gobordaGlobal mobility intelligence
Study & studentsPublishedHigh impactVerified

UK Immigration Rules Appendix Student: General Requirements for Student Route Applications

🇬🇧 United KingdomStudent Visas1 recorded versionLast change 27 Aug 2026
ConfidenceVery high · 100%

Current rules

The Student route is for individuals aged 16 or over wishing to study with a licensed sponsor in further or higher education, pre-sessional English courses, recognised foundation programmes, or to take an elected post as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer. Applicants must meet validity, suitability, and eligibility requirements, including a points-based assessment (70 points). Key requirements include a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed sponsor, financial provisions (unless exempt), and English language proficiency. Certain Students (e.g., postgraduate, government-sponsored) can bring dependants. The route does not lead to settlement. Applicants outside the UK apply for entry clearance using form 'Student visa', whilst those in the UK apply for permission to stay using form 'Student'. Applications for entry clearance must be made no more than 6 months before the course start date on the CAS, and for permission to stay, no more than 3 months before the course start date on the CAS. Permission to stay applicants must be in the UK on the application date and must not have last been granted permission as a Visitor, Short-term Student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic Worker in a Private Household, or outside the Immigration Rules. Specific financial requirements apply, with funds needed for outstanding course fees and living costs (£1,529 per month for London, £1,171 per month for outside London, up to 9 months), unless exempt. Nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, or Sudan cannot apply for entry clearance as a Student.

Overview

The UK Home Office has consolidated and reaffirmed the requirements for the Student route under Appendix Student of the Immigration Rules. This instrument details the essential criteria for applicants aged 16 and over seeking to study in the UK, covering aspects such as the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), financial stability, and English language competence. It also clarifies specific restrictions for in-country applications and entry clearance for certain nationalities. These rules are effective immediately upon publication of the Appendix.

Who is affected by the latest change

  • Individuals aged 16 or over who want to study in the UK with a licensed sponsor
  • Individuals studying further or higher education courses
  • Individuals undertaking pre-sessional English courses
  • Individuals on recognised foundation programmes
  • Individuals taking an elected job as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer
  • Individuals aged 16 or 17 studying at an Independent School at RQF 3/SCQF 6 or above (can also apply as Child Student)
  • Student Union Sabbatical Officers (exempt from money rules)

What changed in the latest version

Before

In the past, the Student route worked under the general Immigration Rules. Applicants had to meet rules about valid applications, suitability, and eligibility. The current combined Appendix Student shows that the route is organised around these main areas: * Rules for a valid application. * Rules about suitability. * Rules for entering the UK. * Rules about the date of your application. * The 'Genuine Student' rule. * The 70-point rule. * The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) rule. * Rules about the course and qualification. * Rules about money and English language ability. * Other rules about studying, work placements, how long you can study, and what evidence you need to provide. Applicants usually have to get a visa from outside the UK, called entry clearance, before they travel to the UK as a Student.

After

The Student route is for people aged 16 or over who want to study with a licensed sponsor. This includes study at further or higher education, pre-sessional English courses, recognised foundation programmes, or taking an elected job as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer. Applicants must meet rules about valid applications, suitability, and eligibility. This includes getting 70 points in a points-based assessment. Key rules include having a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed sponsor, enough money (unless you are exempt), and good English language skills. Some students, such as postgraduate students or those sponsored by the government, can bring family members with them. This visa does not lead to permanent residency. Applicants outside the UK must apply for a visa, called entry clearance, using the 'Student visa' form. Applicants inside the UK must apply for permission to stay using the 'Student' form. Applications for entry clearance must be made no more than six months before the course start date shown on the CAS. Applications for permission to stay must be made no more than three months before the course start date on the CAS. Applicants for permission to stay must be in the UK on the date they apply. They must not have been given permission to stay before as a Visitor, a Short-term Student, a Parent of a Child Student, a Seasonal Worker, a Domestic Worker in a Private Household, or under rules outside the Immigration Rules. Specific money rules apply. You need to show funds for any course fees you still owe and for living costs. This means £1,529 each month if you study in London, or £1,171 each month if you study outside London. You need to show funds for up to nine months, unless you are exempt. People from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, or Sudan cannot apply for a visa from outside the UK as a Student.

This updated Appendix Student makes the rules clearer for international students and for those applying to stay in the UK. People who want to study must now make sure they meet the specific points-based conditions. This includes getting a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed sponsor, showing they have enough money, and proving their English language skills. The rules clearly state that people from certain countries cannot apply for a visa from outside the UK. Also, people who held certain previous visas cannot switch to the Student route from inside the UK. This means people in these groups cannot use this route. The rule that this visa does not lead to permanent residency confirms that studying under this Appendix does not offer a direct way to settle in the UK.

Explained simply

Imagine you want to go to school in the UK. These new rules are like a checklist you need to follow to get permission to come and study. You need a special letter from your school, enough money to live, and to show you can speak English. If you're from certain countries like Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, or Sudan, you can't even apply from your home country. It's a set of steps everyone needs to follow carefully, or your plan to study in the UK won't work out.

Frequently asked

Version history

  1. v3Effective 3 Aug 2026PublishedHigh impact
    UK Immigration Rules Appendix Student: General Requirements for Student Route Applications

    The UK Immigration Rules Appendix Student explains the rules for people aged 16 or over who want to study in the United Kingdom. To get a visa, applicants must score 70 points. They get points for having a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), enough money, and English language skills. People applying from outside the UK use the 'Student visa' form. People applying from inside the UK use the 'Student' form. Applicants must show they have enough money for living costs: £1,529 each month if studying in London, or £1,171 each month if studying outside London. They need to show funds for up to nine months. People from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan cannot apply for a visa from outside the UK under these rules. This visa does not lead to permanent residency.

Other routes in this country

1 / 6