Can I work part-time while studying?

Yes — up to 20 hours per week during term time at degree level (10 hours below degree level), and full-time during official vacations, provided your sponsor's rules allow it.

Can I bring dependents?

Dependents (spouse and children under 18) are only permitted on the Student Route for postgraduate research courses lasting 9+ months, or if you are government- sponsored on a course lasting 6+ months.

What happens after I graduate?

You can apply for the Graduate Route to remain in the UK for 2 years (3 for PhDs) to work or look for work without sponsorship. We help with this transition.

How much maintenance funds do I need to show?

The required amount depends on whether your institution is inside or outside London. We confirm the exact figure during your assessment, drawn from the latest gov.uk guidance.

Will I need to attend a credibility interview?

Some applicants are called for a credibility interview to assess genuine intent to study. We coach you on what to expect and what specifically is assessed.

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🇬🇧

United Kingdom

Student

UK Student Visa

The UK Student Route is the main visa pathway for Pakistani applicants pursuing degree-level study at a licensed UK institution. We coordinate the CAS, maintenance funds, English-language testing, and the application itself end-to-end.

Check your eligibility Talk to a consultant

Content last reviewed 15 April 2026

Overview

What this visa is — and who it's for.

The Student Route (formerly Tier 4) is issued by UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) for courses lasting longer than six months at a sponsoring institution licensed by the Home Office. It permits limited work during term, full-time work during vacations, and progression onto the Graduate Route for post-study work.

The application is sponsored — meaning you must hold an unconditional offer from a licensed Student Sponsor (your CAS) before you can apply. We help select institutions, secure the CAS, prepare maintenance evidence, and walk you through the online application and biometrics appointment.

Sub-types

Choose the right route.

Student Route

Standard route for degree-level study (HND, undergraduate, postgraduate, PhD).

Child Student Route

For students aged 4–17 attending an independent fee-paying school.

Requirements

What you'll need to bring.

Essential documents

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed UK sponsor
Valid Pakistani passport covering course duration
Approved IELTS UKVI / SELT certificate at the required CEFR level
Bank statements showing 28 consecutive days of maintenance funds
Academic transcripts and degree certificates
Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate from an approved clinic
ATAS certificate (only for certain science / technology postgraduate courses)
Sponsorship letter if funded by an official body

Eligibility criteria

Unconditional offer from a UKVI-licensed Student Sponsor
English language ability at B2 (degree-level) or B1 (below degree-level)
Sufficient maintenance funds for tuition + monthly living costs (London vs outside London differ)
Genuine intent to study, assessed via credibility interview where requested
No prior immigration breaches that would attract a refusal under the Immigration Rules
Aged 16+ for Student Route; separate rules apply for Child Student Route

Process

The application, step by step.

1
Choose institution & secure offer
4–12 weeks
Shortlist 2–3 universities, prepare statements of purpose, and apply through UCAS or direct admissions. We help with personal statements and application strategy.
2
Issue of CAS
2–4 weeks
Once you accept your unconditional offer and meet deposit / pre-CAS conditions, your institution issues the CAS — the digital record UKVI uses to verify sponsorship.
3
Document preparation
2–3 weeks
Maintenance evidence (28 consecutive days), IELTS UKVI, TB test, academic documents, and ATAS certificate where applicable.
4
Online application & fees
1 day
Submit the Student Visa application on gov.uk and pay the visa fee plus the Immigration Health Surcharge.
5
Biometrics & document submission
1–2 weeks
Attend a biometrics appointment at your nearest VFS centre and upload supporting documents.
6
Decision
3 weeks standard / 5 working days priority
Decision delivered via your account or vignette in your passport. Priority and Super Priority services available where eligible.

Processing time

Standard processing is approximately three weeks from biometrics. The Priority Service cuts this to five working days, and Super Priority targets one working day where eligible. Times can vary during peak intake periods (August–September).

Fees

The visa fee, Immigration Health Surcharge, and any priority service fees are payable to UKVI. Our consultancy engagement fee is disclosed transparently during your eligibility assessment, based on the route, dependents, and any complexity factors.

FAQ

Questions specific to this route.

Talk to a consultant

Interested in the UK Student Visa?

Send us a quick note and we'll reply on WhatsApp within one business day. Prefer to self-screen first? Run the eligibility calculator — six minutes, no account required.