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UK Student Visa from Kenya: Requirements, Costs and Steps (2027)

Writer: Eliud Njosh
Eliud Njosh
2 hours ago
3 min read

To study a course longer than six months in the UK you need a Student visa. Kenyan applicants apply online, then attend the visa application centre in Nairobi for fingerprints and a photo. The rules are predictable: when the documents are complete and the money is held correctly, most applications succeed.

Quick answer

  • Visa fee: £558 (from 8 April 2026), about KES 96,000.

  • Immigration Health Surcharge: £776 for each year of your visa, about KES 133,000 a year.

  • Living-cost funds: from 30 November 2026, £1,203 a month outside London or £1,570 a month in London, for up to nine months.

  • The 28-day rule: the money must sit in the account for 28 consecutive days before you apply.

  • TB test: Kenyan applicants need a TB test certificate from a UK-approved clinic.

Step 1: Get an unconditional offer and your CAS

Your university issues a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) once you have met all your offer conditions, usually after you pay a tuition deposit. The CAS number goes on your visa application and shows your tuition fee and any amount already paid.

Step 2: Work out how much money to show

You must show your unpaid first-year tuition plus living costs. For applications made on or after 30 November 2026:

  • Outside London: £1,203 × 9 months = £10,827, about KES 1.86 million.

  • In London: £1,570 × 9 months = £14,130, about KES 2.43 million.

Applications made before 30 November 2026 use the older amounts of £1,171 and £1,529 a month. Read our guide to the UK funds increase to see whether applying earlier helps you.

Step 3: Meet the 28-day rule

The full amount must stay in the account for at least 28 consecutive days, and your statement's closing date must be no more than 31 days before you apply. If the balance drops below the required amount for even one day, the 28 days start again. The money can be in your own account or a parent's. For a parent's account you also need your birth certificate and a signed letter of consent from the parent.

Step 4: TB test and English

  • Book a TB test at a UK-approved clinic in Kenya. The certificate is valid for six months.

  • For degree-level courses, your university decides how you prove your English, often with IELTS or another accepted test.

  • For courses below degree level, such as foundation years, you usually need an approved Secure English Language Test such as IELTS for UKVI.

Step 5: Apply online and give biometrics

  1. Apply on GOV.UK up to six months before your course starts.

  2. Pay the visa fee and the health surcharge.

  3. Book an appointment at the visa application centre in Nairobi for your fingerprints and photo.

  4. Provide your passport, CAS, financial evidence, TB certificate and the academic documents listed on your CAS.

Standard decisions usually take about three weeks after your appointment. Faster priority services cost extra.

Mistakes that cause refusals

  • Funds held for fewer than 28 days, or a bank statement that is too old

  • Money in the account of a relative who is not a parent or legal guardian

  • A missing TB certificate

  • Documents that don't match what the university listed on the CAS

After your course: the Graduate Route

Most bachelor's and master's graduates can apply for the Graduate Route to stay and work in the UK. It is being reduced to 18 months for most graduates. See our guide to the 2027 rule changes for the details.

Get help with your UK application

MultiWorld helps Kenyan students choose UK universities, meet offer conditions and prepare a complete visa file. Start with a free eligibility check or read our guide to studying in the UK from Kenya.

Fees and rules checked in November 2026. KES amounts use about KES 172 to the pound. Always confirm the current rules on GOV.UK before you apply.

Frequently asked questions

How much money do I need for a UK student visa from Kenya?

Your unpaid first-year tuition plus living costs. For applications from 30 November 2026 that is £10,827 outside London or £14,130 in London, held for at least 28 consecutive days.

Do Kenyan students need a TB test for a UK student visa?

Yes. Kenyan applicants need a TB test certificate from a UK-approved clinic. The certificate is valid for six months.

How long does a UK student visa take from Kenya?

Standard decisions usually take about three weeks after your biometrics appointment in Nairobi. Priority services are faster but cost extra.

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