Good fit
Applicants aged 16 or over with a course offer from a licensed student sponsor, evidence of funds (unless exempt), and the required English ability, who intend to study rather than seek unrestricted work or a digital-nomad stay.
United Kingdom · Study to PR
Student visa
A UK study route for an eligible course with a licensed student sponsor, enough money for the course and living costs, and English-language ability. GOV.UK says degree-level study for adults can usually support up to five years, and many graduates later switch to a Graduate visa for temporary post-study work.
Status note. GOV.UK describes the Student visa as the main study route for people aged 16 or over with an offer from a licensed student sponsor. It replaced the Tier 4 (General) student visa.
Decision fit
Who this pathway serves
Important limits
People without a licensed sponsor offer, applicants seeking unrestricted employment or self-employment, or a dedicated digital-nomad visa. The UK does not have a dedicated digital-nomad visa in this record.
Minimums
Eligibility
Age
No hard age floor or ceiling is modeled.
GOV.UK says you can apply if you are 16 or over. Applicants aged 16 or 17 need parental consent evidence.
Work experience
Minimum: Not stated years
Language
unknown
GOV.UK requires that you can speak, read, write and understand English. Exact proof routes depend on the course and nationality.
Education
Minimum: Unknown — confirm with the official source
Assessment: Unknown — confirm with the official source
You must have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor. Course-level academic requirements are set by the sponsor and Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Selection threshold
Points: Not stated
Competition: Not stated
Health and character
Medical exam: Unknown — confirm with the official source
Police certificate: Unknown — confirm with the official source
Costs
Funds and fees
Settlement funds
| Family size | Minimum funds |
|---|---|
| 1529 GBP | |
| 1171 GBP |
Application fees
- 558 GBPStudent visa application fee (outside or inside the UK)
Outcomes
Residence, work, and family
Permanent residence
A Student visa is temporary. GOV.UK points many graduates to a Graduate visa for post-study stay, and later work routes such as Skilled Worker may support settlement when their own rules are met.
Work: Limited or conditional · Study: Yes
Family
GOV.UK says you may be able to bring a partner and children as dependants, subject to the Student visa family rules.
Partner: Limited or conditional · Children: Limited or conditional
Citizenship
The Student visa sources do not establish citizenship eligibility.
Processing time
GOV.UK says you usually get a decision within 3 weeks from outside the UK or 8 weeks from inside the UK. Apply up to 6 months before the course from outside the UK, or 3 months before from inside the UK.
Modeled: 0.75–2 months
Sources
Official sources
Citations
Field provenance
Information only, not legal advice. Rules, fees, and processing times change. Confirm the linked official pages before acting.