UK Student Visa Process for Indian Students (2026): A Step-by-Step Guide

Planning to study in the UK is an exciting journey, but the visa process can often feel like the final, most confusing hurdle. This guide breaks down every step of the 2025 UK Student Visa application for Indian students, from your university offer to your first week on campus. We’ll cover the latest rules, required documents, and total costs in Indian Rupees (₹) to help you apply with confidence.

UK Student Visa Updates 2026 for Indian Students

Here are the most important changes Indian students need to know for the 2026 intakes:

• Higher Living Cost Requirement: You must now show proof of funds for living costs of £1,483/month for London and £1,136/month outside London.
• Increased Health Surcharge (IHS): The mandatory Immigration Health Surcharge has risen to £776 per year.
• Digital eVisa System: Physical Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) cards are being phased out. You will now receive a digital eVisa and must create a UKVI account to view and prove your immigration status online.
• New Dependant Rules: Students on taught Master’s courses (like MSc or MBA) can no longer bring dependents (spouses or children). This is now only permitted for students in PhD or other research-based postgraduate programs.

Expert Advice on UK Student Visa Applications: Madhvi Sharma

“Even students with backlogs or long academic gaps get UK visas if the file is prepared properly. The UK process is easy, but very detail-oriented.” –  Madhvi Sharma, Senior Visa Advisor at LeapScholar

Madhvi Sharma is a Senior Visa Advisor at LeapScholar with over five years of experience helping more than 1,000 students successfully secure their UK visas. Her expertise covers complex cases, including applications with study gaps, low scores, or dependent family members. Madhvi’s insights are featured throughout this guide to give you practical, experience-based advice.

Step 1: Get Your CAS for UK Student Visa Application

“The visa process doesn’t begin with your offer letter it begins the day you pay your deposit to the university.” – Madhvi Sharma

Your UK student visa journey officially starts after you accept your university’s offer and pay the tuition fee deposit. Once the payment is confirmed, the university will prepare your 

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

The CAS is a unique 14-digit digital reference number that confirms to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) that you are a genuine student sponsored by a licensed institution. You cannot apply for your student visa without it.

Do:

• Pay your deposit as soon as you are sure about your choice to start the visa process.
• Keep digital copies of your passport, academic transcripts, and English language test scores ready.

Don’t:

• Assume the offer letter is enough; the CAS is mandatory for the visa application.
• Delay paying your deposit, especially during peak months (June-August), as this can delay your CAS.

Step 2: Prepare for the Pre-CAS Interview (If Required)

“A Pre-CAS interview isn’t a visa interview, it’s just your university making sure you’re a genuine student. Think of it as a friendly checkpoint, not a test.” — Madhvi Sharma

Not all universities require a Pre-CAS interview, but if yours does, it’s a crucial step. This short (10-20 minute) conversation, usually over Zoom, is to verify your intentions. Be prepared to discuss:

• Why you chose your specific course and university.
• How this course aligns with your past education and future career plans.
• How you plan to fund your tuition and living expenses.

An unsatisfactory interview can delay or even lead to the cancellation of your CAS, so it’s important to prepare well.

Step 3: UK Student Visa Financial Requirements & Proof of Funds

“This is the #1 reason for UK visa rejections: students get the bank balance wrong or ignore the 28-day rule. Please don’t.” – Madhvi Sharma

You must prove you have enough money to cover your first year’s tuition fees (minus any deposit paid) and your living costs for up to nine months.

UK Student Visa Fees & Costs for Indian Applicants (2026)

Note: INR estimates are approximate as of September 2025 and are subject to currency fluctuations.

Example Calculation (Outside London)

• Remaining Tuition: £16,000 (total fee) – £5,000 (deposit) = £11,000
• Living Costs: £1,136 x 9 months = £10,224
• Total Funds to Show: £11,000 + £10,224 = £21,224 (Approx. ₹22.3 Lakhs)

The 28-Day Rule: A Critical Requirement

The total required funds must be held in an approved bank account for at least 28 consecutive days. The closing balance of your bank statement must not be more than 31 days old when you submit your application. Even a single day’s shortfall can lead to a visa refusal.

Acceptable financial sources include:

• Your or your parents’ savings accounts.
• Education loans from RBI-regulated banks (NBFC loans are not accepted).
• Fixed deposits that can be liquidated at any time.

Step 4: Required Documents for UK Student Visa (2026)

“Your documents are your story if they don’t match or are missing pages, your visa will be refused, no matter how good your profile is.” – Madhvi Sharma

Prepare a clear, organized file with all necessary documents.

Mandatory Documents Checklist

• Passport: Must be valid for your entire stay with at least one blank page.
• CAS Letter: The digital document from your university containing your unique CAS number.
• Academic Documents: Mark sheets and certificates for 10th, 12th, and any undergraduate or postgraduate degrees.
• Proof of Funds: Bank statements or an education loan sanction letter that meets UKVI guidelines.
• English Proficiency Proof: IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL score report, if required by your university.
• TB Test Report: A certificate from a UKVI-approved clinic in India is mandatory for courses longer than six months.

A Note for Indian Applicants

India is on the UK’s “low-risk countries” list, also known as the differentiation arrangement. This means you may not have to upload your financial and academic documents with your initial application. However, UKVI can request them at any time during the process, and failure to provide them will result in a refusal. Always prepare all documents fully.

Step 5: How to Apply Online for UK Student Visa

The application is completed on the official GOV.UK website.

1. Visit gov.uk/student-visa/apply.
2. Select “Apply from outside the UK” and create a UKVI account.
3. Fill in your personal details, passport information, CAS number, and travel history accurately.
4. Pay the visa application fee (£524) and the Immigration Health Surcharge (£776/year) online to submit the form.

Critical: Double-check all information before submitting. Details like your CAS number and financial information cannot be changed later without withdrawing the application and losing your fees.

Step 6: Biometric Appointment for UK Student Visa

After submitting the form, you must book an appointment at a VFS Global centre in India. At the appointment, you will:

• Have your fingerprints scanned.
• Have a digital photograph taken.
• Submit your original passport.

At this stage, you can also opt for Priority (5 working days) or Super Priority (next working day) processing for an additional fee. Standard processing time is typically three weeks from your biometric appointment date.

Step 7: UK Student Visa Approval & eVisa Process

From 2025, the UK is transitioning to a fully digital visa system.

• You will not receive a physical BRP card.
• Once your visa is approved, you will get an email with instructions to create or access your UKVI account.
• Your eVisa, accessible through this account, is your official proof of immigration status in the UK. You will use it to prove your right to study, work, and rent.

Step 8: After Visa Approval: Your Final Checklist

1. Set Up Your UKVI Account: This is your top priority. Do it as soon as you receive the approval email.
2. Book Your Flight: Only book your flight after your visa is approved. You can enter the UK up to one month before your course start date.
3. Arrange Accommodation: Finalise your university hall or private housing.
4. Inform Your University: Send them a copy of your visa approval and confirm your arrival details.

UK Student Visa Requirements: Eligibility Checklist

To be eligible for a UK Student Visa, you must meet several key requirements set by the UK government. Think of this as the foundation of your application. You must be able to prove that you:

Core Eligibility Requirements

• Have an Unconditional Offer: You must have an unconditional offer of a place on a course from a licensed student sponsor (a UK university or educational institution with the authority to sponsor international students).
• Are 16 or Over: You must be at least 16 years old to apply for this visa.
• Meet Financial Requirements: You need to have enough money to pay for your course tuition and support yourself in the UK. This is also known as the “maintenance” or “proof of funds” requirement.
• Meet English Language Standards: You must be able to speak, read, write, and understand English to the required level for your course, which is typically CEFR Level B2 for degree-level study.

Qualifying Courses

Your chosen course must also meet specific criteria. It can be one of the following:

• A full-time course at degree level or higher (RQF level 6, 7, or 8).
• A full-time course below degree level (RQF level 3, 4, or 5) that involves at least 15 hours of organised daytime study per week.
• A part-time course at a level above a degree (RQF level 7 or above).

Meeting these requirements is the first and most important step before you gather your documents and begin the application process.

Navigating Your UK Visa Application with Confidence

Applying for your UK student visa can seem daunting, but it’s a manageable process when you break it down step-by-step. Remember to start early by securing your CAS, meticulously arrange your finances according to the 28-day rule, and keep all your documents organised. The shift to a digital eVisa system in 2025 makes it even more important to stay updated.

Your key takeaway: The single most critical factor for success is attention to detail, especially with your proof of funds.

Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t go it alone. Let our expert counsellors guide you through every step of the visa process for a smooth and stress-free journey.

Book Your Free Counselling Session Today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)