Process & Requirements for UK Student Visa from India

Thousands of Indian students every year are attracted to the advantages of studying in the UK. They are quite keen to know the UK Student Visa processing time from India. Approximately 55,000 students from India were studying in the UK in 2021. Many of them were enrolled at a few of the top business schools in the UK.

The UK Student Visa process is not very tough though it may appear to be daunting. What is required is accurate knowledge and updated information about the Visa and its requirements.

Which type of UK Student Visa do you need?

You will require the UK Student Visa for studying in the UK if you are not a UK Citizen. There are various types of Study Visas based on your circumstances and age.

UK Student Visa

The General UK Tier 4 Student Visa has now been replaced by the UK Student Visa. You are required to have been enrolled in an educational institution or business school in the UK to apply for this Visa. The age of the applicants has to be above 18 years.

Standard Visitor Visa

You can study in the UK for a maximum of 6 months on the short-term Standard Visitor Visa. Overseas students who are already enrolled in a study program abroad and have exchange as a part of the Degree can apply. They must intend to study at an institution for higher education in the UK.

Child Student Visa

If you are aged 16 or 17 years and intend to pursue studies at an independent School in the UK, you can apply for the Child Student Visa.

Requirements for UK Study Visa

As an overseas student, you are required to arrange certain documents for completing the UK Student Visa application.

You will first require evidence of having been accepted into a higher education institution in the UK in the form of a letter of acceptance. It is known as CAS - Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. You will also need a Visa Letter from the school which must have been offered in the last 6 months.

A valid Passport or suitable travel document will be required. You can submit the Visa application online after having collated all the required documents. It has to be submitted to the website of the UK government and then you must take a printout and sign it.

The documents that you will require for the UK Student Visa application are:

· CAS - Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies

· Authentic passport

· Evidence of adequate funds to support yourself

· An authentic ATAS certificate

· Evidence of consent from parents if you are less than 18 years

· Results of Tuberculosis test

· Consent in writing from your monetary sponsor

UK Student Visa Process

If you are applying for the UK Student Visa from overseas, you can apply a maximum of 6 months prior to the commencement of your study program. You can apply prior to 3 months if applying from within the UK.

You must note that the UK Student Visa application process can be started immediately after receiving the CAS from a business school or university in the UK. It is advisable to commence the process at the earliest as processing can be delayed during peak season.

Usually, the application for UK Study Visa is processed within 3 working weeks. You can also avail of the facility of Priority – processing within 5 working days or Super Priority – by end of the next working day if offered by your UK Visa Application Centre.

UK Student Visa Application from India

The majority of the UK Student Visa application process can be completed online which includes payment of the application fee. You must submit soft copies of your documents for the Visa on the website of the UK government.

You will also have to offer some biometric data at your local VAC for verifying your identity. It includes photographs and fingerprints.

The UK Visas and Immigration department can contact you after you submit the application for verifying certain details in your application. You can be asked to provide some things such as financial documents or just clarification of some aspects of your application.

You will be offered the Biometric Residence Permit if you are successful in your Study Visa application. It is a crucial official document that includes details about you as well as your immigration status.

If you have applied for the UK Student Visa from overseas, you will have to obtain the biometric Residence Permit after arriving in the UK.