The UK Student visa is straightforward if you prepare the right documents in the right order — and expensive to get wrong, because a refusal costs the £558 application fee and weeks of your time. This guide sets out the UK student visa requirements for Pakistani students applying for 2027 entry: the five things the Home Office checks, the exact money figures, the English and tuberculosis rules, and the documents checklist to use before you submit.
The five UK student visa requirements at a glance
| Requirement | What you need |
|---|---|
| 1. Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) | An unconditional offer from a licensed student sponsor, with a CAS number issued by the university |
| 2. Money | First-year tuition (or the amount shown on your CAS) plus maintenance: £1,570 a month in London, £1,203 a month elsewhere, for up to 9 months |
| 3. English language | CEFR level B2 for degree-level study, proved by a Secure English Language Test (SELT) or an accepted alternative |
| 4. Tuberculosis test | A TB certificate from an approved clinic — Pakistan is a listed country, so this is mandatory |
| 5. Passport and documents | A valid passport, your CAS, financial evidence and academic documents |
Requirement 1: the CAS
You cannot apply for a Student visa without a CAS. Your university issues it once you have an unconditional offer and have paid any deposit the university asks for — usually £2,000, though the amount varies. The CAS is a reference number, not a paper document, and it is valid for six months. Check every detail on it before you apply: your name, course, start date, tuition fee and the amount you have already paid must all be correct, because a mismatch is one of the commonest reasons for delay. Apply for your visa no more than six months before your course starts, and no later than the date printed on your CAS.
Requirement 2: the money — and the 28-day rule
The financial requirement has two parts. First, the tuition fee for your first year (or the remaining amount if you have already paid a deposit — the CAS will show this). Second, maintenance money: £1,570 a month if you will study in London, or £1,203 a month if you will study elsewhere, for up to nine months, from 30 November 2026. That means £14,130 for nine months in London, or £10,827 elsewhere, on top of your tuition.
The money must have been in your (or your parent's) bank account for 28 consecutive days, and the 28th day must be no more than 31 days before you apply. This is the rule that catches most applicants: a fresh deposit the week before you apply does not count. Use a bank statement, a building society passbook or a letter from a regulated financial institution, and make sure the statement shows the account holder's name, the account number, the date and the balance. If your parents are funding you, include your birth certificate and a letter from them confirming the relationship and their consent.
The visa and health surcharge fees
The Student visa application fee is £558 (from 8 April 2026). On top of that, you pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £776 a year, which gives you access to the NHS while you study. A three-year degree therefore costs £558 plus £2,328 in IHS, paid online when you apply. Keep the payment receipts: you will need the IHS reference number for your application.
Requirement 3: English language
For degree-level study you must show English at CEFR level B2 — roughly IELTS 5.5 to 6.0 in each component, though your university will usually ask for more (IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 overall is typical). The test must be a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider, such as IELTS for UKVI, taken at an approved centre. Some universities can assess your English themselves and waive the SELT — ask your university before you book a test. If your previous degree was taught in English, that may also count, but the university decides, not you.
Requirement 4: tuberculosis test
Pakistan is on the Home Office's list of countries whose residents must provide a tuberculosis certificate. You must be tested at a clinic approved by the Home Office — the test is a chest X-ray, and the certificate is valid for six months. Book it early: if the X-ray is unclear, you may need a sputum test, which takes up to eight weeks. Without a valid TB certificate, your visa application will be refused.
Requirement 5: other documents and checks
Some courses — mainly in science, engineering and technology — require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate. Apply for ATAS before your visa application: it takes at least 20 working days, and it is free. You will also need your academic documents (transcripts and certificates) and, if you are under 18, proof of parental consent and accommodation arrangements. The Home Office may also interview you by video to check that you are a genuine student — be ready to explain why you chose your course and university, and how you will fund your studies.
Dependants, work and the Graduate Route
Only postgraduate research students (and government-sponsored students) can bring dependants on a Student visa — taught master's and undergraduate students cannot. While you study, you may work up to 20 hours a week in term time and full-time in vacations. After you graduate, the Graduate Route gives you 18 months to live and work in the UK (three years for a PhD) from 1 January 2027. The Graduate visa costs £937 plus the Immigration Health Surcharge at £1,035 a year, and you must apply from inside the UK before your Student visa expires.
UK student visa requirements: the documents checklist before you apply
- Valid passport with at least one blank page.
- CAS number from your university — check every detail on it.
- Financial evidence showing tuition plus maintenance, held for 28 days.
- English language test result (SELT) or your university's English assessment.
- TB certificate from an approved clinic (valid six months).
- ATAS certificate, if your course requires it.
- Academic transcripts and certificates listed on your CAS.
- Birth certificate and parental consent letter, if your parents are funding you.
- IHS payment reference and visa fee payment confirmation.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need for a UK student visa? First-year tuition plus £1,570 a month in London or £1,203 a month elsewhere for up to nine months, held for 28 days. Add the £558 visa fee and £776 a year for the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Do Pakistani students need a TB test for a UK visa? Yes. Pakistan is a listed country, so a TB certificate from an approved clinic is a mandatory UK student visa requirement.
How long does a UK student visa take? The Home Office aims to decide within three weeks of your biometrics appointment. Apply as early as you can — up to six months before your course starts.
Can I bring my family on a Student visa? Only if you are a postgraduate research student or government-sponsored. Taught master's and undergraduate students cannot bring dependants.
Related guides on Pakunii
UK Student Visa & Graduate Route 2027 · Study in the UK 2027 · UCAS Application Guide 2027 · UK Scholarships for International Students 2027
Sources and verification: Home Office / GOV.UK (Student visa £558 from 8 April 2026; IHS £776 a year; maintenance £1,570 London / £1,203 elsewhere from 30 November 2026; 28-day funds rule; Graduate Route 18 months from 1 January 2027; Graduate visa £937 + IHS £1,035 a year; UCAS equal consideration 13 January 2027, fee £34.50). ATAS processing time and TB certificate validity as published by the Home Office; confirm your university's deposit and English requirements on its own pages.