UK Student Visa from Bangladesh: Complete Guide
This guide covers the Student visa rules as they apply to an application made from Bangladesh: getting a CAS, preparing financial evidence held in taka, the tuberculosis test, the English language requirement, and the application steps at the visa application centre in Dhaka.
- Section
- Student & Graduate
- Reading time
- 11 min
- Last checked
- 19 March 2026
- Source
- The published Immigration Rules and GOV.UK guidance, linked throughout this guide.
- Rowan does not
- Look at your own case, tell you which route to choose, or say what the Home Office will decide. This guide shows the published rules and where to read them.
In short
- You need a valid CAS from a UK university before you can apply.
- Financial evidence must show 28 days in a row of funds, ending within 31 days of the date you apply. Other currencies are converted to pounds at the OANDA rate for the day you apply.
- A TB test from an approved clinic in Bangladesh is mandatory.
- GOV.UK's service standard is a decision within 3 weeks for applications made outside the UK.
- After completing your degree, the Graduate route gives you 2 years in the UK if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, or 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027.
An application for a UK Student visa from Bangladesh needs a CAS from the university, financial evidence showing money held for 28 days in a row, a tuberculosis test certificate from a clinic the Home Office has approved, and proof of English at the level GOV.UK sets for the course. This guide sets out those requirements, the currency conversion rule that applies to money held in taka, and the points where applications are commonly refused.
Before You Apply
Start by securing your place at a UK university and receiving your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). The CAS is a digital reference number that contains your course details, fees, and confirmation that you meet the academic requirements. You cannot apply for a Student visa without it.
For a broader overview of the Student visa process, see our complete UK Student Visa guide. This guide focuses on Bangladesh-specific requirements and practical advice.
Financial Evidence
The financial evidence requirement is where many Bangladeshi applications run into problems. You need to show:
- Course fees: The full amount stated on your CAS, minus any deposits already paid.
- Living costs: 1,529 GBP per month for up to 9 months (London) or 1,171 GBP per month (outside London).
The money must have been in the account for at least 28 days in a row, and the end of that period must be within 31 days of the date you apply. Appendix Finance says money held in another currency is converted to pounds using the OANDA spot rate for the date of the application, so the pound value of a taka balance is not fixed until the day you apply.
Appendix Finance also sets out whose account the money may sit in and where. The account must be in your own name, or in the name of a parent or legal guardian — in which case you also send proof of the relationship and their written consent. The money must be held in a financial institution that is regulated in the country it operates in, that keeps electronic records, and that the decision maker can carry out verification checks on. An overdraft does not count. For more on financial evidence, see our Student visa cost guide.
TB Test
Bangladesh is on the TB testing list, and a test is needed if you are coming to the UK for 6 months or more. You must be tested at a clinic the Home Office has approved. GOV.UK publishes the list for Bangladesh: the approved clinics are run by IOM and by Green Crescent, in Dhaka, Sylhet and other cities. The certificate is valid for 6 months from the date of the X-ray.
You need the certificate before you can submit the visa application, so book the test in time for that.
English Language
You must meet the English language requirement. GOV.UK sets the level at CEFR B2 for a course at degree level or above, and CEFR B1 for a course below degree level. If you are studying at degree level or above at a higher education provider with a track record of compliance, that provider can assess your English itself; otherwise you pass a Secure English Language Test from an approved provider. One of those is IELTS for UKVI, which the British Council offers in Dhaka, but it is not the only one.
The required score is stated on your CAS. Test certificates expire, and the expiry date is set by the test provider rather than by GOV.UK, so check with the provider that yours is still valid on the day you apply.
The Application Process
You apply online through GOV.UK and book a biometrics appointment at the VFS Global centre in Dhaka. At your appointment, you provide fingerprints and a photograph and submit your supporting documents.
Documents to bring include:
- Valid passport
- CAS reference number
- TB test certificate
- Bank statements showing 28 days of funds
- Your English language test certificate, if your application needs one
- Academic qualifications referenced on your CAS
All documents not in English need certified translations.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Insufficient funds for the full 28 days. Even a one-day dip below the threshold can result in refusal.
- Expired TB certificate. If your certificate expires before you apply, you need a new test.
- The wrong English test. Where the visa application needs a test, it must be a Secure English Language Test from a provider on the Home Office list. A test your university accepts is not automatically one of those. Check which you need before you book.
- Missing translations. Any document not in English must have a certified translation.
After You Arrive
Once you arrive in the UK, your priorities are:
- Set up or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and check your online status. There is no card to collect: biometric residence permits stopped being issued at the end of 2024
- Open a UK bank account
- Register with a GP
- Check your council tax exemption status
- Attend your university enrolment
For a complete list, see our first week in the UK checklist. For country-specific community advice, see our guide to moving to the UK from Bangladesh.
After Your Course
When your course ends, the Graduate route lets you stay in the UK without a sponsor for 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, or 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027. It is 3 years for a PhD or other doctoral qualification either way. You can also switch to a Skilled Worker visa if you find a sponsored job. See our guide on what to do after your course ends for all your options.
For official information, visit the GOV.UK Student visa page.
Questions and answers
How much money do I need in my bank account for a UK Student Visa from Bangladesh?
You need to show course fees (minus any amount already paid) plus living costs of 1,529 GBP per month for up to 9 months if studying in London, or 1,171 GBP per month outside London. The money must have been in your account for at least 28 days in a row, and the end of that 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date you apply. The immigration rules convert other currencies to pounds using the OANDA spot rate for the date of the application.
Do I need a TB test for a UK Student Visa from Bangladesh?
Yes, if you are coming to the UK for 6 months or more. Bangladesh is on the list of countries where a test is needed. You must be tested at a clinic the Home Office has approved. The certificate is valid for 6 months from the date of the X-ray. GOV.UK publishes the list of approved clinics in Bangladesh; they are run by IOM (the International Organization for Migration) and by Green Crescent, in Dhaka, Sylhet and other cities.
How long does the UK Student Visa take to process from Bangladesh?
GOV.UK's service standard for a Student visa applied for from outside the UK is a decision within 3 weeks. That is a standard, not a promise, and some applications take longer. GOV.UK says you may be able to pay for a faster decision and that you are told when you apply whether that is available to you.
Can I work while studying in the UK on a Student Visa from Bangladesh?
Yes. If studying at degree level or above, you can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays. Below degree level, the limit is 10 hours per week during term time. You cannot be self-employed.
This guide is general information about published immigration rules. It is not advice about an individual application under s.82 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, and Rowan is not regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority. Immigration rules change several times a year. For advice on a particular situation, contact an adviser authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority or an immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the authoritative current rules.