Planning to study in the UK from Nepal in 2026? A UK student visa is mandatory for all international students over the age of 16, and the requirements are different from what domestic students face. From gathering the right documents to proving your finances and passing a TB test, the process has several steps that are easy to miss. 

This guide covers everything you need to know in order for you to apply for a student visa in the UK. 

Steps for Getting Student Visa:

• Receive a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) from the university
• Show proof of sufficient funds
• Prove English language ability
• Meet health and immigration requirements

Required Documents:

Typical the documents you need to get a student visa include:

• Valid passport
• CAS letter from your university
• Academic certificates/transcripts
• English test result (IELTS/UKVI IELTS/PTE, depending on university)
• Financial proof (bank statements)
• Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate
• Passport-sized photo (if requested)
• Immigration Health Surcharge payment receipt

Financial Requirements:

You must prove you can pay:

• Tuition fees (usually first-year fees or amount shown on CAS)
• Living expenses

Current maintenance funds generally required include:

• £1,483/month for London (up to 9 months)
• £1,136/month outside London (up to 9 months)

Note: The money usually must stay in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before applying.

English Language Requirement

Most universities accept:

• IELTS Academic
• IELTS UKVI
• PTE Academic

Nowadays TOEFL iBT is also widely accepted. 

Typical minimum score for IELTS is overall 6.0–6.5 for Bachelor’s/Master’s programs.

TB Test Requirement:

Students from Nepal normally need a TB test certificate from a clinic approved by IOM before applying. 

Student visa application fee: £558

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): additional fee based on course duration

Processing Time

The processing time is usually around 3 weeks outside the UK but there are also priority services available.

Work Rights:

Normally students can work up to 20 hours per week during their term time. That being said, students can work full time during the official holidays(depending on the course level). The duration of the holiday can span anywhere from 3 months to 6 months depending on the university.

If you are planning to study in the UK then start your journey today with Raffles Educare Associates where we will help you with:

• University selection guidance
• Visa support
• Interview preparation
• Documentation assistance