United Kingdom Student Visa for Pakistanis
Last verified: September 2, 2026
Quick facts
- Processing time
- 3–6 weeks
- Government fee
- about $620
- Start preparing
- about 4 months before your move
- Steps in the plan
- 12
- Need an apostille
- None
- Need a translation
- None
- Job offer
- Not required
“Start preparing” covers gathering documents, the 3–6 weeks decision wait and two weeks of slack. Add apostille and translation costs to the government fee.
Overview
Study route for a licensed sponsor course, with the Graduate visa afterwards allowing work in the UK without sponsorship. You need a CAS from your university, English at the level your course requires, and evidence of full first-year tuition plus nine months of living costs — roughly £10,224 outside London or £13,347 in London. The funds must sit in the account for 28 consecutive days, and the Home Office scrutinises Pakistani applications closely for source of funds: keep salary slips, business income records or property sale deeds whose names, dates and amounts match exactly. A TB test certificate from an approved clinic is mandatory.
This page covers Pakistanis. For every nationality we track, see the United Kingdom Student Visa overview.
Requirements for Pakistanis
| Minimum annual income | No requirement |
| Minimum savings | $17,000 |
| Job offer required | No |
| Degree required | No |
| Family can join | Yes |
| Path to permanent residency | No |
Processing time & costs
Typical processing takes 3–6 weeks after applying. The government fee is approximately $620. Difficulty: 3/5.
Documents you'll need
- Secure an unconditional offer from a licensed student sponsorThe institution must hold a Student sponsor licence; conditional offers must become unconditional.
- Take an approved English test if your course requires oneMost universities accept IELTS, PTE or equivalent.
- Build and hold your maintenance funds for 28 daysTuition less deposit plus £1,136 a month (London) or £845 a month elsewhere, for nine months.
- Prepare source-of-funds evidenceSalary slips, business income records, property sale deeds or gold sale receipts.
- Receive your CAS from the universityIssued by the university; check name, passport number, course dates and fees against your documents.
- Complete the TB test at an approved clinicMandatory for Pakistani nationals; Home Office approved clinics only, certificate valid six months.
- Apply online and pay the fee plus health surchargeFee around £524, plus a health surcharge of £776 per year for students.
- Attend biometrics at a VFS centreCentres in Islamabad, Lahore or Karachi.
- Await the decisionTypically three to six weeks from biometrics; priority processing available at extra cost.
- Arrange accommodation and arrival logisticsYou can enter up to one week before a course of six months or more starts.
- Enrol, register with a GP and set up your eVisaEnrolment confirms your sponsorship; open a UK bank account with your enrolment letter.
- Plan the Graduate visa switch before your course endsGraduate route gives two years of unsponsored work (three after a PhD), applied for from inside the UK.
The full ordered checklist — with timing, dependencies, apostille and translation flags, and personalized due dates — is part of the paid plan.
Not moving yet?
The Student Visa takes about 4 months from first document to moving day. Tell us when you plan to move and we’ll email you once, on the day you should start.
Is the Student Visa right for you?
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Check my eligibilityFrequently asked questions
- How long does the United Kingdom Student Visa take for Pakistanis?
- Typical processing time is 3–6 weeks after applying, plus the time needed to gather documents.
- What does the Student Visa cost?
- The government fee is approximately $620. Additional costs (translations, apostilles, insurance) vary by case.
- Do Pakistanis need a job offer for the Student Visa?
- No. The Student Visa does not require a job offer from a United Kingdom employer.
- Can I bring my family on the Student Visa?
- Yes — this visa allows accompanying family members, with additional documentation.
Other United Kingdom visas for Pakistanis
Other destinations for Pakistanis
United Kingdom visas for other nationalities
Always confirm requirements with the official government source. This guide is general information, not legal advice.