FOR ALL YOUR IMMIGRATION MATTERS
Student Visa Solicitors
We check that you meet the sponsorship, financial, English language and immigration requirements, and help you prepare an application that stands up to Home Office scrutiny, so that a small error does not put your place on the course at risk.
Specialist help with your UK student visa
A student visa can look straightforward once you have an offer, but the detail is where applications go wrong. Maintenance funds held for the wrong period, bank statements that do not meet the evidence rules, English language proof that does not match your CAS, or applying outside the permitted window are all common reasons for delay or refusal.Our team reviews your circumstances before you submit, flags anything that could cause a problem, and helps you put together a clear, well evidenced application. We assist students aged 16 and over, and can also advise younger students who need a child student visa or those attending shorter courses on a short-term study visa.
- Student Visa Guidance
- CAS Document Support
- Financial Requirement Help
- English Requirement Advice
- Study Extension Support
Contact us for a Student Visa UK consultation
(Typical response time 2 business hours)
6,500 +
Successful Applications and Still Counting
31
Years of Experience in the UK Immigration Law
18
British Lawyers and Supporting Staff
25k +
Consultancy Services Provided and Still Counting
How our student visa solicitors support you
We support students at every stage, whether you are applying for the first time, extending your stay, or planning what comes next. Our service typically includes:
- Checking your eligibility and confirming the right study route
- Reviewing your CAS and supporting documents for consistency
- Making sure your financial evidence meets the Home Office rules
- Advising on English language evidence and any exemptions
- Preparing your application and helping you meet enrolment deadlines
- Guiding you on your visa conditions and your options after your course
Because we are a specialist immigration firm, we understand how the Home Office assesses these applications and where caseworkers tend to raise concerns. That insight helps us present your case in a way that answers those concerns before they become a problem.
Why students choose Garth Coates
Established in 2008, we are a boutique immigration firm based in central London. Our founder, Garth Coates, qualified as a solicitor in 1994 and previously worked as an immigration officer within the Home Office, which gives our team genuine insight into how decisions are made. We are multilingual and support students both in the UK and overseas, often in their own language. You can learn more about the firm and how we work, and we are always happy to review your position before you apply so that you can start your course with peace of mind.
FAQs
What do your student visa solicitors do for my application?
Our student visa solicitors review your offer, CAS and documents, confirm that you meet the financial, English language and course requirements, and prepare an accurate application. We identify anything that could lead to a delay or refusal, such as funds held for the wrong period, and help you put it right before you submit.
Practical support often makes the difference between a smooth application and an anxious wait. We check that your bank statements meet the strict evidence rules, that your English language proof matches your CAS, and that you are applying within the permitted timeframe. Where a credibility interview is likely, we help you understand what to expect. If your case is not straightforward, for example because of a previous refusal or a third party providing your funds, we give clear advice on how to present it. Our aim is to protect your place on the course and let you focus on your studies.
Do I need student visa solicitors to apply, or can I apply myself?
You are not legally required to use student visa solicitors, and many students apply successfully on their own. However, because a single mistake can lead to a refusal and the loss of both your fee and your place, professional support is valuable where anything about your case is unusual or your enrolment deadline is close.
Universities and colleges can guide you on the general process, but they cannot give regulated advice on complex immigration issues, and the responsibility for meeting the rules remains yours. Common problems include financial evidence that does not satisfy the 28 day rule, documents that do not match your CAS, or confusion over ATAS or tuberculosis testing. If you have had a previous visa refusal, are relying on a family member’s funds, or simply want reassurance that your application is right, our team can review everything before you submit.
What is a CAS, and can you help if there is a problem with it?
A CAS, or Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, is a reference number issued by your licensed sponsor once you have an offer. You need it before you apply, and the details on it must match your application exactly. Yes, we can help if the information on your CAS is wrong or inconsistent with your other documents.
The CAS records key details such as your course, your fees and the documents your sponsor relied on to make the offer. If anything on it is incorrect, or does not line up with your passport, qualifications or financial evidence, it can cause delays or a refusal. We check your CAS carefully against the rest of your application and, where there is a discrepancy, help you raise it with your sponsor before you submit. Getting this right early avoids problems that are much harder to fix once an application has been made.
How much money do I need to show for a UK student visa?
You usually need to show your unpaid first year tuition fees plus living costs. The living cost figures are currently £1,529 a month for up to 9 months if you study in London, and £1,171 a month for up to 9 months outside London. These rise to £1,570 and £1,203 for applications made from 30 November 2026.
The money must normally be held for at least 28 consecutive days, ending no more than 31 days before you apply, and your bank statements must meet the Home Office evidence rules exactly. Funds can come from you, your parents or an official sponsor, depending on your circumstances. You will also need to pay the immigration health surcharge, currently £776 for each year of your visa. Because financial evidence is one of the most common reasons for refusal, we check your funds and statements against the rules before your application goes in.
What happens to my studies if my student visa application is refused?
A refusal does not always mean the end of the road, but you need to act quickly, because deadlines are short and your course start date may be approaching. The refusal notice will set out the exact reason, and the right response is usually an administrative review or a fresh, corrected application.
Student visa refusals often come down to financial evidence that did not meet the rules, documents that did not match the CAS, or credibility concerns, rather than genuine ineligibility. We review the decision, work out whether it was a caseworker error or a real problem, and advise on the most sensible route forward. Where a decision is legally flawed and there is no other remedy, our appeals and judicial review team can advise. Wherever possible, we also liaise with your sponsor to help protect your place while the position is resolved.
Can your student visa solicitors help me stay in the UK after I graduate?
Yes. Our student visa solicitors can advise on your options once your course ends, so that you can plan ahead rather than leave it to the last minute. Many graduates move on to a work route, and we help you understand the timing and eligibility so that you do not fall out of status.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to switch into a work route such as the skilled worker visa if you secure a suitable job with a licensed sponsor, or explore other categories that fit your plans. Timing matters, because you usually need to apply before your student visa expires and while you still meet the requirements. We look at your longer term goals, not just your immediate application, and advise on the route most likely to work for you. Planning early gives you the widest range of options.
Can I work in the UK on a student visa?
Often yes, but with strict limits. Many students can work a set number of hours during term time and full time during holidays, depending on the level of the course. Self employment and certain roles are not permitted, and your sponsor must monitor your attendance and engagement throughout your studies.
The exact hours you are allowed to work are set by your visa conditions and depend on your course level, so it is important to check what applies to you rather than assume. Breaching your conditions, for example by working more hours than permitted, can put both your visa and your studies at risk. Once your visa is granted, your status is usually held digitally as an eVisa, which you access through your UKVI account, and you may be asked to prove it using a share code. We can explain your conditions clearly so that you stay compliant from day one.
Can I bring my family with me on a student visa?
In most cases, no. Since January 2024, only students on a PhD or other doctoral or research based postgraduate programme, or government sponsored students on courses longer than 6 months, can usually bring dependants. Most students on taught courses, including taught master’s degrees, can no longer bring family members.
Where dependants are allowed, your partner and children under 18 may apply to join you, and you will need to show additional funds for each of them, held under the same evidence rules. The position can be complex, particularly if your course or circumstances change, so it is worth checking carefully before you rely on bringing family. We can confirm whether your course qualifies and advise on the family visa options that may apply. Getting this right avoids disappointment and wasted application fees.
Garth Coates
Principal Partner
A Message from Our Principal
At Garth Coates Solicitors, we provide expert legal advice and unwavering support across the full spectrum of UK immigration matters. Before qualifying as a solicitor, I worked within the UK Home Office (UKVI) as an Immigration Officer — a role that gave me valuable insight into the inner workings of the immigration system. Since then, I have gone on to represent clients at several of the UK’s most prominent immigration law firms, and later established this firm to deliver a more focused and client-centred approach.
Together with my senior legal team, we bring over 30 years of combined experience in the UK immigration sector. This depth of expertise enables us to successfully handle even the most complex and challenging cases — from visa refusals and judicial review proceedings to corporate sponsorships, family reunifications, and permanent settlement applications.
We are proud of our high success rate, earned through strategic thinking, meticulous preparation, and a commitment to delivering results. Our multilingual team of solicitors, caseworkers, and support professionals is well-equipped to serve a global clientele with care, professionalism, and cultural understanding.
At Garth Coates Solicitors, we fight for our clients’ rights and treat each case with the attention and seriousness it deserves. Whether you’re applying for the first time, facing an appeal, or unsure of your options, we are here to guide you with clarity and confidence.
Warm regards,
Contact us for a Student Visa UK consultation
(Typical response time 2 business hours)
