UK Student Visa for Indian Students: Requirements, Fees and Steps
To study in the UK for longer than six months, Indian students need a Student visa. You apply online after you receive a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed university, and you must show your first-year tuition (less any deposit paid) plus living costs of £1,171 a month outside London for up to nine months, held for 28 days. That monthly figure rises to £1,203 outside London for applications made on or after 30 November 2026. The application fee is £558 and the Immigration Health Surcharge is £776 for each year of your visa. Last reviewed on 11 November 2026.
Rules and amounts are set by the UK Home Office and change often, so check the official GOV.UK Student visa page before you pay or submit anything.
UK Student Visa Costs at a Glance
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa application fee (applying from outside the UK) | £558 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | £776 for each year of your visa, paid when you apply |
| Living costs, outside London | £1,171 a month for up to 9 months (£10,539) until 29 November 2026; £1,203 a month (£10,827) for applications from 30 November 2026 |
| Living costs, inside London | £1,529 a month for up to 9 months (£13,761); the new rate from 30 November 2026 is £1,570 a month (£14,130) |
| Tuition | Your first year’s fees as shown on your CAS, less any payment already made |
| TB test | Required for applicants from India; paid separately to an approved clinic |
The living-costs figure is the minimum you must show, not what you should budget. If your university charges for accommodation on your CAS, you can usually deduct up to the stated accommodation amount from the living costs. Courses shorter than nine months need £1,171 (or £1,203) for each month on your CAS.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply from India
- Get an unconditional offer and a CAS. Your university issues the CAS, usually after you accept the offer and pay any required deposit. Check every detail on it, including your name, course dates and fees.
- Prepare your financial evidence. Show your tuition balance plus living costs in an acceptable account for 28 consecutive days before you apply. Keep the balance from dipping below the required amount.
- Take a TB test. Indian applicants need a certificate from an approved clinic.
- Check whether you need ATAS. Some postgraduate subjects need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate before the CAS is issued, so ask your university early.
- Apply online and pay the fee and IHS. You can apply up to six months before your course starts. The date you pay the fee is treated as your application date.
- Give biometrics. You book an appointment at the visa application centre and upload or submit your documents as instructed.
- Wait for the decision. Standard decisions for applications from outside the UK usually take about three weeks, but check current processing times.
- After approval. Follow your university’s instructions on how to confirm your digital immigration status and collect any documents before you travel.
Documents You Will Typically Need
- A valid passport.
- Your CAS reference number.
- Evidence of funds, such as bank statements, in the format the Home Office accepts. If a parent or guardian’s money is used, you need proof of the relationship and their written consent.
- Your TB test certificate.
- Evidence of English if your university or the visa route requires it. Many universities assess English themselves, so confirm what yours accepts.
- Academic qualifications used to get your offer, and an ATAS certificate if required.
- Parental consent if you are under 18.
The exact list depends on your circumstances. Use the checklist on GOV.UK and your university’s visa guidance, and do not rely on older lists, which often mention items such as passport photographs that are no longer needed in the same way.
Working on a Student Visa
Degree-level students can usually work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full time during official vacations, but your visa conditions apply. Self-employment and freelancing are not allowed, and some jobs are restricted. Read our guide to working in the UK and the Graduate route, which covers student jobs and what happens after your degree.
Can You Bring Family?
Since January 2024, most international students can no longer bring dependants. The main exception is postgraduate research courses such as a PhD. If you plan to bring a spouse or child, check eligibility before you accept an offer, and note that dependants need their own funds.
Common Reasons for Refusal and How to Avoid Them
- Funds held for less than 28 days or in an unacceptable format. Follow the Home Office rules on accounts and statements exactly.
- Balance dipping below the required amount. Keep the full amount in the account throughout the period.
- Mismatched details. Names, dates and amounts must match between your CAS, passport and bank documents.
- Using outdated amounts. Many online guides still show the previous living-cost figures, so check the date and the rate on GOV.UK.
- Weak evidence of your study plan. Be ready to explain why you chose the course and university if you are asked.
When to Apply
| Step | Rough timing for a September start |
|---|---|
| Apply to universities and accept an offer | From the autumn to spring before you travel; check each university’s deadlines |
| Receive your CAS | After you accept the offer and meet any deposit or condition |
| Hold your funds for 28 days | Start counting as soon as you know the amount you need |
| Submit your visa application | Up to six months before the course starts, usually June to July for September |
| Travel | After your visa decision, according to your university’s arrival dates |
UK Student Visa for Indian Students: FAQs
The application fee is £558 for an application from outside the UK, and the Immigration Health Surcharge is £776 for each year of your visa. You also need to show your tuition and living costs, and pay for a TB test.
Your first-year tuition (less any deposit paid) plus £1,171 a month outside London for up to 9 months, rising to £1,203 a month for applications from 30 November 2026. In London it is £1,529 a month, rising to £1,570. The money must be held for 28 days.
Up to six months before your course starts, once you have a CAS. Most applicants apply two to three months before their start date.
Yes. Applicants from India need a tuberculosis test certificate from an approved clinic before they apply.
Degree-level students can usually work up to 20 hours a week in term time and full time in vacations, but self-employment is not allowed and your visa conditions apply.
Yes. Our counselling is free for students and covers study in the UK and elsewhere. Start with the free profile assessment.
Get Help With Your UK Application
Eduvisor’s counselling is free for students. We are paid by partner universities and colleges once a student enrols and pays tuition fees, and we still show you options that suit your profile, including ones that are not with our partners. Start with the free profile assessment or contact us. You can also read our guide to top UK universities, the UCAS guide and UK scholarships.
Sources: GOV.UK Student visa guidance and the Home Office’s student financial requirements, as published on the websites of the Universities of Bristol, Hertfordshire, Cambridge, Aberystwyth and South Wales. Fees, funds and rules change often, so confirm them on GOV.UK before you apply.
