Quick answer
For a UK Student visa from Pakistan you need a valid passport, a CAS from your university, proof of money held for 28 days, a TB test certificate from a Home Office-approved clinic, and the documents listed on your CAS, such as transcripts and your English test result. Some applicants also need an ATAS certificate or parental consent.
Key facts
| Fact | Detail | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee (from outside the UK) | £558Source: GOV.UK — Student visa | GOV.UK — Student visa |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | £776 per year for studentsSource: GOV.UK — Healthcare surcharge | GOV.UK — Healthcare surcharge |
| Living costs to show | £1,529/month in London or £1,171/month elsewhere, for up to 9 monthsSource: GOV.UK — Money you need | GOV.UK — Money you need |
| Funds rule | Held 28 days in a row; statement no more than 31 days old when you applySource: GOV.UK — Financial evidence | GOV.UK — Financial evidence |
| TB test | Approved clinics in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Mirpur; valid 6 monthsSource: GOV.UK — TB clinics in Pakistan | GOV.UK — TB clinics in Pakistan |
| Usual decision time | Within 3 weeks from outside the UKSource: GOV.UK — Apply for a Student visa | GOV.UK — Apply for a Student visa |
Figures checked against the official sources on 27 October 2026. Rules change, so confirm them before you apply.
The two documents everyone needs
- A valid passport. Make sure it has at least one blank page and will not expire during your course.
- Your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies). Your university issues this after you accept an unconditional offer. The CAS lists the documents it used to assess you, and those are the documents UKVI may ask to see.
Proof of money (the part most refusals come from)
You must show you can pay your remaining first-year fees plus living costs: £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 a month elsewhere, for up to 9 months.
GOV.UK sets clear rules for the evidence:
- Accepted evidence: bank statements, building society passbooks, certificates of deposit, or a letter from your bank. Paper or electronic downloads are both accepted.
- What it must show: your name (or your parent’s), the bank’s name and the amount of money.
- The 28-day rule: the full amount must stay in the account for 28 days in a row, counted back from the closing balance on your latest statement. If the balance drops below the required amount for even one day, the evidence fails.
- The 31-day rule: the latest statement must be dated no more than 31 days before you apply.
- Parents’ accounts: allowed if the account is one your parent controls, with a letter from them agreeing to you using the money. Keep your birth certificate ready to show the relationship.
- Which banks: the bank must be regulated by the financial regulator in the country where it operates. UKVI may contact your bank to verify the statement.
- Not accepted: overdrafts, cryptocurrency, stocks and shares, and pensions.
If an official sponsor, such as a government or scholarship body, paid your fees or living costs in the last 12 months, you also need its written consent.
TB test certificate
Pakistani applicants coming to the UK for more than 6 months need a tuberculosis test. It must be done at a Home Office-approved clinic. GOV.UK lists approved clinics in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Mirpur. The certificate is valid for 6 months from the date of your x-ray, so time it to stay valid when you apply.
Academic documents and English
- The transcripts and certificates listed on your CAS. Bring originals, as UKVI can ask for them.
- Your English test result if your CAS lists one. Below degree level you usually need a Secure English Language Test (SELT). At degree level, your university can assess your English and confirm it on the CAS.
- Certified English translations of any document that is not in English.
Documents only some applicants need
- ATAS certificate: required for certain postgraduate subjects in science and technology. Your CAS will say if you need one, and it can take several weeks, so apply early.
- If you are under 18: written consent from both parents or legal guardians (or one parent with sole responsibility), covering your visa, living arrangements and travel, plus your birth certificate or another document showing your parents’ names.
- Sponsor consent: if an official financial sponsor paid your fees or living costs in the last 12 months.
Common mistakes that cause refusals
- Moving money out of the account during the 28 days.
- A bank statement older than 31 days on the day you apply.
- Details on the CAS (name, passport number, fees paid) that do not match your other documents.
- A TB certificate from a clinic that is not on the approved list, or one that has expired.
- Any false or altered document. This leads to refusal and can mean a ban of up to 10 years.
Printable checklist
- Valid passport
- CAS number and the documents listed on it
- Bank statements or bank letter covering 28 consecutive days, dated within 31 days
- Parent’s consent letter and your birth certificate, if using a parent’s account
- TB test certificate from an approved clinic
- English test result, if listed on your CAS
- ATAS certificate, if your CAS says you need one
- Certified translations of documents not in English
- Visa fee (£558) and Immigration Health Surcharge (£776 per year)
When you are ready, see our January 2027 week-by-week plan for timing, or the UK country guide for costs and entry requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Do Pakistani students have to show bank statements for a UK student visa?
Yes. Pakistan is not on the list of nationalities that can skip financial evidence when they apply, so you must submit proof that you have held the required money for 28 days in a row.
Can my bank statement be in Pakistani rupees?
Yes. UKVI converts foreign currency to pounds using the OANDA spot rate on the date you apply. Keep a margin above the minimum in case the exchange rate moves.
Do I need IELTS for a UK student visa?
It depends on your course. Below degree level you usually need a Secure English Language Test (SELT), such as IELTS for UKVI. At degree level, your university can assess your English and confirm it on your CAS. Always follow what your CAS says.
Where can I get a TB test for a UK visa in Pakistan?
Only at clinics approved by the Home Office. GOV.UK lists approved clinics in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Mirpur. A certificate from any other clinic will not be accepted.
What happens if I submit a fake or edited document?
Your application will be refused, and using false documents can lead to a ban on applying for UK visas for up to 10 years. Never let anyone “arrange” bank statements or certificates for you.
Written by
IEN Counselling Team
Student counsellors, Lahore head office
Counsellors at IEN — International Education Network, advising students from its Lahore head office since 2009.
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