UK Student Visa: Everything You Need To Know 

Cambridge and Oxford are dream universities for everybody. With just 1% of the world population, the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) is responsible for over 8% of global scientific publications. It attracts more than 6,00,000 students every year. The UK is the land where the sun of knowledge never sets.

Now that you have decided to study in the UK, it is time to understand the nitty-gritty of the UK visa process for Indians. We hope to guide ambitious students about everything there is to know about procuring a UK student visa for Indians through this blog. 

Different Types of UK Visa for Indian Students

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is a statutory body responsible for accepting, reviewing, and managing all UK immigration-related processes. If you’re looking to enter the UK, your application is verified and taken by the UKVI.

There are three types of visas to study in the UK:

1. Short-term study visa
   
   If you plan to enrol in an English language course that will continue for 6-8 months, the short-term study visa is an ideal choice. 

• People with this visa can stay up to 30 days extra as long as the total time of stay is less than 11 months. 
• It costs 186 euro for a Short-term study visa with an additional healthcare surcharge (usually 470 euro). 

• Student visa 

A person can apply for a student visa if they have secured a place in a course taught by a licensed student sponsor. You also have to show proof of financial support to sustain yourself and pay for your course. 

• An ideal applicant can speak, read, write, and interact fluently in English. 
• If you are 16 or 17, you will need evidence of your parent’s permission (legal guardians) in the form of a self-attested (duly signed) letter. It must mention that your parents/legal guardians give their consent to your application and assure that you can stay independently in the UK. A proof of relationship is also required. It could be a birth certificate, court order, or adoption certificate. 
• Indian applicants can apply six months before the start of the course. It usually takes about three weeks to get a decision on your UK visa application. 
• It costs 348 euros to apply for a new Student visa and 475 euros to extend or switch to a Student visa while staying inside the UK.
• An additional healthcare surcharge is also applicable based on the validity of the Student visa. 

1. Child Student visa
   
   The Child Student visa is for children between the ages of 4 to 17 years. To successfully get a Child Student visa, the applicant must have an unconditional admission offer from an independent school. Again, it is crucial for the applicant’s parents to furnish proof of financial stability to support the child in the UK and pay the course fees.

• Applicants living outside of the UK can apply for a Child Student visa six months in advance. 
• The entire process is designed to be finished with a decision in 3 weeks. 
• If the candidate is under 16, they can get a visa valid for up to six years and four months to live and study in the UK. 
• 16 and 17-year-old children get up to three years and four months of a valid visa.
• A new Child Student visa fee is 348 euro, and it costs 475 euro to extend or switch to a Child Student visa while staying in the UK.
• An additional healthcare fee is also applicable depending upon how long your visa lasts.

Documents Required for UK Visa 

Many educational institutions help their students apply for a UK student visa. Check with your program coordinator if this is the case. The visa is awarded based on a points system. Every document that you submit successfully gets you some points. 

For example, the admission offer letter from your educational institution is worth 30 points. International students must score a minimum of 70 points to qualify for a UK visa.

Here is a list of documents that guarantee that you meet all UK student visa requirements:

• Valid passport details
• Recent passport size photograph
• An unconditional admission letter from a registered Tier 4 sponsor attested by a ‘Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies’ committee from your course provider (30 points).
• Certificate of English language proficiency provided by examinations such as IELTS, TOEFL, GMAT, or GRE.
• Proof of financial stability in the form of a bank statement or a letter from your financial sponsor (10 points).
• Students going to the UK to study a sensitive subject also require an ATAS certificate. 

Collecting the documents mentioned above is the first step towards securing a UK visa. In case if a document is not in English, you should also submit a verified English translation. Applicants may also have to produce additional documents about their academic qualifications. Students from certain countries such as Armenia, Bangladesh, and India are required to have medical vaccinations or take a tuberculosis test.  

Steps for Procuring a UK Visa 

Applicants get a decision on their visa application within three weeks of successful submission of documents. Let’s take a look at an ideal UK visa procedure.

1. Collect all your supporting documents mentioned above. For every document you provide, you must submit the original and a photocopy. 
2. Register on the official UK Visa website, print and sign a completed copy of the form.
3. Book an appointment at the nearest registered visa centre.
4. Pay your application fee using any of the following methods:
   1. Payment at Standard Chartered Bank
   2. Demand draft from a national or foreign bank. 
   3. Payment at visa application centre. 
   4. Online payment through Visa or Mastercard credit/debit cards. 
5. Visit the visa centre on the appointment date with all your documents and answer all their question to the best of your knowledge.

After verifying your application and supporting documents, the visa centre will forward your application for further processing by the UK Visas and Immigration offices. 

Conclusion

Studying in the UK is a dream for many, but only a few can turn this dream into a reality. If you plan to study in the UK, there is no time like the present to start preparing yourself and learn more about the UK visa for Indians. Practice your English proficiency regularly and stay updated with the latest announcements from the UK Visas and Immigration department. 

Alternatively, you may ask foreign education consultants to guide you through the process.