UK Student Visa (Tier 4) 2026: CAS, Financial Requirements & Application

What the UK Student Visa (formerly Tier 4) actually is

The UK Student Visa is the immigration route for anyone 16 or over who wants to pursue a full-time course longer than six months at a licensed Student Sponsor institution. It replaced the old “Tier 4 (General)” route on 5 October 2020, but most universities and banks still use the shorthand “Tier 4” in their emails—don’t let the wording confuse you.

Key points that matter for 2026-intake students:

• The visa is granted in-line with your course length plus a short wrap-up period (usually 4 months for courses ≥12 months).
• You can work part-time during term-time (10 hrs/week if studying below degree level; 20 hrs/week if degree level or above) and full-time in vacations.
• Dependants are allowed only if you are sponsored for a postgraduate course lasting 9 months or more AND you study at a higher-education provider with a track record of compliance.
• The visa carries no automatic path to settlement, but can switch inside the UK to the Graduate visa (2–3 yrs) or to a work visa if you meet the criteria.

Who qualifies in 2026: the three non-negotiables

1. CAS from a licensed Student Sponsor

You must have an unconditional offer and receive a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). The CAS is not a paper letter—it is an electronic record generated in the Home Office Sponsor Management System. Each CAS has a unique 14-digit reference (starting with G or S) and is valid for 6 months.

2. 40-point tariff under the Points-Based System

• 30 points – valid CAS
• 10 points – financial evidence that meets the maintenance requirement

3. Genuine Student Rule

Even if you hit the points, para ST 6.1 of Immigration Rules requires that you “intend to study” and “credibility” will be assessed. Expect questions on why you chose that course, how it fits your career plan, and your immigration history.

Document checklist: what to upload on the UKVI portal

Scan everything in colour, PDF or JPG, ≤6 MB per file. You will upload these before your biometrics appointment.

1. Current passport (all pages incl. blanks ones)
2. Previous passports showing travel for last 10 years
3. Printed CAS statement (emailed by uni)—lists your course details, tuition, and official financial evidence codes
4. Financial evidence (see exact rules below)
5. TB certificate if you reside in a listed country (e.g., India, China, Kenya, Philippines). Full list: gov.uk/tb-test-visa
6. ATAS certificate for certain science/engineering courses (check your CAS)
7. Parental consent letter + birth certificate if aged 16-17
8. Translations by certified translator if any document is not in English

Do not submit: educational certificates or IELTS results unless your CAS specifically states they were used to issue your offer (they rarely are).

Financial requirement: how much money is “enough”?

Minimum living cost (main applicant)

• £1,334 per month for up to 9 months if studying in London (university campus postcode starts with E, EC, N, NW, SE, SW, W or WC).
• £1,023 per month for up to 9 months if studying outside London.

Tuition fees

Show full outstanding fees for the first academic year as stated on CAS (minus any deposit you already paid).

Worked example – University of Leeds (outside London)

• First-year tuition: £24,000
• Deposit paid: £4,000
• Outstanding tuition: £20,000
• Living cost (9 months): £1,023 × 9 = £9,207
• Total required: £29,207

Acceptable evidence formats

1. Personal bank statement (current/savings) showing the full amount for 28 consecutive days, ending ≤31 days before visa application date.
2. Bank letter signed and stamped on bank letterhead, same 28-day rule.
3. Education loan letter from a national/state bank naming you as beneficiary, dated ≤6 months before application.
4. Official financial sponsorship letter from government, university, or British Council.

Never use: stocks, mutual funds, property valuation, PF/EPF passbooks, or a relative’s account unless that relative is your UKVI-approved official financial sponsor.

Step-by-step application process (outside UK)

1. Receive unconditional offer → request CAS from uni (allow 5–10 working days).
2. Prepare financial paperwork; ensure 28-day fund history.
3. Obtain TB and ATAS certificates if applicable.
4. Complete online form “Student visa” on: gov.uk/apply-student-visa
5. Pay immigration health surcharge (IHS) – £776 per study year (2026 rate).
6. Pay visa fee – £490 for standard service outside UK.
7. Book biometrics at VAC (TLScontact or VFS Global). Keep the appointment receipt; you will need the GWF number.
8. Upload documents via VAC portal or carry them for scanning (country specific).
9. Attend biometrics; passport is retained and sent to British Entry Clearance Officer.
10. Wait for decision; you will get an email with a UKVI reference.
11. Passport returned with 90-day vignette. Travel within the vignette window.
12. Collect BRP from university post-office or nominated ACL within 10 days of UK arrival.

Costs in GBP (2026)

• Visa application fee – £490 (standard) or £990 (priority, 5-day) or £1,290 (super-priority, 24-hour)
• Immigration Health Surcharge – £776 × course length (max £3,880 for 5-year cap)
• Biometric enrolment – usually nil at VAC but some VFS centres charge £26 for scanning docs
• TB test – varies by country (e.g., India: ₹2,000; Nigeria: ₦57,800)
• ATAS – free of charge

Budget example for a 1-year MSc:
£490 (visa) + £776 (IHS) = £1,266 minimum before travel.

Processing timeline

• Standard decisions: 3 weeks (15 working days) from biometric appointment worldwide.
• Priority: 5 working days (not available in every country).
• Super-priority: next working day (only in elite VACs; £1,290 fee).

Peak season (July–September) delays are real; allocate 4–5 weeks buffer before course start.

Top 7 refusal reasons (and how to dodge them)

1. 28-day rule failure – money dipped below required amount even for one day. Use an excel tracker; don’t round figures.
2. Wrong bank format – online screenshots without bank stamp, or crypto/digital banks not recognised by UKVI. Stick with high-street banks or ask bank for a stamped PDF.
3. CAS mismatch – tuition or deposit figure on CAS differs from university portal. Email admissions for a corrected CAS before you apply.
4. Missing ATAS/TB – delays mean application is “put on hold” and later refused if documents never arrive. Upload them proactively.
5. Duplicate CAS attempt – applying again with same CAS after first refusal. A CAS becomes “used” once a decision is made; you must request a new CAS.
6. Genuine student interview flop – vague answers on course module, job prospects, or return to home country. Prepare a 1-page study plan; rehearse articulating it.
7. Translation blunders – translator forgot to add statement “accurate translation of original”. Use UKVI template wording.

Insider tips from 2025 cohorts

• Open a second bank account solely for visa funds; transfer the required lumpsum and leave it untouched for 30+ days—removes ambiguity.
• Book your TB test at least 6 weeks before intended visa date; clinics in Lagos, Dhaka, and Lahore run fully booked May-August.
• Include a one-page financial summary letter (self-typed) listing tuition, deposit, remaining, living cost, and total—decision officers love it.
• If using education loan, ensure the letter says “will be disbursed on or before arrival in the UK” or UKVI may discount it.
• Priority slots are released at 10 a.m. local VAC time every Monday; set a phone reminder.
• Carry printed IHS payment confirmation; some ECOs request it even though it’s in their system.
• On arrival, do NOT queue in the e-gates if you have a BRP collection letter; join the “See Officer” lane to get your entry stamp dated, or post-office may refuse BRP hand-over.

FAQ – the questions we hear daily

1. My course is 13 months but CAS shows 12; which length sets IHS?

Immigration rules round up partial months, so you pay IHS for 13 months × £776. If your CAS is wrong, request a new one before application.

2. Can I use fixed deposit (FD) certificate?

Yes, if the FD is in your name, freely withdrawable, and the bank letter explicitly states the funds can be accessed within 28 days without financial penalty.

3. Is the 28-day rule calculated backwards from application date or biometric date?

From the date you press “submit and pay” online. Funds must show the required amount 28 consecutive days ending ≤31 days before that date.

4. Do I need to submit original degree transcripts?

Only if the CAS states your offer was “academic condition” pending final transcript. Otherwise, keep them handy for interview but do not upload.

5. My parents are sponsoring me; is their account acceptable?

Only if they are your legal guardian AND you provide your birth certificate + parental consent letter. Otherwise, transfer money to your personal account and wait 28 days.

6. Can I work 20 hrs/wk during my integrated masters placement year?

No. Once your course officially converts to a “work placement” module, UKVI caps you at full-time work hours (no limit) but you lose term-time work entitlement.

7. I had a US F-1 refusal; must I declare it?

Yes. Under “immigration history” section list every refusal anywhere, give short factual reason. Non-disclosure is grounds for 10-year deception ban.

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