What’s New in the UK Student Visa Policy?
- Higher living-cost funds from 2 January 2025: £1,483/month in London or £1,136/month outside London (max 9 months), held for 28 consecutive days, with the last day within 31 days of submitting your application.
- Digital eVisa from 15 July 2025 for many study/work routes: create a UKVI account, link your passport, and travel without a passport vignette.
Core items that remain: visa fee £524, IHS £776 per visa year (rounded up to the next half-year), standard outside-UK decisions ~3 weeks, dependant rules restricted, and TB testing at approved clinics in Bangladesh is still mandatory.
Why This Matters (Data Snapshot)
In the year ending June 2025, sponsored study visas for principal applicants were roughly 414,000 (about 4% lower year-on-year), while dependants fell by about 81% after family policy tightening. Demand from Bangladesh remains strong, especially for master’s and research degrees, so clean documentation and timing are critical.
Who Can Apply from Bangladesh
You need:
- A CAS from a licensed university or college
- An eligible course
- English proof at the required level (typically CEFR B2 for degree level)
- Money for tuition and living costs
- A TB certificate if studying longer than 6 months
- ATAS clearance if your subject is sensitive STEM (mainly particular master’s/PhD fields)
Money You Must Show (The 2025 Uplift)
Living costs (maintenance)
- London: £1,483 per month, up to 9 months → £13,347
- Outside London: £1,136 per month, up to 9 months → £10,224
- Hold funds for 28 days; submit your visa application within 31 days of the end of that period.
Tuition fees
- Show one academic year (or the remainder) as listed on your CAS.
- Deduct any payments or scholarships only if shown on your CAS or supported by official letters.
Accepted financial evidence
- Personal bank statements, an approved student loan letter, or an official sponsor letter that meets the specified wording and date requirements.
Dependants in 2025 (What Hasn’t Changed)
You can bring dependants only if you are:
- The government sponsors courses longer than 6 months
- On a postgraduate research degree (such as a PhD/doctorate or other research-based higher degree) lasting 9 months or more.
Each dependant must show £845/month in London or £680/month outside London for up to 9 months, in addition to your own funds.
Application Steps from Bangladesh
Step 1: Prepare
- Confirm that the offer and CAS details match your passport.
- Start your 28-day funds period and keep the account clean.
- Book an English test if needed.
- Apply for ATAS early if your course requires it.
- Book a TB test at an approved clinic (Dhaka or Sylhet).
Step 2: Apply and Pay
- Submit the online Student visa form.
- Pay the £524 application fee.
- Pay IHS = £776 × visa years (rounded to the next half-year). Example: a typical 16–17-month master’s permission is billed as 1.5 years of IHS.
Step 3: Biometrics
- Book VFS Global in Dhaka or Sylhet, attend with documents, and track your file using your GWF reference.
Step 4: Decision and eVisa
- For many applications submitted on or after 15 July 2025, you will not receive a vignette.
- Follow your decision email to create your UKVI account, activate your eVisa, and link your passport.
- Generate a share code if requested by carriers or landlords.
Processing Times
- Standard decisions from outside the UK take about 3 weeks.
- In-country decisions: about 8 weeks.
- Priority and Super Priority may be offered depending on location and capacity.
TB Test Bangladesh Specifics
- Mandatory for courses longer than 6 months.
- Use only Home Office-approved clinics in Bangladesh.
- Please keep your original certificate; it must be valid at the time of application.
After You Arrive in the UK
Work during studies
- Check the work conditions on your eVisa; typical limits apply during term time.
Graduate Route (post-study work)
- Still available as of 22 September 2025: 2 years for most graduates and 3 years for PhD graduates.
- Always recheck policy before planning job searches or switching routes.
Common Refusal Triggers And How to Avoid Them
- Funds timing errors: The balance is not held for the full 28 days, or the final day is older than 31 days when you apply.
- Wrong TB clinic: certificates from non-approved clinics are refused.
- Missing ATAS: for courses that require it.
- eVisa not activated: forgetting to set up your UKVI account before travel can cause airline or border issues.
Handy Checklists
Document pack
- Passport
- CAS
- Bank evidence covering 28 days, dated so the last day is within 31 days of the application
- Tuition fee receipt/scholarship letter (if applicable)
- TB certificate (approved clinic)
- English test/qualification (if required)
- ATAS (if required)
- Sponsor/consent letters where relevant
Budget numbers
- £1,483 (London) or £1,136 (outside) × up to 9 months
- £845 or £680 per dependant × up to 9 months
- £524 visa fee per applicant
- £776 per visa year for IHS (rounded to the next half-year)
Where to Apply and Track
- Apply online, then book biometrics at VFS Global in Dhaka or Sylhet.
- Track your application using your GWF on the VFS portal.
Final Word for 2026–27 Intakes
For Bangladeshi students, 2025 is about providing more substantial proof of funds and a digital visa journey. Start your 28-day funding window early, book TB promptly, double-check CAS details, and activate your eVisa as soon as you receive the decision. With solid preparation, you can avoid last-minute refusals and arrive on time.
Get guidance from a UniEducation counsellor to
- Assess eligibility, course fit, and ATAS needs
- Map your CAS → TB → funds → visa → eVisa timeline
- Optimise bank evidence to meet the 28-day/31-day rules
- Prepare a complete document pack and book VFS smoothly.
- Calculate IHS and total cost, including dependents.
- Activate your eVisa and generate share codes correctly.
- Plan your path to the Graduate Route and beyond
Ready to secure your 2025 UK study visa? Speak to a UniEducation counsellor today for a fast, error-free application.