When should I apply for a UK Student visa?

You can apply up to six months before your course start date if you are outside the UK (three months if applying from inside). Apply as soon as your CAS is issued and your funds have met the 28-day rule; most decisions come within three weeks.

Reviewed 17 September 2026 · 1 min read

Short answer: Apply as soon as you have your CAS and the money has been in the bank for 28 days: up to six months before the course starts from outside the UK. Decisions usually take three weeks.

Working backwards from a September start

March to May: meet offer conditions, pay the deposit, book English test and TB test if needed.
June: CAS issued. Money already in the account for 28 days.
June to July: apply online, pay the fee and health surcharge, book biometrics.
July to August: decision (three weeks standard; priority services of five working days or 24 hours exist in many countries for £500 to £1,000 extra).
Late August or September: travel. You can enter up to one month before the course starts.

January starts

Compress the same sequence: CAS in October, application by November, travel in early January. Priority processing is more often worth paying for.

Sources

General information, not regulated immigration advice. Rules change; check the source before you act, and speak to an IAA-registered adviser about your case.