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UK students

Student and Child Student visas, the Graduate route after your course, and short-term English language study. The Graduate route shortens for applications made from 1 January 2027.

Student visa

• You must be 16 or over, hold an unconditional offer and a CAS from a licensed student sponsor, meet the financial requirement and prove English.
• Money: £1,529 a month in London and £1,171 a month elsewhere, for a maximum of nine months - so up to £13,761 or £10,539 - plus any outstanding course fees for the first year as shown on the CAS.
• Funds must be held for 28 consecutive days, ending no more than 31 days before the application date.
• You are exempt from proving funds if you have already been in the UK on a visa for 12 months or more, or if you are a national of one of the 64 listed countries.
• English: B2 for degree level and above, B1 below degree level, unless you are exempt.
• Fee £558 inside or outside the UK; health surcharge £776 a year. Decisions usually three weeks from outside the UK and eight weeks inside.
• Length: up to five years for degree-level study if you are 18 or over, or two years below degree level.

ATAS

Certain nationals studying or researching in sensitive technology subjects need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate before applying. It is free but takes at least 30 working days, and longer between April and August. Nationals of 32 listed countries are exempt.

Child Student

For children aged 4 to 17 attending an independent school, with parental consent. Under 16s can be granted the course length plus four months up to six years; 16 and 17 year olds up to three years plus four months. Fee £558.

Graduate route

• Open to people in the UK on a Student visa who have completed an eligible UK course; the provider notifies the Home Office.
• Two years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026. 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027. PhD graduates are granted three years.
• Fee £937, health surcharge £1,035 a year. No English test at this stage, no sponsor needed, and no extensions - but you can switch into a work route.
• Since 30 July 2026, children born in the UK while a parent holds Graduate permission can apply as dependants.

Short-term study, English language

For English language courses longer than six months and up to 11 months. The stay is the course length plus 30 days, capped at 11 months. Fee £228 with a £776 health surcharge. You cannot work, bring dependants, extend or switch. English courses of six months or less are done as a Standard Visitor instead.

Nationality restrictions from 26 March 2026

A visa brake refuses out-of-country Student applications from main applicants who are nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan. Anyone affected should take advice before applying.

How PRIMEVISA helps

• Financial evidence that satisfies Appendix Finance first time, including third-party and overseas accounts.
• Credibility interviews, previous refusals and applications with a complex study history.
• Switching from Student to Graduate, Skilled Worker or a family route without a gap in permission.
• Dependant applications and school placements for Child Students.

This page summarises guidance published on GOV.UK and was last reviewed on 18 August 2026. It is general information, not immigration advice on your own case. PRIMEVISA LTD is regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority, registration F201600043.

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