Everyone — Student visa (same core steps)
EU and non-EU applicants follow the same CAS and financial rules; identity checks differ (app vs VAC).
Step-by-step
- CAS — Unconditional offer from a licensed sponsor; pay deposit if required; receive Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies reference.
- 28-day rule — You must hold required funds (unpaid tuition + living costs) in cash or permitted accounts for 28 consecutive days ending shortly before application. 2026 figures from the source document: £1,529/month in London (up to 9 months, £13,761) and £1,171/month outside London (£10,539). Any dip below the threshold can mean refusal.
- Apply online & fees — Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) and application fee (source: £558 application; £776/year IHS—verify current amounts on GOV.UK).
- Identity — EU: often the UK Immigration: ID Check app and digital immigration status. Non-EU: biometrics at a visa application centre; vignette in passport.
- Travel — You may arrive up to 1 month early if the course is longer than 6 months (confirm vignette rules).
Checklist
- Passport, CAS, bank statements proving the 28-day rule, ATAS if required (sensitive STEM), parental consent package if using parents’ funds.
Official links
Go deeper
Operational detail and official links—amounts and deadlines change; always confirm on the competent portal before filing or paying.
Immigration & online status
eVisa & share codes
For many digital statuses you generate a share code on GOV.UK to prove your right to work or rent to employers and landlords.
National Insurance number
Required for payroll and contributions—apply once you have permission to work.
UKVI routes
Student, Skilled Worker, Graduate, and other visa types—follow official guidance and document checklists.
Council tax & local registers
Council tax
Often payable by tenants; full-time student households may be exempt—send council evidence from your university.
Electoral register
Separate from council tax; register if you are eligible to vote.
NHS registration
Register with a GP practice as soon as you have a stable address; keep your NHS number for prescriptions and referrals.
Healthcare branding and some rules differ in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland—use your nation’s NHS site alongside GOV.UK.
This block complements the guide with institutional entry points—not legal or tax advice.