Student visaUnited Kingdom student visa
One recent change catches most Indian applicants off guard: since 15 July 2025, the UK Student visa (formerly Tier 4 General) no longer arrives as a sticker in your passport. It is now a digital eVisa. Your passport comes back to you at the appointment, and you view and prove your status through a UKVI online account instead. The route is for anyone aged 16 or over holding an offer from a licensed student sponsor. You apply online on GOV.UK, pay the fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, then attend a VFS Global visa application centre in India to give biometrics — fingerprints and photograph — and hand over your documents.
The visa runs for the length of your course plus a little extra. On a degree-level course at 18 or over, you can usually stay up to 5 years; below degree level, the limit is usually 2 years. From outside the UK, the application fee is £558, and the Immigration Health Surcharge is charged at the student rate of £776 per year. A decision is usually made within 3 weeks of your biometrics appointment.
Who this visa is for
- ✓Aged 16 or over with an unconditional offer and a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a UK licensed student sponsor
- ✓Able to prove English language ability to CEFR B2 for degree-level courses, or B1 below degree level (via a Secure English Language Test or a qualifying degree taught in English)
- ✓Able to show enough money for the first year of tuition plus living costs, held for 28 consecutive days
- ✓Applicants aged 16 or 17 must have written consent from a parent or guardian
- ✓Coming to study full time; those on short English language courses of 6-11 months use the separate Short-term study visa
Visa options for United Kingdom
Student visa
Main route for applicants aged 16+ on a course with a licensed student sponsor. Degree-level students (18+) can usually stay up to 5 years; below degree level up to 2 years.
Child Student visa
For children aged 4 to 17 studying at an independent (fee-paying) school in the UK. Applicants aged 4-15 must apply for this route rather than the Student visa.
Short-term study visa
For an English language course lasting 6 to 11 months. Any other short course is normally covered by the Standard Visitor visa instead.
Documents typically required
- ✓Current passport or other valid travel document
- ✓Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number from your licensed student sponsor
- ✓Proof of funds: first-year tuition plus living costs of £1,529/month (London) or £1,171/month (outside London) for up to 9 months, held in your account for 28 days in a row, with the closing balance dated within 31 days of applying
- ✓Evidence of English language ability meeting the required CEFR level (SELT result, or an Ecctis-assessed degree taught in English)
- ✓Valid tuberculosis (TB) test certificate from a Home Office-approved clinic in India (required because you will be in the UK for 6+ months); certificate is valid for 6 months
- ✓ATAS certificate if your course and nationality require one (certain postgraduate science and technology subjects)
- ✓Written consent from your parent or guardian, plus proof of relationship, if you are aged 16 or 17
- ✓Written consent from your financial sponsor if an official third party is funding your tuition or living costs
Your exact checklist depends on your profile — we confirm it during your case analysis. Every visa decision rests with the embassy or consulate.
You apply online on GOV.UK, then book and attend a VFS Global visa application centre in India to give biometrics and submit documents. Because the visa is now a digital eVisa — viewed through a UKVI online account, not a sticker — your passport is returned to you at the appointment. One thing to plan for: India is not on the UKVI differential-evidence (low-risk) list, so your financial and academic documents must be prepared and submitted with the application, not held back to produce only if asked.
Frequently asked questions
Do you guarantee the visa?
No one can honestly guarantee a visa. The decision rests entirely with UK Visas and Immigration. What we do is give you a frank, honest assessment of your case and build the strongest possible application, with your CAS, funds, English evidence and TB certificate all in order. Over the last 2-3 years our applications have carried a 97% success rate.
Is the UK Student visa a sticker or a digital eVisa?
A digital eVisa — and it has been since 15 July 2025, so there is no longer a passport vignette sticker. You still apply online on GOV.UK, pay the £558 fee and the £776-per-year Immigration Health Surcharge, and give biometrics at a VFS Global centre in India. But your passport is returned after the appointment, and you access and share your status through a UKVI online account.
How much money do I need to show?
Your first year of tuition, as stated on your CAS, plus living costs: £1,529 per month for courses in London, or £1,171 per month elsewhere, for up to 9 months. The money must sit in your account for 28 days in a row, and that 28-day period must end within 31 days of the date you apply.
Can I work while studying?
At degree level with a compliant sponsor, you can usually work up to 20 hours per week in term time and full time during vacations. Below degree level, the term-time limit is usually 10 hours per week. Self-employment and working as a professional sportsperson are not permitted. Your exact conditions are set out on your visa.
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