Indian students applying for a UK Student visa generally need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed student sponsor, evidence of funds where required, and proof of English-language ability. Applicants applying from India for a course lasting six months or more will generally need a tuberculosis (TB) test certificate from an approved clinic. The application fee is £558, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge. Current maintenance funds are £1,529 per month for study in London or £1,171 outside London, for up to nine months, subject to the applicant’s circumstances and any applicable exemptions. Apply online no earlier than six months before the course begins when applying from outside the UK. A successful application results in an eVisa.
The UK Student visa is an immigration route for eligible people aged 16 or over who intend to study an approved course with a licensed student sponsor. It replaced the Tier 4 (General) student visa. Admission to a university and permission to enter or remain in the UK are separate decisions: the university issues the CAS, while UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) assesses the visa application under the Immigration Rules.
Last updated: 27 September 2026 Breadcrumb: Home → Study in UK → UK student visa
Applying for a UK Student visa involves more than receiving a university offer. Applicants need to check their CAS details, prepare any required financial evidence, meet the relevant English-language requirement and provide supporting documents that apply to their circumstances. Global Edge, a study-abroad consultancy based in Green Park, New Delhi, provides counselling and visa-file assistance. The company describes its SPEC9 profile evaluation and reports a visa success rate of 97%+; this is a company-stated figure, not a UKVI statistic or a guarantee of an individual outcome. The university admission process is outlined in the UK University Admission Checklist.
How do you apply for a UK student visa from India?
How do I apply for a UK student visa from India?
First, obtain an offer from a licensed student sponsor and receive your CAS. Check whether you need to provide financial evidence, arrange any required TB test and confirm how your English-language ability will be assessed. Complete the online application through GOV.UK, pay the applicable fee and healthcare surcharge, and follow the instructions to prove your identity. If approved, access your eVisa through a UKVI account.
- Accept an eligible course offer from a licensed UK student sponsor and meet the sponsor’s conditions.
- Receive your CAS and check that your personal details, course information and other relevant details are accurate.
- Review the financial requirement and prepare acceptable evidence if you are required to show funds.
- Check whether you need a TB test certificate, an ATAS certificate or other supporting evidence.
- Complete the online Student visa application on GOV.UK. Applicants applying from outside the UK can generally apply up to six months before the course start date.
- Pay the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, where applicable.
- Follow the application instructions to prove your identity and provide any requested documents or information.
- After a decision, follow the instructions to access your eVisa and check that your immigration details are correct.
UKVI states that applicants must have an offer from a licensed student sponsor, enough money to pay for their course and support themselves, and the required English-language ability. Applicants aged 16 or 17 also need parental consent evidence. The precise documents and requirements depend on the applicant’s circumstances and course.
Source: UKVI — Student visa
UK student visa documents checklist
What documents are required for a UK student visa?
Applicants generally need a valid passport or other travel document and a CAS reference number. Depending on their circumstances, they may also need financial evidence, a TB test certificate, an ATAS certificate, evidence of qualifications, parental consent or evidence of official financial sponsorship. Use the current GOV.UK checklist and your application instructions to confirm which documents apply to you.
| Document or evidence | When it may be required | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Passport or travel document | Generally required | Use a valid document accepted for the application and travel. |
| CAS reference number | Required for the Student route | Check that the CAS is valid for the application and that its details are accurate. |
| Financial evidence | When the financial requirement applies and evidence is requested | Check the amount, permitted evidence type, holding period and evidence date under the current rules. |
| TB test certificate | For applicants who meet the UK TB-testing requirement | Check the country, residence and duration criteria, and use an approved clinic. |
| ATAS certificate | For certain courses and applicants | Check whether the course or CAS indicates that ATAS clearance is needed. |
| Academic qualifications | Where the application or CAS requires evidence | Follow the sponsor’s and UKVI’s instructions for the qualifications used to support the application. |
| Parental consent and relationship evidence | Applicants aged 16 or 17 | Provide the consent and supporting evidence specified in the current guidance. |
| Official financial sponsorship evidence | Where an applicant is relying on official sponsorship | Provide evidence that meets the relevant Student route requirements. |
The official checklist is available on GOV.UK’s Student visa documents page. For an explanation of the CAS and its role in the application, see CAS Letter Explained.
How long does UK student visa processing take, and what does it cost?
How long does UK student visa processing take?
UKVI’s usual processing time is three weeks for applications made outside the UK and eight weeks for applications made inside the UK. The actual time can vary, and UKVI may offer faster services for an additional fee where available. Applicants should allow time to prepare their evidence and complete identity checks before making travel arrangements.
| Item | Amount or current rule | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Student visa application fee | £558 | Check the official fee page before applying, as fees can change. |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | £776 per year for students | The total depends on the length of permission granted and the applicable calculation rules. |
| Living-cost financial requirement | £1,529 per month in London; £1,171 outside London, for up to nine months | These are the currently published figures. Check the official guidance for the amount applicable on your application date. |
| Dependants’ maintenance funds | £845 per month in London; £680 outside London, for each eligible dependant, for up to nine months | Dependants are permitted only in specified circumstances. Check the current eligibility and financial rules. |
| Processing time from outside the UK | Usually three weeks | Timeframes are estimates and may vary by case. |
| Processing time from inside the UK | Usually eight weeks | Check the service options and eligibility when applying. |
The financial requirement generally includes unpaid course fees for the relevant academic period, as stated on the CAS, plus the required living costs, unless an exemption applies. Funds must normally be held for at least 28 consecutive days, with the end of that period within 31 days of the application date. Read the UK Student Visa Financial Requirements 2026 guide alongside the current GOV.UK financial guidance.
Myth: A university offer automatically means a UK Student visa will be granted.
Reality: University admission and a visa decision are separate. The university issues the CAS, while UKVI assesses the application against the Immigration Rules and relevant guidance. An offer does not remove the need to meet the applicable visa requirements.
Why UK student visas get refused
What are the reasons a UK student visa application may be refused?
A Student visa application may be refused if the applicant does not meet a relevant requirement or provides evidence that does not satisfy the rules. Issues can include insufficient or incorrectly evidenced funds, problems with the CAS, missing required documents, or concerns identified during the genuine-student assessment. The applicable grounds depend on the facts of the individual application; a study gap or course change does not automatically mean refusal.
UKVI’s caseworker guidance describes factors that may be considered when assessing whether an applicant is a genuine student, including their education history, course choice, knowledge of the course and sponsor, and plans.
These factors are considered in context. Applicants should provide accurate information and be prepared to explain their study plans and relevant circumstances clearly.
Source: UKVI — Student and Child Student caseworker guidance
The Immigration Rules: Appendix Finance explains the financial evidence requirements. The Immigration Rules: Appendix Student sets out the route’s requirements, including CAS-related provisions. For guidance on explaining an education gap, see Study in UK With an Academic Gap.
Successful UK Student visa applicants receive an eVisa, which is a digital record of their immigration status. Applicants should follow UKVI’s instructions to access their UKVI account and link the appropriate travel document, then check that their details are correct before travelling.
Source: UKVI — Student visa
Applicants who would like help reviewing their documents can contact Global Edge in Green Park, New Delhi. The team offers counselling and application support; the university is responsible for issuing the CAS, and UKVI makes the visa decision. Visit Global Edge’s contact page to enquire about a SPEC9 profile evaluation.
What Indian students should know after the UK student visa is granted
Student visa conditions vary according to the course, sponsor and individual permission. Many eligible full-time degree-level students at higher education providers with a track record of compliance can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations, subject to the conditions printed on their permission. Other students may have different restrictions, and self-employment is generally prohibited under the Student route.
Dependant eligibility is restricted and depends on the student’s course and sponsorship circumstances. Eligible dependants must meet the relevant application and financial requirements. Students considering work after graduation should also check the Graduate route rules in force when they apply. The Graduate visa is scheduled to last 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027, while eligible doctoral graduates can receive three years. Check the latest GOV.UK Graduate visa guidance before making plans.
Related information is available in UK Student Visa English Requirement Changes in 2026, Study in UK Requirements and Cost of Studying in UK.
Before submitting an application, compare the information across your CAS, application form and supporting documents. Check names, dates, course details, financial evidence and any explanations you provide about your academic history. This is a practical document-review step, not a guarantee of a visa outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UK student visa fee for Indian students?
The Student visa application fee is currently £558. Applicants must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge where applicable; the student rate is £776 per year, with the total depending on the length of permission. Check the official GOV.UK pages before applying in case the fees have changed.
How much bank balance is needed for a UK student visa?
Where the financial requirement applies, applicants generally need to show unpaid course fees for the relevant academic period, as stated on the CAS, plus living costs of £1,529 per month in London or £1,171 outside London, for up to nine months. The required funds must normally be held for 28 consecutive days, with the end of that period within 31 days of applying. Exemptions and alternative evidence rules may apply in some circumstances.
How early can I apply for a UK student visa?
Applicants applying from outside the UK can generally apply up to six months before their course start date. Applicants applying from inside the UK have different timing rules and must apply before their current permission expires. Check the current GOV.UK instructions for your application route.
Is IELTS required for a UK student visa?
Not in every case. English-language requirements depend on the course level and the applicant’s circumstances. For degree-level study, an eligible higher education provider may assess English ability itself and confirm it through the CAS. Other applicants may need an approved Secure English Language Test or another accepted form of evidence. Confirm the requirement with the sponsor and current UKVI guidance.
Can I work on a UK student visa?
Some students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations, depending on their course, sponsor and visa conditions. Other students may have lower limits or no permission to work. Check the conditions attached to your own immigration permission; self-employment is generally not permitted.
Is the Tier 4 visa the same as the UK Student visa?
The Student visa replaced the Tier 4 (General) student visa. The current Student route is governed by Appendix Student of the UK Immigration Rules. Existing Tier 4 permission remains subject to the conditions and expiry date that apply to it.
The Bottom Line
- Takeaway 1: A UK Student visa application generally requires a valid CAS, evidence of English-language ability and other supporting documents applicable to the applicant.
- Takeaway 2: Financial evidence, where required, must meet the current amount, evidence and holding-period rules. Check the official guidance for the application date.
- Takeaway 3: The application fee, healthcare surcharge, processing time, work conditions and dependant rules should be verified against current UKVI information before applying.
Global Edge offers study-abroad counselling and visa-file assistance from Green Park, New Delhi. Universities issue CAS references, and UKVI assesses and decides Student visa applications. No adviser or consultancy can guarantee approval.
Interested to Study Abroad?
Book a counselling session or SPEC9 profile evaluation with Global Edge, a study-abroad consultancy in Delhi. The company states that it has counselled 57,000+ students across 21+ countries and offers support with university shortlisting, applications, SOPs and LORs, scholarships, education loans, visa-file preparation and pre-departure guidance. These are company-reported service and experience claims.
- Phone: +91-11-48475000
- Email: office@globaledge.net.in
- Head Office: S-6, 2nd Floor, Green Park Extension Market, New Delhi – 110016
- Enquire / talk to us: https://globaledge.net.in/contact-us/
Am I ready to apply for a UK Student visa?
You are better prepared when you have checked your CAS, the requirements that apply to your circumstances, your financial evidence and the documents requested by UKVI.
You are ready to proceed when:
- Your CAS details are correct and valid for your application.
- You have checked whether you must provide financial evidence and, if so, that it meets the current rules.
- You have confirmed your English-language evidence and whether a TB certificate or ATAS certificate is required.
- Your application answers and supporting documents are accurate and consistent.
Pause and check the requirements first when:
- You are unsure whether your funds meet the required amount, evidence type or holding period.
- Your CAS contains an error or does not reflect your current course details.
- You have not confirmed which supporting documents apply to your circumstances.
Sources
- UKVI — Student visa
- UKVI — Student visa: documents you’ll need
- UKVI — Student visa: money you need
- Immigration Rules: Appendix Student
- Immigration Rules: Appendix Finance
- UKVI — Student and Child Student caseworker guidance
- Home Office — Immigration Health Surcharge: how much to pay
- UKVI — Graduate visa
- Explanatory memorandum, Statement of Changes HC 584