UK Student Visa Guide for Indians 2025: Eligibility & Requirements

Every year, more than 1 lakh students apply for a UK student visa from India, making it one of the most popular choices among Indians. As the visa applications are high, even small mistakes can lead to delays or refusals. In this guide, we break down every key aspect of the UK student visa to help you understand the requirements clearly.

There are several types of UK student visas, like the short-term or child student visa. The Young Professional Scheme makes it easier to obtain a UK Work Visa for a maximum of two years for Indian students. Make sure that you are between the ages of 18 and 30.

If you want to study in the UK, then you should know the following types of visas:

You are eligible for a UK student visa if you meet the following criteria:

• Course Offer: You have an Unconditional offer from a licensed UK University for a course.
• CAS: You will study full-time on a recognised course, and the sponsor will issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
• Finances: You have financial support for tuition fees + living costs for up to 9 months; £1,171 per month (Outside London), £1,529 per month (Inside London), 
• English Proficiency: You can speak, read, write and understand English to the level required for your course.
• Age: You are 16 years or older on the date of application. If you are 16 or 17, you must provide parental or legal guardian consent

Note: These rules often stay updated, so always re-check with the official GOV.UK website. 

Indian students applying for a UK study visa must show proof of funds that cover tuition fees + living costs for up to 9 months.

Living Cost Requirements

• £1,529 per month for courses in London (up to 9 months)
• £1,171 per month for courses outside London (up to 9 months)

Important Rules

• Funds must be held for 28 consecutive days before the application date.
• Bank statements must not be older than 31 days at the time of applying.
• Funds can be shown through:
  • Personal bank account
  • Parents’ bank account (with consent + birth certificate)
  • Education loan sanction letter
  • Fixed deposit (if withdrawable)

Dependent Visa Funds (If eligible)

• £845 per month (London)
• £680 per month (outside London)
  For each dependent, up to 9 months.

Before applying, make sure you have all the required documents ready. This helps avoid delays and ensures a smooth UK student visa process. 

Here’s a quick checklist:

1. Mandatory Documents

• Valid passport
• CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies)
• Tuberculosis test certificate (if required for India)
• Printed copy of the visa application form
• ATAS certificate (only for specific science/engineering courses)
• Official translations for any document not in English
• Criminal record certificate (only for certain courses like healthcare, teaching, or social work)
• Birth certificate (only for Child Student Visa applicants)

Academic Documents

(Not mandatory for the visa application, but recommended while travelling)

• Class 12 mark sheet
• Bachelor’s degree transcripts (if applying for PG)
• IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Duolingo score report (if applicable)
• Original certificates for quick verification at immigration or university check-in

Financial Documents

• Tuition fee deposit receipt. 
• Proof of funds for 9 months
• Bank statements, education loan letter, or fixed deposit proof
• Payslips (if showing salary as part of funds)
• Visa fee payment receipt

The UK student visa fee is currently £ 524 (₹ 60,620), which was increased from £490 (₹ 58,800) on 9 April 2025. The same amount is needed for switching to a student visa from within the UK. The same fee also applies to Child Student visa applications. 

The following are the details of various types of costs involved in a UK student visa:

• Standard Application: £ 524 (₹ 60,620)
• Short Term Student Visa: £214 (₹24,610).
• Priority Service: Adds £500 to your standard visa fee.
• Super Priority Service: Adds £1,000 to your standard visa fee.
• Immigration Health Surcharge: £776 (₹89,240) per year for the duration of your visa.
• CAS: £25 (₹ 2920)

You may have to pay a separate fee for submitting your biometrics.

Note: Family members applying to join you (partners or children) must each pay the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Applying for a UK student visa from India involves completing an online application, submitting the required fees, and verifying your identity at a VFS Global centre. Before starting, make sure you have your CAS number, financial proof, and required documents ready. The process is fully digital, and the UKVI updates you through your online account.

Follow these steps to apply for a UK student visa from India:

Step 1: Get your CAS

Accept your university offer and obtain your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies).

Step 2: Register on the UK visa portal and Pay the Fees

Visit the official UK Government website (gov.uk) and fill out the online student visa application form, including all relevant details (CAS number, course dates, etc). Pay the UK student visa charges mentioned below:

• Student visa application fee: £ 524 (₹ 60,620)
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £ 776 (₹ 89,240)

Step 3: Book your Biometrics Appointment

After payment, schedule a biometric appointment at your nearest VFS Global centre. At the appointment, your fingerprints will be recorded, and a digital photograph will be taken. All supporting evidence is to be dropped off in person, at the centre on the day of your biometrics. 

Step 4: Attend the Visa Interview

Some applicants may be called for an interview. Be ready to discuss your course, funding, and reasons for choosing the UK. 

Step 5: Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

Use your UKVI account or the centre’s tracking system to monitor decisions and the return of your passport/BRP. If applying from outside the UK, you will receive a 30-day entry vignette (temporary travel pass) in your passport. Once in the UK, your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) will be sent to your UK address within 10 days.

The best time to apply for the UK study Visa is 6 months before your course start date. The visa process typically takes 15-21 days, but during peak times, it can take significantly longer. 

At the latest, you can apply 3 weeks prior to this date; however, doing this is very risky.

Most international students send visa applications during June, July, and August. So it can take longer to get your visa at these times because of the high demand. Try to avoid applying in these months if possible. 

You must apply for a UK student visa online through the official government portal, i.e https://www.gov.uk/student-visa

After submitting your application and paying the fees, you need to book your biometrics appointment at a VFS Global Visa Application Centre, which handles UK student visa applications in India.

Here are the UK embassies and consulates in India for reference:

The standard processing time for a UK student visa is approximately 3 weeks from the date you complete your biometric appointment or ID verification.

• To track your application, you can use the VFS online tracking system or subscribe to the VFS SMS alert service for real-time updates. The British High Commission and VFS Global (which manages UK visa application centres in India) can also help with any delays or status updates.
• In some cases, a UK study visa may take longer to process. This usually happens if the UK Border Agency needs to verify your documents, or if you're required to attend an interview due to specific circumstances like a criminal record or unclear supporting evidence.

The UK student visa interview process is carried out to verify the credibility of your application. It is conducted by a UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) officer at your nearest Visa Application Centre.

Some common UK Student Visa interview questions include:

• Why did you choose this university and course?
• What do you know about your course structure or modules?
• How is this course related to your previous studies or career goals?
• How will this qualification help you in the future?
• Who is funding your studies? How will you manage tuition fees and living expenses?
• Where will you stay in the UK?
• Do you plan to work part-time while studying?
• What are your plans after completing your studies?

Not all international students are allowed to bring dependents to the UK. Under the latest UK student visa rules, only the following categories can bring dependents:

• PhD or other research-based postgraduate students
• Students who are fully sponsored by the UK government or an overseas government for courses of 6 months or longer

Taught master’s students can no longer bring dependents to the UK.

Dependents include your spouse, partner, or children under 18. Each dependent must submit a separate visa application and pay the applicable visa fee.

To bring dependents, you must also show additional financial proof:

• £845 per month (London) per dependent
• £680 per month (outside London) per dependent

If you are on a scholarship, your award letter must clearly mention that it covers dependent expenses; otherwise, you must show the full maintenance funds yourself.

The UK student visa follows a Points-Based System, where international students must score 40 points to qualify for the Student Route (formerly Tier 4).

Here’s how the points are awarded:

• 30 points for having a valid CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) from a licensed UK university or education provider.
• 10 points for proving sufficient financial funds to cover tuition fees and living expenses for the required period.

These two criteria ensure that you have a confirmed place in a genuine full-time course and can financially support yourself during your stay. Once you meet both requirements, you achieve the 40 points needed to be eligible for a UK student visa.

Since accidental overlooks in spellings, dates, etc, can cause unnecessary hassle, you must cross-check every field before finally submitting your application.

The following section highlights the mistakes to avoid when applying for a UK student Visa. 

Don’t Follow Rumours

It is always best to use the information on official government websites rather than relying on the advice circulating on social media. These can cause you to follow the wrong deadlines, which can be catastrophic.

Don’t Book Non-Refundable Reservations

Since visa confirmation is a tricky process, it is best to wait for confirmation before buying flights or paying for accommodations, so that you don’t lose money.

Don’t Conceal Past Issues

Never hide information about any former visa refusals, criminal convictions, or immigration violations. If these are discovered later, you could be banned from entering the country. 

Don’t rush the process

Make sure you are applying for the right kind of visa and have read the guidelines very thoroughly. Incomplete documents and wrong details can lead to dismissals. 

Acquiring a UK student visa can be challenging as there is a high demand, and regrettably, refusals are quite regular. The good news is that a well-prepared application can spare you a great deal of hassle, time, and money.

These are some of the key causes why applications are rejected, and what you can do to prevent them from happening:

Inadequate financial documentation

Satisfying the bare minimum funds may not be enough. It's more preferable to demonstrate that you can take care of yourself for more than a year, adding credibility to your application.

Problems with your acceptance letter

Your enrollment and program information should be specified on your acceptance letter. This document is only considered legitimate if it is from a licensed education provider.

Missing documentation

Your application has a high probability of being rejected if you don’t attach vital documents such as your language test results or travel history.

In this comprehensive guide, we've condensed each step of obtaining your UK student visa, everything from visa costs and financial evidence to step-by-step submission guidance and things to watch out for. You now understand the full cost breakdown, necessary documents, and the mistakes that will delay your application.

Yocket Premium gets you in touch with experienced mentors who will guide you throughout the process, reminding you of deadlines, checking your financial and academic documents, and preventing you from making errors that will lead to rejections. From dealing with your CAS to facilitating easy visa submission, our expert counsellors make your UK study permit process hassle-free.