Quick Read
- The UK student visa application fee is Rs.71,457 (£558) for overseas applicants from 8 April 2026.
- Indian students must show Rs.17,62,234 (£13,761) for 9 months in London, or Rs.13,49,624 (£10,539) outside London as proof of funds.
- UKVI typically processes a student visa for UK from India in 3 weeks on the standard service.
- A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is mandatory before you can apply for UK student visa.
- Students on a UK student visa can work up to 20 hours per week during term time.
💬 What Indian students are saying right now: About UK Student Visa
What Is the UK Student Visa and Who Needs It?
Every Indian student planning to study in the UK needs a student visa for UK. There are no exemptions for Indian passport holders, regardless of the course length, if it is longer than six months.
Here is a quick comparison of visa types so you know which one applies:
| Visa Type | Who It Is For | Key Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Student visa (main) | Students aged 16+ on a full-time degree course | Requires a CAS from a licensed university sponsor |
| Child Student visa | Students aged 4 to 17 at an independent school | Parental consent required |
| Short-term Study visa | English language courses of 6 to 11 months | Cannot switch to a student visa from inside the UK. |
| Charity worker visa UK / UK charity work visa | Volunteers for UK charities (not a study route) | Separate from the student route entirely |
| Innovator Founder visa UK | Entrepreneurs with an innovative business idea | Requires endorsement from an approved body |
The main student visa is the correct route for the vast majority of Indian students who are joining a degree or postgraduate program.
Work rights overview: Once you hold a UK student visa, you can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during official university vacations. Self-employment is not permitted.
After graduation, the Graduate Route visa gives you 2 years to work in the UK (3 years for PhD graduates), but only if your application is submitted by 31 December 2026. Applications submitted from 1 January 2027 will receive 18 months. Most September 2026 starters graduate in September 2027 and will therefore receive 18 months.
Family: Since January 2024, only students in a PhD, research-based master’s, or government-sponsored course can bring a spouse or children. Students enrolled in taught master’s degree programs (MSc, MBA, and MA) are not allowed to bring dependents. Confirm your course type with your university before making any family plans.
For more on admission requirements, see how to get admission to UK universities.
UK Student Visa Eligibility: What Indian Students Must Meet
Before you submit your UK student visa application, confirm all of these:
- Age 16 or above (under 18 requires written parental consent from both parents)
- An unconditional offer from a Home Office-licensed student sponsor
- Valid CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies): a unique 14-character code your university issues after confirming your offer
- English language proof via a SELT (Secure English Language Test): IELTS UKVI or PTE Academic UKVI at CEFR Level B2 (typically Band 6.0+). Standard IELTS Academic is NOT accepted for the visa.
- Sufficient funds held for 28 consecutive days (see Cost section)
- If your master’s or above is in a sensitive subject area, you may need an ATAS certificate
Also read: IELTS score needed for UK 2026 | UK entrance exams 2025-26 | UK universities with high acceptance rates
Counselor insight: The most common eligibility mistake is booking standard IELTS Academic instead of IELTS UKVI. Your university may accept standard IELTS for admission, but UKVI will refuse your UK student visa if the certificate does not carry the UKVI designation. They are two different products. Book the correct one from the start.
Documents Required for a UK Student Visa from India
Every document below is mandatory for your UK study visa application unless stated otherwise.
- Valid passport
- CAS reference number
- English language certificate
- Financial evidence (bank statements)
- Academic transcripts
- Degree or provisional certificate
- TB test certificate
- Passport-sized photographs
- IHS payment reference
- Parental consent letter
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Counselor insight: Indian students often confuse “transcript” with “marksheet.” If your university does not issue a consolidated transcript, submit all semester-wise marksheets together with a registrar’s covering letter. This is fully accepted as long as the marks are officially certified.
What Is a CAS Number and How Do You Get It?
The CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) is a 14-character reference number your UK university generates once your offer is unconditional. It is the backbone of your UK student visa application: UKVI will not process your application without it.
What your CAS contains: course name, start and end dates, tuition fee, amount already paid, and any conditions on your offer.
When you receive it: This process occurs after you have accepted your unconditional offer and paid any required deposit. Most universities release the CAS up to 6 months before the course start date. Many also run a pre-CAS interview before issuing it.
After receiving your CAS:
- Cross-check every character against your passport: name spelling, passport number, course dates
- If anything is wrong, contact your university’s international admissions team immediately. CAS errors are one of the top three reasons for UK student visa refusals.
Read the full CAS letter guide for UK universities.
Counselor insight: Universities issue CAS in batches; some do not release them until 3 months before the term starts. If your CAS for the September intake has not arrived by June, please reach out to your admissions team directly to request a confirmed issue date. Do not assume it is on its way.
UK Student Visa Cost in Rupees: Full 2026 Breakdown
| Cost Head | GBP | INR (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application fee (outside UK) | £558 | Rs.71,457 |
| IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) | £776 per year of visa | Rs.99,375/year |
| Biometrics / VFS service charge (India) | £60–£80 | Rs.7,684–Rs.10,245 |
| IELTS UKVI | £200 | Rs.25,612 |
| TB test | Rs.1,500–Rs.3,000 | Rs.1,500–Rs.3,000 |
| Priority service (optional) | £250 | Rs.32,015 |
| Super Priority (optional) | £1,000 | Rs.1,28,060 |
Total Estimated Cost by Course
| Course Type | Visa Fee | IHS (upfront) | Other | Estimated Total (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year master’s (16-month visa) | Rs.46,872 | Rs.1,98,749 | Rs.44,000 | Rs.3,14,000–Rs.3,18,000 |
| 3-year Undergraduate (40-month visa) | Rs.46,872 | Rs.3,97,498 | Rs.44,000 | Rs.5,13,000–Rs.5,17,000 |
IHS is paid in full upfront: you cannot pay it in installments.
Proof of Funds Required
On top of the above fees, UKVI requires you to show you can support yourself while studying. These funds must sit in your bank account for 28 consecutive days without dropping below the threshold, with the 28th day falling within 31 days of your application date.
| Location | Monthly Requirement | 9-Month Total (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| London university | £1,529/month | Rs.17,62,234 (£13,761) |
| Outside London | £1,171/month | Rs.13,49,624 (£10,539) |
Add any unpaid tuition fees (as shown on your CAS) to the above figure. That is your total required balance.
- Accepted: personal savings, parent’s account (with consent letter + birth certificate), education loan sanction letter from a scheduled Indian bank or RBI-registered NBFC
- Not accepted: overdrafts, crypto, property valuations, fixed deposits without a liquidity letter, salary slips alone
Consider scholarships to offset costs: Top UK scholarships for Indian students | Chevening Scholarships 2025-2026
For a broader cost picture: UK student visa fee update 2026 | Cost of MS in UK for Indian students
Counselor insight: Families typically budget for the visa fee alone and miss the IHS entirely. For a 3-year undergraduate, the IHS alone is Rs. 2.6 lakh paid on day one. Budget for IHS before calculating tuition affordability. The upside: IHS gives you full NHS access in the UK: GP visits, emergency care, and prescriptions from day one.
How to Apply for UK Student Visa: Step-by-Step with Timeline
Follow this sequence when you apply for a UK student visa. Do not start the online form before your CAS is confirmed.
| Step | What to Do | September 2026 Intake | January 2027 Intake |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Take IELTS UKVI and begin university applications | Jan–Feb 2026 | Jun–Jul 2026 |
| 2 | Receive offer letters; begin 28-day fund consolidation in bank | Mar–Apr 2026 | Aug–Sep 2026 |
| 3 | Accept unconditional offer; pay the deposit, and request CAS from the university. | Apr–May 2026 | Sep–Oct 2026 |
| 4 | Receive CAS, verify all details against passport, and book TB test | May–Jun 2026 | Oct 2026 |
| 5 | Create UKVI account at gov.uk/student-visa; complete online application form; pay visa fee (£558) and IHS; save IHS reference number | Jun–Jul 2026 | Oct 2026 |
| 6 | Book and attend biometrics at nearest VFS Global India centre (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, Chandigarh) | Jul 2026 | Nov 2026 |
| 7 | UKVI processes application: Standard = 3 weeks / Priority (£250 extra) = 5 working days / Super Priority (£1,000 extra) = next working day | Jul–Aug 2026 | Nov–Dec 2026 |
| 8 | Receive eVisa (a digital visa linked to your passport; there is no physical card to collect) and book flights | Aug 2026 | Dec 2026 |
| 9 | Arrive in UK; course begins | September 2026 | January 2027 |
Critical timing rules:
- You cannot apply more than 6 months before your course start date from outside the UK
- Apply at least 6 to 8 weeks before your start date to account for VFS appointment delays and processing
- VFS slots in smaller cities can take 3 to 4 weeks to become available: factor this in when choosing your application date
For April/May intake: April/May intake in UK 2026
For intake comparison: UK intakes 2026-27 | January intake in UK 2027
Counselor insight: Three form errors cause the most delays: (1) entering the CAS reference number with even one wrong character, (2) using the course start date from the offer letter instead of from the CAS, and (3) entering the wrong unpaid tuition figure. Each adds 2 to 4 weeks to your processing time. Triple-check all three before submitting.
What to Do If Your UK Student Visa Is Refused or Delayed
Top 3 Refusal Reasons for Indian Applicants
- Financial evidence failure: Balance dipped below the threshold during the 28-day period, wrong account type, or missing parental consent letter
- CAS errors: Wrong reference number, mismatch between CAS details and passport, or CAS not yet active at time of application
- Wrong English language certificate: Standard IELTS Academic submitted instead of IELTS UKVI or score below the required band
If Your Visa Is Refused
| Option | What It Covers | Deadline | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative Review | Checks if UKVI made a procedural error only (does not reconsider your case on merit) | 14 days from refusal | £80 (Rs.10,200) |
| Reapplication | Submit a new application with corrected documents | Before your course start date, | Full visa fee again (IHS is refunded from first application) |
Steps after refusal:
- Read the refusal letter fully. UKVI states the exact reason in every decision.
- Identify whether it is a document fix (most common) or a structural issue (ineligible for the route)
- Contact your university’s international support team. Ask whether they can defer your CAS to the next intake if timing is at risk.
If your decision is delayed beyond 3 weeks:
- Track status through your UKVI account
- Contact VFS Global India to confirm documents were forwarded
- Escalate to UKVI via the resolution centre after 5 weeks
Counselor insight: “Your bank statement does not show funds held for 28 days” and “your funds are insufficient” are entirely different problems. The first is a documentation fix. The second may need an entirely new source of funds. Read the refusal letter carefully; it tells you exactly which one applies.
3 Things to Do Before You Apply for UK Student Visa
1. Do not apply more than 6 months before your course starts and not less than 6 or 8 weeks before. Outside this window, your application will either be rejected automatically or your visa will not arrive in time.
2. Start your 28-day bank statement window only after your CAS is confirmed. Your CAS states the unpaid tuition amount; that determines the exact total you need to hold. Starting the clock before you have your CAS means you may hold the wrong amount.
3. Check your CAS reference number character by character before submitting. One wrong digit triggers a UKVI clarification request, adding 2 to 4 weeks to your processing time.
For long-term planning after your studies: Permanent residence in the UK from India.
Verified by: LeapScholar’s UK counseling team, with direct experience supporting Indian students through the UK student visa application process, document review, and visa refusal recovery.
Have questions about your UK student visa application? Book a free session with a LeapScholar counselor.
Frequently Asked Questions About UK Student Visa
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1. What documents do I need for a UK student visa from India?
The document list is longer than most students expect, and some take time to arrange. The non-negotiables are your valid passport; the CAS reference number from your university; an IELTS UKVI certificate (Band 6.0+ or as specified); 28-day bank statements showing the full required balance; semester-wise marksheets or a consolidated transcript; your degree or provisional certificate; a TB test certificate from a UKVI-approved clinic; passport photos; and your IHS payment reference. The university usually needs your SOP at the admission stage, but it does not always upload it directly to the UKVI. Start collecting these at least 2 months early: The TB test slot and bank statement window alone eat up 4 to 6 weeks.
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2. How much does a UK student visa cost in rupees in 2026?
More than most families budget for. The visa application fee itself is Rs.71,457 (£558) from 8 April 2026, but that is just the starting point. On top of that, you pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) upfront for your entire visa duration. For a 1-year master’s with a 16-month visa, that is roughly Rs.1,98,749 (£1,552). Add VFS charges, TB test, and IELTS UKVI, and you are looking at Rs.3,14,000 to Rs.3,18,000 in visa-related costs alone for a 1-year master’s: before tuition. A 3-year undergraduate degree pushes this to Rs.5,13,000 to Rs.5,17,000.
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3. How long does UK student visa processing take from India?
Plan for 3 weeks from the date of your biometrics appointment under the standard service. That sounds reasonable until you factor in that VFS Global appointment slots in cities like Lucknow, Jaipur, or Kochi can take 2 to 3 weeks to open up, which means your total wait from application submission to visa decision can easily stretch to 5 to 6 weeks. If your course start date is close, priority service (£250 extra, around 5 working days) is worth the cost. Super Priority (£1,000 extra, next working day) is available from some Indian cities but not all. Whatever you choose, do not apply less than 6 to 8 weeks before your course begins.
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4. What is a CAS number and when will my university give it to me?
Think of the CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) as your official “you’re in” from the university: a 14-character reference number that tells the UKVI exactly which course you are enrolled in, how much your fees are, and how much you have already paid. You cannot start your UK student visa application without it. Universities generate the CAS in their UKVI sponsorship system only after your offer is unconditional and your deposit is paid. Most send it out within 6 months of your course’s start. If September is your intake and you have not heard by June, email your international admissions office and ask directly.
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5. How much bank balance do I need for a UK student visa?
The amount depends on where in the UK your university is. For London, you need to show £1,529 per month for up to 9 months, which works out to £13,761 (Rs.17,62,234) total. For universities outside London, it is £1,171 per month, so £10,539 (Rs.13,49,624) for 9 months. On top of that, add however much of your first-year tuition fee is still unpaid, as shown on your CAS. The full total has to sit in your bank account for 28 consecutive days without dropping below the threshold even once. The clock stops on your application submission date, not your biometrics date; many students get this wrong and end up with a refusal.
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6. Can I work while studying in the UK on a student visa?
Yes, and most Indian students do. If you are studying at a university (degree level and above), a UK student visa lets you work up to 20 hours a week during term time. During your university’s official vacation periods, winter break, Easter, and summer, you can work full-time. The limit drops to 10 hours a week if you are at a further education college. One thing you cannot do is freelance or run your own business. After you graduate, the Graduate Route visa gives you 2 years to work in the UK without needing a job offer lined up. Just note that this route closes on 31 December 2026 for new applications.
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7. Can I bring my spouse on a UK student visa in 2026?
The situation changed significantly in January 2024, and many families still do not know. If you are doing a taught master’s (MSc, MBA, MA, PGDip): you cannot bring your spouse or children to the UK under the student route. This rule applies to almost every Indian postgraduate student. The exception is if you are on a research-based master’s (where your work is primarily independent research, not coursework), a PhD, or a course fully funded by a government scholarship. If bringing your family is a priority, check your course classification with your university before you accept the offer.
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8. What happens if my UK student visa is refused?
First, read the refusal letter carefully before doing anything else. UKVI always gives a specific reason: it might be a bank balance that dipped below the threshold on day 19 of 28, a CAS reference number with one wrong character, or an IELTS Academic certificate instead of IELTS UKVI. Once you know the exact reason, you have two options. If UKVI made a processing mistake on their end, you can request an administrative review within 14 days (costs £80, or Rs. 10,245). If the issue is with your documents or funds, you reapply with a corrected application. The visa fee is not refunded, but the IHS is returned automatically. Call your university’s international team the same day: they can often defer your CAS to the next intake if your start date is at risk.
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9. What is the IHS surcharge, and do I get NHS access after paying it?
IHS stands for Immigration Health Surcharge. Practically speaking, it is your NHS membership fee for the duration of your visa, paid upfront before you even arrive. In 2026, the rate is £776 per year of your visa length. For a 1-year master’s with a 16-month visa, that is around Rs.1,98,749 paid on the day you submit your application. Once you are in the UK, you register with a local GP and access public healthcare: doctor visits, hospital treatment, and prescriptions exactly as a UK resident would. In practice, it is one of the better parts of the deal. Worth noting: if your visa is refused, the IHS is refunded automatically. The visa fee is not.
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10. Can I apply for a UK student visa without an IELTS score?
This option is not accepted with a standard IELTS academic certificate. For the UK study visa application, UKVI only accepts tests from its SELT (Secure English Language Test) list, and regular IELTS Academic is not on it. You need IELTS UKVI or PTE Academic UKVI specifically. That said, some students are exempt: if you completed your undergraduate or postgraduate degree entirely in English, your university may be able to confirm this to UKVI without you taking a new test. The exemption is not automatic, though. Your university has to formally verify it and flag the exemption. If you are banking on this exemption, get it confirmed in writing before you assume it applies to you.
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