Student Visas UK for Indian Students: Requirements, Fees, and Process 2026

Source: GOV.UK Student Visa Overview

Counselor insight: The old Tier 4 (General) category is no longer applicable. The UKVI brought in the Student Visa route. If you are studying for a Bachelor’s, Master’s, MBA, or PhD at a UK university, you will need a Student Visa.

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To be eligible for a UK student visa, you must meet all the following requirements:

1. A confirmed place at a UKVI-licensed university

Your university must be on the Register of Licensed Sponsors. Once you have accepted an unconditional offer, the university will issue you a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). Your CAS reference number is the basis of your application.

2. English language proficiency

You need to sit for a Secure English Language Test (SELT) with an authorized provider. The majority of Indian students appear for PTE Academic or IELTS Academic. Minimum scores vary by course level:

Note: For undergraduate admission, some colleges consider Class 12 English marks of 70% and above (CBSE/ISC) as an IELTS waiver. You should check with your university directly to make sure this requirement applies to you.

3. Proof of funds

India is not on the UK’s “differential evidence” list, which means Indian candidates will have to provide proof of funding at all times. The money must be available continuously for 28 days and be available no later than 31 days before the date of your application. A single large deposit just before application cannot meet this criterion.

4. Current Passport Of India

Your passport needs to be valid for the length of your course and have at least one page left blank.

5. Certificate of TB test

All Indian candidates need a certificate from an Indian centre approved by the UKVI for the TB (tuberculosis) test. This is available at most VFS-affiliated clinics in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. The certificate is valid for 6 months after the exam date.

Counselor insight: Two documents trip up Indian applicants more than any others. First, the IELTS for the UKVI variant, the standard Academic test gets you university admission but not the visa. They are taken at different centres. Book the UKVI version from the start. Second, bank statements: the account holder's name must match your passport exactly, the statement must be in English, and the 28-day window must close within 31 days of your application date. A statement that is one day short or in a family member's name alone will trigger a refusal.

While you are visiting, you can access the NHS through the IHS. You pay it in advance for the duration of the course.

Source: GOV.UK Immigration Health Surcharge

In addition to the unpaid tuition for your first year, you must provide proof of finances for up to nine months' living expenses.

Education loan sanction letters: A sanction letter from a recognized Indian bank (SBI, HDFC Credila, Axis Bank, ICICI, or Bank of Baroda) is accepted as financial evidence alongside or in place of personal bank statements. The letter must be on bank letterhead, state the sanctioned amount, and confirm the loan is approved, not just applied for.

Counselor insight: Most families underestimate the IHS when calculating the total cost of studying in the UK. The visa fees plus IHS alone for a one-year master’s degree are around Rs.1,72,406 before you spend a single rupee on housing or tuition. Get this into your financial planning well before you have your offer letter.

• Step 1: Obtain your CAS from the university in the UK. You must not apply for the visa until you have received the CAS reference number. Timing is important, as your CAS is only valid for six months. Do not apply for the visa before it is issued by your university.
• Step 2: Complete the GOV.UK online application. Apply online at www.gov.uk/student-visa/apply. You can open the application and save it to complete later. Your application date is the date that you pay the application fee.
• Step 3: Pay the IHS and visa fee. Pay online when you complete the online application. You usually pay by Visa or MasterCard debit or credit card. Some VFS locations also accept cash or a demand draft.
• Step 4: Verify your ID. You have two options for biometrics. The VFS Global app (UK Immigration: ID Check) is faster if your Indian passport has a chip; most post-2015 Indian passports do. If you prefer an in-person appointment, VFS centres in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Pune return your passport the same day
• Step 5: Send the paperwork by mail. Upload your documents through the online portal or during your VFS session. The UKVI considers India a low-risk country, which means you do not need to upload all the documents in the initial online application. However, the UKVI might later ask you for them, so be prepared.
• Step 6: Wait for a ruling. Standard processing from outside the UK normally takes three weeks after you have submitted your application (identity verified and biometrics provided). Peak application rates are in August and September, which could mean delays.
• Step 7: Obtain your eVisa. Physical BRP cards are not issued anymore. If your application is approved, you will be issued a digital e-visa linked to your UKVI account. Set up your UKVI account before you leave.

Counselor insight: The Graduate Route reform will come into effect straight away for Master’s students from September 2026. For a one-year master’s program that starts in September 2026, you will graduate in September 2027. If you apply for the Graduate Route after 1 January 2027, you’ll be given 18 months instead of two years. This influences how you plan your post-graduation job search and visa.

• Your visa has been refused. Indian students have one of the highest success rates globally to get a UK student visa. India’s grant rate in Q1 2025 was 96% (year ending March 2025), an increase of 5 percentage points year on year (Home Office Immigration Statistics). So a rejection is rare for well-prepared Indian applicants, but it does happen. The notice of refusal will indicate the precise reason. These are often because of a TB test done at a non-approved facility, an expired CAS, inconsistent plans and academic history or incomplete / improperly structured bank documents. You can apply again right away, as there’s no mandatory cooling off period. Clearly address reasons for refusal before resubmitting.
• 28 days without the necessary balance appearing on your bank statements: This cannot be fixed in hindsight. The 28-day clock will have to be reset. This will cause a four- to five-week delay in the application. If your CAS is due to expire, you should contact your university immediately, as many universities will issue a new CAS if the old CAS expires for reasons outside your control.
• Your TB test is positive: You will not get a visa from the UKVI until you have had treatment for TB and can show them a certificate of clearance. Treatment schedules vary, so contact the clinic and your university’s foreign student office right away. Your university might defer your admission.
• Your university’s UKVI-licensed sponsor status is revoked: Several UK organisations have experienced this scenario in recent years. If your sponsor loses its license after issuing your CAS but before your course starts, your visa application may be refused or restricted. You can check the Register of Licensed Sponsors before and after you have received your CAS.
• You need more time to complete your course: You can apply to extend your student visa from inside the United Kingdom. The extension is priced at £558. Apply before your current visa runs out, as your new course has to start within 28 days of your current visa expiring.

• Start your 28-day bank balance period at least six weeks before the date you want to apply for a visa. Instead of making one large deposit, add the money in smaller pieces. The 28-day window must be within 31 days of the date of application.
• Get your TB test at a clinic approved by UKVI before you get other documents. Results of a tuberculosis test can take up to two weeks to become available. If you test positive for tuberculosis, you will need to be treated before applying. Testing early allows you to resolve any issues prior to your CAS or admissions deadline.
• If you start a taught Master’s program in September 2026, you will apply for the Graduate Route after 1 January 2027 and will get 18 months instead of 2 years. Plan your post-graduation job search and work visa timeline accordingly, just before you start your studies.

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