UK Student visa from Bangladesh explained: CAS, bank balance rules, £558 visa fee, IHS, TB test, documents, eVisa and the step-by-step application process for 2027 intakes.
To get a UK Student visa from Bangladesh, you need an unconditional offer and a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed UK university, proof that you can pay your tuition and living costs, English at the required level, a TB test certificate and a valid passport. You apply online on GOV.UK, pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge, give your biometrics at a VFS Global visa application centre in Bangladesh, and usually receive a decision within about three weeks.
This guide explains each requirement, the documents Bangladeshi students should prepare, how the bank balance rules work, current costs in BDT, the step-by-step process and the mistakes that commonly lead to refusals.
Visa rules, fees and processing times were checked on GOV.UK and other official sources in October 2026. UK immigration rules change regularly, so always confirm the latest requirements on GOV.UK and with your university before applying. BDT conversions use about £1 = BDT 163 and are approximate.
Key Takeaways
You need a CAS from a licensed student sponsor before you can apply. You can apply up to six months before your course starts.
The Student visa fee is £558 (from 8 April 2026), and the Immigration Health Surcharge is £776 per year.
You must show living costs of £1,171 per month outside London or £1,529 per month in London, for up to nine months, plus any unpaid first-year tuition.
Funds must be held for 28 consecutive days, and the statement must end within 31 days of your application date.
Bangladesh is not covered by the UK's reduced-documentation arrangement, so Bangladeshi applicants should submit full financial evidence with the application.
Approved students now receive an eVisa rather than a passport sticker, and taught master's students generally cannot bring dependants.
What Is the UK Student Visa?
The Student visa (previously called the Tier 4 visa) lets you study a full-time course in the UK at a university or other provider that holds a student sponsor licence. Most Bangladeshi students apply for it to study a bachelor's degree, foundation programme, master's or PhD.
If you are still choosing a university or course, start with our complete guide to studying in the UK from Bangladesh, then come back to this visa guide once you have an offer.
UK Student Visa Requirements for Bangladeshi Students
According to GOV.UK, you must:
Have an unconditional offer for a course from a licensed student sponsor, confirmed by a CAS.
Have enough money to pay your course fees and support yourself in the UK.
Be able to speak, read, write and understand English at the required level.
Have parental consent if you are 16 or 17.
Be a genuine student who intends to study the course stated on your CAS.
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
Your university issues the CAS after you accept an unconditional offer and usually after you pay a tuition deposit. The CAS is an electronic reference that contains your course details, fees, any fees already paid, and how the university assessed your English. Use it within six months of issue, and check every detail carefully, because errors can delay or affect your visa.
English language requirement
For degree-level courses, you need English at CEFR level B2. Universities can assess this themselves, so many accept IELTS Academic, other recognised tests or, in some cases, other evidence. For courses below degree level, you usually need a Secure English Language Test from an approved provider, such as IELTS for UKVI. See the GOV.UK English language rules and our guide to English test options and studying without IELTS.
ATAS certificate (some courses only)
Some postgraduate courses in sensitive science, technology and engineering subjects require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before you apply. Your university will tell you if you need one. ATAS is free, but GOV.UK advises allowing at least 30 working days for processing. See GOV.UK ATAS guidance.
TB test
Bangladeshi applicants coming to the UK for six months or longer need a tuberculosis (TB) test certificate from a Home Office-approved clinic. The certificate is valid for six months from the date of the chest X-ray. GOV.UK lists approved clinics in Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet; check the current list, addresses and fees on the official TB clinic page for Bangladesh.
Documents Checklist for a UK Student Visa from Bangladesh
Prepare these documents before you start your online application:
Valid passport with a blank page
CAS reference number from your university
Proof of funds (bank statements, education loan letter or official financial sponsorship letter)
Birth certificate and parents' consent letter if you are using your parents' money
Academic documents listed on your CAS, such as SSC/HSC certificates, transcripts or degree certificates
English test result if your CAS states one was used
TB test certificate
ATAS certificate, if your course requires it
Written consent from your financial sponsor if a government or international organisation has paid your fees and living costs in the last 12 months
Certified English translations of any documents not in English
Bangladesh is not on the list of nationalities eligible for the reduced-documentation ("differentiation") arrangement in the Immigration Rules (Appendix Student), so Bangladeshi applicants should submit their financial and academic evidence with the application. See the official documents list and our broader study abroad document checklist for Bangladeshi students.
Bank Balance and Financial Requirements
Money is the area where Bangladeshi applicants most often run into problems, so plan it early. Under the GOV.UK Student visa money rules, you must show:
Unpaid tuition: the remaining first-year course fee shown on your CAS (or the full fee for a course shorter than one year).
Living costs outside London: £1,171 per month for up to nine months, which is £10,539 (about BDT 17.2 lakh).
Living costs in London: £1,529 per month for up to nine months, which is £13,761 (about BDT 22.4 lakh).
Tuition you have already paid can be deducted if it appears on your CAS or a receipt from the university. A deposit paid to your university for university-arranged accommodation can also be deducted, up to a limit.
Key bank statement rules
The money must be held for at least 28 consecutive days, and the balance must never fall below the required amount during that period.
The end date of the 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date you submit your application.
Funds can be in your own name, a joint account, or a parent's or legal guardian's account. If you use a parent's account, include your birth certificate as proof of relationship and a signed consent letter from the parent.
An education loan can be used if it is from a government, a government-sponsored scheme or a regulated academic or educational loan scheme, and the loan letter meets the Home Office requirements.
Money in BDT is converted using the OANDA exchange rate on the date of application, so keep a safety margin for exchange-rate movements.
Funds must be held with a financial institution whose records the Home Office can verify. Shares, pensions, cryptocurrency and overdrafts are not acceptable.
Be careful with online "UKVI-approved Bangladeshi bank" lists: we could not find a current official list of approved Bangladeshi banks in the Immigration Rules. Large sudden deposits shortly before applying can also lead to questions about the source of funds. For a detailed explanation, read our guide to student visa bank statements and financial proof from Bangladesh. Official rules: Appendix Finance.
UK Student Visa Fees and Costs in BDT
Here are the main official costs for a one-year master's student applying from Bangladesh:
Student visa application fee: £558 (about BDT 91,000), increased from £524 on 8 April 2026.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £776 per year. A one-year master's visa usually runs for several months beyond the course, so the IHS is often £1,164 (about BDT 1.9 lakh). Use the official IHS calculator for your exact amount.
TB test: listed by GOV.UK at BDT 5,500 at Green Crescent clinics and US$70 (paid in BDT) at IOM clinics for applicants aged 11 and over (check the current fee before booking).
Optional faster decision services: GOV.UK lists Priority (£500) and Super Priority (£1,000) services, but availability depends on the visa application centre and visa type.
Visa application centres may also offer optional paid services such as premium lounges or courier delivery. These are optional and do not affect the visa decision. For a full budget including tuition and accommodation, read our guide to the cost of studying in the UK from Bangladesh.
Step-by-Step UK Student Visa Application Process
Get an unconditional offer and accept it. Meet any academic and English conditions and pay the deposit your university requires.
Receive your CAS. Check your name, passport number, course dates, fees and English assessment details carefully.
Prepare your funds and documents. Make sure the required money has been held for 28 days and gather your statements, consent letters, academic documents and TB certificate.
Apply online on GOV.UK. Complete the Student visa application form accurately. You can apply up to six months before your course starts.
Pay the visa fee and IHS. Both are paid online as part of the application.
Book and attend your biometrics appointment. Bangladeshi passport holders give fingerprints and a photograph at a VFS Global UK visa application centre. Check current centre locations and appointment availability on the GOV.UK visa application centre page for Bangladesh.
Attend a credibility interview if invited. You may be asked about your course, university choice, finances and plans.
Receive the decision and set up your eVisa. If approved, create a UKVI account and link your passport so you can access your eVisa before you travel.
Processing Time and When to Apply
GOV.UK says you can apply up to six months before your course starts, and you will usually get a decision within three weeks when applying from outside the UK. Processing can take longer during peak months such as July to September, so apply as soon as your CAS and funds are ready.
For a course longer than six months, you can usually travel up to one month before the course start date. Do not book non-refundable flights until your visa is approved.
Credibility Interview and the Genuine Student Requirement
The Immigration Rules require you to be a genuine student. The Home Office may interview you, sometimes remotely, to check that you understand your course, why you chose the university, how you will pay for your studies and what you plan to do afterwards. Missing an interview without a good reason can lead to a refusal.
Prepare clear, honest answers that match your statement of purpose and documents. Our guides on student visa interview questions and writing a strong SOP can help.
After Approval: eVisa and Travel
The UK has replaced physical visa stickers and Biometric Residence Permits for most new applicants with eVisas. UKCISA reports that students applying from outside the UK on or after 15 July 2025 no longer receive a 90-day entry vignette in their passport. You will need to create a UKVI account, link your passport and check that your eVisa details are correct before travelling. See GOV.UK eVisa guidance.
Work Rights, Dependants and the Graduate Route
Work during studies: students on a degree-level course at a university can usually work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full time during official vacations. Courses below degree level allow up to 10 hours per week. Your eVisa will show your work conditions. See UKCISA work guidance.
Dependants: for courses starting on or after 1 January 2024, only students on PhD or other research-based postgraduate courses, or government-sponsored students on longer courses, can usually bring a spouse or children. Taught master's students generally cannot. See GOV.UK family members rules.
Graduate Route: after completing an eligible degree, you may apply for the Graduate visa. Applications made on or before 31 December 2026 receive two years; applications made on or after 1 January 2027 receive 18 months for bachelor's and master's graduates, while PhD graduates still receive three years. See GOV.UK Graduate visa.
What Has Changed in 2026 for Bangladeshi Applicants?
Higher visa fee: the Student visa fee rose to £558 on 8 April 2026.
Stricter university compliance: since 1 June 2026, universities must keep their student visa refusal rate below 5% and meet higher enrolment and course-completion thresholds to keep their sponsor status (UKCISA). As a result, universities may check finances and study plans more carefully before issuing a CAS, and some have paused or limited recruitment from certain countries, including Bangladesh. Confirm a university's current position before you apply.
Shorter Graduate Route from 2027: as explained above, most graduates applying from 1 January 2027 will receive 18 months.
If Your Visa Is Refused
Read the refusal letter carefully to understand the exact reason. If you believe the Home Office made a mistake, you can request an administrative review within 28 days for £80 (GOV.UK administrative review). You generally cannot add new evidence at this stage. Alternatively, you can make a new application that fixes the problem, usually with a new CAS from your university. The Immigration Health Surcharge is normally refunded if a visa is refused, but the application fee is not.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applying before the money has been held for the full 28 days, or using a statement that is more than 31 days old.
Showing less than the required amount after exchange-rate changes.
Using a parent's account without proof of relationship or a consent letter.
Inconsistent information between your CAS, SOP, application form and interview answers.
Booking a TB test too early, so the certificate expires before you apply.
Submitting documents without certified English translations.
Trusting anyone who promises a guaranteed visa or offers fake documents. Read our guide on study abroad scam red flags in Bangladesh.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much bank balance is needed for a UK student visa from Bangladesh?
You need your unpaid first-year tuition plus living costs of £1,171 per month outside London or £1,529 per month in London, for up to nine months. For a course outside London, that is £10,539 for living costs, plus the remaining tuition shown on your CAS.
How long does a UK student visa take from Bangladesh?
GOV.UK says you will usually get a decision within three weeks when applying from outside the UK, but it can take longer at busy times. Priority services may be available for an extra fee depending on the visa application centre.
What is the UK student visa fee in Bangladesh?
The visa fee is £558, about BDT 91,000. You also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year of your visa.
Is IELTS mandatory for a UK student visa?
Not always. For degree-level courses, universities can assess your English themselves, so some accept other tests or evidence. For courses below degree level, you usually need IELTS for UKVI or another approved test.
Can I bring my spouse on a UK student visa?
Usually only if you are studying a PhD or other research-based postgraduate course, or you are government-sponsored. Most taught master's students cannot bring dependants.
Do I get a visa sticker in my passport?
Most new student applicants now receive an eVisa instead of a visa sticker. You access it through your UKVI account and must link your passport before travelling.
Can I reapply after a UK student visa refusal?
Yes. You can reapply once you have fixed the reason for refusal, usually with a new CAS from your university. You can also request an administrative review within 28 days if you believe there was a caseworking error.
Get Expert UK Student Visa Guidance with Southern Trip Limited
A UK Student visa application depends on accurate documents, correctly prepared financial evidence and a clear study plan. Southern Trip Limited can help you choose a suitable university, prepare your application and documents, review your financial evidence and practise for your credibility interview. Visa decisions are made only by UK Visas and Immigration, so we focus on helping you submit a complete, honest and well-prepared application.
Learn more about our student visa guidance service or contact Southern Trip Limited to book a UK counselling session.