Table of Contents
Visa Cost Estimator
These costs come from your own pocket. Chevening does not cover visa fees.
1. Which Visa Do You Need?
You need a Student visa (formerly Tier 4). Standard visa for studying at a UK institution for longer than six months.
As a Chevening scholar, your university will issue you a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies). This is the single most important document in your visa application. It's an electronic record with a unique reference number that confirms your place on the course, the course details, and your scholarship funding.
You cannot apply for your visa until you have your CAS.
The CAS is generated by your university, not by Chevening. It typically arrives after you've met all conditions of your offer — including English language requirements and document verification. Don't book any visa appointments until the CAS is in your hands.
The Student visa allows you to stay in the UK for the duration of your course plus a short wind-down period. For a one-year Master's, that usually means you can stay for about 14–15 months total.
2. Visa Application Process
The process is straightforward in theory, but each step has potential delays. Here's the sequence you'll follow:
3. Documents Required for Visa
Get these together before you start the online application. Missing even one can delay your visa by weeks.
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Valid passport — must have at least 6 months of validity remaining and a blank page for the visa vignette.
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CAS number — the unique reference from your university confirming your place on the course.
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Proof of Chevening scholarship (FCDO letter) — this official letter from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office confirms your scholarship and serves as your financial evidence.
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Academic qualifications — degree certificates and transcripts. If they're not in English, you'll need certified translations.
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English language test results — IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE score report. Must meet both Chevening and university minimums.
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TB test certificate — required if you're applying from a country on the UK's TB testing list. Must be from a UKVI-approved clinic.
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Passport-sized photos — some visa application centres require physical photos for their records.
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Biometric data — collected at the visa application centre during your appointment.
Keep copies of everything
Make photocopies and digital scans of every document before you submit them. If something goes missing during processing, you'll have backups ready.
4. Financial Requirements
This is one area where Chevening scholars have a significant advantage over self-funded students.
Normally, Student visa applicants need to prove they have enough money to cover tuition fees and living costs. Self-funded students have to show GBP 1,334 per month (London) or GBP 1,023 per month (outside London) held in their bank account for at least 28 consecutive days.
As a Chevening scholar, you don't need to show personal bank statements. Your FCDO letter serves as your financial evidence. It confirms that the scholarship covers your tuition fees in full plus a monthly maintenance allowance for living costs.
What Chevening Covers
- Tuition fees: Paid directly to the university — you never handle this money.
- Monthly stipend: Paid into your UK bank account once you arrive, covering living expenses.
- Flights: Return economy airfare to and from the UK.
- Arrival allowance: A one-off payment to help you settle in.
Make sure your CAS correctly reflects that your fees and maintenance are covered by the Chevening scholarship. If the CAS shows incorrect funding information, contact your university immediately — the visa officer will check this.
5. TB Test
If you're applying from a country on the UK government's TB testing list, you must get a tuberculosis test before you can apply for your visa. Most countries in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of the Middle East are on this list.
The test must be done at a UKVI-approved clinic — not just any hospital or lab. The UK government publishes a list of approved clinics for each country on their website.
Key Facts About the TB Test
- Results are valid for 6 months from the date of the test. Time it so the certificate is still valid when you submit your visa application.
- It's a chest X-ray, not a blood test. Results are usually available the same day or within a few days.
- Cost varies by country, typically between USD 50–150.
- Book early. In some countries, approved clinics have long wait times, especially during peak visa season (June–August). Booking two to three weeks ahead is a good idea.
An expired TB test means a rejected visa application.
If your TB certificate expires before your visa is processed, you'll need to take the test again. Don't get it too early. Aim for a test date about four to five months before your course starts.
6. Biometrics
As part of the visa application, you need to provide your biometric data — fingerprints and a digital photograph. This is done in person at a visa application centre.
Depending on your country, the visa application centre will be run by either VFS Global or TLS Contact. These are commercial partners of the UK government that handle the front-end of visa processing.
What to Expect
- You'll book your appointment online after completing the visa application form and paying the fees.
- Bring your passport, appointment confirmation, and any supporting documents.
- The appointment itself takes about 15–30 minutes. They'll scan your fingerprints and take your photo.
- Some centres offer premium services (lounge access, document checking, courier return of passport) for additional fees. These are optional.
In major cities, biometrics appointments fill up fast during the summer months. If your CAS arrives in June or July, book the earliest available slot. Waiting even a few days can push your appointment back by weeks.
7. Visa Processing Times
Once you've submitted your biometrics and documents, the waiting begins. Here's what the timelines look like:
| Service | Processing Time | Extra Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 3–4 weeks | Included in visa fee |
| Priority | 5 working days | Additional fee (varies by country) |
| Super Priority | 1 working day | Additional fee (not available everywhere) |
Don't wait until the last month before your course starts
Apply as soon as you have your CAS. The earliest you can apply is 6 months before your course start date. Most Chevening courses start in September or October, so aim to apply by July at the latest. Earlier is always better.
Priority and Super Priority services are not available in every country, and availability can change without notice. If you're cutting it close on time, check whether your visa application centre offers these options and budget for the extra cost.
8. Common Visa Mistakes
These are the errors that trip Chevening scholars up every year. All of them are avoidable.
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Wrong CAS details. If your name, date of birth, or passport number on the CAS doesn't exactly match your passport, your visa will be refused. Check every single detail the moment you receive your CAS. If anything is wrong, contact your university immediately to get it corrected.
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Expired TB test. TB certificates are valid for 6 months. If yours expires before the visa decision is made, the application fails. Time your test carefully.
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Applying too late. Waiting until August to apply for a September start is asking for trouble. Start the process the day you get your CAS.
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Incorrect passport information. Typos on the online application form — a wrong digit in the passport number, a misspelled name — can cause delays or rejection. Triple-check everything.
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Not paying the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). The IHS is a mandatory payment on top of the visa fee. If you skip it or don't complete the payment, your application won't be processed. You'll get an IHS reference number — make sure it's linked to your visa application.
9. The Graduate Visa Question
This is the single biggest point of confusion — and frustration — for Chevening scholars. So let's make it absolutely clear.
As a Chevening scholar, you CANNOT apply for a Graduate visa after your studies.
The Graduate visa allows most international students to stay and work in the UK for 2 years after completing their degree. But Chevening scholars are explicitly excluded from this route. You must return to your home country.
This is different from other international students who can stay for 2 years after graduation on the Graduate visa. The Chevening scholarship comes with a binding return-home requirement. When you accept the scholarship, you agree to leave the UK and return to your country of citizenship (or the country you applied from) for a minimum of two years after your course ends.
During those two years, you cannot apply for any UK visa that would allow you to live or work in the UK. This includes:
- Graduate visa
- Skilled Worker visa
- Any other leave to remain
The FCDO enforces this. Violating the return-home requirement can result in the FCDO demanding full repayment of the scholarship — which can amount to GBP 30,000–40,000 or more.
If staying in the UK after your studies is a priority for you, Chevening may not be the right scholarship. Consider self-funding or other scholarships that don't carry this restriction. But if you accept the deal, honour it — the two-year clock starts the day your course officially ends.