(Credit - Fathom Journal)
UK Student Visa from the UAE: Costs, Funds and 2026 Changes
Students applying to UK universities from the UAE need a Student visa, issued by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), and the figures below are the ones that decide most applications. A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed sponsor institution is required before you apply.
Fees and timing
- Visa fee: £558 per person when applying from outside the UK, with the same fee for each family member who joins you.
- Immigration Health Surcharge: paid as part of the application at £776 for each year of your visa, with part years charged proportionately.
- When to apply: up to six months before your course starts when applying from outside the UK.
- Decision time: usually within three weeks from outside the UK, with a paid faster option sometimes available.
- Length of stay: usually up to five years for degree-level courses if you are 18 or over.
Money you need to show
You must show enough to pay one academic year of course fees, up to nine months, as stated on your CAS, plus living costs:
| Study location | Per month | Nine months |
|---|---|---|
| London | £1,529 | £13,761 |
| Outside London | £1,171 | £10,539 |
GOV.UK says you must hold the money for at least 28 days in a row, ending within 31 days of your application date. You need extra funds for each dependant you bring.
What you will need to apply
- A valid passport and your CAS reference number.
- Proof of the funds above, in the form GOV.UK accepts (usually bank statements covering the 28 days).
- Proof of English language ability, which your university will tell you how to meet.
- A tuberculosis test certificate from an approved clinic, but only if you are coming for six months or more and have lived in a country on the UK’s TB list for six months or more within the last six months. The UAE is not on that list, so check GOV.UK for any other country you have lived in recently.
- An ATAS certificate if your course is in a sensitive subject, such as certain science and engineering fields.
You apply online, then attend an appointment to give your fingerprints and photo before UKVI decides.
Working and bringing family
Students on a degree-level course can usually work up to 20 hours a week in term time, and full time in official vacations. Only postgraduate research students, such as PhD students, and students on a government scholarship for a course of six months or longer can usually bring dependants. Check the rules for your own course on GOV.UK before you plan a move with family.
Changes to know about
- Graduate route: for applications made from 1 January 2027, the standard stay after graduation falls from two years to 18 months. PhD graduates keep 36 months.
- University compliance: tougher student visa compliance rules for universities took effect on 1 June 2026, so sponsors may be stricter on CAS issuance and documents.
- International student levy: planned at £925 per student per year for English universities from August 2028, subject to legislation.
Apply early and keep documents clean
Late filing, incomplete financial evidence or a mismatch between documents and your CAS are the usual causes of delay or refusal. Ask your university about its CAS timeline and apply well before your start date, then check the GOV.UK Student visa pages for the latest amounts before you pay.
