UK Student Visa Requirements For Indian Students in 2026-27

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Updated on February 6th, 2026

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The United Kingdom has consistently remained one of the top study abroad destinations for Indian students. Globally ranked universities, shorter course durations, strong industry exposure, and clear post-study pathways make the UK an attractive option for undergraduate, postgraduate, and working professionals alike.

However, while the academic journey begins with university selection, the UK student visa is what ultimately determines whether your plans move forward smoothly or get delayed.

This guide is designed to be a single, reliable, up-to-date resource for Indian students looking to understand:

• UK student visa requirements
• Application process from India
• Fees, IHS, and financial proof
• Processing time and tracking
• Work rights and post-study options
• Common refusal reasons and FAQs

Everything explained clearly—without unnecessary jargon.

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UK Student Visa – General Queries Explained

What is a UK Student Visa?

A UK Student Visa allows international students to study full-time courses at a licensed UK institution. This visa replaced the earlier Tier 4 (General) Student Visa, though the term “Tier 4” is still commonly used in searches.

You can officially verify the visa category on the UK government website.

Who Can Apply for a UK Student Visa?

You can apply if you:

1. Have an unconditional offer from a UK university
2. Receive a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies)
3. Meet financial requirements
4. Meet English language requirements
5. Intend to study a full-time recognised course

UK Student Visa Eligibility for Indian Applicants

Indian students fall under the standard international student category. There is no separate visa class for Indians, but India-specific requirements such as:

• TB test certificate
• Financial documentation format apply.

UK Student Visa Age Limit

There is no official upper age limit. Applications are assessed based on:

• Academic progression
• Course relevance
• Gap justification (if any)

UK Student Visa Types Explained

• UK Student Visa – Main visa for higher education
• UK Child Student Visa – For students aged 4–17 studying in fee-paying schools
• “Tier 4” is now obsolete but still appears in older content

Before we jump in to the application process, read these to know what 5 tips you need to keep in mind while applying for a student visa and what 5 mistakes you should avoid to have a smooth experience.

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UK Student Visa Application Process for Indian Students

Understanding how to apply for a UK student visa step by step helps avoid costly mistakes.

How Can I Apply for a UK Student Visa from India?

The entire process is online and structured.

Step-by-Step UK Student Visa Application

1. Accept your university offer and receive your CAS letter
2. Prepare all documents
3. Apply on the UK government visa portal
   https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/alt-language-selection-skip-visa
4. Pay the UK student visa fee and the IHS fee
5. Book your biometrics appointment
6. Submit biometrics at a VFS centre
7. Track your application status
8. Receive the decision and the passport

Where to Apply for a UK Student Visa in India

Biometrics are submitted at VFS Global Visa Application Centres across India.
Updated list of centres: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/gbr/attend-centre

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Documents Required for a UK Student Visa Application

Compared to a tourist visa, the UK student visa requirements are more detailed and document-heavy.

UK Student Visa Checklist for Students

You must prepare:

1. Valid passport
2. CAS letter
3. Academic transcripts and certificates
4. English language test scores (IELTS/PTE if required)
5. TB test certificate
6. Financial documents
7. Visa fee and IHS payment receipt
8. Biometrics confirmation

CAS Letter for UK Student Visa Explained

Your CAS letter is issued by the university and includes:

• Course details
• Tuition fees
• Course duration
• Sponsor licence number

A CAS is valid for 6 months and can only be used once.

English Language Requirements

Accepted tests depend on the university and course:

• IELTS Academic
• PTE Academic
• University waivers (in limited cases)

Tuberculosis Test Requirement

Indian students must submit a TB test certificate from an approved centre.

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Proof of Funds & Financial Requirements

How Much Bank Balance is Required for a UK Student Visa?

You must show funds covering:

• First year tuition fees
• Living costs for up to 9 months

Minimum Funds Needed for a UK Student Visa Proof

• London: £13,761
• Outside London: £10,539

Funds must:

• Be held for 28 consecutive days
• Be in approved bank formats
• End no more than 31 days before the application

Bank Statement Format for UK Student Visa

Statements must clearly show:

• Account holder name
• Bank stamp/signature
• Transaction history
• Closing balance

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UK Student Visa Fees, IHS & Total Cost

UK Student Visa Fees (2026)

• Visa application fee: £524
• Approximate INR value: ₹65,000

The fee is the same globally (India, Nigeria, etc.).

IHS Fee for UK Student Visa

• £776 per year
• Mandatory for all students
• Provides access to the NHS (UK healthcare system)

UK Student Visa Cost Including IHS

Your total visa cost includes:

• Visa fee
• IHS fee
• TB test
• Biometric services
• Currency conversion charges

Always budget beyond the headline visa fee.

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UK Student Visa Processing Time & Tracking

How Long Does a UK Student Visa Take?

• Standard processing: 3 weeks
• Priority service: 5 working days
• Super priority: Next working day

Processing time may vary during peak intake seasons.

How to Track a UK Student Visa Application

• Via UKVI email updates
• Through the VFS tracking portal
• SMS updates (if opted)

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UK Student Visa New Rules & Changes (2025–2026)

Recent changes students should be aware of:

• Post Study Work Visa reduced to 1.5 years for Master’s graduates from 2025
• Stricter financial scrutiny
• Tighter dependent eligibility
• Higher compliance checks

Always rely on official UKVI updates.

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Course, Work & Post-Study Rules

Can Students Work on a student visa?

Yes. Students can:

• Work 20 hours per week during term
• Work full-time during vacations

Internship Rules

Internships are allowed if:

• Part of the course
• Do not exceed work limits

Post Study Work Visa (Graduate Route)

• Duration: 1.5 years (from 2025)
• No sponsorship required
• Must apply from inside the UK

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UK Student Visa Refusal, Reapplication & Extension

Common UK Student Visa Rejection Reasons

• Incorrect financial documents
• CAS mismatch
• Poor interview answers
• Weak academic progression

What to Do if a UK Student Visa Is Refused

• Understand the refusal letter
• Correct errors
• Reapply with stronger documentation
• Appeals apply only in limited cases

How to Extend or Switch Visa

Students can:

• Extend for course continuation
• Switch to Graduate Route
• Switch to a work visa if eligible

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FAQs: UK Student Visa Questions Indian Students Ask Most

1) Is a UK student visa easy to get for Indian students?

It’s very achievable, as long as your application is consistent and well-documented. Most refusals don’t happen because a student is “not eligible” — they happen because:

• financial documents don’t meet UKVI format/rules
• CAS details and submitted information don’t match
• the student can’t clearly explain course choice or progression (if interviewed)

For official eligibility requirements, refer to the UK Government student visa page. 

2) How much gap is acceptable for a UK student visa?

There is no fixed “allowed gap” defined by UKVI. What matters is whether your gap is logical and well-explained. Common acceptable reasons include:

• work experience relevant to the course
• family responsibilities
• medical reasons
• upskilling, certifications, entrance tests, research

If your gap is longer, you’ll need a cleaner narrative + documentary support.
For this, read these blogs:
– How to Write a Strong Statement of Purpose (SOP) in 2026 for Indian Students
– How to Write a Strong CV for Indian students in 2026
– Crafting A Compelling LOR (Letter Of Recommendation)

3) Does CGPA matter for a UK student visa?

CGPA matters mostly for admissions and scholarship eligibility. For the visa, UKVI looks at:

• CAS credibility
• financial proof
• genuine student intent
• document accuracy

So a lower CGPA can still work if your university offer is strong and your story makes sense.

4) Can average students get a UK student visa?

Yes. “Average” students get UK visas every intake. The deciding factors are:

• a genuine and appropriate course/university choice
• correct financial documentation (this is huge)
• clean, consistent application details

5) Is a UK student visa interview mandatory?

No. Interviews are selective, not guaranteed for everyone. If you are called, it’s usually to confirm:

• Why this course/university
• How you’re funding your studies
• Your academic progression and plan

6) Can I change university after getting a UK student visa?

Sometimes, yes — but it’s not as simple as “switch and go.”

Usually, you’ll need:

• a new CAS from the new university
• to follow UKVI rules on sponsorship and start dates
• to check whether a new visa application is required based on timing

Treat this as a case-by-case situation.

7) What happens if my UK student visa is delayed?

Delays can happen during peak seasons or if additional checks are triggered.

What you should do:

1. Track via VFS/UKVI updates
2. Inform your university (most have an admissions/visa team)
3. Don’t book non-refundable travel until a decision is received
4. If your intake date is close, discuss deferral options early

8) UK student visa consultancy charge — what is normal?

Consultancy charges vary widely depending on what’s included:

• only visa filing vs end-to-end support
• mock interviews, SOP review, document check
• post-visa/pre-departure support

At Maven, students who enrol with us receive complete visa assistance as part of the package, not as a separate paid add-on — and we continue support up to class start (and beyond, in many cases).

9) Is health insurance for a UK student visa important? How do I get it?

For UK student visas, you generally don’t buy private “health insurance” to meet visa rules — you pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your visa application, which gives access to the NHS. 

10) How much bank balance is required for a UK student visa?

You must show:

• first year tuition fees (as mentioned on CAS), plus
• living costs for up to 9 months

UKVI’s current monthly maintenance requirement is:

• £1,529/month (London) up to 9 months
• £1,171/month (outside London) up to 9 months 

Funds must be held for 28 consecutive days and meet UKVI bank evidence rules. 

11) Best online platforms to track UK student visa application status?

Most applicants track through:

• VFS tracking (if you applied via VFS)
• UKVI email/SMS updates (if opted)

Your tracking method depends on the route used at biometrics submission.

12) Which companies offer UK student visa application assistance?

You’ll find support from:

• study abroad consultancies
• university partner reps
• independent visa advisers/agents

A good way to choose is to ask whether they provide:

1. finance document verification (UKVI-compliant)
2. CAS cross-checking
3. interview prep if needed
4. post-visa support (travel, accommodation, onboarding)

Maven provides end-to-end support — from course selection to visa filing to pre-departure guidance.

13) How much do agencies usually charge for UK student visa services?

There’s no single standard price. It depends on what you’re buying:

• visa-only filing support
• end-to-end study abroad package
• premium add-ons like priority handling, mock interviews, or documentation checks

At Maven, students enrolled with us receive full visa assistance as part of the package, and we support them through the full journey—from enrolment till classes start and often beyond.

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Student Visa Guidance You Can Trust

Choosing the UK is a big decision. Navigating the UK student visa process should not be a stressful one.

At Maven Consulting Services, students receive:

• University shortlisting
• Application & CAS guidance
• End-to-end UK student visa support
• Interview preparation
• Post-visa and pre-departure assistance

Our support doesn’t stop at visa approval. We stay involved until classes begin, and often beyond.

If you’re planning to study in the UK, clarity and accuracy matter.
That’s where Maven comes in.