| Government fee | SEVIS I-901 US$350; visa application US$185; issuance fee by nationality | £558; Immigration Health Surcharge £776 a year | C$150; biometrics fee | From AUD 2,500 for the main applicant; more for family; concessions for some nationalities |
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| Earliest application | Visa issuable up to 365 days before the course start | Six months before the course from outside the UK | On receipt of the letter of acceptance and attestation letter | On receipt of the CoE |
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| Financial rule | Show how all costs will be paid | First-year fees plus £1,529 or £1,171 a month for up to nine months, held 28 days | First-year tuition, transport and living costs — C$23,448 for one person, C$29,192 for two from 1 September 2026 — with a plan for the rest | 12 months’ living costs AUD 29,710, 12 months’ fees, travel; or parent or partner income of AUD 87,856; AUD 13,502 a year per school-age child |
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| English | Institution’s requirement | CEFR B2 at degree level by SELT, degree or provider assessment | Institution’s requirement | IELTS 6.0, PTE 47, TOEFL iBT 67, CELPIP 7, OET on its scale; lower with packaged ELICOS; no at-home tests |
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| Decision | At the interview | Usually three weeks from outside the UK | Varies by country; published online | Varies by provider evidence level and Ministerial Direction 115 priorities |
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| Work during study | On-campus, and off-campus with authorisation | As the visa conditions permit for the course level | As permitted on the permit | Up to 48 hours a fortnight in session |
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| Stay | Duration of status while enrolled | Up to five years at degree level | Length of the programme plus a margin | Up to six years in line with enrolment |
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| After the course | Optional Practical Training | Graduate visa: two years, or 18 months if applied for from 1 January 2027; three for a doctorate | Post-graduation work permit, subject to eligibility rules | Temporary Graduate visa, subclass 485 |
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