NAIROBI, Kenya — The UK government has reminded foreign applicants for its Student visa, including Kenyans, that they may need to submit a cover letter explaining large or unusual bank deposits, as well as any gaps since they last studied.
In a public notice issued Friday, 11 September, UK Visas and Immigration said: “Applying for a student visa? You may need to provide a cover letter explaining your situation if there are large deposits or unexplained funds in your bank account and there are gaps since you last studied.”
The advice is not a change to visa law but a reiteration of existing guidance that UK immigration authorities have long encouraged applicants to follow, in order to avoid delays.
Applicants may be asked to provide supporting evidence, where possible, to substantiate the source of large deposits or to account for interruptions in their education history.
Officials say cover letters addressing these points upfront can reduce the likelihood of caseworkers requesting further information, which can slow down processing.
The reminder comes as UK Visas and Immigration runs a wider “Study Ready” awareness campaign through September, aimed at helping prospective students prepare complete applications ahead of course start dates and avoid delays during the peak application period.
The guidance will be relevant to a growing pool of Kenyan applicants. According to the British Council Kenya, 7,525 Kenyan students enrolled in UK universities over a recent four-year period, as of November 2025.
Annual UK study visa approvals for Kenyan nationals rose from 1,156 in 2021 to 2,210 in 2024, reflecting increased interest in studying in Britain.
Also Read: UK triggers ‘emergency brake’ on study and work visas for four countries
The British Council has linked the rise to strong demand for courses in computing, business and management, engineering and technology, social sciences, and allied health.
What the Student visa requires
To qualify for a UK Student visa, applicants must have an unconditional offer from a licensed student sponsor and must meet the UK’s financial requirements, which typically call for proof that tuition and living costs are covered for the first year of study.
The visa currently costs around Ksh97,700, whether the application is made from inside or outside the UK, in addition to the immigration health surcharge, which varies depending on the length of stay.
Visa duration is tied to the level and length of the course. Applicants aged 18 and above can be granted up to five years for a degree-level course and up to two years for study below degree level.
Student visa holders may be permitted to work depending on their course and term-time restrictions, but they cannot access public funds, work as professional sportspeople or coaches, or become self-employed.
