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Study in UK

UK Student visa from Nepal, step by step

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Processing time

3 weeks

Usual decision time when you apply from outside the UK (standard service).

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Visa fee

£558

Student visa application fee when you apply from outside the UK.

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Work while studying

20 hrs/week

During term time for full-time degree-level study; full-time work allowed outside term time. 10 hours a week below degree level.

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Stay after graduating

2 years

Graduate visa if you apply on or before 31 December 2026; 18 months if you apply from 1 January 2027; 3 years for PhD graduates.

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The UK Student visa is for courses at a licensed university or college. You apply online from Nepal, give your biometrics, and usually get a decision within 3 weeks. Most refusals come from money and paperwork mistakes, so this guide focuses on getting those right.

Documents you will need

  • A valid passport
  • Your CAS number (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) from your university
  • Proof of money: your first year's course fees plus living costs, held for 28 days in a row
  • Proof of English at the level your university assessed (B2 for degree level)
  • A TB test certificate from a Home Office-approved clinic
  • Academic documents listed on your CAS

The application, step by step

  1. Accept your offer and get your CAS

    Your university issues the CAS once you meet the offer conditions and pay any deposit it asks for. Check every detail on it, especially fees already paid.

  2. Hold your money for 28 days

    The 28-day period must end no more than 31 days before you apply. The money can be in your name or your parents' name (with proof of the relationship and their consent).

  3. Book your TB test

    Do it early: the certificate must be valid when you apply.

  4. Apply online, pay and give biometrics

    Pay the £558 fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, then attend your appointment at the visa application centre.

Key rules to know

RuleWhat it means
Funds in London

£1,529 a month (up to 9 months)

Rising to £1,570 a month for applications made on or after 30 November 2026.

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How long the money must be held

28 days in a row

The 28-day period must end within 31 days of the date you apply. You also need your first year's course fees as shown on your CAS.

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English level

CEFR B2 for degree level

B1 below degree level. Prove it with a Secure English Language Test, an Ecctis assessment of an English-taught degree, or your university's own assessment.

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Earliest you can apply

6 months before your course starts

When applying from outside the UK.

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TB test

Required for applicants from Nepal

If you are coming to the UK for 6 months or more. The test must be done at a Home Office-approved clinic.

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Bringing family

PhD and research degrees only

Postgraduate courses starting on or after 1 January 2024 must be a PhD, other doctorate or research-based higher degree (or you must be government-sponsored). Each dependant needs £845 a month in London or £680 outside London.

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Common questions

When can I apply for a UK Student visa from Nepal?
Up to 6 months before your course starts. You usually get a decision within 3 weeks.
Do I need a TB test for a UK Student visa?
Yes. Applicants from Nepal coming to the UK for 6 months or more need a TB test certificate from a Home Office-approved clinic.
What English level do I need?
CEFR B2 for degree-level study and B1 below degree level, shown through a Secure English Language Test, an Ecctis assessment of an English-taught degree or your university's own assessment.

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Free checklist

UK student visa document checklist

A tick-off list of every document, built from the official rules. Free to read online, with a printable PDF.

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