing Graduate visa and Skilled Worker switching applications;
• advising parents applying to join a child studying in the UK;
• advising on visa conditions, including work rights and dependants;
• challenging refusals through administrative review or appeal where appropriate;
• helping education providers and sponsors meet their compliance duties.

To make sure the current rules apply correctly to your circumstances, book a consultation with our immigration team before you submit your application.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does a UK Student visa cost in 2026?

A Student visa costs £558 to apply from outside the UK and £558 to extend or switch from inside the UK, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 for each year of the visa.

How much money do I need to show for a UK Student visa?

You normally need to show £1,529 per month for courses in London and £1,171 per month for courses outside London, for up to nine months, held for 28 consecutive days.

How long does a UK Student visa last?

A degree-level Student visa usually lasts up to five years for students aged 18 or over, and up to two years for courses below degree level, based on the length of your course.

What is the difference between a Student visa and a Graduate visa?

A Student visa allows you to study in the UK, while a Graduate visa lets you stay to work or look for work after you have successfully completed an eligible course.

Can I stay in the UK to work after my studies?

Yes. Eligible graduates can apply for the Graduate visa to stay and work for two years (three years after a PhD).

Is Tier 4 still a valid visa?

No. The Tier 4 (General) student category has been replaced by the Student route, although existing Tier 4 visa holders keep the same rights until their visa expires.

Do I need a lawyer or solicitor for a UK Student visa?

You are not required to use one, but an immigration solicitor or student visa lawyer can check your eligibility and evidence before you apply, which reduces the risk of delay or refusal, especially for complex cases.

Is there an age limit for a UK Student visa?

There is no upper age limit for the Student visa; applicants must be aged 16 or over, while children aged 4 to 17 apply through the Child Student visa.

Can I work on a UK Student visa?

Many students can work a limited number of hours during term time and full-time during holidays, but the exact conditions depend on your course, your sponsor and your visa, so check your conditions before working.

How long does it take to get a UK Student visa?

The standard processing time is up to three weeks for applications made outside the UK and up to eight weeks for applications made inside the UK, with a faster priority service sometimes available for an extra fee.

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