UK Student Visa (Tier 4) requires a CAS from a UKVI-approved university before applying
You need at least £1,334/month for London or £1,023/month outside London in your bank account
Apply no earlier than 6 months before your course start date
The UK Student Visa (previously called Tier 4) is required by all non-EU international students studying in the UK for courses longer than 6 months. This guide covers everything Indian students need to know, from getting your CAS to biometrics, financial requirements, and beyond.
Key Takeaways
Apply online; biometrics at VFS Global India (6 major cities)
Need CAS number from your university first. Apply only after receiving it
Processing time: 3 weeks (standard), 5 business days (priority)
Show GBP 1,334/month (London) or GBP 1,023/month (outside London) × 9 months + first year tuition
Visa valid from 1 month before your course start date
IHS surcharge: £1,035/year, paid upfront with visa application
What is the UK Student Visa?
The UK Student Visa replaced Tier 4 in October 2020. It is required for any non-EEA national studying in the UK at a licensed Tier 4 sponsor institution for more than 6 months.
Once you have your Student Visa, you can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during university holidays. After graduating, you are eligible for the Graduate Route visa: 2 years of unrestricted work rights for UG/PG graduates, 3 years for PhD graduates.
Step-by-Step Application Process
1
Accept your offer and receive your CAS
Your university generates a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) after you accept the conditional/unconditional offer and pay the deposit. The CAS contains a unique reference number you need to apply.
2
Gather your financial documents
Prepare 28 consecutive days of bank statements showing the required funds (see Financial Requirements below). The statements must end within 31 days of your application date.
3
Apply online at the UKVI website
Fill the Student Visa application form on gov.uk. Pay the visa fee (£490) and the IHS surcharge (~£1,035 per year of your course) at this stage.
4
Book biometrics at VFS Global India
After submitting online, book a biometrics appointment at a VFS Global India centre: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, or Bengaluru. Bring all your supporting documents.
5
Attend biometrics appointment
Attend in person with your passport, application reference number, and all supporting documents. VFS will take your fingerprints and photograph.
6
Wait for a decision
Standard processing from India is 3 weeks. Priority service (£500 extra) gives a decision in 5 business days. Most applicants receive their visa vignette in their passport by post from VFS.
Documents Checklist
Mandatory Documents
Valid passport, must be valid at least 6 months beyond your course end date
CAS reference number from your UK university
Bank statements: 28 consecutive days, ending within 31 days of application
Academic transcripts and qualifications: degree certificates, mark sheets
English language test scores: IELTS, LanguageCert Academic, or PTE Academic
TB test certificate from an NABL-approved clinic in India (mandatory for Indian applicants)
ATAS certificate, required for certain science, engineering, and technology courses at postgraduate level
Scholarship award letter (if funded by a scholarship)
Parental income documents (if parents are sponsoring you)
Financial Requirements (2026)
You must show you have enough money to pay your first year's tuition fees plus living expenses for 9 months. The amount depends on whether your university is in London or outside London.
Location
Monthly Amount
9 Months
Total to Show
London
GBP 1,334
GBP 12,006
GBP 12,006 + first year tuition
Outside London
GBP 1,023
GBP 9,207
GBP 9,207 + first year tuition
Important: Funds must be held in your account for 28 consecutive days. The end date of those 28 days must be within 31 days of your visa application date. The funds can be in your account, your parents' account, or a mix, as long as you provide proof of relationship.
English Language Requirements
Most UK universities require CEFR B2 or above (equivalent to IELTS 5.5–6.0 minimum) for undergraduate courses, and CEFR C1 (IELTS 6.5+) for most postgraduate programs.
IELTS Academic: 6.0–7.0 overall (typically 6.5 for PG; check your specific course)
LanguageCert Academic: B2 Communicator (Bands 33–39) for most PG; C1 Expert (Bands 40–49) for competitive programs
PTE Academic: 59–65 (check your university's requirements)
LanguageCert tip: LanguageCert Academic is UKVI-approved as a Secure English Language Test (SELT) and costs roughly half as much as IELTS in India (~₹8,500 vs ~₹17,000). Results are available in 48 hours. It's accepted at hundreds of UK universities. Read the LanguageCert UK Visa Guide →
Visa Fees and Processing Times
Fee Type
Amount
Processing Time
Standard Student Visa
£490
3 weeks
Priority service
£490 + £500
5 business days
Super Priority (same/next day)
£490 + £1,000
1–2 business days
IHS surcharge (1-year course)
£1,035
Paid at application
IHS surcharge (3-year UG course)
£3,105
Paid at application
TB test (India)
~₹3,000–5,000
Results in 1–2 days
Common Rejection Reasons and How to Avoid Them
Insufficient funds: Money not held for full 28 days, or statements end more than 31 days before application. Plan your 28-day window carefully.
Expired CAS: CAS is valid for 6 months. If your university issued the CAS in October but you apply in May, it may have expired. Request a new CAS if needed.
Incomplete documents: Missing TB test, missing ATAS certificate (if required), or documents not properly certified. Check the UKVI document requirements for your course type.
English score below threshold: Even a 0.5 IELTS shortfall causes rejection. Double-check your course's exact requirement before applying.
Undisclosed previous refusals: Always disclose any previous UK visa refusals in the application form, even if from years ago.
Wrong visa category: Applying for a Standard Visitor Visa instead of a Student Visa, or vice versa.
After Your Visa is Approved
Visa vignette: A sticker placed in your passport, valid for 30 days from the travel window start date. You must enter the UK during this window.
BRP (Biometric Residence Permit): Collect from a post office within 10 days of arriving in the UK. Your BRP shows your visa end date and work entitlement.
Register with your university: Attend enrolment/registration. Your university must confirm your arrival to UKVI.
NHS access: Your IHS surcharge gives you full NHS access from day 1 of your visa.
Prepare for Your UK Journey
From English test practice to expert visa guidance, Abroed India has everything Indian students need.
Dhruvil Patel is the founder of Abroed India, a study abroad consulting firm based in Ahmedabad. His journey into this field is personal, coming from a middle-class family, he borrowed money from relatives just to prepare for the TOEFL and SAT when he dreamed of studying in the US. After scoring well, he trusted a consultant to handle his application, only to be conned out of borrowed money with no work done. Refusing to give up, he taught himself everything: DS-160 forms, visa appointments, document preparation, and application strategy. Despite doing everything right on his own, his US visa was refused, and two years were lost in the process.
That experience became his mission. Today, through Abroed India, Dhruvil makes sure no student has to go through what he did. He has guided students through visa applications across 8+ countries, UK, Germany, Ireland, Australia, France, Spain, Japan, and Dubai, combining personal consulting with AI-powered tools to make quality study abroad guidance accessible and affordable.