The UK Short-term study visa is now only for English language courses that last longer than 6 months and no more than 11 months. If your course is 6 months or shorter, you apply as a Standard Visitor instead; if it is longer than 11 months, or it is not an English language course, you need a Student visa.
Older guides, including the first version of this page, describe a 6-month short-term study visa for any subject. That no longer exists as a separate visa. Here is how the rules work in 2026 for applicants in Pakistan.
Which visa fits your course?
| Your course | Visa to apply for |
|---|---|
| Any short course of 6 months or less at an accredited institution (including English) | Standard Visitor (visit to study) |
| English language course over 6 months and up to 11 months, with no other subjects | Short-term study visa |
| Longer than 11 months, or a degree or other full course | Student visa |
For shorter courses, see our Standard Visitor visa guide. For longer study, read the UK Student visa requirements.
Who can apply
According to GOV.UK, you must be 16 or older and show that:
- you have been accepted onto an English language course lasting more than 6 months and up to 11 months, with no other subjects;
- the course is with an accredited institution;
- you can support yourself without working or using public funds, or relatives or friends can support and house you;
- you can pay for your return or onward journey.
If you are under 18, you also need your parents’ or guardian’s consent and proper arrangements for your travel and care in the UK.
An accredited institution either holds a student sponsor licence or is accredited and listed by a recognised body such as Accreditation UK, the British Accreditation Council, the Accreditation Service for International Colleges, Ofsted or the Independent Schools Inspectorate. Check the school’s accreditation yourself before paying a deposit.
How long you can stay and what it costs
You can stay for the length of your course plus 30 days, as long as the total is no more than 11 months. At the time of writing, GOV.UK lists the visa fee as £228, plus the immigration health surcharge, which usually costs £776. You also need money for course fees, accommodation and living costs. GOV.UK does not set a fixed maintenance figure for this visa; you must show your funds are enough for your plans.
GOV.UK advises that you should not pay for accommodation or travel until you get your visa. For wider cost planning, see our UK visa price guide for Pakistan and the official GOV.UK page.
What you cannot do
- Work or do business, including unpaid work, work experience and placements.
- Study another course, change course, or study at a state-funded school.
- Extend the visa.
- Bring family members as dependants.
- Switch to a Student or Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK. GOV.UK lists short-term students among those who cannot switch to either.
- Claim most benefits.
Applying from Pakistan
You apply online up to 3 months before you travel, then attend a visa application centre to give your fingerprints and photo. In Pakistan, UK visa application centres are run by VFS Global, with centres in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Mirpur; confirm your nearest one with GOV.UK’s visa application centre finder before you book. GOV.UK says you will usually get a decision within 3 weeks after your appointment.
Because you will be in the UK for more than 6 months, you need a TB test certificate from a Home Office-approved clinic. In Pakistan these are IOM clinics in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Mirpur, and AMC clinics in Islamabad and Lahore. The certificate is valid for 6 months from the date of your x-ray.
Document checklist
- Valid passport.
- Letter of acceptance showing the course name, length and cost (including any accommodation).
- Evidence you have paid the course fees, or can pay them.
- Bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months; if a parent is paying, their income and savings evidence, plus proof of your relationship, such as a NADRA birth certificate or Family Registration Certificate.
- Details of where you will stay and your travel plans.
- TB certificate.
- If under 18, parental consent and a parent or guardian’s contact details in Pakistan.
- Certified English translations of any Urdu documents.
Common mistakes we see from Pakistan applications
- Using the visa as a way in. This visa cannot be extended or switched in the UK, and you cannot work. Applications that look like a route to work are refused.
- Wrong visa for the course length. A 6-month course needs a visitor application, not this one.
- Mixed courses. A course that combines English with business or IT does not qualify.
- Unaccredited providers. Some agents push schools that are not accredited.
- Unexplained deposits. Large sums appearing just before you apply raise questions. Keep the source clear.
- No clear reason for studying English in the UK. Be ready to explain how the course fits your studies or career in Pakistan.
For a longer walk-through of the application, see our Short-term study visa guide.
FAQ
Can I work part-time on a Short-term study visa?
No. You cannot do any paid or unpaid work, work experience or placements.
Do I need IELTS to apply?
GOV.UK does not list an English test requirement for this visa, which makes sense for an English course. Your school may set its own entry level.
Can I switch to a Student visa once I am in the UK?
No. If you later want to study a degree, you will need to apply for a Student visa from outside the UK.
Can my family come with me?
No. This visa does not allow dependants. Family members would need their own visa, such as a visit visa, in their own right.
Applying from Pakistan? Send us a few lines about your case and we will tell you which route fits and what to prepare.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Rules and fees change; check GOV.UK before you apply.