To study a degree in the UK, Kenyans need a Student visa. For a UK student visa from Kenya, you apply online, give your fingerprints and photo at the VFS Global center in Nairobi, and usually get a decision within three weeks. The visa fee is £558, and you also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge up front.
A missing document or a short bank balance is enough for a refusal, so this guide walks through every step from Kenya, the exact money you need to show, and the mistakes that get applications refused. This article is part of our guide to studying in the UK from Kenya. Shilling figures use the Central Bank of Kenya rate of KSh 173.73 to £1 on 26 October 2026.
At a glance
| Item | What applies to Kenyans |
|---|---|
| Visa fee | £558 (about KSh 96,900) |
| Health surcharge | £776 for each year of your visa (about KSh 134,800) |
| Living costs to show | £1,203 a month outside London or £1,570 in London, for up to 9 months (applications from 30 Nov 2026) |
| Course fees to show | Up to one academic year, as stated on your CAS |
| Earliest you can apply | 6 months before your course starts |
| Usual decision time | About 3 weeks |
| Where to give biometrics | VFS Global, Westlands, Nairobi, with centers in Mombasa (Tuesdays) and Eldoret |
| TB test | Needed, at IOM Kenya in Gigiri, Nairobi (USD 107) |
| English level | B2 for degree level, B1 below degree level. Kenya isn’t on the exempt list |
| What you receive | An eVisa, an online record you view in your UKVI account |
Who needs a UK student visa and when to apply
You need a Student visa if you’re 16 or over and coming to the UK for a further or higher education course with a licensed student sponsor, which for most Kenyans means a university. GOV.UK’s Student visa overview lists four basic conditions:
- You have a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor
- You have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course
- You can speak, read, write and understand English
- If you’re 16 or 17, your parents agree to your plans
When to apply from Kenya
You can apply up to six months before your course starts. In practice, your timing depends on three things you have to get first:
- Your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies). Your university issues this electronic reference once you’ve met the conditions of your offer and accepted it. The Home Office caseworker guidance says your CAS must be issued no more than six months before you apply.
- Your money. You have to hold the funds in the account for 28 days in a row before you apply, so the money needs to be in place at least a month ahead.
- Your TB certificate. IOM Kenya asks you to book at least 10 weeks before you travel, in case you need extra tests.
For a September course, a sensible plan is to sort your funds and TB test by June, then apply in June or July once your CAS arrives. Decisions usually take about three weeks, which leaves room for delays.
When you can travel
If your course lasts more than six months, you can arrive in the UK up to one month before it starts. For courses of six months or less, it’s one week. Don’t travel before the start date on your visa.
How to apply for a UK student visa from Kenya, step by step
You do the whole process online and at the visa center. Here’s the order to follow, based on GOV.UK’s Student visa application steps.
- Accept your offer and get your CAS. Your university sends the CAS number once your place is confirmed. Check every detail on it: your name, passport number, course dates and the fees it shows as paid.
- Prove your English if needed. For a degree course, your university can assess your English itself, or you take an approved test. Your CAS shows which method your university used.
- Get an ATAS certificate if your course needs one. Some master’s and PhD courses in sensitive science and technology subjects need one. It’s free, takes at least 30 working days, and has no fast-track option.
- Do your TB test at IOM Kenya. You’ll get a certificate valid for six months from your chest X-ray.
- Put your money in place. Hold the required amount for 28 days in a row before you apply. The proof of funds section has the details.
- Fill in the online form on GOV.UK. You pay the £558 fee and the health surcharge at the end.
- Book and attend your VFS appointment. You give your fingerprints and photo at the Nairobi, Mombasa or Eldoret center and hand in or upload your documents. GOV.UK says you have to apply online before you can book.
- Wait for the decision. It usually takes about three weeks. Some routes offer priority (about five working days, £500 extra) or super priority (by the end of the next working day, £1,000 extra), and you’re told when you apply whether either is available.
- Set up your UKVI account and check your eVisa. If you’re approved, you’ll get an email telling you how to create a UKVI account, where you view your eVisa.
Where to give biometrics in Kenya
VFS Global took over UK visa applications in Kenya in October 2024. Its launch announcement lists two centers, and a third has been added since:
- Nairobi: 1st floor, Principal Place, Westlands. Open Monday to Friday.
- Mombasa: 8th floor, Imaara The New Address, Dedan Kimathi Avenue, Kizingo. Open on Tuesdays only.
- Eldoret: added later and listed on VFS’s Eldoret center page. Check it for the address and opening days before you book.
VFS sells extra services, like document checks, SMS updates, courier return and “Keep My Passport”. VFS says these are optional and don’t affect the decision or how fast it comes, so you can skip them.
How much the UK student visa costs from Kenya
The two big costs are the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). The IHS gives you access to the NHS while you study, and you pay it for the whole visa up front.
The health surcharge depends on your visa length
The IHS rate for students is £776 a year. Your visa is longer than your course, because the rules add time before and after it. For a course of 12 months or more, you usually get one month before and four months after. So:
- A one-year master’s gives a visa of about 17 months, which is charged as one and a half years: £1,164 in IHS (£776 plus £388 for the extra half year)
- A three-year bachelor’s gives a visa of about 41 months, which is charged as three and a half years: £2,716
The surcharge for your exact dates is calculated in the online form, so treat these as estimates.
Costs table
| Cost | Pounds | Shillings (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student visa fee | £558 | KSh 96,900 | Per person |
| IHS, one-year master’s | £1,164 | KSh 202,200 | For a visa of about 17 months |
| IHS, three-year degree | £2,716 | KSh 471,900 | For a visa of about 41 months |
| TB test at IOM Kenya | USD 107 | Paid in dollars | Age 11 and over. Not refundable |
| ATAS certificate | Free | Free | Only if your course needs one |
| Priority decision | £500 | KSh 86,900 | Optional, if offered |
| Super priority decision | £1,000 | KSh 173,700 | Optional, if offered |
| English test | Varies | Varies | Only if your university asks for one |
For a one-year master’s, the fixed visa costs come to about £1,722 plus USD 107 for the TB test, before any optional extras. That’s separate from the money you need to show in your account, which comes next.
For the full picture of fees, rent and living costs, see our cost of studying in the UK guide.
Proof of funds for a UK student visa from Kenya
You need to send proof of funds with your application. Kenya isn’t on the list of countries whose citizens can skip sending financial evidence up front.
How much money you need to show
GOV.UK’s Student visa money page says you need two things:
- Course fees for one academic year, or the whole course if it’s shorter. Your CAS shows how much is still owed, after any deposit you’ve paid.
- Living costs for up to nine months. The rates rise on 30 November 2026.
| Where you study | Monthly amount | Nine months | Shillings for nine months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outside London, applying from 30 Nov 2026 | £1,203 | £10,827 | About KSh 1.88 million |
| London, applying from 30 Nov 2026 | £1,570 | £14,130 | About KSh 2.45 million |
| Outside London, applying before 30 Nov 2026 | £1,171 | £10,539 | About KSh 1.83 million |
| London, applying before 30 Nov 2026 | £1,529 | £13,761 | About KSh 2.39 million |
The new rates come from the Statement of Changes HC 584. Applications made before 30 November 2026 are decided on the old rates. If your course is shorter than nine months, you show living costs for the length of the course instead.
So for a one-year master’s outside London with £15,000 of fees still owed, you’d show about £25,827, or roughly KSh 4.49 million.
The 28-day rule
The financial evidence guidance sets strict timing rules:
- The full amount must be in the account for 28 days in a row, never dipping below the total on any day
- The 28 days are counted back from the closing balance on your latest statement
- That closing balance has to be dated no more than 31 days before you apply
Shillings are converted to pounds using the OANDA rate on the date you apply. If the shilling weakens, your balance in pounds falls, so keep a buffer above the minimum.
What counts as acceptable evidence
- Your own account: a personal current or savings account at a bank or building society, with the money available right away
- Your parent’s account: allowed, but your parent must also write a letter confirming they agree to you using the money
- Your partner’s account: also allowed, as long as your partner controls the account
- A student loan: a letter from a government, government-sponsored or academic loan scheme, dated no more than six months before you apply, showing the amount and that it’ll be paid before your course starts
- An official sponsor or scholarship: a letter or a sponsor reference on your CAS (see our UK scholarships for Kenyan students guide)
The statement needs to show your name (or your parent’s), the bank’s name and the amount. Paper statements and electronic downloads are both accepted.
What doesn’t count
The guidance rules out overdrafts, cryptocurrency, stocks and shares, and pensions. It also rejects accounts at banks that aren’t regulated in their country, banks that don’t keep electronic records, and any evidence the Home Office can’t verify with your bank.
The guidance only lists bank and building society accounts. If your savings are in M-Pesa, a SACCO or a chama, move them into a regular bank account well before your 28 days start.
If a sponsor paid you in the last year
If a financial sponsor paid your fees or living costs in the past 12 months, GOV.UK says you need their written consent to apply.
Documents checklist for Kenyan applicants
GOV.UK’s documents page splits the documents into ones everyone needs and ones that depend on your situation.
Everyone needs:
- ☐ A valid Kenyan passport
- ☐ Your CAS number from your university
Most Kenyans also need:
- ☐ Proof of funds (bank statements, a loan letter or a sponsor letter)
- ☐ Your TB test certificate from IOM Kenya
- ☐ Proof of English, if your university didn’t assess it and record that on your CAS
- ☐ The academic documents listed on your CAS, such as your degree certificate, transcripts or KCSE certificate
Some applicants need:
- ☐ An ATAS certificate, for certain science and technology courses at master’s level and above
- ☐ Written consent from a financial sponsor who paid your fees or living costs in the past 12 months
- ☐ A parent’s letter agreeing to you using their money, if the funds are in their account
- ☐ If you’re 16 or 17: consent from both parents (or one with sole responsibility) and your birth certificate showing their names
The TB test at IOM Kenya
Kenya is on the list of countries where you need a TB test for a UK visa of more than six months. GOV.UK’s Kenya TB clinic page lists one approved clinic:
| Detail | IOM Kenya |
|---|---|
| Address | 78 UN Crescent, Gigiri, Nairobi |
| Booking | Online at mymedical.iom.int, by phone, or by email to iomnbomhac@iom.int. Say it’s for a UK visa |
| Fee | USD 107 (age 11 and over), USD 62 (under 11), paid before the exam |
| How to pay | In dollars at CBA Bank, Gigiri branch, or by M-Pesa Paybill |
| Bring | Your original valid passport |
| Refunds | None, even if your visa is refused |
The test is a chest X-ray. If the X-ray isn’t clear, you may need a sputum sample, and those results can take up to eight weeks. That’s why IOM asks you to book at least 10 weeks before you travel. The certificate is valid for six months from the X-ray date, so don’t do it too early either.
Your English
Kenya isn’t on the list of English-exempt countries, even though English is an official language. For a degree course you need level B2, and below degree level you need B1. You can prove it with an approved English test, a UK degree, a non-UK degree taught in English and confirmed by Ecctis, or an assessment by your university. If your university assesses you itself, the result must still be equal to B2, and your CAS records how it was done. Our KCSE requirements guide shows which universities accept KCSE English.
The credibility interview and the genuine student test
Every Student visa applicant must be a genuine student. The Home Office caseworker guidance says officers judge this “on the balance of probability,” using everything in your application and any interview.
What officers look at
The guidance lists the factors caseworkers weigh:
- Your immigration history, including past refusals
- Your education history and what you plan to do after the course
- Your personal and financial circumstances
- Your course and university, and any agent you used
- Your English ability
- The role of any dependants
- What’s pulling you to the UK
Your story has to make sense. If you studied accounting and worked in a bank, a master’s in finance fits. If you’re switching fields, be ready to explain why.
When you’ll be interviewed
Not everyone gets an interview. The guidance says the genuine student check should be “proportionate and targeted” at cases where there’s evidence of risk. An Entry Clearance Manager decides whether an overseas applicant is interviewed, and it says interviews may be held by phone.
If you’re invited, attend. Miss it without a good reason and, according to the guidance, the caseworker “must refuse the application.”
How to prepare
Know these answers in your own words:
- Why this course, and why this university
- Why the UK rather than studying in Kenya
- How the course connects to what you’ve studied or worked on
- Who is paying, and where the money came from
- What you plan to do after you finish
The guidance also says caseworkers must not refuse you because you don’t know local bus routes or the town’s geography. The test is whether your plans are genuine.
Why UK student visas get refused, and how to avoid it
These are the refusal risks that come straight out of the GOV.UK rules and Home Office guidance. Each one is something you can check before you pay the fee.
| Refusal reason | What causes it | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Money short or held too briefly | Balance dipped below the total, or the 28 days weren’t complete | Keep a buffer above the minimum and count your 28 days from the latest statement |
| Statement too old | Closing balance dated more than 31 days before you applied | Get a fresh statement just before you submit |
| Wrong type of account or funds | Money in mobile money, shares, crypto or an overdraft | Use a regular bank or building society account |
| Missing parent’s letter | Funds in a parent’s account with no consent letter | Add a signed letter from the account holder |
| Missing TB certificate | Test not done, or certificate older than six months | Book IOM Kenya at least 10 weeks before travel |
| CAS problems | CAS issued more than six months before applying, or details don’t match your passport | Check the CAS carefully and ask your university to fix errors |
| Not a genuine student | Weak answers at interview, or a course that doesn’t fit your history | Prepare clear reasons for your course and plans |
| Missed interview | Not attending without a good reason | Attend, or give an adequate reason in advance |
Never use fake documents
This is the one mistake you can’t undo. The Home Office’s guidance on deception says that if it proves you deliberately deceived it, refusal is mandatory and future applications are refused for 10 years.
The guidance gives a false bank statement as a standard example. Hiding facts also counts, like not declaring a past visa refusal, earlier UK travel or family in the UK. Never let an agent “arrange” a bank statement or sponsor letter for you.
Honest slips are treated differently. The guidance tells officers that small errors like a typo or a misspelt name shouldn’t be treated as deception, though they can still cause a refusal if a rule isn’t met. Declare every past refusal from any country when you’re asked on the form.
What to do after a refusal
If your Student visa is refused, you have two main options: ask for an administrative review, or fix the problem and apply again.
Administrative review
The administrative review guidance confirms Student visa refusals made outside the UK can be reviewed. The key rules:
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Deadline | 28 calendar days from the day you receive the refusal |
| Fee | £80 (about KSh 13,900), with no extra fee for dependants on the same application |
| What it checks | Whether the officer made a casework error, such as applying the rules wrongly or ignoring published guidance |
| New evidence | Generally not allowed, with a few exceptions such as some deception refusals |
Administrative review suits you when the officer got it wrong, for example by missing a document you did send or miscounting your 28 days. It won’t help if your evidence really was short.
Reapplying
If the refusal was your mistake, like a low balance or an old statement, you can fix it and apply again, paying the fee again. Before you do:
- Read the refusal letter line by line and list every reason
- Fix each one with fresh evidence
- Check your CAS is still valid, because it has to be issued no more than six months before you apply. Your university may need to issue a new one
- Declare the refusal on your new form. Hiding it counts as non-disclosure, which can lead to a deception refusal
A deception refusal is different. The Home Office refuses future applications for 10 years, so get proper advice before you do anything.
After approval: your eVisa, travel and arrival
Kenyan students no longer get a visa sticker in their passport. GOV.UK’s guide for people applying from overseas says vignettes stopped being issued from 1 July 2026, and in most cases you get an eVisa only, with no need to go back to VFS.
Set up your UKVI account
- Create your UKVI account using the link in your approval email, because that’s where you view your eVisa
- Link the passport you’ll travel on. If you renew your passport, update it in the account
- Before you fly, sign in and check your name, dates and conditions are right. GOV.UK warns that airlines may delay or refuse boarding if the details don’t match
- Use the View and Prove service to create a share code when your university or an employer asks for proof of your status
There’s one exception. If you didn’t apply with an acceptable identity document, you’ll also get a paper form to collect from the visa center before you travel.
How long your visa lasts
Under Appendix Student, your visa usually covers your course plus extra time:
| Course length | Time added after the course |
|---|---|
| 12 months or more | 4 months |
| 6 to under 12 months | 2 months |
| Pre-sessional course under 6 months | 1 month |
| Other courses under 6 months | 7 days |
You normally also get one month before the course starts. There are limits on total study time too: generally five years at degree level and two years below degree level, with exceptions for courses like medicine, dentistry and architecture.
Working while you study
On a full-time degree course at a university with a good compliance record, you can work up to 20 hours a week during term time. Below degree level, it’s 10 hours. Part-time students can’t work. Your eVisa shows your exact work conditions.
When you finish, you may be able to switch to the Graduate visa. From 1 January 2027 it gives most graduates 18 months to work in the UK.
Can you bring your family on a UK student visa?
Only some students can. GOV.UK’s family members page allows a partner or children only if you’re:
- A government-sponsored student on a course longer than six months, or
- A full-time postgraduate on a course of nine months or more that’s a PhD, another doctorate, or a research-based higher degree
A taught master’s like an MSc or MBA doesn’t qualify, unless a government sponsors you.
What it costs to bring family
Each family member applies separately and pays the same £558 fee and health surcharge as you. You also show extra money for each one, on top of your own:
| Where you study | Per family member, per month | For nine months | Shillings for nine months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outside London | £680 | £6,120 | About KSh 1.06 million |
| London | £845 | £7,605 | About KSh 1.32 million |
The same 28-day rule applies to this money. So a PhD student outside London bringing a partner and one child would show £12,240 for them, on top of their own funds.
FAQ: UK student visa from Kenya
How long does a UK student visa from Kenya take?
About three weeks after you give your biometrics, according to GOV.UK. A priority or super priority decision may be offered for an extra fee.
How much is the UK student visa fee in Kenya?
£558, or about KSh 96,900. You also pay the health surcharge of £776 for each year of your visa.
How much money do I need in my bank account?
Your first year’s unpaid course fees, plus living costs of £1,203 a month outside London or £1,570 in London for up to nine months, for applications from 30 November 2026. You need to hold the money for 28 days in a row.
Can I use my parents’ bank statement?
Yes. Your parent must control the account and write a letter agreeing to you using the money.
Can I use money in M-Pesa or a SACCO?
The Home Office guidance lists personal bank and building society accounts. Move your savings into a regular bank account before your 28 days start.
Do Kenyans need IELTS for a UK student visa?
Not always. Kenya isn’t exempt from the English requirement, but for a degree course your university can assess your English itself. You’ll need an approved test only if your university asks for one.
Where do I do biometrics for a UK visa in Kenya?
At a VFS Global center: Westlands in Nairobi (Monday to Friday), Mombasa (Tuesdays only) or Eldoret.
Do I get a visa sticker in my passport?
No. Vignettes stopped from 1 July 2026. You get an eVisa that you view in your UKVI account.
Can I appeal a UK student visa refusal?
You can ask for an administrative review within 28 days for £80 if you think the officer made an error. Otherwise, you can fix the problem and reapply.
Can I bring my spouse on a UK student visa?
Only if you’re on a PhD or other research degree, or you’re a government-sponsored student on a course longer than six months.
More guides in this series
- Cost of Studying in UK
- KCSE and Kenyan degree requirements for UK universities
- Scholarships for Kenyan students in the UK
- UK Student visa from Kenya: steps, proof of funds and refusals
- Post-study work visa for international students
- The best courses to study in the UK for international students
Before you apply
This guide explains the UK student visa rules as published on GOV.UK in October 2026. It isn’t legal or immigration advice. Fees, money rules and processes change, so check GOV.UK before you apply, and speak to a regulated immigration adviser if your case is complicated. Visa and Varsity isn’t linked to the Home Office, UKVI or VFS Global.