UK Student visa from Bangladesh
The full process from CAS to eVisa, with costs, timing and the Bangladesh-specific steps most guides skip.
Get help with my visa planLast updated 29 September 2026Figures checked against official sources, listed at the end
Student visa at a glance
You can apply once your university has issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). The visa is linked to your course and your licensed student sponsor.
Step by step from Bangladesh
- Get your CAS
Your university issues it after you accept the offer, meet the conditions and usually pay a deposit.
- Confirm your English route
Check whether your CAS says the university assessed your English or you need a SELT.
- Take the TB test
At an IOM clinic in Gulshan, Sylhet or Chittagong, about US $78. The certificate is valid for 6 months.
- Hold your funds for 28 days
One year of outstanding tuition plus £1,529 (London) or £1,171 (elsewhere) a month for up to 9 months, ending within 31 days of applying.
- Apply online and pay
Pay £558 and the health surcharge for the whole visa on GOV.UK, then book your appointment.
- Biometrics at VFS Global Dhaka
At Gulshan-2, with a £55 service fee. Bring your passport, CAS, TB certificate and financial documents.
- Wait for the decision
Usually about 3 weeks; priority service can cut this to around 5 working days where available.
- Get your eVisa and travel
Travel up to 1 month before a course longer than 6 months, never before the visa start date.
Common reasons for refusal
- Funds not held for 28 full days or a statement dated more than 31 days before the application.
- Large, unexplained deposits made just before applying.
- Money in the wrong name, such as an uncle’s account; only your own, your parent’s or an official sponsor’s funds count.
- Missing TB certificate or one that expired before you applied.
- Weak credibility interview answers about why you chose the course and how it fits your plans.
About 26% of Bangladeshi sponsored study applications were refused in Q4 2025 to Q1 2026, so preparation matters more than before.
Bringing family
Only government-sponsored students on courses of 6 months or more, and full-time PhD or research-based postgraduate students on courses of 9 months or more, can bring a partner or children. Most bachelor’s and taught master’s students cannot bring dependants at all.
After you graduate
The Graduate Route gives 2 years after a bachelor’s or master’s and 3 years after a PhD if you apply before 1 January 2027. From that date non-PhD graduates get 18 months. You apply from inside the UK and can take any job or be self-employed.
Visa FAQs
Do I get a sticker in my passport?
No. The UK now issues eVisas, which you access online and use to prove your status.
Can I apply before paying my tuition deposit?
You can only apply once you have a CAS, and many universities ask for a deposit before issuing it.
Is Bangladesh exempt from showing funds?
No. Bangladesh is not on the differential evidence list, so you must submit full financial evidence.
Can I switch course after arriving?
Changing course can require a new CAS and sometimes a new visa application. Speak to your university first.
Official sources
- GOV.UK: Student visa ↗Checked 2026-09-29 · next review 2026-10-29
- GOV.UK: money you need ↗Checked 2026-09-29 · next review 2026-10-29
- GOV.UK: TB test ↗Checked 2026-09-29 · next review 2026-10-29
- GOV.UK: partner and children ↗Checked 2026-09-29 · next review 2026-10-29
- GOV.UK: Graduate Route ↗Checked 2026-09-27 · next review 2026-10-27
- ICEF Monitor: UK refusal rates ↗Checked 2026-09-27 · next review 2026-10-27
These are dated editorial checks, not a live data feed. Recheck the original page before applying or paying.
About this guide. Researched by the Student Visa From Bangladesh editorial team from the official sources listed above and last checked on 29 September 2026. We are not a university or a government agency, and admission and visa outcomes are never guaranteed. Read our editorial policy.