Two Home Office changes reshape the UK student journey for 2027 entry, and both are decided by the date you submit your application — not by the date your course starts. First, the maintenance funds you must show rise for applications on or after 30 November 2026. Second, the Graduate Route — the post-study work visa — shortens from two years to 18 months for bachelor's and master's graduates who apply on or after 1 January 2027. This guide sets out the current fees, the new funds rates, the work rules, and how to plan around both changes.
Step 1: the offer and the CAS
Before any visa application, you need an unconditional offer and a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed Student sponsor — your university. The CAS carries your course details, fees, and the amount you have already paid. Universities issue it only once you have accepted the offer and paid any required deposit, so the CAS timetable is set by your university, not by you. Do not book flights or pay the full year's fees before the CAS arrives; if the CAS contains an error (wrong course title, wrong dates, wrong fee figure), ask the university to correct it before you apply, because a visa application built on a wrong CAS is refused on the CAS, not on your merits.
Step 2: what the visa costs
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Student visa application fee (outside the UK) | £558 per applicant (raised from £524 on 8 April 2026) |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (Student rate) | £776 per year of your visa, paid upfront for the whole visa length |
| Maintenance — London (applications from 30 November 2026) | £1,570 per month, up to 9 months (£14,130) |
| Maintenance — outside London (applications from 30 November 2026) | £1,203 per month, up to 9 months (£10,827) |
| Maintenance — earlier rates (applications before 30 November 2026) | £1,529 London / £1,171 elsewhere per month |
| Graduate visa fee | £937, plus health surcharge at £1,035 per year |
The surcharge catches many applicants out because it is charged for the full visa length, rounded up: a 12-month master's typically carries a visa of around 16–17 months, so you pay for two surcharge years — about £1,552 at the Student rate. Budget for it explicitly; it is not optional and it is not refunded if your visa is refused on funds grounds. Maintenance funds must be held for 28 consecutive days, ending no more than 31 days before you apply, and the balance must never dip below the required amount during those 28 days. A single day below the line restarts the clock.
Step 3: documents and genuineness
Beyond the CAS, funds and fee, you will normally need a valid passport, academic qualifications listed on the CAS, an approved English test result if your sponsor requires one, tuberculosis test results if you are resident in a listed country (Pakistan is listed — check the current GOV.UK list), and, for some applicants, an ATAS certificate for sensitive postgraduate subjects. The Home Office also tests genuineness: a short credibility interview may ask why you chose this university, this course, and the UK over other destinations. Vague answers — “the UK has good universities” — are the classic failure. Prepare specific answers: named modules, named academics, a career plan that uses the degree.
Step 4: working while you study
Student visa holders studying at degree level may usually work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full-time during vacations, plus a work placement that is part of the course. Self-employment and professional sport are restricted — check the conditions printed on your visa, because they override general guidance. Working beyond the permitted hours is a breach of conditions and can lead to curtailment and a refusal of any future application, including the Graduate Route. Keep a simple record of your hours; employers in the UK are required to check your right to work, and a clean record protects both you and them.
Step 5: the Graduate Route — the 18-month change
| Graduate visa application date | Bachelor's / master's graduates | Doctoral graduates |
|---|---|---|
| On or before 31 December 2026 | 2 years | 3 years |
| On or after 1 January 2027 | 18 months | 3 years |
The change is strictly by application date, regardless of when you enrolled or graduated. A student finishing a master's in December 2026 who applies for the Graduate Route in January 2027 gets 18 months, not two years. The Graduate visa cannot be extended and is not itself a route to settlement, but you may switch to the Skilled Worker visa with a qualifying job offer, or to another route you meet. Practical consequence: plan your job search before graduation, not after it. With 18 months, the first six months are for landing a role, the next twelve for proving yourself into sponsorship — there is no slack for a slow start. Doctoral graduates are unaffected and keep three years.
Dependants and other restrictions
Most master's students can no longer bring dependants; the general rule now reserves dependant rights for postgraduate research students and government-sponsored students, with exceptions for courses that started before the rule change. If bringing family matters to you, check the current dependant rules for your exact course level before you accept an offer — it is a decision that cannot be fixed after arrival. Similarly, switching into the Student route from inside the UK, and extending, carry their own conditions; the GOV.UK Student visa guide is the authority, and university international offices give free, accurate advice on it.
FAQs
How much is the UK Student visa in 2027? £558 application fee, plus £776 per year Immigration Health Surcharge, plus maintenance funds held for 28 days.
How long is the Graduate Route now? 18 months for bachelor's and master's graduates applying from 1 January 2027; 2 years for applications up to 31 December 2026; 3 years for doctoral graduates.
Can I work full-time during holidays? Yes — full-time work is permitted during vacations; the 20-hour limit applies during term time.
Do I need a TB test? Applicants resident in listed countries, including Pakistan, normally need a tuberculosis test from an approved clinic — check the current GOV.UK list before applying.
Can the Graduate visa be extended? No. It cannot be extended; switch to Skilled Worker or another route you qualify for before it expires.
Related guides on Pakunii
UCAS Application Guide 2027 · IELTS Academic Guide · Canada Study Permit Guide 2027 · Fully Funded Scholarships 2027
Sources and verification: UK Student visa fee £558 from 8 April 2026, IHS £776 per year (Student rate), maintenance £1,570 London / £1,203 elsewhere per month from 30 November 2026 (£1,529 / £1,171 before), Graduate Route 2 years to 31 December 2026 then 18 months from 1 January 2027 (PhD 3 years), Graduate visa fee £937 + IHS £1,035 per year — per Home Office fee updates and Immigration Rules Statement of Changes HC 584, re-checked October 2026. Confirm on GOV.UK before applying.