UK VISA REQUIREMENTS
The UK Government provides an opportunity to all Indian students to study in the country but as a prerequisite, you’ll have to obtain a student visa first.
The visa you need will depend on your age and the type of study you wish to pursue in the UK. Here’s an overview of the types of study visas and their application requirements:
Type of student visa |
Who it’s for |
When to apply |
Arrival in the UK |
Tier 4 (General) student visa |
Students aged 16 or over who have been offered a place in a course at a UK educational institution |
Three months before the start of your course |
Up to one week before if your course lasts six months or fewer. Up to one month before if your course lasts more than six months |
Tier 4 (Child) student visa |
Students aged between four and 17 who have been offered a place in a course at a UK educational institution with a valid Tier 4 sponsor, such as an independent fee-paying school |
Three months before the start of your course |
Up to one week before if your course lasts six months or fewer. Up to one month before if your course lasts more than six months |
Short-term study visa |
Students who have offered a place in a short-term course in the UK, such as an English language course or training course |
Three months before your date of travel to the UK |
Depends on your nominated travel dates |
Tier 4 (General) student visa |
Students who have been offered a place in a course at a UK educational institution with a valid Tier 4 sponsor |
Three months before the start of your course |
Up to one month before if your course lasts more than six months |
*For detailed information, please visit the Gov.UK website
To be eligible for a Tier 4 student visa, you must:
- Have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed Tier 4 sponsor
- Be able to speak, read, write and understand English
- Financial proofs i.e., exhibiting enough money to support yourself and pay for your course
- For short term study visa, you must show the intention to leave the UK within 30 days of the end of your study (i.e., before the end of date of your immigration permission)
Documents required for Tier 4 student visa
When applying for your Tier 4 visa, you will generally need:
- A current passport or other valid travel documentation
- Evidence of funds to provide your living expenses for the duration of your course
- Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number and documents used to obtain CAS
- Passport-sized colour photographs
- Tuberculosis screening (if required)
- Assessment documentation
- Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance certificate (if required)
Additional documents may also be needed if you are:
- Not a citizen of the country you are applying from
- Under 18 years of age
- Have family (dependents)
If any of your supporting documents is not in English, you will need to have it translated. Each translated document must be dated, and include the translator’s name and signature and confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the original document.
Applying for your visa online
You’ll have to apply for your student visa application online using the British Government’s official Gov.UK website. You can apply up to three months before your intended date of travel to the UK. Remember, your application date is the date when your application fee is paid.
Visa Fee
Visa fee depends upon the visa that you will apply for:
Visa type |
Visa fee |
General student visa (Tier 4) |
It costs £348 as the application fee for the visa from outside the UK. Also, you must pay £348 per person for any dependants. |
Tier 4 (Child) student visa |
It costs £348 as an application fee for a Tier 4 (Child) student visa from outside the UK. Also, you’ll have to pay the healthcare surcharge that will be part of your application. |
Short-term study visa |
It costs:
|
*Please always check the official website for the latest fee
Mode of payment
- Online mode i.e., MasterCard or Visa card
- Through demand draft to be submitted at the visa application centre or the selected branches of Standard Chartered Bank
- Through Cash payment at the visa application centre or the selected branches of Standard Chartered Bank