UK student visa for Indians 2023: The UK student visa permits students older than 16 to study in the United Kingdom. The student visa also permits applicants to work in the United Kingdom, depending on what they are studying and whether they are working during or outside of term.
Please note that the student visa for the United Kingdom cannot be used to:
- Claim government (benefits) funds and pensions.
- Work in certain occupations, such as as a professional athlete or sports coach, be self-employed, and attend an academy or a local authority-funded school (also referred to as a maintained school) are examples.
Validity
The duration of stay on a UK student visa depends on the length of the applicant’s course and any previous studies completed in the United Kingdom. Applicants who are 18 or older and have a degree-level course can typically remain in the United Kingdom for up to five years. However, if it is less than a bachelor’s degree, they can typically remain for up to two years.
However, if applicants wish to extend their stay in the United Kingdom, they can contemplate one of the following options:
- Applicants may be able to extend their visa if, for instance, they are eligible to resume their studies in the United Kingdom.
- Applicants who are already in the United Kingdom on another visa may transfer to a student visa.
After effectively completing a course, applicants may apply for a graduate visa to remain in the UK for at least two years.
Eligibility
- You can only register for a student visa to study in the United Kingdom if the following conditions are met:
- You are at least 16 years old.
- An authorised student sponsor has offered you a position on a course.
- You have sufficient funds to sustain yourself and pay for your education. The amount will differ based on your individual circumstances.
- You are able to speak, read, write, and comprehend English
- you have consent from your guardians if you’re 16 or 17. Please note that you will be required to provide proof of age when applying.
- Please note that if you are 16 or 17 and desire to attend a private school in the United Kingdom, you may be eligible for a Child student visa instead.
For additional details, please consult the GOV.UK website.
Documents required
- The following documents are required for Indians applying for a UK student visa:
- A valid Indian passport or other acceptable travel documents.
- Please note that you require a vacant page in your passport for your visa in the event that you are required to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and a photograph) at a visa application centre. You will be notified while app is running.
- Course provider’s Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
- evidence that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and pay for your course. Please note that this varies based on your specific circumstances.
- If required, a valid ATAS Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance certificate.
- Proof of parental or legal guardian consent is required for anyone under the age of 18. If you are under the age of 18, you will need written permission from your parents or legal guardian (or just one parent if they have sole responsibility). This should include their approval for:
- your visa application dwelling and care arrangements in the United Kingdom your trip to Great Britain
- Additionally, you will need a copy of your birth certificate or another government-issued document that lists your parents’ names.
- Proof of your parental or guardian relationship if you are under 18
- Your tuberculosis test results
- If you’ve received sponsorship for your course fees and living expenses within the past year, your financial sponsor must give you written permission to apply.
- Depending on your circumstances, you may be required to submit additional documentation. Here you can find a comprehensive guide to the complete list of required documents.
- UK student visa application procedure for Indian students
Applicants from India are required to provide fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at the nearest VFS Global visa application centre as part of the application process.
Follow the instructions below to apply for a UK student visa from India.
Step 1: Apply online for a UK student visa
To submit an online application for a UK student visa, you must first visit the GOV.UK website.
Ensure that the application form is accurately filled out with all required information.
Step 2: Pay the application fee
After completing the visa application form, you will be required to pay the visa application fee and, if applicable, the healthcare surcharge.
Once the fees have been paid, you will be given a reference number beginning with GWF. Please make a note of this, as it will be useful in the event that you need to modify your visa application or appointment.
Step 3: Schedule a meeting
After paying for your visa application on the GOV.UK website, you will be directed to the VFS Global website to schedule an appointment at the nearest visa application centre in order to have your biometric data (fingerprints and photograph) captured.
Here you can locate the nearest VFS Global visa application centre.
Upload your supporting documentation
After your biometrics have been collected, you can upload the required documents to register for a student visa to the United Kingdom.
Depending on the list of documents provided to you after applying on the GOV.UK website, you can either submit the supporting documents with the assistance of the VFS Global visa application centre, for a fee, or upload them yourself.
Visit the visa application centre as the fifth step
On the day of your visa application appointment, you will be required to visit the visa application centre. Please observe the following guidelines on the date of your appointment:
Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time.
You must attend your visa application appointment. You cannot substitute someone for yourself.
Please present a valid passport or travel document with at least one clean page on both sides.
You must submit your biometrics and photograph at the visa application centre. This is referred to as biometric data. A digital finger scanner will capture images of all ten of your fingerprints, and a digital photograph will be taken. The digital fingerprint scanner does not use any inks, liquids, or chemicals and will not leave any marks on the epidermis.
Your digital photograph must include your entire face and exclude sunglasses, tinted glasses, and head coverings, unless they are worn for religious or medical reasons.
Your visage should be visibly distinct, with no hair covering your eyes.
Ensure that your digits are devoid of any decorations, cuts, abrasions, or other marks, as these may interfere with your ability to provide acceptable finger scans.
Your visa application cannot be processed in the absence of biometric data.
You can submit your documents yourself after booking your appointment, or you can bring your supporting documents to the Visa Application Centre and use our Document Scanning Assistance service (fees apply).
Bring the originals or high-quality reproductions of your supporting documents to the visa application centre if you have purchased or intend to use our Document Scanning Assistance service.
Check the status of your visa application in Step 6.
When your decision is returned to the visa application centre, you will receive an email update. If you cannot readily access email or would like more detailed tracking information, you may also be able to receive updates on your phone via SMS. Please confirm that this service is offered at the visa application centre you will be visiting.
Alternately, you can also monitor the status of your visa application online by entering the Reference Number and your last name from the invoice/receipt issued by the visa application centre.
Step 7: Ensure you have your passport.
After a decision has been made on a visa application, the visa application centre will contact you to retrieve your documents/passport from the centre or have your documents returned to you by courier for an additional fee.
When obtaining your documents in person, you must bring the receipt issued by the visa application centre and a form of government identification.
Please verify with the visa application centre at the time of your scheduled appointment regarding the available options for document collection.
UK student visa processing delay for Indians
Indians can register for a UK student visa from India at least six months prior to their course start date. Please note that it typically takes three weeks to receive a visa approval decision.
British visa fees for Indian students
A British undergraduate visa costs £363 (INR 37,291). Note that the healthcare surcharge may also be required as part of your application.
