UK Student Visa Fees, Requirements, Process & Validity

UK student visa applications are witnessing an unprecedented increase in India. Daily around 20,000-30,000 UK student visa applications are submitted by Indian students, planning to study in UK colleges and universities. Right after you receive an acceptance letter from the UK university you have applied to, the first thing you should do is apply for your student visa. It usually takes three to four weeks for the visa to get processed. Please note: currently, UK study visas are delayed.

There are 4 types of UK student visas 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 study visa is applicable. There are two categories of Tier 4 UK study visas, 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 the 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 Latest Updates:

• Priority visa and super priority visa services resumed for Indian students.
• Reinstatement of two-year post-graduate visa stay back

UK Student Visa Fees

Tier 4 UK study visa fee is 363 EUR for candidates applying from outside UK. For Indian students, this UK student visa fees is 35,959 INR. Along with the visa application fees, you will be asked to pay Immigration Healthcare Surcharge.

UK Student 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.

Document for UK Study Visa

1. Details of passport
2. Tuberculosis test results
3. Criminal record certificate
4. Proof of financial sufficiency that you have enough funds for your entire period of stay in the UK.
5. Parents or legal guardian letters if you are under 18.
6. Recent passport-size photograph

How to Apply for UK Study Visa

• Step I: Enroll for Biometrics at a visa application center to obtain a Biometric Residence Permit.
• Step II: Complete an Online Application Form
• Step III: Submit Tuberculosis Certificate with a “negative” result.
• Step IV: Pay the visa processing fee of 35,959 INR.
• Step IV: Undertake an interview

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

UK Student Visa: Processing Time & Priority Service

• The waiting time for UK 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 the UK Immigration: ID Check app (depending on the type of visa you're applying for).
• For applicants wishing to work or study abroad in the 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 visa decision waiting time for traveling and short-term study purposes in the UK is also 3 weeks, it is currently taking up to 4 weeks to process.
• You can opt for a priority service, where the 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: 1.13 lakhs INR
  • Collection within 5 days: 83,994 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 visas are available in limited countries. Fortunately, India is one of them.

UK Student Visa: Validity & Extention

Your Tier 4 student visa is generally valid for the duration of the program with an additional four months to wind up your studies. The 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

• 475 GBP (47,048 INR) for extension
• Immigration health surcharge of 300 GBP (29,713 INR) per year
• 19.20 GBP (1,901 INR) for Biometric verification

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 Tier 4 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 (1.32 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 the UK.

When you arrive in the UK with a Tier 4 student visa, somebody from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) will meet you. Your passport details will be cross-checked by them. If everything goes smoothly, then the UKBA officer will let you enter the UK, to begin with, your study abroad adventure!

FAQs

Ques. What is the cost of applying for UK student visa?

Ques. Which documents are required for UK student visa?

Ques. How much bank balance is required to obtain UK student visa?

Ques. Will gap year affect my chances of obtaining a Tier 4 student visa to study in UK?

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

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