How to Get a UK Student Visa from India in 5 Simple Steps?

Students are often confused about the process of obtaining a UK student visa. In this article, we have broken down the process of getting a UK student visa for Indian students willing to study in the UK.

More than 26,000 Indian students apply for the UK Student Visa each year. The duration of your programme and the course you've already pursued in the UK will decide how long you will be able to stay in the country. Those aged 16 and above, with a degree-level course, can stay for a maximum of five years on a UK student visa.

Obtaining a UK Student Visa from India involves five main steps: getting your unconditional offer and CAS, proving your English proficiency and finances, completing the GOV.UK online application, paying the required fees, and attending your VFS Global biometric appointment in your local area.

If you want to start studying in the UK, then here is your guide on what you need to do to get a student visa in the UK.

You may also read further to learn: 

• Short-term Study Visa UK for Indian Students
• Requirements for Getting a Student Visa to Study Abroad

What are UK Student Visa New Rules for Indian Students in 2026?

First thing first, let's understand a few things that have changed about the UK student visa for all international students around the world:

1. Shorter Post-Study Work Window (Graduate Route): For applications made on or after 1 January 2027, the post-study Graduate Route visa in UK for Bachelor's and taught Master's graduates will be reduced from 2 years to 18 months.  PhD graduates are unaffected and still receive a 3-year stay.
2. Higher Financial Maintenance Requirements: Indian applicants must show a significantly higher amount of liquid funds, held for 28 consecutive days, to prove they can cover living expenses. These are £1,529 per month for living in London and £1,171 per month for living elsewhere in the UK but not London.
3. Increased Visa Fees: The new standard student visa application fee is £558 (up from £524).
4. Transition to Digital e-Visas: The UK has fully transitioned to digital e-Visas and physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and passport vignettes have been completely phased out.

5 Easy Steps to Apply for a UK Student Visa in 2026

Students above 16 years of age willing to study a higher education course in the UK which has a duration of more than 6 months need to apply for a UK student visa. The UK student visa applications are processed within 3-8 weeks of the completed application being lodged.

Check out the 5 simple and easy steps below to apply for a UK student visa. 

Step 1 - Take the Required English Tests

As you need English language test scores for both university and visa applications, you will need to take a suitable test even before applying to your chosen university. Depending on your course, university and the type of your visa, take the standardised English test and submit your scores. In this view, students can take either the IELTS UKVI, PTE Academic or the TOEFL test. Here's the minimum level of English proficiency required for the UK visa application:

Step 2 - Submit an Application to Your Chosen University and Obtain the CAS Letter

The first step towards getting a UK visa for educational purposes is to apply to the UK university of your choice and obtain an unconditional offer letter. To accept your unconditional letter, you must pay the acceptance fee, also known as the tuition fee deposit. After you accept the unconditional offer, the university will provide you with a confirmed place at the university by means of a ‘confirmation of acceptance for studies’ (CAS) letter. 

Step 3 - Start the UK Visa Application Process

You can start your visa application process typically 6 months before your program start date. However, this should be done only after you receive your CAS letter. Below is the list of documents required for UK student visa. For every document you provide, you must include the original document and a photocopy.

1. A signed copy of your completed visa application form.
2. A valid passport.
3. 1 passport-sized colour photograph which meets the photo guidelines.
4. Evidence of your confirmed place at the university.
5. Any previous passports to show your previous travel history.
6. If you send a document that is not in English, it must be accompanied by a full translation that can be verified.

Step 4 - Apply Online and Pay the UK Visa Application Fee

To apply for a UK student visa, you will need to register and create an account on the official UK Visa website. At this stage, you need to be aware of the UK student visa fees, which are £558 and the Immigration Health Surcharge. The amount of Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) varies based on the place you are going to study in the UK. You must keep an amount worth the UK student visa application fee and the IHS charges ready while submitting your application.

There are 4 ways to pay your UK visa application fee.

1. Payment at Standard Chartered Bank - You can pay your fee at some branches of the Standard Chartered Bank. The bank will issue a demand draft in favour of the 'British High Commission'.
2. Demand draft from a nationalised or foreign bank - You can pay your fee by getting a demand draft issued by a nationalised or foreign bank. Bank charges for this service will vary. The demand draft must be in favour of the 'British High Commission’.
3. Payment at the visa application centre - You can pay the visa application fee at the visa application centre when you submit your visa application.
4. Pay online - You can pay your visa application fee online using a Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card.

When you have completed your online application, you will receive an email message containing your application number.

Step 5 - Visit the visa application centre on the appointed date

You must book and attend an appointment at the UK visa application centre to submit your application. You must take your facial photograph and fingerprints along with the required documents.

Make sure to arrange all the documents in a timely manner to avoid last-minute hassles. 

You may also read about: 

• Skilled Worker Visa UK
• What Do Students Do Post-taking Graduate Route? How Much Do They Earn? 

This was all about "how you can get a student visa to study in the UK. For assistance to study in the UK, get in touch with Shiksha's Counselling Services for free.  

How to Get the UK Student Visa FAQs