UK Student Visa Document Checklist

Candidates wanting to study in the UK would be required to apply for a UK Student Visa to enter the country for pursuing their education. Students are advised to apply for their UK Student Visa once they have received their university admission letter or otherwise referred to as Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). Candidates must apply for their student visa no more than six months after they receive their CAS. Applicants would get a decision on their UK Student visa within three weeks of their applying.
Eligibility for UK Student Visa
The following candidates are eligible to apply for a UK Student Visa
- Students who have received an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed Tier 4 sponsor
- Students who have enough money to support themselves and pay for their course
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Steps to Apply for your UK Student Visa
Candidates are required to visit the official UK Visas & Immigration website and complete their application. Candidates would be then required to pay the UK Student Visa fee, health surcharge (if applicable) and book your visa appointment. Candidates can also book premium services on priority with an extra charge. Candidates would be then required to print their application form and their appointment confirmation. Note: The earliest a student can apply for a visa is 3 months before the start of their course.
UK Student Visa Fee
Candidates who are applying for their UK Student Visa are required to pay £363 to apply for this visa from outside the UK.
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Prepare for Your UK Student Visa
Document checklist for UK Student Visa – Candidates would be then required to prepare for their UK Student Visa Interview. They would be required to adhere to the UK Student Visa Document Checklist and provide the documents as mentioned, below.
- Tuberculosis Test Certificate if you’re from a country where you have to take the test
- Health Surcharge Reference Number – You will also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.
- Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) – Your education provider will send you a reference number called a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) once they have offered you a place on a course. You will need to enter this on your visa application.
- Candidates would also be required to prove they have enough funds to cover their course fees and monthly living expense for nine months. If the funds are held under a parent's name, then the student is required to provide proof of the relationship. The amount of funds that you need to declare are £1,334 per month if you are living in London and £1,023 per month if you are living outside London.
- Passport or other valid travel documentation
- Parental or other legal guardian consent if you’re under 18
- Proof of your relationship with your parent or guardian if you’re under 18
- You need a blank page in your passport for your visa.
- You may also need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances
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Attend the Interview
Candidates would then be required to attend the appointment and submit the application along with the documents mentioned. On the day of the UK Student Visa Interview, candidates would be required to get their original passport, photographs, and supporting documents. The candidate would have his fingerprint scanned and have his photograph taken at the centre. Applicants might be required to attend an interview with UKVI caseworker online through the applicant's repective local Visa Application Centre. The interview is to check the applicant's genuinity and clearer golas for admission to UK universities. The applicants may be asked about the following:
- The choice of course and university
- Reason for joining a particular UK University and not the other
- Why choosing to study in the UK?
- If applied to any other UK University as well.
- Financial planning for - living, studing, healthcare, travel, etc.
Kindly note: Candidates are expected to be honest in their application. All false declarations and /or forged documents would lead to a mandatory refusal of your application and could result in a 10-year ban from the UK.
Your Arrival in the UK
Candidates can arrive in the UK before their course starts:
- up to 1 week before, if the course lasts 6 months or less
- up to 1 month before, if the course lasts more than 6 months
How long you can stay depends on the kind, of course, you’re doing and what study you’ve already completed. For more information, read all about the UK Post-study Visa, here.
Read more articles related to getting admission to UK universities:
UK Student Visa Document Checklist FAQs
Q. Is it compulsory to provide CAS for UK student visa?
Q. Do I need to provide a consent if I am less than 18 years of age?
Q. Do I need to provide proof of funds for UK student visa?
Q. Can I extend my UK student visa?
- You must possess Tier 4 (General) student visa
- You must have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor (this can be proven with the help of CAS)
- You need show ‘academic progress requirement’
Q. Can I get a faster decision on my UK student visa application?

With over 8 years of experience in overseas education, Rahul Singha has been previously associated with prominent education houses. He is also responsible for keeping a sharp eye on education policies of major study... Read Full Bio
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