Student visa

The student visa allows eligible international students aged 16 or over to study in the UK with a licensed student sponsor. To qualify, applicants must meet the relevant requirements relating to their course, financial circumstances, English language ability and immigration history.

At Sterling Shore Solicitors, our UK immigration solicitors can assist with student visa applications, extensions, switching into the student route and dealing with complex immigration issues or refusals.

Who can apply for a student visa?

You may be eligible for a student visa if you are aged 16 or over and have been offered a place on an eligible course with a licensed student sponsor.

Your education provider must issue you with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), which is required before you can submit your student visa application.

The course must meet the requirements of the student route. This can include qualifying degree-level courses, certain courses below degree level, eligible English language courses and certain other approved courses.

If you are aged 16 or 17 and intend to study at an independent school, you may instead need to consider the child student route.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

A CAS is an essential part of a student visa application.

Your education provider will issue a CAS once you have been offered a place and the relevant requirements have been satisfied. The CAS contains important information about your course and sponsorship.

You will need to provide your CAS reference number as part of your visa application.

The CAS must be used within the applicable timeframe, and the information contained within it must be consistent with your application and supporting evidence.

Our immigration solicitors can review your circumstances and supporting documentation to help identify any potential issues before your application is submitted.

Student visa financial requirements

Applicants must normally demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to pay their course fees and support themselves while living in the UK.

The amount required depends on your circumstances and where you will study.

For the current financial requirement, students generally need to show funds for living costs of:

• £1,529 per month for courses in London, up to a maximum of 9 months; or
• £1,171 per month for courses outside London, up to a maximum of 9 months.

You may also need to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover the relevant course fees shown on your CAS.

The financial evidence must satisfy specific Home Office requirements. Generally, the required funds must have been held for a continuous 28-day period, with the end of that period falling within the prescribed timeframe before the application.

There are circumstances where an applicant may not need to provide financial evidence, including certain applicants who have already been in the UK with valid immigration permission for at least 12 months.

Our solicitors can assess your financial circumstances and supporting evidence before you apply.

English language requirement

Student visa applicants generally need to demonstrate their knowledge of English to the required level.

The level required can depend on the course you intend to study and your individual circumstances.

Evidence may include an approved English language test or other permitted evidence of English language ability.

There are exemptions and alternative ways of satisfying the requirement in certain circumstances.

We can advise you on the English language requirement that applies to your particular application and whether your existing qualifications or circumstances may satisfy the requirement.

Student visa application process

The student visa application process involves several stages.

You will generally need to:

• obtain an offer of a place from a licensed student sponsor;
• obtain your CAS;
• establish that you meet the relevant student visa requirements;
• prepare your financial and other supporting evidence;
• complete the online application;
• prove your identity and provide biometric information where required;
• pay the visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge where applicable; and
• respond to any requests for additional information or an interview.

Applications from outside the UK can generally be made up to six months before the course start date. If you are applying from within the UK, the application must be made before your existing immigration permission expires and within the relevant timeframe before your course begins.

Working on a student visa

Students may be permitted to work in the UK, subject to the conditions attached to their immigration permission.

The amount and type of work permitted can depend on the type and level of course being studied and the student's circumstances.

There are restrictions on certain types of employment, including professional sport and certain other activities.

It is important that students understand the conditions attached to their visa and do not undertake work that is prohibited.

A breach of visa conditions can have serious consequences for your immigration status and future UK visa applications.

Bringing your partner or children

The student route does not generally allow all students to bring dependants to the UK.

Only students who meet specific requirements may be permitted to bring a dependant partner or dependant children.

This can include certain students studying eligible postgraduate courses or students who are government-sponsored and meet the relevant requirements.

The rules surrounding student dependants are detailed and have changed significantly in recent years.

If you are planning to study in the UK with your family, it is important to establish whether your particular course and circumstances allow dependants before making arrangements to travel.

Our immigration solicitors can advise you and your family on the applicable requirements.

Student visa extension

If your course continues beyond the expiry of your current student visa, you may be able to extend your permission from within the UK, provided you meet the relevant requirements.

An extension may require:

• a new CAS;
• evidence that you are continuing an eligible course;
• evidence of academic progression where applicable;
• evidence of sufficient funds where required;
• evidence of your English language ability where applicable; and
• compliance with the conditions of your existing immigration permission.

The timing of an extension application is particularly important. You must ensure that you submit a valid application before your existing permission expires.

Our solicitors can advise you on the extension process and ensure that your application is prepared correctly.

Switching to a student visa

In certain circumstances, a person who is already in the UK may be able to switch into the student route. However, switching is not permitted from every type of immigration permission.

There are also specific requirements concerning the timing of the application, your existing immigration status and your proposed course.

If you are considering changing your immigration route, we recommend obtaining legal advice before making an application or committing to a course.

Student visa and the Graduate route

The student route can provide an opportunity for eligible graduates to remain in the UK after completing their studies.

The graduate route allows eligible students who successfully complete an eligible course in the UK to remain for a limited period to work or look for work.

The graduate route is unsponsored and is not a route to settlement.

The length of permission available under the graduate route is subject to the rules in force at the time of application. Current Home Office guidance provides for two years for applications made on or before 31 December 2026, reducing to 18 months for applications made from 1 January 2027, while eligible PhD and other doctoral graduates can receive three years.

Our solicitors can advise you on your options after completing your studies and whether another immigration route may provide a longer-term pathway to remain in the UK.

Student visa refusal

A student visa application can be refused for a number of reasons.

A refusal can have significant consequences, particularly where a course is due to start shortly.

If your student visa has been refused, our immigration solicitors can review the decision, identify the reasons for refusal and advise you on the most appropriate next step.

Depending on the circumstances, this may involve an administrative review, a fresh application or another appropriate legal remedy.

Genuine student requirement

Applicants must satisfy the genuine student requirement.

This means that UKVI may consider whether you genuinely intend to study the proposed course and whether your circumstances are consistent with the purpose of the student route.

Factors that may be relevant can include your educational background, chosen course, reasons for studying in the UK, future plans and previous immigration history.

It is therefore important that your application and supporting evidence clearly and consistently explain your circumstances and intentions.

Our solicitors can assist you in preparing an application that properly addresses the relevant requirements.

Complex student visa applications

Student visa applications can become more complicated where an applicant has a previous immigration history, previous visa refusal, gaps in education, changes of course, previous study in the UK or other circumstances that may require further explanation.

Issues can also arise where there are discrepancies between the information contained in your CAS, application form and supporting documents.

Obtaining legal advice before submitting your application can help identify potential issues and reduce the risk of avoidable problems.

Every immigration case is different, and our solicitors can provide advice based on your individual circumstances.

At Sterling Shore Solicitors, our solicitors, lawyers and barristers have extensive experience dealing with UK immigration matters.

We understand the importance of obtaining the correct immigration permission to study in the UK and the potential impact that a refusal can have on your education and future plans.

Our approach is professional, reliable and efficient, with advice tailored to your individual circumstances.

We can assist with initial eligibility assessments, student visa applications, extensions, switching applications, dependant applications, refusals and more complex immigration matters.

Our fees are agreed with you from the outset, so you understand the costs involved before proceeding.

We also offer a free, no-obligation initial assessment to discuss your circumstances and explain how we may be able to assist.

Speak to one of our UK Immigration Specialists today.

Call us on 0203 150 2122 or complete our contact form to discuss your student visa application.