--- title: "United Kingdom Student visa requirements 2026: 5-year stay" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/student-visa/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-11 --- United Kingdom · Student # United Kingdom Student visa **First stay:** 5 yrs First checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) - **Money needed:** Several amounts (Savings of at least GBP 1,529 a month (≈ $2,020) · Living costs for courses in London, for up to 9 months, held for 28 consecutive days; the end of that period must fall within 31 days of applying; plus the first year of course fees. Savings of at least GBP 1,171 a month (≈ $1,550) · Living costs for courses outside London, for up to 9 months, held for 28 consecutive days; plus the first year of course fees. A fee of GBP 558 (≈ $740) · Student visa application fee from outside the UK; the same fee applies to extend or switch from inside the UK and to each person who joins.) - **First stay:** 5 yrs (Stay follows the course length: usually up to 5 years for degree-level courses and up to 2 years below degree level.) - **Who can apply:** Most passports (Non-British, non-Irish nationals needing permission) - **Work:** Limited (Limited work is allowed, depending on course level and term time; self-employment, public funds and some jobs such as professional sport are barred.) - **Tax angle:** Tax relief (Four-year Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime: Qualifying new UK residents can claim relief on eligible foreign income and gains for their first four tax years of UK residence after at least ten years of non-UK residence; regime replaced the remittance basis on 6 April 2025.) ## Key facts Student visa is a student route for United Kingdom. Local work: limited. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source. - **Government fees:** £558 ≈ $740 - **Processing:** 21–56 days - **First stay:** 5 yrs ## Cost, time and long term To apply: government fee £558 ≈ $740; decision: 21–56 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included. **Government fees: £558 ≈ $740** - GBP 558 (≈ $740) Student visa application fee from outside the UK; the same fee applies to extend or switch from inside the UK and to each person who joins. **Shown, not spent: £1,529+/mo ≈ $2,020 · £1,171+/mo ≈ $1,550** - GBP 1,529 a month (≈ $2,020) Living costs for courses in London, for up to 9 months, held for 28 consecutive days; the end of that period must fall within 31 days of applying; plus the first year of course fees. - GBP 1,171 a month (≈ $1,550) Living costs for courses outside London, for up to 9 months, held for 28 consecutive days; plus the first year of course fees. **Renewal: Renewable** You can extend your Student visa to continue studying, with stay following the course length. [GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/student-visa) **Processing: 21–56 days** Decisions usually come within 3 weeks from outside the UK and 8 weeks from inside the UK. [GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/student-visa) **Where to apply: Abroad or in-country** Apply online from outside the UK, or from inside the UK to extend or switch to a Student visa. [GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/student-visa) ## Why this route may not fit Check this before you apply. - Needs a place at a school or university in United Kingdom - Work rights are limited - Not open to passports from Ireland ### What you'll need #### Who can apply - The applicant is 16 or over with an unconditional offer from a licensed student sponsor and a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. - The applicant can speak, read, write and understand English, unless exempt. - Parental consent is needed if the applicant is 16 or 17. #### What you must show - Funds of GBP 1,529 (≈ $2,020) per month for up to 9 months for London courses, or GBP 1,171 (≈ $1,550) outside London. - The funds must be held for at least 28 days in a row, plus the first year of course fees. - The visa fee is GBP 558 (≈ $740) from outside the UK, with the healthcare surcharge on top. #### Steps 1. Apply online from up to 6 months before the course starts when outside the UK. 2. A decision usually takes 3 weeks from outside the UK and 8 weeks from inside. #### After you arrive - Holders cannot claim public funds, be self-employed or work in certain jobs such as professional sport. ## When you become tax resident How United Kingdom decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records. - **Stay on this route:** **Up to 5 years at first, renewable** - **Tax residence:** Statutory Residence Test. - **Foreign-source income:** **New-resident relief (4 years)** Qualifying new UK residents can claim relief on eligible foreign income and gains for their first four tax years of UK residence after at least ten years of non-UK residence; regime replaced the remittance basis on 6 April 2025. - **Special regime:** **Four-year Foreign Income and Gains regime** · Tax relief [All tax rules for United Kingdom](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/tax/) Tax records checked 12 Oct 2026 **Full official text** Visa for people aged 16 or over with a place on a course from a licensed student sponsor; the fee is GBP 558 (≈ $740) from outside the UK. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4) #### What you must show and pay - Savings of at least GBP 1,529 a month (≈ $2,020) · Living costs for courses in London, for up to 9 months, held for 28 consecutive days; the end of that period must fall within 31 days of applying; plus the first year of course fees. (source 2) - Savings of at least GBP 1,171 a month (≈ $1,550) · Living costs for courses outside London, for up to 9 months, held for 28 consecutive days; plus the first year of course fees. (source 2) - A fee of GBP 558 (≈ $740) · Student visa application fee from outside the UK; the same fee applies to extend or switch from inside the UK and to each person who joins. (sources 1, 2) #### Requirements - The applicant is 16 or over with an unconditional offer from a licensed student sponsor and a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. (sources 1, 3) - The applicant can speak, read, write and understand English, unless exempt. (source 1) - Parental consent is needed if the applicant is 16 or 17. (source 1) - Funds of GBP 1,529 (≈ $2,020) per month for up to 9 months for London courses, or GBP 1,171 (≈ $1,550) outside London. (source 2) - The funds must be held for at least 28 days in a row, plus the first year of course fees. (source 2) - The visa fee is GBP 558 (≈ $740) from outside the UK, with the healthcare surcharge on top. (source 1) - Apply online from up to 6 months before the course starts when outside the UK. (source 1) - A decision usually takes 3 weeks from outside the UK and 8 weeks from inside. (source 1) - Holders cannot claim public funds, be self-employed or work in certain jobs such as professional sport. (source 1) #### Stay - Stay follows the course length: usually up to 5 years for degree-level courses and up to 2 years below degree level. - First stay: up to 60 months, decided case by case. - Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal. #### Nationality Non-British, non-Irish nationals needing permission Not open to: United Kingdom, Ireland. #### Work Limited work is allowed, depending on course level and term time; self-employment, public funds and some jobs such as professional sport are barred. #### Family Partner and children (dependants) can come only for government-sponsored students on courses over 6 months or full-time postgraduate students on PhD or research-based courses; each needs their own money and visa fee. Checked 2026-10-11 ## Official sources 1. [Student visa](https://www.gov.uk/student-visa) · GOV.UK (Home Office) · checked 2026-10-10 2. [Student visa: money you need](https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/money) · UK Government (Home Office) · checked 2026-10-10 3. [Student visa: your course](https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/course) · Home Office / GOV.UK · checked 2026-10-11 4. [Student visa: your partner and children](https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/family-members) · Home Office / GOV.UK · checked 2026-10-11 ## Student visa and its alternatives | Route | Money needed | Stay | Work | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Student visa | – | 5 yr, renewable | Limited | | [Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/student-higher-ed-91/) Portugal | Needs income of €920+ a month ≈ $1,030 | 3 yr, renewable | Yes | | [Internship permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/internship-residence/) Spain | – | 1 yr, renewable | – | | [D3 study visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/d3-study-research/) Georgia | – | 1 yr, renewable | No | | [Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/study-visa/) Italy | Needs savings of €10k+ a year ≈ $11k | – | Yes | ## Questions people ask ### How much money do I need for the Student visa? Savings of at least GBP 1,529 a month (≈ $2,020). Living costs for courses in London, for up to 9 months, held for 28 consecutive days; the end of that period must fall within 31 days of applying; plus the first year of course fees. Savings of at least GBP 1,171 a month (≈ $1,550). Living costs for courses outside London, for up to 9 months, held for 28 consecutive days; plus the first year of course fees. A fee of GBP 558 (≈ $740). Student visa application fee from outside the UK; the same fee applies to extend or switch from inside the UK and to each person who joins. ### How long can I stay on the Student visa? Stay follows the course length: usually up to 5 years for degree-level courses and up to 2 years below degree level. ### How long does the Student visa take to process? Decisions usually come within 3 weeks from outside the UK and 8 weeks from inside the UK. ### Can I work on the Student visa? Limited. Limited work is allowed, depending on course level and term time; self-employment, public funds and some jobs such as professional sport are barred. ### Can I bring my family on the Student visa? Partner and children (dependants) can come only for government-sponsored students on courses over 6 months or full-time postgraduate students on PhD or research-based courses; each needs their own money and visa fee. ### Who can apply for the Student visa? Non-British, non-Irish nationals needing permission Not open to: United Kingdom, Ireland. ### Is there a tax break for Student visa holders in United Kingdom? Four-year Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime: Qualifying new UK residents can claim relief on eligible foreign income and gains for their first four tax years of UK residence after at least ten years of non-UK residence; regime replaced the remittance basis on 6 April 2025. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions. ## Tax Special regime ### [Four-year Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/tax/#tax-gb-fig-new-resident) Tax relief Foreign-source income: New-resident relief (4 years) **Details** - Who: UK tax resident under the Statutory Residence Test Qualifying new UK residents can claim relief on eligible foreign income and gains for their first four tax years of UK residence after at least ten years of non-UK residence; regime replaced the remittance basis on 6 April 2025. #### Taxed on Claimed eligible foreign income and gains arising in the first four UK tax-resident years after at least ten years’ non-UK residence. Examples include foreign trade conducted wholly outside the UK, overseas property-business profits, non-UK dividends and foreign interest. Foreign employment earnings and specified employment income are outside FIG. #### Who it applies to - UK tax resident under the Statutory Residence Test. - Within the first 4 years of UK tax residence after at least 10 years as non-UK resident. - Claim made annually; unused years do not roll over; temporary years abroad are skipped. - If the 4 years began before 6 April 2025, claims are available from 2025 to 2026 to the last year of the period. #### Exclusions - UK-source income stays taxable. - Foreign earnings and foreign specific employment income are not eligible, though Overseas Workday Relief may apply. - A claim loses Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax tax-free allowances, Marriage Allowance, Married Couples Allowance and Blind Person's Allowance. #### Tax residence Qualifying resident means UK tax resident under the Statutory Residence Test and within the first four years of UK residence after at least a 10-year period as non-UK tax resident. #### Visas Immigration permission does not qualify anyone; eligibility is tax residence only. #### Other taxes National Insurance, VAT, payroll, UK-source income, treaties and home-country taxes are outside the claim. Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/tax/) ## More in United Kingdom [Global Talent](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/global-talent/) [High Potential Individual](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/high-potential-individual/) [India Young Professionals visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/india-young-professionals/) [Youth Mobility Scheme](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/youth-mobility-scheme/) [Innovator Founder](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/innovator-founder/) [UK Expansion Worker visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/uk-expansion-worker/) [Health and Care Worker visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/health-care-worker/) [Scale-up Worker](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/scale-up-worker/) ## Study visas elsewhere [🇩🇪 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/student-16b/) [🇫🇷 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/student-residence/) [🇳🇱 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/student-residence/) [🇦🇱 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/albania/student/) [🇲🇪 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/montenegro/student/) [🇲🇹 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malta/student/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. ## How this was checked **Checked on 2026-10-11 against 4 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources. Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out. 1. [Student visa](https://www.gov.uk/student-visa) · GOV.UK (Home Office) · checked 2026-10-10 2. [Student visa: money you need](https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/money) · UK Government (Home Office) · checked 2026-10-10 3. [Student visa: your course](https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/course) · Home Office / GOV.UK · checked 2026-10-11 4. [Student visa: your partner and children](https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/family-members) · Home Office / GOV.UK · checked 2026-10-11 Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.