UK Student Route Visa 2026: Step-by-Step from CAS to BRP

UK Student Route Visa 2026: Step-by-Step from CAS to BRP

The UK Student Route visa for 2026 requires applicants to secure a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed sponsor, submit financial evidence showing maintenance funds held for 28 consecutive days, complete biometric enrolment, and pay the immigration health surcharge before a decision is typically issued within three weeks. This article provides a detailed, data-driven walkthrough of each stage, from CAS issuance through to collecting the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) upon arrival in the UK.

Understanding the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

The CAS is the digital document that anchors your entire visa application. Issued by your sponsoring university, it contains a unique reference number and confirms your course details, tuition fees, and the institution’s sponsorship status. In 2026, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that all CAS numbers be used within six months of issuance; if you do not submit your visa application within that window, the CAS expires and you must request a new one.

Key data points for CAS applications in 2026:

• Processing time: Universities typically issue CAS numbers within 5 to 10 working days after you have accepted an unconditional offer and paid any required deposit. Per UKVI guidance, the earliest a CAS can be issued is 3 months before your course start date.
• Cost implications: There is no standardised CAS fee across UK universities. Institutions set their own charges, which range from £0 to £150. For example, the University of Manchester charges £50 for a CAS, while Imperial College London charges £0.
• Sponsorship status: Your university must hold a valid Tier 4 Student Sponsor licence. As of January 2026, UKVI maintains a register of over 1,200 licensed sponsors, with approximately 95% rated as ‘A-rated’ (highly trusted) and 5% as ‘B-rated’ (probationary). Studying at a B-rated sponsor may require additional evidence of academic progression.
• CAS data accuracy: UKVI cross-checks the CAS against your passport details. Any discrepancy—such as a misspelled name or incorrect date of birth—will trigger a delay. A 2025 Home Office report found that 8% of visa refusals were due to CAS data errors.
• Pre-CAS checks: Before issuing the CAS, your university will verify your academic qualifications, English language proficiency (typically IELTS for UKVI, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component for degree-level study), and financial capacity. Some institutions now use the “CAS Shield” system, which flags high-risk applications before issuance.

What the CAS does not cover: The CAS confirms your course but does not guarantee visa approval. UKVI retains the right to refuse an application even with a valid CAS if other requirements are not met. Per UNILINK Education (MARA Registered Migration Agent MARN 1687552 / QEAC G167), tracking n=780 applicants in 2026, approximately 3.2% of CAS-holders were refused a visa due to insufficient financial evidence or credibility concerns.

Financial Evidence Requirements for 2026

Financial evidence remains one of the most scrutinised components of the Student Route application. For 2026, UKVI maintains the same maintenance thresholds as 2025, adjusted for inflation. You must demonstrate that you have held the required funds for a consecutive 28-day period ending no more than 31 days before your visa application date.

Financial evidence breakdown:

• Tuition fees: The full amount of your course fees for the first year, as stated on your CAS. For courses lasting less than 12 months, you must show the full course fee.
• Living costs (London): £1,483 per month for courses in Inner London (e.g., UCL, King’s College London, LSE). For a 9-month academic year, this totals £13,347. For courses longer than 9 months, you must show funds for up to 9 months only.
• Living costs (outside London): £1,136 per month for courses outside London (e.g., University of Manchester, University of Bristol, University of Edinburgh). For a 9-month year, this totals £10,224.
• Dependants: If you are bringing a partner or child, you must show an additional £845 per month for each dependant (regardless of location), up to a maximum of 9 months. In 2026, UKVI reports that approximately 12% of Student Route applicants include dependants.

Acceptable financial evidence:

• Bank statements: Official statements from a regulated bank, covering the full 28-day period. They must be on bank letterhead or stamped, showing your name, account number, and balance. Online printouts are accepted if stamped by the bank.
• Student loans: A letter from your lender confirming the loan amount, disbursement schedule, and that it covers your tuition and living costs. The loan must be from a government, university, or regulated financial institution.
• Official financial sponsorship: A letter from your government, embassy, or international scholarship body confirming full sponsorship. This can cover tuition and living costs, reducing the amount you need to show in personal funds.
• Money held in foreign currency: UKVI converts foreign currency to GBP using the OANDA exchange rate on the date of application. A 2026 Home Office analysis found that applications using foreign currency evidence faced 15% longer processing times due to manual verification.

Critical rule for 2026: Funds must be held in a cash account (current or savings account). Fixed deposits, stocks, shares, cryptocurrency, or property are not accepted. If you have been living in the UK for 12 months or more with valid immigration status, you are exempt from the financial maintenance requirement.

Completing the Online Application and Biometrics

The online application form is submitted through the UKVI website, where you will pay the visa fee, immigration health surcharge (IHS), and schedule your biometric appointment. In 2026, the application process has been streamlined with a new “digital-first” approach, but biometrics remain mandatory for all applicants aged 6 and over.

Step-by-step process:

1. Create a UKVI account: You must register on the UKVI portal and link your application to your passport. This account will be used to track your application and receive your eVisa decision.
2. Complete the application form: Provide personal details, travel history, criminal record declarations, and your CAS number. The form typically takes 30 to 45 minutes to complete.
3. Pay the fees:
   • Visa application fee: £490 for Student Route (standard service) in 2026.
   • Immigration Health Surcharge: £776 per year for students (up from £624 in 2023). For a 3-year undergraduate degree, this totals £2,328.
   • Priority service (optional): £500 for a 5-working-day decision.
   • Super priority service (optional): £800 for a decision by the next working day.
4. Book biometrics: At a UK Visa Application Centre (VAC) in your home country. In 2026, there are over 150 VACs globally, operated by commercial partners like TLScontact and VFS Global. Appointments are typically available within 2 to 3 weeks, though peak seasons (July to September) can extend to 5 weeks.
5. Attend the appointment: Bring your passport, printed application form, and appointment confirmation. The process includes fingerprint scanning and a digital photograph. Some VACs now offer “biometric kiosks” that reduce wait times to 15 minutes.
6. Submit supporting documents: Upload scanned copies of your financial evidence, academic qualifications, English language test results, and CAS letter to the UKVI portal. Original documents are not required at the appointment unless specified.

Processing timelines for 2026:

• Standard service: 3 weeks from biometrics (90% of applications decided within this timeframe per UKVI data).
• Priority service: 5 working days.
• Super priority service: Next working day (by 5 PM local time).
• Non-settlement visa: Average processing time for Student Route applications in 2026 is 18 calendar days globally, with variations by country. Applications from high-risk countries (e.g., Nigeria, India, Pakistan) average 25 days.

The Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) Transition in 2026

The BRP card has been the physical proof of your immigration status for over a decade. However, 2026 marks a significant transition: the UK government is phasing out physical BRP cards in favour of a fully digital eVisa system. As of January 2026, all new Student Route visas are issued as eVisas, accessible through your UKVI account. Physical BRP cards are no longer issued for new applicants.

What this means for students:

• No physical card: You will not receive a BRP upon arrival. Instead, your visa decision letter (issued via email) will contain a UKVI account reference number. You must create an online account to view your immigration status, which includes your visa expiry date, work conditions, and any restrictions.
• eVisa access: You can log in to your UKVI account to generate a share code, which you provide to employers, landlords, and university enrolment teams to prove your right to study or work. The share code is valid for 90 days.
• Passport endorsement: In some cases, UKVI may place a vignette (sticker) in your passport valid for 90 days to allow travel to the UK. This is not the same as a BRP. Upon arrival, you must activate your eVisa by logging into your UKVI account within 10 days.
• Transition period: If you hold a physical BRP issued before 2026, it remains valid until its expiry date. However, by 31 December 2026, all physical BRPs will be invalid, and you must convert to an eVisa. UKVI estimates that 1.8 million BRP holders need to transition by this deadline.
• Practical implications: You no longer need to collect a BRP from a designated Post Office or university campus. This reduces administrative delays. However, you must ensure your UKVI account is set up correctly, as errors in biometric data or personal details can complicate enrolment and employment checks.

Common issues with eVisas in 2026:

• Account access: Forgetting your UKVI account login credentials can lock you out of your visa status. UKVI recommends saving your login details in a secure password manager.
• Share code expiration: A share code expires after 90 days. You must generate a new one for each verification check.
• Data errors: If your name or date of birth is incorrect on the eVisa, you must submit a “Report a Problem” request through UKVI. Processing for corrections takes 10 to 15 working days.

Arriving in the UK and Enrolling at University

Your visa decision letter will specify the date from which you can travel to the UK. For 2026, you can arrive up to 1 month before your course start date for courses lasting 6 months or more (up from 7 days for short-term courses). Upon arrival, you must complete several steps to ensure your immigration status is fully activated.

Arrival checklist:

1. Border control: Present your passport with the vignette (if issued). The Border Force officer may ask about your course, accommodation, and financial situation. In 2026, eGates are available at 15 UK airports for registered travellers, but first-time students must use manned desks.
2. Activate your eVisa: Within 10 days of arrival, log into your UKVI account using the reference number from your decision letter. Confirm your arrival date and update your UK address. Failure to do so may result in a £1,000 fine or visa curtailment.
3. University enrolment: Your university will require proof of your immigration status. Provide your UKVI share code (generated from your account) or your visa decision letter. Most UK universities now use an online enrolment portal that checks your status automatically via the UKVI database.
4. Police registration: The requirement to register with the police within 7 days of arrival was abolished in August 2022. No police registration is necessary for Student Route visa holders in 2026.
5. Bank account and accommodation: Use your UKVI account share code to open a UK bank account, rent private accommodation, or sign a tenancy agreement. Some banks require a physical BRP letter, which you can print from your UKVI account.

Working rights on a Student Route visa:

• Term time: Up to 20 hours per week for degree-level courses (RQF Level 6 or above). For courses below degree level, the limit is 10 hours per week.
• Vacation time: Full-time work permitted during official university holidays.
• Prohibited work: You cannot be self-employed, work as a professional sportsperson, or fill a permanent full-time vacancy. Breaching these conditions can lead to visa revocation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if my visa is refused after I have a CAS?

If your visa is refused, your CAS is automatically cancelled by UKVI. Your university will be notified and may issue a new CAS if you reapply, but you must address the refusal reason. Common refusal grounds include insufficient financial evidence (42% of refusals in 2025), credibility concerns (28%), and CAS data errors (8%). You can request an administrative review within 28 days if you believe the refusal was based on a UKVI error.

Can I switch to a Student Route visa from within the UK in 2026?

Yes, you can apply to switch to a Student Route visa from within the UK if you hold a valid visa that is not a Visitor visa, Short-term Student visa, or Seasonal Worker visa. You must apply before your current visa expires. In 2026, UKVI processed 34,000 in-country Student Route applications, with an average processing time of 8 weeks. You cannot switch from a Visitor visa; you must apply from your home country.

Do I need to show financial evidence if I have a scholarship covering full costs?

If your scholarship covers tuition and living costs in full, you are exempt from providing personal financial evidence. You must submit the scholarship award letter as part of your application. The letter must state the exact amount, duration, and that the funds are paid directly to you or your institution. Partial scholarships require you to show the remaining balance of tuition and living costs.

How long can I stay in the UK after my course ends?

Student Route visa holders can stay for up to 4 months after their course end date for courses lasting 12 months or more (2 months for courses under 12 months). During this period, you can apply to switch to a Graduate visa (2 years for bachelor’s or master’s graduates, 3 years for PhD graduates) or a Skilled Worker visa. The Graduate visa application fee in 2026 is £822, plus the IHS.

What if my BRP (physical card) is lost or stolen in 2026?

Since physical BRP cards are no longer issued for new applicants in 2026, this question applies only to holders of pre-2026 BRPs. If your physical BRP is lost or stolen, you must report it to UKVI immediately and apply for a replacement. The replacement fee is £56. However, UKVI strongly advises transitioning to an eVisa before the 31 December 2026 deadline to avoid the need for a physical card.

References

1. Home Office. “Student and Child Student Route: Caseworker Guidance.” Version 15.0, January 2026. Accessed 15 May 2026. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/student-and-child-student-guidance
2. UK Visas and Immigration. “Immigration Rules Appendix Student.” HC 1119, 2026. Accessed 15 May 2026. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-student
3. Universities UK. “Student Visa Statistics 2025: Trends and Analysis.” Published March 2026. Accessed 18 May 2026. https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/policy-and-analysis/reports/student-visa-statistics-2025
4. Home Office. “eVisa Transition: Information for Visa Holders.” Updated April 2026. Accessed 20 May 2026. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evisa-information-for-visa-holders
5. Migration Advisory Committee. “Annual Report 2025: Student Migration and the Labour Market.” Presented to Parliament, February 2026. Accessed 22 May 2026. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/migration-advisory-committee

Last updated: 2026-05-29