The UK Student Route visa involves more moving parts than most Ghanaian applicants expect: an English test, a university-issued CAS, a mandatory TB test, a strictly enforced 28-day financial evidence rule, and biometrics at VFS Global in Accra — each with its own timeline. Missing one step, or getting the sequencing wrong, is the most common cause of delay. This guide walks through the entire process in order, with the exact fees and requirements that apply to Ghanaian nationals in 2026.
Overview: The Full Process at a Glance
| Step | What Happens | Typical Timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sit IELTS UKVI Academic | 6–10 weeks before applying |
| 2 | Receive CAS from your university | 6–8 weeks before course start |
| 3 | Complete TB test at an approved clinic | Before starting your online application; certificate valid 6 months |
| 4 | Season your funds for the 28-day rule | Starts as early as possible, ideally right after receiving your CAS |
| 5 | Complete the online visa application and pay fees | After TB certificate and CAS are in hand |
| 6 | Book and attend biometrics at VFS Global Accra | Shortly after submitting the online application |
| 7 | Receive your decision | Typically 3–8 weeks after biometrics |
Step 1: IELTS UKVI Academic
Ghana is not on the UK's list of majority English-speaking countries exempt from the Secure English Language Test (SELT) requirement, so Ghanaian applicants need a SELT to satisfy the Student visa's English condition. IELTS UKVI Academic is the SELT most widely used and accepted by UK universities.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Where to book in Ghana | British Council Ghana (Accra, Kumasi) or IDP Ghana |
| What to select | "IELTS for UKVI," not standard IELTS Academic |
| Minimum visa requirement | CEFR B2 (IELTS 5.5) |
| Typical university requirement | 6.0–7.0+ depending on level and institution |
Meeting your university's requirement automatically satisfies the visa's lower minimum — there's no need to test twice.
Step 2: Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
Once you've accepted an unconditional offer, your university issues a CAS — a unique 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
- The CAS lists the exact tuition fee and any deposit already paid — this figure determines your financial evidence requirement (see Step 4)
- Check every detail on your CAS (name spelling, passport number, course title) matches your passport and application exactly — mismatches are a common cause of refusal
Step 3: The TB (Tuberculosis) Test — Mandatory for Ghanaian Applicants
Ghana is on the UK's list of countries where a TB test is required for any visa application of 6 months or longer — which covers essentially all student visas.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Who must test | Ghanaian citizens applying for a UK visa of 6+ months, who have lived in Ghana (or another listed country) for 6+ months within the last 6 months |
| Approved clinics | Part of the IOM/Home Office-approved TB testing network, with clinics operating in Accra and Kumasi — always confirm the current approved clinic list on gov.uk before booking, as this can change |
| What the test involves | A chest X-ray; further assessment (such as a sputum test) is only needed if the X-ray shows an abnormality |
| Processing time | Typically a few business days for a normal result |
| Certificate validity | 6 months from the test date |
| Cost | Paid directly to the clinic; check current pricing when booking, as it is not set by the Home Office |
Timing matters here. Book your TB test only once you're confident of your application timeline — the certificate expires after 6 months, so testing too early risks it lapsing before you apply, while testing too late risks delaying your whole application. You must have the certificate in hand before completing your online visa application, as the certificate reference number is a required field.
Step 4: Financial Evidence — The 28-Day Rule
You need to show you can cover:
- Any tuition fee shown as outstanding on your CAS (i.e., not already paid to the university), plus
- Living costs for up to 9 months, at the rate set for your study location
| Location | Monthly Rate | 9-Month Total |
|---|---|---|
| London | £1,529 | £13,761 |
| Outside London | £1,171 | £10,539 |
The 28-day rule is strict: the required balance must be held continuously for 28 days, and your application must be submitted within 31 days of the end of that 28-day period. A large deposit made the day before you apply does not satisfy this — UKVI checks the full 28-day transaction history, not just the closing balance.
If a scholarship covers you: An award letter from Chevening, the Commonwealth Scholarship, or another government-backed scholarship can replace standard financial evidence entirely — check the exact wording your scholarship provider issues, as it needs to explicitly confirm funding coverage.
If a parent or sponsor is funding you: You'll need to provide evidence of your relationship to them (birth certificate, for example) alongside their financial evidence, following the same 28-day rule.
Step 5: The Online Application and Fees
Apply at gov.uk/student-visa. You'll need to:
- Create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
- Complete the application form, referencing your CAS number, IELTS UKVI TRF number, and TB certificate reference
- Pay the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
- Book your biometrics appointment at VFS Global Accra
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Student visa application fee | £558 | Current fee from 8 April 2026 |
| IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) | £776 per year | Paid upfront for your full visa length; partial years round up to a full year |
Example IHS cost for a one-year master's: roughly £776–£1,000+ depending on exact visa duration granted (courses plus a short grace period are common, which can push you into a second partial year of IHS).
Step 6: Biometrics at VFS Global Accra
Ghanaian applicants attend their biometrics appointment at the VFS Global UK Visa Application Centre in Accra.
| Document Checklist | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport (original) | Must remain valid for your intended stay; submitted to VFS and returned with your visa vignette/decision |
| IELTS UKVI Test Report Form | Original, not a photocopy |
| CAS reference number | From your university |
| TB test certificate | Original, within its 6-month validity window |
| Financial evidence | Bank statements meeting the 28-day rule, or scholarship award letter |
| IHS payment confirmation | Generated after paying online |
| Passport-style photographs | Per VFS's current specification |
| Academic qualification certificates | As listed in your CAS, if requested |
At your appointment, your fingerprints and photograph are taken for the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or eVisa, depending on the current UKVI digital status system in use at the time of your application.
Step 7: Decision and Onward Travel
| Service Level | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Standard | 3–8 weeks from biometrics |
| Priority (extra fee) | 5 working days (where available) |
| Super Priority (extra fee) | Next working day (where available) |
Once approved, you'll receive confirmation of your visa status (increasingly via the UK's digital eVisa system rather than a physical vignette) — check the current guidance on gov.uk at the time you apply, as the UK has been transitioning fully to digital immigration status.
After You Arrive: What Comes Next
- Register with a GP shortly after arrival — your IHS payment gives you NHS access from your visa start date
- Collect your BRP or confirm your eVisa status, depending on which system applies to your application
- Keep copies of every document (CAS, TB certificate, financial evidence, visa decision) — you may need them again for visa extensions, the Graduate Route, or future immigration applications
Graduate Route — What Happens After You Graduate
| Qualification Completed | Graduate Route Duration |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 2 years, if you apply before 1 January 2027; 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027 onward |
| Master's degree | 2 years, if you apply before 1 January 2027; 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027 onward |
| PhD | 3 years, unaffected by the 2027 change |
The UK government confirmed the Graduate Route duration will shorten for bachelor's and master's graduates applying from 1 January 2027, while PhD graduates retain the full 3 years. No job offer is needed to switch onto the Graduate Route, and you can work in any role at any skill level during this period — many Ghanaian graduates use it to secure sponsored employment and transition onto the Skilled Worker visa before it expires.
Common Reasons Ghanaian Applications Are Delayed or Refused
| Issue | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|
| TB certificate expired before application submitted | Time your test carefully against your expected application date |
| Financial evidence doesn't meet the 28-day continuous rule | Start seasoning funds the moment you receive your CAS, not after |
| Mismatched details between CAS, passport, and application form | Cross-check every field before submitting |
| Standard IELTS taken instead of IELTS UKVI | Always select "IELTS for UKVI" when booking, if UK-bound |
| Insufficient funds relative to your specific study location's rate | Confirm whether your institution counts as "London" or "outside London" under UKVI rules before calculating your required amount |
Prepare for IELTS UKVI Academic with Gabble — the first and most time-sensitive step in this entire process. Gabble's AI-powered Speaking and Writing practice with instant band scores helps Ghanaian applicants reach their university's required score efficiently, so the rest of the visa timeline — CAS, TB test, and financial evidence — has room to fall into place without last-minute pressure.