Every year, thousands of Bangladeshi students navigate the UK's Student Route visa — a process with several sequential, non-negotiable steps: a Secure English Language Test, a university-issued CAS, a mandatory TB test, strict financial evidence rules, and biometrics at VFS Global Bangladesh. Missing or mistiming any one of these steps is the most common reason applications are delayed. This guide walks through the entire process in order, specifically for Bangladeshi nationals.
Overview of the Process
| Step | What Happens | Typical Timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sit IELTS UKVI Academic | 2–4 months before application |
| 2 | Receive CAS from your university | 6–8 weeks before course start |
| 3 | Complete the TB test | Shortly before applying (certificate valid 6 months) |
| 4 | Arrange financial evidence (28-day rule) | Ongoing — funds must be settled well in advance |
| 5 | Submit online visa application + pay fees and IHS | After CAS is issued |
| 6 | Attend biometrics at VFS Global Dhaka | Within days/weeks of online application |
| 7 | Receive visa decision | Typically several weeks after biometrics |
Step 1: IELTS UKVI Academic
Bangladesh is not on the UK's list of majority English-speaking countries, so Bangladeshi nationals must take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to satisfy the Student Route visa's English language requirement. IELTS UKVI Academic is the most widely used SELT for this purpose.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Test needed | IELTS UKVI Academic (not standard IELTS Academic) |
| Where to book (Bangladesh) | British Council Bangladesh (Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet) or IDP Bangladesh |
| Booking tip | Select "IELTS for UKVI" specifically when booking — standard IELTS Academic is not accepted as a SELT |
| Validity | Test Report Form (TRF) is generally valid for 2 years for visa purposes |
The content, format, and scoring of IELTS UKVI Academic are identical to standard IELTS Academic — only the secure administration and reporting process differ, so your preparation does not need to change. Taking IELTS UKVI Academic from the start means one test satisfies both your university's admission requirement and your visa's SELT requirement.
Step 2: Receive Your CAS
Once you accept an unconditional offer from a UK university, the institution issues a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) — a unique 14-digit reference number that is mandatory for the visa application.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Issued by | Your UK university's international admissions/compliance team |
| Typical timing | 6–8 weeks before your course start date |
| Contains | Course details, tuition fee amount, and confirmation of any deposit already paid |
| Validity | Must be used to apply for your visa within 6 months of issue |
Double-check every detail on your CAS (name spelling, passport number, course title, tuition amount) — errors can cause delays or refusal.
Step 3: TB (Tuberculosis) Test
Bangladesh is on the list of countries whose nationals must complete a TB test for any UK visa application of 6 months or longer — which covers virtually all student visas.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Who must test | Bangladeshi nationals applying for a UK visa of 6+ months |
| Approved clinics | Listed officially at gov.uk/tb-test-visa — clinics operate in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet |
| Procedure | Chest X-ray, plus further assessment (e.g. sputum test) if the X-ray shows any indication of TB |
| Processing time | Usually 2–3 business days for a standard clear result |
| Certificate validity | 6 months from the date of issue |
Timing matters: Book your TB test close to when you plan to submit your visa application, since the certificate must still be valid (within its 6-month window) at the time of application. The TB certificate is a required supporting document — you cannot submit a complete application without it.
Step 4: Financial Evidence (The 28-Day Rule)
You must demonstrate that you (or your parent/legal guardian, as an approved financial sponsor) can cover your first year's costs.
What You Need to Show
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | The amount shown on your CAS, minus any amount already paid to the university |
| Living costs — London | A fixed monthly figure (published on gov.uk, periodically updated) × up to 9 months |
| Living costs — outside London | A lower fixed monthly figure (published on gov.uk, periodically updated) × up to 9 months |
Always check the current official monthly living-cost figures on gov.uk before calculating your total, as UKVI periodically revises them.
The 28-Day Rule
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Continuous balance | The required funds must be held in the account for a continuous 28-day period |
| Timing | The 28-day period must end no more than 31 days before you submit your application |
| No sudden deposits | A large deposit made just before applying does not satisfy the requirement — the full 28-day history must show the balance already at or above the required level |
| Approved sponsor | If a parent or legal guardian is sponsoring you, their bank statement is accepted, along with proof of the relationship |
Scholarship exemption: If you hold a Chevening, Commonwealth, or other qualifying scholarship covering both tuition and living costs, the official award letter replaces the standard financial evidence requirement entirely.
Step 5: Online Visa Application, Fees, and IHS
Apply through the official UK government website (gov.uk/student-visa):
- Create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) online account
- Complete the Student Route visa application form
- Pay the visa application fee
- Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
- Upload or prepare to bring your supporting documents
- Book your biometrics appointment at VFS Global
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
The IHS grants access to NHS healthcare services during your stay in the UK and is paid as part of the online application, before booking biometrics.
| Programme Length | Approx. IHS Cost |
|---|---|
| One-year master's | Roughly £1,000–£1,300 (check the current per-year rate on gov.uk, as it is periodically revised) |
| Three-year undergraduate/PhD | Roughly £2,500–£3,500 |
Always confirm the current published annual IHS rate on gov.uk before budgeting, since it has been revised more than once in recent years.
Step 6: Biometrics at VFS Global Bangladesh
Bangladeshi applicants attend a biometrics appointment at the VFS Global UK Visa Application Centre in Dhaka.
Documents to Bring
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport (original) | Must remain valid for the intended stay; retained by VFS and returned with the visa decision |
| CAS reference number | 14-digit code from your university |
| IELTS UKVI Test Report Form | Original document |
| TB test certificate | Original, issued by an approved clinic |
| Financial evidence | Bank statements covering the 28-day period, or scholarship award letter |
| IHS payment confirmation | Printed receipt from your online application |
| Passport-size photographs | Per VFS specification |
| Academic documents | Transcripts and certificates referenced in your application |
At the appointment, your fingerprints and photograph (biometric information) are captured, and your passport is submitted for visa processing.
Processing Time
Standard processing is typically several weeks from the date of biometrics submission. Priority and super-priority services are usually available at VFS Global Dhaka for an additional fee if you need a faster decision.
Step 7: Visa Decision and Travel
Once approved, you'll receive either a vignette sticker in your passport (for initial short-term entry) plus instructions to collect a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) after arrival in the UK, or a fully digital eVisa status linked to your passport, depending on the current UKVI process at the time of your application. Check the latest guidance on gov.uk, as the UK has been transitioning from physical BRPs to digital eVisas.
You can typically travel to the UK up to a set number of days before your course start date, as specified in your visa decision — confirm the exact window in your visa approval documents.
Common Reasons for Refusal — and How to Avoid Them
| Reason | How to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Financial evidence doesn't meet the 28-day continuous balance rule | Plan your finances at least 6–8 weeks ahead and avoid last-minute large deposits |
| CAS details don't match application details | Cross-check name, passport number, and course details for exact consistency |
| TB certificate expired before application | Book the TB test close to your intended application date |
| Incomplete or inconsistent supporting documents | Prepare a checklist and review all documents against the official gov.uk list before booking biometrics |
| Weak or vague statement of purpose (if requested) | Clearly explain your study plan, course choice, and genuine intent to study |
After Your Studies: The Graduate Route
| Qualification Completed | Graduate Route Duration |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 2 years |
| Master's degree | 2 years |
| PhD | 3 years |
The Graduate Route lets you work in the UK in any role, at any skill level, for 2–3 years after completing your degree, with no job offer required at the point of application. Many Bangladeshi graduates use this period to gain UK work experience before transitioning to a Skilled Worker visa through a sponsoring employer.
Final Pre-Application Checklist
- IELTS UKVI Academic TRF (not standard IELTS Academic)
- CAS reference number confirmed accurate
- TB test certificate valid and not close to expiry
- 28 continuous days of qualifying funds documented
- IHS paid and receipt saved
- All documents translated into English where required, with certified translations if not originally in English
- VFS Global Dhaka biometrics appointment booked
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