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    UK Student Visa Restrictions Coming in April 2026

    By Lightning Enrolment Editorial TeamPublished Updated 8 min read

    Reviewed against official UK university and UKVI sources. See oureditorial policy.

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    UK Student Visa Restrictions Coming in April 2026

    The UK Home Office has announced a package of student visa changes that take effect in and around April 2026. If you are applying for a UK Student visa for September 2026 intake, these rules will apply to you. Here is the full breakdown.

    1. Dependant Visa Restrictions Continue

    The 2024 restrictions remain in force in 2026:

  1. Only PhD and research-based postgraduate students can bring dependants
  2. Government-sponsored students on courses of 6 months or longer can bring dependants
  3. Taught Master's students cannot bring spouses or children
  4. Undergraduate students cannot bring dependants

    5. If you applied before 1 January 2024 under the old rules, you may still extend dependants in line with your existing visa.

    2. Higher Maintenance Funds

    From April 2026 the maintenance funds requirement has been uplifted to reflect 2025-26 cost increases:

  5. London courses: £1,529 per month, up to 9 months (£13,761 maximum)
  6. Outside London: £1,171 per month, up to 9 months (£10,539 maximum)
  7. Funds must be held for 28 consecutive days, ending no more than 31 days before the application date

    8. Acceptable evidence: bank statements, fixed deposits, or a sponsor letter from a parent (with their bank statements and a letter of consent).

    3. Increased Immigration Health Surcharge

  8. Student IHS rate: £776 per year (per dependant: £776 per year)
  9. Paid upfront for the entire visa duration plus 4 months
  10. Example for a 1-year Master's: £776 x 1.33 = approximately £1,035

    11. 4. Stricter Sponsor Licence Compliance

    The Home Office has tightened the Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) for universities:

  11. Visa refusal rate must stay below 10%
  12. Course enrolment rate must stay above 90%
  13. Course completion rate must stay above 85%

    14. If your chosen university breaches these limits, the Home Office can suspend or revoke its sponsor licence. Always check the Register of Licensed Sponsors before paying tuition deposits.

    5. CAS and Switching Rules

  14. A new CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) is required for any change of course or sponsor
  15. You can no longer switch from a Student visa to most work routes from inside the UK before completing your course, unless switching to the Graduate Route
  16. Switching to Skilled Worker is permitted only after course completion or for specific PhD scenarios

    17. 6. English Language Requirements

  17. Degree-level study: B2 CEFR minimum (IELTS 5.5 each component as a typical benchmark)
  18. Below degree level: B1 CEFR minimum
  19. The UKVI accepts approved SELT providers; universities may accept a wider list (IELTS Indicator, Duolingo, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT)
  20. Be careful: a university waiver does not replace the UKVI requirement in all cases. Confirm with your admissions team

    21. 7. Course-Level Restrictions

  21. Public funding restrictions remain
  22. Some short courses (under 6 months) now use the Short-term Study visa rather than the Student visa
  23. Below degree level study at private providers is increasingly limited

    24. 8. Working Hours Unchanged

  24. 20 hours per week during term time (degree level and above)
  25. 10 hours per week for below-degree level
  26. Full-time during official vacations
  27. No work for entertainers, professional sportspeople, or as a self-employed person

    28. 9. Application Fees from April 2026

  28. Outside the UK application: £524
  29. Inside the UK application or extension: £524
  30. Priority service: additional £500
  31. Super priority: additional £1,000
  32. Biometric enrolment: included

    33. 10. Refusal Reasons to Avoid

    The most common 2025-26 refusal reasons:

  33. Funds not held for the full 28 days
  34. Discrepancies between CAS and application
  35. Missing or unclear sponsor letter for parental funds
  36. Incorrect translation of bank statements
  37. Failure to attend the credibility interview

    38. Action Plan for April 2026 Applicants

  38. 6 months before: Receive offer, accept, deposit paid, request CAS
  39. 3 months before: Begin holding maintenance funds (28-day rule)
  40. 2 months before: Submit visa application, pay IHS, book biometrics
  41. 1 month before: Receive decision, plan flights and accommodation
  42. On arrival: Collect BRP within 10 days, register with university

    43. Where to Get Official Guidance

  43. GOV.UK Student visa pages
  44. Your university international student support office
  45. UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs)

    46. Source: Home Office Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules, GOV.UK Student visa guidance, UKCISA briefings 2025-26, Register of Licensed Sponsors.

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