Latest UK Student Visa Requirements for 2026: Financial Evidence, TB Testing, and Pre-Submission Checklist

Financial Evidence Requirements

Under the 2026 Immigration Rules, student visa applicants must show they hold the required funds for at least 28 consecutive days. The amount includes the first-year course fees stated on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) plus living costs. Living costs are set at £1,334 per month for courses in London and £1,023 per month for courses outside London, with a maximum of nine months of living costs for courses lasting up to nine months. The funds must be held in a personal or parent/legal guardian account, and the account must be regulated by the financial regulator in the country where it is held. The closing balance on the most recent statement must not be more than 31 days old at the application date. If using a parent’s account, a letter of consent and proof of relationship are required. Some nationals from specified countries are exempt from the financial evidence requirement; the list of exempt countries is published in the Immigration Rules.

Tuberculosis (TB) Testing Update

Applicants from countries listed in the Home Office’s TB testing requirements must provide a valid TB test certificate from an approved clinic. The certificate must be issued within six months of the visa application date and must confirm the applicant is free from active pulmonary tuberculosis. The test clinic must be on the UKVI’s approved list and the certificate must be the IOM or UKVI approved form. Applicants who have lived in an exempt country for more than six months and have not recently returned from a listed country may be exempt but should check the current list before applying. The TB test certificate remains a mandatory document for affected applicants.

Pre-Application Document Checklist

Before submitting the online visa form, gather the following items and verify each against the latest Home Office guidance:

• Current passport or valid travel document (must have at least one blank page for the vignette)
• Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number from your licensed sponsor
• Proof of maintenance funds covering 28 days as outlined above, unless exempt
• Tuberculosis test certificate, if applicable for your country of residence
• Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate, if your course and nationality require it
• Parental or legal guardian consent, if under 18
• Proof of relationship, if using a parent’s bank statements
• Translations of any documents not in English or Welsh, with full name and original signature of the translator and date of translation
• Previous passports, if listing travel history
• Biometric residence permit (BRP) card, if applying inside the UK
• Police registration certificate, if applicable under the old scheme (still required for some until further notice)

Cross-check the latest Immigration Rules and country-specific requirements before submission, as local application centres may have additional requests.