UK Student Visa: Fees, Requirements, Process & Validity

UK student visa applications are witnessing an unprecedented increase in India. A latest report reveals that 142,848 study visas were given to Indian students. This is a huge increase of 49,883 UK Student Visa, which is 54% more than the year before, ending in June 2022. Interestingly, 42% of the Graduate Route extensions, which allows students to stay in UK after finishing their studies, were given to Indian students. Around 20,000-30,000 UK student visa applications are submitted daily by Indian students, planning to study in UK universities.

It usually takes three to four weeks for a UK student visa to get processed. There are 4 types of Student Visa UK that one can apply for. The type of visa application depends upon the length of the course and the course type. For students seeking full-time higher education in UK, a Tier 4 UK student visa is applicable. There are two categories of Tier 4 UK student visa, that prospective candidates can apply for:

Students applying for Tier 4 visas are eligible to pursue part-time jobs in UK. If your college is counted amongst the ‘recognized’ higher institutions in UK, you can work for up to 20 hours per week on your Tier 4 study visa. Additionally, the visa guidelines allow you to work full-time during summer breaks.

UK Student Visa New Rules

• In order to reduce migration into Britain, the UK government may reccommend restrictions on the Graduate Visa route. It may even get canceled, leaving graduates with fewer options to work in UK after studying. If these restrictions get implemented, graduates without alternative visa options may have to return to their home countries.
• Starting from January 2024, international students studying in UK won't be allowed to bring their family members with them on their student visas, except if they are in a postgraduate research program. If you already have aUK student visa or are planning to apply to a UK university, it's important to get visas for your family members before January 1, 2024.
• After 17 July 2024, international students cannot switch to a work visa unless they have completed their studies. But, if you begin your course this September, you are allowed to bring your family with you to UK.

Fees for UK Student Visa

Tier 4 UK student visa fee is 490 EUR for candidates applying from outside UK. For Indian students, UK student visa fee is 51,550 INR. Along with the visa application fees, you will be asked to pay Immigration Healthcare Surcharge.

UK Study Visa Application Process

International students seeking Tier 4 student visa are required to apply at least three months before the commencement of the program. The overall UK student visa process is mentioned below.

UK Student Visa Criteria: Documents Required

• Details of passport
• ATAS Certificate (if required for your nationality and course)
• Official academic records or certificates
• Exam results for English proficiency tests such as TOEFL, GMAT, IELTS, etc.
• Tuberculosis test results
• Criminal record certificate
• Proof of financial sufficiency that you have enough funds for your entire period of stay in UK.
• Parents or legal guardian letters if you are under 18.
• Recent passport-size photograph

How to apply for Student Visa UK?

• Step I: Enroll for Biometrics at a visa application center to obtain a Biometric Residence Permit.
• Step II: Complete an Online Application Form: UK Student Visa application form pdf
• Step III: Submit Tuberculosis Certificate with a “negative” result.
• Step IV: Pay the visa processing fee of 51,550 INR.
• Step IV: Undertake an interview

Generally, UK student visa outcomes are notified within the 3 weeks of application.

Where to apply for a UK Student Visa?

The addresses for various Visa Applications Center are given below:

Students can check the various visa application centers across the country!

UK Student Visa: Processing Time & Priority Service

• The waiting time for UK Student Visa decisions begins when:
  • Either you show up for the scheduled interview and provide your biometric information (photograph and fingerprints) at the visa application center or,
  • When you confirm and verify your identity using UK Immigration: ID Check app (depending on the type of visa you're applying for).
• For applicants wishing to work or study abroad in UK, the decision regarding the student visa and work visa application should be received after a period of 3 weeks after the interview.
• Although the England Student Visa decision waiting time for traveling and short-term study purposes in UK is also 3 weeks, it is currently taking up to 4 weeks to process.
• You can opt for a priority service, where UK Visa decisions will be made 5 days after your interview, or the super priority service which offers next-day collection. These services will have an additional fee.
  • Collection within 24 hours: 1.05 lakhs INR
  • Collection within 5 days: 52,600 INR
• Before applying or a decision is made on your application, you are not advised to make any travel arrangements. This is because you will only receive a refund if the visa application center has not yet begun processing your application.

Note: Currently, these priority services for UK Student Visa are available in limited countries. Fortunately, India is one of them.

UK Student Visa: Validity & Extension

How long you can stay in UK depends on the kind of program chosen. If you're 18 or older and studying at a university level, you can usually stay for up to 5 years. If your study is below university level, you can usually stay for up to 2 years.

UKVI also offers students a provision to extend their Tier 4 visa, in case they need extra time to complete their course or start a new one. To be eligible for extension of UK student visa, students must

• Be present in UK at the time of application
• Fulfill the eligibility requirements of Tier 4 visa
• Have a sponsor to fund full or partial studies. It can be
  • a Tier 4 Sponsor UK University
  • an overseas provider
  • an independent school

To apply for an extension, students need to complete an online application before their current visa expires, but a minimum before 3 months of course commencement on CAS. Furthermore, you need to pay additional charges for UK study visa extension, which will include

• 490 GBP (51,550 INR) for extension
• Immigration health surcharge of 470 GBP (49,450 INR) per year
• Biometric verification: No Fee as of now

Graduate Student Visa

If you finish your studies in UK, a Graduate visa lets you stay there for at least 2 years. If you have a PhD or another advanced degree, it's even longer - 3 years. To get this visa, you must be in UK when you apply, and it starts from the day your application is approved. Make sure to apply before your current UK Student visa or Tier 4 student visa expires. The general eligibility criteria for for a Graduate visa is listed below:

• Be present in UK at the time of application
• You have completed a bachelors in UK, postgraduate degree, or another eligible course for a minimum duration with your UK Student visa.
• Your university or college has informed the Home Office that you've successfully finished your course.

UK Student Visa: Rejection Reasons & How to Avoid Them

A successful visa application for UK is not luck, but a result of good preparation. You must be well prepared in advance and do your best so that the application does not get rejected. Some of the major reasons why your UK student visa may get rejected are:

• Missing documents:

  • The students must go through the visa policy guidance and must be prepared with all the documents in advance.
  • Every document provided has to be original.
  • In case you are unable to provide any original document, then you must provide an explanation letter along.

• Failure to meet financial requirements:

  • Every student has to show up to 1,334 GBP (1.4 lakhs INR) per month to stay in UK to cover their study and living expenses.
  • The students have to show this amount for their entire course duration.

• Incorrect document format:

  • The students must provide the documents in the given format.
  • Every translated document shall contain the date, name, signature, and contact details of the translator.

• Genuine student interview:

  • In the interview, the applicants are asked a number of questions about their choice of course and future plans.
  • The students are required to be very clear about their thoughts and must be able to convince the interviewers about their choice of studying in UK.

UK Student Visa: How to withdraw your application?

Applying for a UK student visa is a significant step, but circumstances may arise where you need to withdraw your application. Given below is a simple guide on how to go about it:

UK Student Visa: Before You Cancel

• You don't need to cancel your application if you only want your passport and other documents back.
• If you initially applied from within UK and now wish to apply for a different visa, you can skip the cancellation process.

UK Student Visa: Cancellation Considerations

• Once your cancellation is received by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), you cannot reverse the decision.
• Be aware that canceling while in UK might result in a loss of your permission to stay.

How to Cancel Your Application?

• Your cancellation process depends on how you were instructed to prove your identity during the application.
• For Those Told to Attend an Appointment:
  • If you applied within UK, fill out the online form to withdraw your application.
  • If you applied outside UK, sign in to your account and navigate to 'Section 6: further actions' to cancel your application.
  • Don't forget to cancel any scheduled appointments at the visa application center.
• For Those Who Used the Smartphone App
  • Cancel your application online by signing in to your account, visiting your dashboard, and selecting 'Withdraw this application' for the specific application you want to cancel.

When you arrive in UK with a Tier 4 student visa, a representative from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) will meet you. They will verify your passport details. If everything is in order, the UKBA officer will allow you to enter UK and start your study abroad adventure!

FAQs

Ques. How much does a UK Student visa cost?

Ques. How can I get a UK Student visa?

Ques.How many years does a UK student visa give for students to stay in the country?

Ques. What are the new rules for UK Student Visa 2024?

Ques. Can I work in UK with a student visa?

Ques. What are the main reasons for UK student visa rejection?