The UK Student Route visa process has several sequential steps that all have to line up correctly — your CAS, your IELTS UKVI score, your financial evidence, and your biometrics appointment all need to happen in the right order and within specific timing windows. This guide walks Egyptian nationals through the full process step by step, using current fees and requirements.
Overview of the Process
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sit IELTS UKVI Academic |
| 2 | Accept your university offer and receive your CAS |
| 3 | Check current TB test requirement status |
| 4 | Gather financial evidence (28-day rule) |
| 5 | Complete the online visa application and pay fees |
| 6 | Book and attend biometrics at VFS Global Cairo |
| 7 | Receive your decision and travel to the UK |
Step 1: IELTS UKVI Academic
Egypt is not on the UK's majority English-speaking exemption list, so Egyptian applicants need a Secure English Language Test (SELT) for the Student Route visa. IELTS UKVI Academic is the most widely used SELT and has identical content and scoring to standard IELTS Academic — it's simply administered under UKVI-approved conditions, so one test can satisfy both your university's admission requirement and your visa's SELT requirement.
Book through British Council Egypt (Cairo, Alexandria) or IDP Egypt, and make sure you select "IELTS for UKVI," not the standard version, when booking.
Step 2: CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies)
After you accept an unconditional offer from your UK university, the university issues a CAS — a 14-digit reference number confirming your place, course details, and tuition fee. You cannot submit your visa application without it. Universities typically issue the CAS 6–8 weeks before your course start date, and it's valid for 6 months from issue, so timing your application after receiving it matters.
Step 3: TB (Tuberculosis) Test — Check Current Status for Egypt
The UK requires a TB test for visa applications of 6 months or longer, but only from applicants who have lived for 6+ months in a country on the Home Office's specific list of TB-test-required countries.
Based on our review of the current gov.uk list, Egypt is not among the listed countries — meaning Egyptian applicants applying from Egypt typically do not need to complete a TB test for a Student Route visa. This is different from several other African countries (including some of Egypt's neighbors), which remain on the list.
Because this list is reviewed periodically by the Home Office based on updated WHO tuberculosis data, do not rely solely on this guide — confirm your specific requirement at gov.uk/tb-test-visa before you apply, especially if you've lived for an extended period in a different country recently. If a test is required in your specific case, it must be done at a UKVI-approved clinic and the certificate is valid for 6 months.
Step 4: Financial Evidence — The 28-Day Rule
You must show you can cover your first-year tuition fee (as stated on your CAS) plus living costs for up to 9 months.
| Location | Monthly Rate | Up to 9 Months |
|---|---|---|
| London | £1,529 | £13,761 |
| Outside London | £1,171 | £10,539 |
The 28-day rule: the required funds must be in your (or your parent/legal guardian's) account for a continuous 28-day period, ending no more than 31 days before you submit your application. A large deposit made just before applying does not satisfy this — the full 28-day balance history is checked. If a parent or guardian is your financial sponsor, you'll also need to provide a letter confirming the relationship and their consent.
A full scholarship award letter (such as Chevening) that covers tuition and living costs can replace standard financial evidence entirely.
Step 5: Online Visa Application and Fees
Apply at gov.uk/student-visa. You'll need to create a UKVI online account, complete the application form, and pay two separate fees.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Student visa application fee | £558 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) — per year of your visa | £776 |
IHS by Programme Length (Approximate)
| Programme | Approximate IHS Total |
|---|---|
| One-year master's | ~£850–£1,000 (accounting for rounding of part-years) |
| Three-year bachelor's/PhD | ~£2,300–£2,600 |
The IHS is paid upfront during the online application and gives you access to NHS services for the duration of your visa. Always check the exact calculator on gov.uk at the time of application, since it's calculated per exact visa length, not a flat annual rate multiplied simply.
Step 6: Biometrics at VFS Global Egypt (Cairo)
After completing the online application, book a biometrics appointment at the VFS Global UK Visa Application Centre in Cairo.
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport (original) | Must remain valid for your intended stay; submitted to VFS and returned with your visa |
| IELTS UKVI Test Report Form | Original — photocopies not accepted |
| CAS reference number | 14-digit number from your university |
| TB certificate (if applicable) | Original, only if your specific case requires one |
| Financial evidence | Bank statements covering the full 28-day period, or scholarship award letter |
| IHS payment receipt | From your online application |
| Passport-style photographs | Per VFS specification |
At your appointment, your fingerprints and photograph are taken, and your documents are submitted for processing.
Processing Time and Decision
Standard processing is typically 3–8 weeks from your biometrics appointment, though priority/super-priority services are available at VFS Cairo for an additional fee if you need a faster decision. Apply as early as your CAS timing allows — don't wait until the last few weeks before your course start date.
Graduate Route — After You Graduate
| Qualification Completed | Graduate Route Duration |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 2 years (dropping to 18 months for most graduates from January 2027) |
| Master's degree | 2 years (dropping to 18 months for most graduates from January 2027) |
| PhD | 3 years |
The Graduate Route lets you switch from a Student visa to live and work in the UK at any skill level, with no job offer required at the point of switching. The UK government has confirmed the standard duration will shorten to 18 months for most bachelor's and master's graduates starting January 2027 — if post-study work length is a major factor in your planning, check the exact rules in force at the time your course finishes, since transitional arrangements can affect students already partway through a programme.
Full Cost Summary (Visa-Related, Excluding Tuition)
| Item | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| IELTS UKVI Academic test fee | Check current British Council/IDP Egypt pricing |
| Student visa application fee | £558 |
| IHS (per year) | £776 |
| VFS Global biometrics service fee | Check current VFS Egypt pricing (separate from the visa fee) |
| Financial evidence required (living costs, London example) | £13,761 (funds shown, not spent upfront) |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying before receiving the CAS — the visa application requires the CAS number; don't submit without it
- Assuming the TB test applies by default — check the current list rather than assuming based on region
- Depositing funds just before applying — this breaks the 28-day continuous balance rule
- Booking standard IELTS instead of IELTS UKVI — standard IELTS Academic does not satisfy the SELT visa requirement, even though it may satisfy university admission
- Letting the CAS expire — it's valid for 6 months from issue; apply within that window
Prepare for IELTS UKVI Academic with Gabble — the test that satisfies both your UK university's admission requirement and your Student Route visa's SELT requirement in one sitting. AI-powered Speaking and Writing practice with instant band scores helps you reach the score your CAS depends on.