Student visa: photo and application guide
Full-time study at a UK higher-education institution licensed as a Student sponsor by UKVI. Open to students aged 16+.
In this article · 6 sections
Quick answer
45 × 35 mm photo · £558 to apply from outside the UK and the same £558 to extend or switch inside the UK · biometrics at VAC
Photo specification is the shared UK 45 × 35 mm format. Biometric photo is captured at the Visa Application Centre during your appointment. Fee £558 to apply from outside the UK and the same £558 to extend or switch inside the UK; plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 for each year of your course. Processing 3 weeks standard from outside the UK, 8 weeks inside the UK; for an extra £500 the priority service usually gives a decision in about 5 working days. Last reviewed .
Application route
| Full name | UK Student Visa (Tier 4 successor) |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Full-time study at a UK higher-education institution licensed as a Student sponsor by UKVI. Open to students aged 16+. |
| Application route | Online application via GOV.UK after Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the institution |
| Fee | £558 to apply from outside the UK and the same £558 to extend or switch inside the UK; plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 for each year of your course |
| Processing time | 3 weeks standard from outside the UK, 8 weeks inside the UK; for an extra £500 the priority service usually gives a decision in about 5 working days |
| Biometric appointment | Yes — at a VAC for new applicants |
| Official portal | GOV.UK — Student visa ↗ |
Photo specification
The Student visa uses the shared UK biometric photo standard. The digital photo uploaded with the online application is checked against this spec; the biometric capture at the visa application centre takes a fresh photo for the Home Office record.
| Size | at least 600 × 750 px, portrait orientation |
|---|---|
| Head height | head, shoulders and upper body in frame — do not crop |
| Background | plain light-coloured, with your face in clear contrast to it |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed (no smile) |
| Glasses | Only if you have to wear them; not tinted, eyes clearly visible |
| Digital file | jpg or jpeg, at least 600 × 750 pixels, vertically orientated, file from 50KB to 6MB |
| Checked against primary sources. Updated . | |
What to watch out for with the Student visa
The Student visa is route-sensitive: postgraduate routes have different sponsor obligations than undergraduate. Your status is stored as an eVisa in your UK Visas and Immigration account, not on a plastic card — banks and landlords check it online with a share code you generate yourself. Worth taking a fresh photo within the last month before you apply.
Frequently asked questions about the Student visa
01What size photo do I need for a Student visa?
at least 600 × 750 px, portrait orientation, file size 50KB to 6MB, in jpg or jpeg. The Student visa uses the UKVI digital standard: head, shoulders and upper body in frame — do not crop, background plain light-coloured, with your face in clear contrast to it, neutral expression. The biometric capture itself happens at the visa application centre appointment.
02How much does the Student visa cost?
£558 to apply from outside the UK and the same £558 to extend or switch inside the UK; plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 for each year of your course. The visa fee is paid online during the application; the VAC service fee and Immigration Health Surcharge are separate charges.
03How long does the Student visa take to process?
3 weeks standard from outside the UK, 8 weeks inside the UK; for an extra £500 the priority service usually gives a decision in about 5 working days. The clock starts after you attend the biometrics appointment, not when you submit the online application.
04Is the biometric appointment mandatory for the Student visa?
Yes — at a VAC for new applicants.
05Will I receive a card with my photo on it?
No. Plastic cards (Biometric Residence Permits) are no longer issued: Student visa status is held as an eVisa in your UK Visas and Immigration account. You prove it with a share code through the "view and prove" service — that is what border officers, employers, banks and landlords check.
Other UK visa categories
Prepare your Student visa photo
Upload a portrait — Anfas.Pro applies the UKVI 45 × 35 mm format and biometric framing automatically.