🇬🇧 UK Student Visa 2026 — Complete Guide
Requirements, maintenance funds, work rights, and the Graduate Visa pathway for international students in the UK. Updated for 2026 Home Office rules.
Worked example: a one-year MSc in Manchester vs London
The funds must sit in your account for 28 consecutive days ending within 31 days of applying. The surcharge is charged for the full visa length, which for a one-year course is usually around 16 months; the figure shown is an estimate.
| Item | Manchester | London |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition still owed (example) | £28,000 | £34,000 |
| Maintenance, 9 months (applying before 30 Nov 2026) | £10,539 | £13,761 |
| Maintenance, 9 months (applying from 30 Nov 2026) | £10,827 | £14,130 |
| Visa fee + 1.5 years of health surcharge (approx.) | £558 + £1,164 | £558 + £1,164 |
⚠️ 2026 Alert: Dependants Banned for Most Postgrad Students
Since January 2024, most taught postgraduate students (MSc, MA, MBA) cannot bring family members to the UK. Only PhD/research students and government-sponsored students are exempt.
UK Student Visa — Key Requirements 2026
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies from your university |
| Visa Application Fee | £558 from 8 April 2026 (UKCISA) |
| Maintenance Funds — Outside London | £1,171/month × 9 = £10,539 (applications before 30 Nov 2026); £1,203/month × 9 = £10,827 from 30 Nov 2026 |
| Maintenance Funds — London | £1,529/month × 9 = £13,761 (before 30 Nov 2026); £1,570/month × 9 = £14,130 from 30 Nov 2026 |
| English Language | IELTS Academic 5.5–7.5 depending on course (SELT accepted) |
| ATAS Certificate | Required for certain sensitive subjects (science, tech, engineering) |
| Tuberculosis Test | Required if applying from certain countries including India, Pakistan, Nigeria |
| IHS Surcharge | £776/year healthcare surcharge (must pay upfront for full visa duration) |
| Processing Time | 3 weeks inside UK, 3–8 weeks outside UK |
💼 Work Rights on UK Student Visa
| When | Hours Allowed |
|---|---|
| During term time (undergrad/postgrad) | 20 hours/week maximum |
| During official vacation periods | Full time (no limit) |
| Placement / work placement year | Full time if part of course |
| Dependant family members (PhD only) | Full time allowed |
🛤️ UK Study → PR Pathway
Step 1: Complete your UK degree (minimum bachelor's or master's)
Step 2: Apply for Graduate Visa — 2 years (undergraduate/master's) or 3 years (PhD)
Step 3: Find a job meeting the Skilled Worker salary threshold for your occupation (see current GOV.UK thresholds)
Step 4: Switch to Skilled Worker Visa
Step 5: Build continuous UK residence toward Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) — currently 5 years, though this is under active government reform (see warning below)
Step 6: After 1 year ILR → apply for British citizenship
Total timeline: 7–10 years from student visa to citizenship under current rules
⚠️ 2 November 2026: The UK confirmed "Earned Settlement": the standard ILR qualifying period rises from 5 to 10 years, with 5 years for earnings above £50,270 and 3 years above £125,140. Time on the Student and Graduate routes will not count towards settlement, and there is no general protection for people already in the UK. Rules start from December 2026, with changes expected during 2027. Read the full breakdown of confirmed vs proposed changes →
By Source Country — Extra Requirements
| Country | Extra Needed | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| 🇮🇳 India | TB test, bank statements 28 days before application | Funds must be held 28 consecutive days |
| 🇨🇳 China | ATAS certificate for STEM subjects, TB test | ATAS delays can take 20+ working days |
| 🇳🇬 Nigeria | TB test, detailed sponsor letter, home ties evidence | High refusal rates — strong financial proof essential |
| 🇵🇰 Pakistan | TB test, biometrics at VFS | Processing times longer than average |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my spouse or children on a UK student visa?
Only if you're on a PhD/research programme or a government-sponsored scholarship. Since January 2024, taught postgraduate students (MSc, MA, MBA) and undergraduates cannot bring dependants — this was a major policy tightening and remains in force for 2026.
Does the £776/year IHS surcharge match my course length exactly?
Not necessarily — you pay for the full duration of the visa granted, not just your course dates. UKVI typically adds roughly 1 month before your course starts and 2–4 months after it ends, so a 2-year course can result in IHS being charged for slightly more than 2 years, rounded up to the nearest 6-month period.
Do my maintenance funds need to be in my own bank account?
Not necessarily — funds can be held by you or by a parent/legal guardian acting as your financial sponsor, but either way they generally need to have been held for a consecutive 28-day period before you apply, and the account statement must clearly show the account holder's name.
What happens after the Graduate Visa expires if I haven't found a qualifying job?
You'd need to either switch to another eligible visa route, leave the UK, or in some cases apply for a further period of leave if you're pursuing further study — the Graduate Visa itself cannot be extended once its 2-year (or 3-year PhD) term ends.
Do I need to show funds for my whole 3-year or 4-year course, not just year one?
No — this is a common misunderstanding. UKVI only assesses your first year's tuition plus up to 9 months of maintenance funds at the initial visa application, regardless of how long your course runs. You should still plan realistically for how you'll fund later years, but the formal financial requirement for the visa itself doesn't multiply by your total course length.
Sources
Figures on this page were checked against these official or primary sources on 30 October 2026.