UK Study Visa Requirements 2025
For Pakistani students dreaming of British classrooms, here is the latest, plain-English guide. Use it as a ready-to-share resource on the Career Advisers blog or in your counselling sessions.
1. Why This 2025 Checklist Matters
Fees, living-cost figures and paperwork rules changed again on 9 April 2025. A missing bank statement or an out-of-date fee can sink an otherwise strong application, so keep this page handy and update students every quarter. GOV.UK
2. The Quick-Glance “Must Haves”
| Requirement | 2025 Snapshot | Where to Get It |
|---|---|---|
| Valid Passport | At least one blank page & 6 + months validity | Local passport office |
| Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) | Issued by UK university; 14-digit reference | University admissions team |
| Proof of Funds | Tuition fee for first year plus £1,483 / month (London) or £1,136 / month (outside) for up to 9 months—held for 28 consecutive days | Any Pakistani bank approved for international transfers |
| English Test | IELTS UKVI 6.0, PTE Academic UKVI 58, or university-accepted alternative | British Council / Pearson centre |
| Tuberculosis (TB) Test | From an approved clinic in Pakistan | Home-Office-listed medical centres |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | £776 per study year | Paid online during visa form |
| Visa Fee | £524 (outside UK or inside) | Paid online during application |
| Biometrics & Photo | Paid online during the application | Visa Application Centre |
| Translations (if any) | Certified English translations of Urdu documents | Registered translator |
Figures correct for applications lodged on or after 2 Jan 2025. GOV.UKGOV.UKGOV.UKGOV.UK
3. Step-by-Step Guide (12 Simple Steps)
Step 1 – Confirm Eligibility
You must be 16 + , have an unconditional offer, and meet both academic and English standards. Check whether your course needs an ATAS certificate (mostly science and engineering master’s). GOV.UK
Step 2 – Collect Your CAS
Your university uploads your course details to UKVI and emails you the CAS number and fee breakdown. Verify every spell of your name and course dates.
Step 3 – Calculate Your Money Requirement
Example:
- First-year tuition: £14,000
- Living costs (outside London): £1,136 × 9 = £10,224
- Total to show: £24,224 held for 28 straight days, ending no later than 31 days before you submit the visa form. GOV.UK
Step 4 – Prepare Financial Evidence
Printed or e-statements must show:
- Your name and account number
- Bank name and logo
- Daily balance for the 28-day window
- Closing date within 31 days of application
Scholarship or parent funds? Attach an official sponsor letter or parental consent, plus your birth certificate translation.
Step 5 – Book and Pass the TB Test
Required for stays over six months. Approved clinics issue a chest X-ray certificate valid for 6 months. GOV.UKGOV.UK
Step 6 – Take an Approved English Exam
Most universities need CEFR B2 (IELTS 6.0 overall; PTE 58). Upload the TRF or score report with your application.
Step 7 – Complete the Online Visa Form
Create a UK VI account, pick “Student Visa”, pay the £524 fee and the calculated IHS (for a three-year degree, you pay £776 × 3 = £2,328). GOV.UKGOV.UK
Step 8 – Book Your VAC Appointment
Select a Gerrys Visa Application Centre in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad or Mirpur and pick standard, priority or super-priority service.
Step 9 – Upload Documents & Attend Biometrics
Upload PDFS to the VFS portal or bring originals plus photocopies; then give fingerprints and a digital photo.
Step 10 – Credibility Interview (if called)
Some applicants receive a webcam interview. Be ready to explain why that course, that university and how you’ll fund studies.
Step 11 – Wait for the Decision
Standard processing is 15 working days (≈ 3 weeks) from Pakistan. Priority cuts it to 5 days for an extra fee. GOV.UKVICPAK Consultant
Step 12 – Travel to the UK
Collect your visa vignette (90-day entry sticker) and travel within its dates. Pick up your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) at the UK post office listed on your decision email.
4. What Changed in 2025?
| Area | 2024 | 2025 Update |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee | £490 | £524 after 9 Apr |
| Living-cost proof (London) | £1,334 / month | £1,483 / month |
| Living-cost proof (outside London) | £1,023 / month | £1,136 / month |
| IHS (student rate) | £776 / yr | Unchanged but rumoured rise in late-2025 |
These adjustments mean applicants must now show £4,500–£6,000 more than last year for a typical master’s course. GOV.UKGOV.UK
5. Dependents & Family
From January 2024, the UK banned most taught-master’s students from bringing dependants. In 2025, only these categories may bring a spouse or child:
- Government-sponsored students on courses 6 months+
- Post-graduate research students (PhD, MPhil)
Each dependent must pay the same visa fee (£524) and IHS (£776/yr) and show £845 / month (London) or £680 / month (outside) for up to nine months. GOV.UK
6. Common Mistakes — and How Career Advisers Fix Them
| Mistake | Quick Fix |
|---|---|
| Funds not held for full 28 days | Offer a “financial-timeline calendar” template for students to tick off each day. |
| Tuition deposit not reflected on CAS | Ask the university to update CAS at least 5 days before submission. |
| Attach NTNS, SECP certificates, and a signed affidavit. | Remind clients that the payment portal auto-updates—encourage same-day payment. |
| Using a family business account without proof of ownership | Schedule test right after CAS arrival to keep it valid through the application window. |
| TB certificate expired (older than 6 months) | Schedule the test right after CAS arrival to keep it valid through the application window. |
| Untranslated Urdu bank letters | Provide certified translation service partners and a 48-hour turnaround promise. |
7. Timeline Planner for Pakistani Students
| Month | Action |
|---|---|
| February–March | Apply to universities aiming for September intake; sit IELTS/PTE. |
| April–May | Biometrics, wait for a decision, plan accommodation. |
| June | Start 28-day bank-statement clock; book TB test. |
| July | Submit online visa form; pay fee & IHS. |
| August | Biometrics, wait for decision, plan accommodation. |
| September | Biometrics, wait for a decision, and plan accommodation. |
8. Cost Breakdown in PKR (Approx.)
| Item | GBP | PKR (1 GBP ≈ 365 PKR) |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee | £524 | PKR 191,000 |
| IHS (3-year degree) | £2,328 | PKR 850,000 |
| TB test | £55 | PKR 20,000 |
| Priority service (optional) | £500 | PKR 182,000 |
| First-year tuition (average) | £14,000 | PKR 5.1 million |
| 9 months living (outside London) | £10,224 | PKR 3.7 million |
Exchange rate checked April 2025; advise students to verify rates on the day of transfer.
9. How Career Advisers Add Value
- Weekly document checks: Catch missing pages before VAC submission.
- Mock credibility interviews: 30-minute Zoom role-play per student.
- Fixed PKR service bundles: Shield clients from GBP volatility by charging in rupees.
- Scholarship alerts: Push notifications when Chevening or GREAT open, driving repeat site visits.
- Post-arrival care: BRP pickup reminders, GP registration guides, part-time-job webinars.
10. Frequently Asked Questions (2025 Edition)
Q1. Can I apply with a Duolingo English Test?
Some universities accept it for admission, but you still need a UKVI-approved test (IELTS UKVI or PTE UKVI) for the visa, unless your university issues a SELT waiver noted on your CAS.
Q2. What if my bank is not recognised internationally?
Choose a major Pakistani bank (UBL, HBL, MCB, Standard Chartered) with SWIFT capability. Statements from small co-operative banks often trigger extra checks.
Q3. How early can I travel?
If your course is over six months, you may arrive up to one month before the start date but not before the “valid from” date on your visa vignette. GOV.UK
Q4. Is the Graduate Route (post-study work) still open?
Yes—no policy change as of April 2025. Apply within the UK after your degree results; fee £822 + IHS.
11. Key Takeaways for 2025
- Budget higher: living-cost proof rose 12 % and visa fee 7 %.
- Start the bank-statement clock before CAS to stay on schedule.
- Dependants now limited to research and government-funded students.
- Standard processing remains 3 weeks, but peak summer delays happen—priority may be worth it.
Career Advisers can turn this evolving rule-book into client confidence. Keep the checklist current, push updates on social media, and your students will land in London—or Leeds—without last-minute visa drama.
