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In recent years, the United Kingdom has become the top destination for Indian students for their higher education. The recent 54% increase in student visa approvals from India reflects this trend. Yet, most of the students who chose the UK as their destination of learning may stumble in between, and that is to apply for UK student visa.
Hence, this blog focuses on applying for a UK student visa and its requirements. Also, it explains the benefits of studying in the UK and the visa processing time, and it concludes with some answered questions for the students who may want to ask.
Table of Content
1How to Apply for UK Student Visa from India2UK Student Visa Requirements3UK Student Visa Processing Time4Benefits of Studying in The UK5Post Study Work Permit in The UK6Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQ )
How to Apply for UK Student Visa from India
Indian students who wish to apply for UK student visa can apply online. On a precautionary note, students have to prepare the necessary documents for a UK study visa before the application process itself. The following steps illustrate the process of applying for a United Kingdom study visa:
Step-1: Preceding Process
- Visit the official website of the UK student visa and click the button “Start Now” for initiating the visa process.
- Select the location of your study and the nature of your passport.
- Select the country (India) to provide the biometrics and respond accordingly if the biometric location was identified or not.
- Before going to next step, check the requirements such as eligibility, fee and documents and click “Apply Now.”
Step-2: Registering the E-mail
- Enter the official e-mail address and create the password with a mentioned compelled combination.
- Log in to the mentioned email address and verify the account.
- Proceed with the next step.
Step-3: Filing the Visa Application
- This step, the process of filing a visa application, will be time-consuming since every detail they mentioned is required.
- Enter the contact details, scholarships and the most relevant piece of information – the CAS Number.
- Enter the personal information and the address, followed by the passport number as well as the expiration date and the other details they mentioned.
- Then, enter the parents’ details and the language proficiency grade and select the responses accordingly.
- Mention the accommodation details and other information related to the UK correspondingly.
- Enter the details of immigration history and other legal particulars without fail.
- After completing the above, it is time to enter the sponsor’s details. Sponsors are the universities or colleges you’ve enrolled in. Enter the details from the CAS letter and other details as well.
- Enter the payment details along with the proof of payment.
- Before going to the next step, make sure that the mentioned answers are true and correct and if there are any changes in the mentioned answers, kindly edit the application.
- Click “Continue” to proceed with the next step.
Step-4: Declaring the Documents
- Click on the mandated and other documents and proceed with the next page.
- Confirm the page and proceed with the next step.
Step-5: Agreeing to Declaration
- Click the confirmation and then consent.
- Click Continue.
Step-6: Paying the Healthcare & Visa Fee
- After declaration, the next tab would be the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Every student who desires to study in the UK must pay the IHS fee of £1035 per year.
- It will direct to the official website of IHS. Check the entered details once again and enter the missing details. Then pay the IHS fee.
- After IHS payment turns successful, it re-directs back to the UK visa page.
- Upload the necessary documents and pay the visa fee of £490.
- A reference number will be generated, and that number will be entered in the visa application.
Step-7: Submitting the Visa Application
- After visa completion, take the printout of the application and book an appointment as per the online appointment calendar.
- Go to the visa application centre to submit the visa application and biometrics, along with passport.
UK Student Visa Requirements
Eligibility Criteria
If a student decides to study in the UK, the important factor is whether they are eligible for their desired course (or) university. So, the following lists the eligibility criteria for the students to pursue in the UK:
- Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) letter from a Course provider.
- Proof of Finance Support
- Acceptable English Language Proficiency Test (Ex – IELTS)
Documents Required
After meeting the eligibility criteria, the next step would be to apply for UK student visa. To begin the process, the required documents have to be well prepared in advance. So, the following lists down the required documents for the study visa:
- Proof of enough money to support oneself and pay for the course. This will vary under circumstances.
- A valid ATAS Certificate if the course requires it
- Proof of parental or other legal guardian consent if the visa applicant is under 18 years of age
- Proof of the relationship to your parent or other legal guardian if the visa applicant is under 18 years of age
- The tuberculosis health results
- Written consent for the application form from the course provider if the scholarship was received for the course fee and the student living costs in UK in the last 12 months.
- Work Experience, if required.
- A Valid Passport.
UK Student Visa Processing Time
The processing time of the study visa for UK would vary based on several factors such as the location of the student’s residence, time of year, and so on. Normally, the processing time would be 3 weeks. If there were more visa applications to process, the processing time would take longer than the nominal one. To be in a safer spot, the students have to file the application well in advance.
Benefits of Studying in The UK
A student who decides to apply for UK student visa can get certain advantages from higher education in the UK. Some of them are:
Global Recognition: A degree from UK universities, particularly public universities in the UK, such as Oxford and Cambridge, carries significant global prestige and respect.
Academic Excellence: UK education offers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs to students with the commitment to transform into people of global demand.
Scholarship: The UK scholarship would be provided to the needy students to counter their UK study cost and other expenses they incur during their stay in the UK.
Prestigious and Quality of Life: With world-class healthcare, safety standards, and a vibrant social scene, the life of a student in the UK is an ideal place for personal and academic growth.
Career Opportunities: After pursuing the UK courses, the student can unlock the world of career opportunities across all diverse sectors.
Post Study Work Permit in The UK
After completing the pursued UK courses, the government allows students via Graduate visa to stay up to 2–3 years, depending on the level of credential the student obtains. Normally, the graduate visa lasts for 2 years. In the case of a Ph.D. or other doctoral qualification, the visa will last for 3 years. After visa expiration, the individual cannot stay on the same visa. But the individual can stay if he/she switches the visa to a different one, such as the Skilled Worker visa. For applying the Graduate visa, following criteria must be met:
- The individual has to reside in the UK
- The current visa should be a student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
- The level of credential the individual pursued, such as bachelors, masters (or) other eligible course for a minimum period with the student visa (or) Tier 4 (General) student visa
- Proof of the course sponsor’s (University/College) information to Home Office regarding the successful completion of the course.
If a student wish to apply the graduate visa, he/she must apply before the expiration of the student (or) tier-4 visa. For other details, consider visiting the official page.
In a nutshell, if a student from India wants to apply for UK student visa, this blog would be a primary source of knowledge. Also, it would turn the table for students with less perception about visa processing and aid them in continuing with their dream of studying abroad. For any other information related to immigration and education abroad, consider contacting CanApprove.
