UK student visa is an important procedure that every student planning to study in the UK must go through. 2025, the UK visa policy has been adjusted, the application process, material requirements, visa fees and other aspects have certain changes.This post will break it down for youStudy in the UKVisa application steps, required documents, and FAQs to help you get your UK visa!
I. British student visa categories and applicable people
UK student visas are divided into the following main categories:
- Student Visa-- For undergraduate, master's and doctoral students over 18 years of age (formerly Tier 4 visa)
- Child Student Visa (CSV)--For international students aged 4-17 in primary and secondary schools
- Short-term Study Visa (Short-term Study Visa)--For students taking short-term (6-11 months) English courses
Most Chinese students apply forStudent VisaThis article will focus on the application process and requirements for this visa.
II. UK Student Visa Application Process (2025 latest version)
Step 1: Obtain CAS (Confirmation of Admission)
CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) is a program offered by UK universities toUnique electronic numberingThis is the equivalent of an "admission ticket" for a visa application.
CAS Application Instructions::
✅ Payabletuition deposit(typically £2,000 - £5,000) before you can get the
✅ Issued by a British university.Valid for 6 months
✅ Need to make sure CAS information is correct, such asName, course name, tuition amountet al. (and other authors)
📌 Suggestion: Confirm your degree and apply for CAS as soon as possible after getting the Offer to avoid affecting the subsequent visa application!
Step 2: Prepare visa documents
A range of documents are required to apply for a UK student visa, here are the latest requirements for 2025:
| Name of material | specification |
|---|---|
| valid passport | At least 6 months validity & at least 1 blank page required |
| CAS (Confirmation of Admission) | Provided by the school and contains a unique CAS number |
| financial proof | requireCertificate of deposit of at least 28 daysAmount =Tuition + 9 months living expenses |
| Language scores (if applicable) | Some schools require IELTS/TOEFL/PTE scores (if CAS does not indicate exemption) |
| Tuberculosis test reports | For students applying for a visa in China and need to go to theUK Visa Designated Hospitalsprobe |
| ATAS certificate (if applicable) | For certain science and engineering majors, such as computer science, engineering, physics, etc. |
| Visa application form (fill in online) | existOfficial website of the British GovernmentFill out the Student Visa application form |
📌 Recommendation: All documents need to be in English, and if the original is not in English, it needs to be accompanied by the followingofficial translationThe
Step 3: Submit your visa application online
- Visit the UK Government Visa website::https://www.gov.uk/student-visa
- Create an account and fill inStudent Visa Application Form
- Upload allElectronic Visa Documents
- Payment of visa fees(Updated costs for 2025)
- Student visa (standard): £490
- Priority visas (results within 5 working days): £1,000
- Super Priority Visa (results within 24 hours): £1,750
- disbursementimmigrantsHealth Surcharge (IHS)::
- £776/year (1 year and above)
- Access to NHS healthcare in the UK
📌 Recommendation: Applicants may chooseStandard, Priority, Super PriorityWith three visa processing times, choose the right option for your needs.
Step 4: Make an appointment at the Visa Center and take biometric information
After submitting your application, you need to visit the UK Visa Application Center (VFS Global)Fingerprinting and photographing(Bioinformatics).
📌 Main Visa Centers in China::
- VFS Visa Centers in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Shenyang, Jinan, Wuhan, etc.
- Advance online appointment time is requiredand show up on time for fingerprinting
III. Frequently Asked Questions on UK Visas (2025 Update)
1. How long do I have to deposit the proof of funds? Can I use my parents' account?
- Deposit requiredAt least 28 days of storageThe account opening bank is required to issueCertificates of Deposit in Chinese and English
- You can use your parents' money to prove it.However, it is necessary to provideProof of kinship (e.g., family register)
2. How long does it take to apply for a visa? When is the best time to submit it?
- Standard visa processing time: General3-4 weeks
- priority visa:: 5 working days
- super-priority visa: within 24 hours
- It is recommended to apply 3-4 months in advanceTo avoid visa delays during peak seasons
3. What happens if the visa is refused?
Common reasons for visa refusal:
- Insufficient proof of funds or insufficient deposit time
- CAS message error
- Missing visa documents
- language substandard
📌 *Apply for **Administrative Review** if denied a visaOr resubmit your application to avoid making the same mistake again.
4. Can I work on a student visa?
✅ Maximum 20 hours per week (during semester)
✅ Available full time during vacations
✅ Recommended Part-Time Job Types: On-campus teaching assistants, supermarkets, cafeterias, translators, etc.
Conclusion: How to successfully takeStudy in the UKVisa?
✅ Apply for CAS in advance to make sure the information is correct
✅ Prepare complete visa documents, especially proof of funds
✅ Make an appointment with the visa center as early as possible to avoid queuing during peak hours
✅ Pay attention to the details of the visa to ensure that the deposit, language and health certificates meet the requirements
