Part of the Loomz International Student Guide

This article is part of our practical guide to studying and living in the UK for international students.

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Documents International Students Need Before Travelling to the UK

• Passport.
• University paperwork.
• Immigration information.
• Accommodation details.
• Flight booking.

And probably several emails you've starred, downloaded, screenshotted and then completely forgotten where you saved them.

When you're moving to another country for university, your documents are some of the few things you really don't want to leave behind.

The exact documents you'll need depend on your nationality, immigration status, university, course and personal circumstances.

So rather than giving you a giant list and pretending everybody needs everything, this guide separates the essentials from the documents you might need.

 

Important: UK immigration requirements can change and vary according to individual circumstances. This guide is general information, not immigration advice. Always check the latest GOV.UK requirements and instructions from your university before travelling.

1. Passport or Travel Document

Let's start with the obvious one.

☐ Your current passport or other valid travel document

If you're travelling internationally to study in the UK, make sure the document you intend to travel with is valid and that the personal details are correct.

If you've been granted UK immigration permission digitally, you may also need to make sure the travel document you'll actually use is linked correctly to your UKVI account.

Successful Student visa applicants now receive an eVisa, which is a digital record of their UK immigration status. GOV.UK says the travel document used to come to the UK needs to be linked to the student's UKVI account.

Official information:
Check your Student visa documents on GOV.UK

2. Your eVisa and UKVI Account

For many international students, there's no physical visa document to put into a folder.

Your eVisa is an online record showing your immigration status and the conditions attached to it.

Before travelling:

☐ Make sure you can access your UKVI account
☐ Check your personal information is correct
☐ Check your immigration status
☐ Check the dates associated with your permission
☐ Make sure your current travel document is correctly linked

Don't wait until you're standing at the airport to discover you've forgotten how to access your account.

Official information:
Access and use your eVisa on GOV.UK

3. Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies — CAS

If you're coming to the UK on a Student visa, you've probably already encountered three important letters: CAS

It stands for Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.

Your education provider gives you a CAS reference number when it offers you a place, and you need it for your Student visa application. GOV.UK currently lists a CAS from your course provider alongside a valid passport or travel document as one of the documents required when applying for a Student visa.

Keep your CAS information accessible alongside your other university documents.

☐ CAS reference/details saved
☐ University name and contact details saved
☐ Course details saved

Official information:
Check Student visa course and CAS requirements on GOV.UK

4. University Offer and Enrolment Information

Your CAS isn't the only university information worth keeping accessible.

Create a folder containing the important information your university has sent you.

That might include:

☐ University offer or acceptance information
☐ Course name and details
☐ Student/reference number
☐ Enrolment instructions
☐ International student registration information
☐ Tuition-fee/payment information
☐ University contact details
☐ Arrival or welcome instructions

Some of this may never leave your phone.

That's fine.

The important thing is knowing where it is when you need it.

5. Accommodation Confirmation

Imagine successfully travelling thousands of miles to the UK and then being unable to remember the address of your accommodation.

Avoid that particular start to university life.

Keep a copy of your accommodation confirmation containing:

☐ Accommodation name
☐ Full address
☐ Postcode
☐ Booking/reference number
☐ Move-in date
☐ Check-in time or arrival window
☐ Key collection instructions
☐ Reception contact details
☐ Emergency/out-of-hours contact number

Save the address somewhere you can access offline.

It's also worth having it written down.

Your UK postcode is particularly useful because it's commonly used by maps, taxis and transport services to identify precise locations.

6. Proof of Finances — If Required

Depending on your circumstances, you may need to demonstrate that you have sufficient money to support yourself and pay for your course as part of your Student visa application.

However, not every applicant has to submit financial evidence in the same way.

For example, GOV.UK has a differential evidence arrangement covering nationals of specified countries and territories. Those applicants may not initially need to provide evidence of funds, although UKVI can subsequently request it.

If financial evidence applies to you, keep the relevant documentation safely with your immigration records.

Don't rely on old figures or somebody else's visa application. Requirements can change.

Official information:
Check current Student visa financial requirements on GOV.UK

7. TB Test Certificate — If Required

Some people applying to come to the UK need a tuberculosis (TB) test.

This does not apply to every international student.

Under current GOV.UK rules, you generally need a TB test if you're coming to the UK for six months or more, have lived for six months or more in one of the specified countries, and were living there, or another listed country, within the previous six months. 

If the requirement applies to you, the test must be carried out at an approved clinic. A qualifying negative test results in a certificate used with your visa application.

☐ Check whether the requirement applies to you
☐ Use a Home Office-approved clinic
☐ Keep your certificate safely

Official information:
Check whether you need a TB test on GOV.UK

8. ATAS Certificate — If Required

Some international students studying or researching certain sensitive subjects at postgraduate level may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.

Again, this does not apply to everybody.

Whether you need ATAS depends on factors including your nationality and course. GOV.UK specifically includes a valid ATAS certificate among the documents Student visa applicants may need depending on their circumstances.

If your university tells you ATAS applies to your course, deal with it early rather than assuming it's just another piece of optional university paperwork.

Official information:
Check ATAS requirements on GOV.UK

9. Financial Sponsorship Documents — If Applicable

If your studies are being funded through an official scholarship or financial sponsor, you may need supporting documentation.

In particular, GOV.UK says written consent may be required if you've received sponsorship for course fees and living costs during the previous 12 months.

If you're sponsored:

☐ Keep your sponsorship letter/details accessible
☐ Check what evidence your visa application requires
☐ Check whether sponsor consent is needed

Follow the requirements applying to your own funding arrangement.

10. Documents for Students Under 18

If you're under 18, additional requirements apply.

For a Student visa, GOV.UK currently requires written consent from parents or legal guardians covering the visa application, living and care arrangements in the UK and travel to the UK. Evidence of the relationship to the parent or guardian is also required.

Depending on your circumstances, that can mean documents such as:

☐ Written parental/legal guardian consent
☐ Birth certificate or other accepted evidence of relationship
☐ Details of your living and care arrangements
☐ Relevant travel arrangements

Official information:
Check Student visa requirements for applicants under 18 on GOV.UK

11. English Language Evidence — Where Applicable

Student visa applicants normally need to demonstrate their knowledge of English, but how this is demonstrated depends on the applicant and course.

You might satisfy the requirement through an approved English-language test, an eligible qualification, previous study or an assessment by your higher education provider, depending on the circumstances.

If you've used a qualification or test as part of your application, keep the relevant information with your other university and immigration records.

Official information:
Check Student visa English-language requirements on GOV.UK

12. Medication and Medical Information

If you take regular medication, bring the documentation relevant to your treatment.

Depending on the medicine and your circumstances, useful information could include:

☐ Prescription information
☐ Letter from your doctor or prescriber
☐ Generic name of the medicine
☐ Dosage information
☐ Details of any important medical conditions or allergies

There are specific UK rules governing controlled medicines, so check them before travelling rather than assuming that a prescription from your home country automatically means you can bring any quantity into Britain.

Official information:
Check the rules for taking medicine into the UK on GOV.UK

13. Travel Documents

Immigration paperwork isn't the only paperwork you'll need.

Keep your journey information together too.

☐ Flight booking
☐ Boarding pass when available
☐ Travel insurance information, if applicable
☐ Airport transfer booking
☐ Train or coach tickets
☐ University airport collection details, if applicable
☐ Accommodation address
☐ Emergency contact details

Don't rely entirely on having mobile data immediately after landing.

Save anything important offline.

14. Make Digital Copies

You don't need to walk around Britain carrying a giant folder containing your entire life.

But having secure backups of important documents is sensible.

Before leaving home, consider making digital copies of:

☐ Passport information page
☐ Important immigration information
☐ University/CAS information
☐ Accommodation confirmation
☐ Financial or sponsorship documents where relevant
☐ TB or ATAS documentation where relevant
☐ Prescription/medical information
☐ Insurance documents
☐ Travel bookings

Store them securely somewhere you can access from another device if your phone or laptop is lost, stolen or damaged.

Don't keep your only copy of an important document on the device you're travelling with.

15. Keep Essential Documents in Your Hand Luggage

This one matters.

Don't put documents you may need during your journey or on arrival into your checked suitcase.

Checked luggage can be delayed.

Keep your essential travel information accessible, including:

☐ Passport/travel document
☐ Immigration information
☐ University details
☐ Accommodation confirmation/address
☐ Essential medical documentation
☐ Travel bookings
☐ Important contact details

Exactly what you may be asked to produce depends on your immigration status and circumstances, so check the official requirements before travelling.

International Student Documents: Quick Checklist

Before leaving for the airport, check that you have dealt with the documents relevant to you:

Essential travel and university information

☐ Passport or valid travel document
☐ Immigration status/eVisa checked
☐ UKVI account accessible where applicable
☐ CAS information
☐ University information
☐ Accommodation confirmation and address
☐ Travel bookings
☐ Important contact details

Depending on your circumstances

☐ Financial evidence
☐ TB test certificate
☐ ATAS certificate
☐ Sponsorship documentation
☐ Parental/legal guardian consent
☐ Evidence of relationship if under 18
☐ English-language evidence
☐ Medication/prescription documentation
☐ Other documents specifically requested by UKVI or your university

Backups

☐ Secure digital copies created
☐ Important information available offline
☐ Essential documents kept in hand luggage

Don't Use Somebody Else's Document List as Your Final Check

This is probably the most important point in this guide.

Two international students arriving at the same university could have different documentation requirements because of their nationality, course, age, funding arrangements or immigration status.

Use checklists like this one to help you get organised.

But use GOV.UK and your university to establish what you personally need.

Check the complete Student visa document requirements on GOV.UK

More Help for International Students

This article is part of the Loomz International Student Guide to Studying in the UK.

Head back to the main guide for practical information covering preparing to travel, visas and paperwork, packing, arriving in Britain, accommodation, money, healthcare, working and UK university life.

Explore the International Student Guide →

 

Important information: This article provides general information and does not constitute immigration, legal, financial or medical advice. UK immigration rules and documentation requirements can change and depend on individual circumstances. Always check current information from GOV.UK and follow instructions from your university.

© Loomz Ltd