To study a course longer than 6 months in the UK, you need a Student visa. From Pakistan that means an unconditional offer and a CAS from a licensed university or college, money held in your account for 28 days in a row, the right level of English and a TB certificate. You can apply up to 6 months before your course starts, and GOV.UK says you will usually get a decision within 3 weeks.
Step 1: your offer and CAS
Once you accept an unconditional offer, your university sends a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number. You enter it on your visa form, and you must apply within 6 months of receiving it. Check the CAS carefully before you apply: your name, course dates, tuition fee, any deposit paid and the English evidence it records all need to match your documents.
For a degree-level course you need English equivalent to CEFR B2, and B1 below degree level. Universities can assess your English themselves for degree-level study, otherwise you take an approved test. Our UK student visa requirements guide covers the full list.
Step 2: the money and the 28-day rule
You must show the unpaid tuition fee for your first year (up to 9 months, as shown on your CAS) plus living costs for up to 9 months. At the time of review, GOV.UK sets living costs at:
| Where you study | Per month | For 9 months |
|---|---|---|
| London | £1,529 | £13,761 |
| Outside London | £1,171 | £10,539 |
| Each dependant (London) | £845 | £7,605 |
| Each dependant (outside London) | £680 | £6,120 |
The money must have been in the account for at least 28 days in a row. The 28 days are counted back from the closing balance on your most recent statement, and that closing date must fall within 31 days of the date you apply. The balance must not fall below the required amount at any point in those 28 days. For worked examples, see our student visa financial requirements guide.
You can use your own money, a regulated student loan, official financial sponsorship, or your parents’ money. If the account is in a parent’s name, you need a letter from them agreeing to you using it and proof of your relationship, such as your birth certificate or NADRA Family Registration Certificate (FRC) with an English translation.
Which Pakistani banks are accepted?
GOV.UK does not currently publish a named list of Pakistani banks whose statements are refused. Instead, the rules (Appendix Finance) say funds will not count if UKVI cannot verify them, if the bank is not regulated by the financial regulator in the country where it operates, or if it does not keep electronic records. Your statement or bank letter must show your name, the bank’s name and the amount in the account. In practice, keep the money in a regulated bank account that can confirm your statements if UKVI asks. Money held in cash, in property or in an informal savings committee does not count.
The credibility interview
Every applicant must be a genuine student. UKVI caseworker guidance says a caseworker should not refuse you on genuineness grounds without an interview, except in limited cases such as a repeat application with nothing new. If you are called for a credibility interview, expect questions on why you chose this course and university, how it fits your earlier studies or work, who is paying, and what you plan to do afterwards. Answer in your own words; memorised answers are easy to spot. Our student visa interview guide lists common questions.
The TB test
Pakistan is on the list of countries where anyone coming to the UK for more than 6 months needs a TB test. It must be done at a Home Office-approved clinic, and the certificate is valid for 6 months from the date of your chest x-ray. Book it once your CAS is close, so it is still valid when you apply.
Can you bring your family?
For courses starting on or after 1 January 2024, most students can no longer bring a partner or children. You can only bring dependants if you are:
- a full-time postgraduate student on a PhD, other doctorate or research-based higher degree lasting 9 months or more; or
- a government-sponsored student on a course lasting more than 6 months.
A taught master’s degree on its own no longer qualifies.
After your degree: the Graduate route
If you complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree and apply from inside the UK while you still hold your Student visa, you can apply for the Graduate visa. It lasts 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, and 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027. PhD graduates get 3 years. Your university must first tell the Home Office that you have completed your course; you do not need to wait for graduation. See our Graduate visa guide.
Common mistakes we see from Pakistan applications
- A large deposit that means the money has not been held for 28 days.
- A bank statement dated more than 31 days before the application.
- Using a parent’s account with no consent letter or no proof of relationship.
- Funds that fall short once the deposit and fees on the CAS are checked.
- Choosing a course with no clear link to earlier study or work, then struggling to explain it in the interview.
- Planning to bring a spouse on a taught master’s course.
FAQ
How much does the Student visa cost?
At the time of review the fee from outside the UK is £558. You also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge at the student rate of £776 a year. Check GOV.UK for current figures before you pay.
Can I show money in my father’s account?
Yes, if you include his signed consent letter and proof that he is your parent. The 28-day and 31-day rules still apply to his account.
When can I travel?
For a course longer than 6 months you can usually arrive up to 1 month before it starts, but never before the start date of your visa.
Will I definitely have an interview?
Not always. It depends on your application, so prepare for one anyway.
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.