For Indian students planning to study in the UK, the Student Visa is the main immigration route for eligible higher-education courses. You generally need an offer from a licensed UK student sponsor, a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), evidence of sufficient funds where required, proof of English-language ability and other supporting documents relevant to your circumstances. Indian students coming to the UK for six months or more will generally also need a tuberculosis (TB) test from an approved clinic.
The visa application fee for applications made outside the UK is currently £558. Students also normally pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, currently £776 per year for students.
This guide explains the requirements step by step, with specific practical points for applicants from India.
Important: UK immigration rules and fees can change. This article reflects information available on 8 September 2026. The financial-maintenance requirement has already been announced to increase from 30 November 2026, so students applying around that date should check the latest GOV.UK guidance before submitting their application.
What Are the UK Student Visa Requirements for Indian Students?
To apply successfully, you generally need to complete the following steps:
Step 1: Get admission to a UK university
Choose an eligible course and receive an offer from a licensed Student sponsor.
Step 2: Meet your university’s conditions
This may include academic requirements, English-language requirements, deposits and other university-specific conditions.
Step 3: Receive your CAS
Once the university is satisfied that you have met its requirements, it can issue your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Step 4: Arrange your finances
Where financial evidence is required, make sure you have sufficient funds for your outstanding tuition fees and required living costs.
Step 5: Complete your TB test
Indian applicants who meet the relevant conditions generally need a TB test from an approved clinic.
Step 6: Submit your Student Visa application
Complete the online application, pay the required fees and complete the identity/biometric requirements.
Documents Required for a UK Student Visa
The documents you need depend on your individual circumstances.
Essential documents can include:
| Document | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Valid passport | Required |
| CAS reference number | Required |
| Financial evidence | Where required |
| TB certificate | Where applicable |
| English-language evidence | Where required |
| ATAS certificate | Where applicable |
| Sponsorship evidence | Where applicable |
| Student loan evidence | Where applicable |
| Parental consent documents | For applicants under 18 |
| Certified translations | Where applicable |
Check your documents carefully
Your name, date of birth, passport number and other personal information should be consistent across your:
- Passport
- University application
- Offer letter
- CAS
- Visa application
- Financial documents
A discrepancy should be addressed before submitting your application.
What Is a CAS for a UK Student Visa?
CAS stands for Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.
It is a virtual record created by your UK education provider after you have been accepted for an eligible course and the university is ready to sponsor you under the Student route.
Your CAS contains a unique reference number that you use when completing your Student Visa application.
What information can your CAS contain?
It can include details such as:
- Your personal information
- Your university
- Your course
- Course start and end dates
- Tuition fees
- Tuition fees already paid
- Information about qualifications used for admission
- English-language information
Is CAS the same as visa approval?
No.
This is an important distinction.
Your university issues the CAS, but UK Visas and Immigration makes the visa decision.
Having a CAS does not guarantee that your Student Visa application will be approved.
How Much Money Is Required for a UK Student Visa?
Financial evidence is one of the most important parts of the application for students who are required to provide it.
You generally need to demonstrate enough money to cover:
Outstanding tuition fees + required living costs
The amount of tuition you need to account for depends on the information contained in your CAS.
Current UK Student Visa Maintenance Requirement
As of September 2026, the required maintenance amount is:
| Location | Monthly amount | Maximum 9-month amount |
|---|---|---|
| London | £1,529 | £13,761 |
| Outside London | £1,171 | £10,539 |
These figures are for the required living costs and are separate from outstanding tuition fees.
Upcoming maintenance requirement change
From 30 November 2026, the announced maintenance requirement increases to:
| Location | Monthly amount | Maximum 9-month amount |
|---|---|---|
| London | £1,570 | £14,130 |
| Outside London | £1,203 | £10,827 |
Always check which requirement applies when you submit your application.
How Long Must the Money Be in Your Bank Account?
Where financial evidence is required, the funds generally need to have been held for at least 28 consecutive days.
The final day of this 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date you submit your visa application.
This means you should not wait until the last minute to arrange your finances.
Example
If you need £25,000 for your visa application, you cannot simply deposit £25,000 a few days before submitting the application and assume that the balance will automatically qualify.
The required funds must satisfy the applicable financial evidence rules.
Can Parents’ Bank Accounts Be Used for a UK Student Visa?
In certain circumstances, students can rely on money held in a parent’s bank account.
However, simply showing a parent’s bank statement is not enough.
You may need to provide the appropriate evidence demonstrating:
- Your relationship with the parent
- Ownership of the funds
- That the account satisfies the applicable requirements
Students should check the current financial-evidence rules before submitting documents.
UK Student Visa English Language Requirements
You must meet the English-language requirement unless you qualify through an accepted exemption or alternative method.
For many degree-level courses, the immigration requirement is generally:
CEFR B2
For certain below-degree-level courses, it is generally:
CEFR B1
Your university may have a different English-language requirement for admission.
Therefore, do not assume that meeting your university’s English requirement automatically means that you have satisfied every immigration requirement.
Is a TB Test Required for Indian Students?
For many Indian students, yes.
If you are coming to the UK for six months or more and meet the relevant residence conditions, you generally need a TB test.
The test must be taken at a Home Office-approved clinic.
Important
Do not use a certificate from an unapproved clinic.
The UK government publishes information about approved TB testing clinics in India.
How Much Does a UK Student Visa Cost?
Students should budget for more than just tuition fees.
Current Student Visa application fee
For applications made outside the UK, the current Student Visa application fee is:
£558
Immigration Health Surcharge
Students normally also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.
The current student rate is:
£776 per year
The exact amount charged can depend on the length of immigration permission granted.
Therefore, your overall study-abroad budget should include:
- Tuition fees
- Student Visa fee
- Immigration Health Surcharge
- Accommodation
- Living expenses
- Flights
- Insurance and other personal expenses
What Is the Average Business Management Fee in the UK?
For students considering Business Management, international tuition fees vary significantly between universities.
For planning purposes, students can use approximately:
£16,000 per year — around ₹19 lakh
This should be treated as a planning estimate rather than an official UK-wide average.
Actual fees can be higher or lower depending on:
- University
- Course
- Location
- Study level
- Year of entry
For your visa application, always use the actual tuition fee shown by your university/CAS, not an estimated average.
How to Apply for a UK Student Visa from India
The application process can be broken down into these steps:
Step 1: Choose your course and university
Research universities based on:
- Course curriculum
- Entry requirements
- Tuition fees
- Location
- Career opportunities
- Graduate outcomes
- Accommodation
- Your budget
Step 2: Apply to the university
Submit the required academic and supporting documents.
Step 3: Receive your offer
You may receive either a conditional or unconditional offer.
Step 4: Meet all conditions
Complete any outstanding academic, English-language or financial requirements.
Step 5: Receive your CAS
Your university issues your CAS once it is satisfied that you are ready to be sponsored.
Step 6: Prepare your financial evidence
Calculate the required:
Tuition fees + living costs
Then ensure your financial evidence satisfies the applicable rules.
Step 7: Complete your TB test
Do this at an approved clinic if required.
Step 8: Complete the online visa application
Enter your information accurately and consistently.
Step 9: Pay the required fees
Pay the:
- Student Visa application fee
- Immigration Health Surcharge
Step 10: Complete identity verification or biometrics
Follow the instructions provided as part of your application.
Step 11: Wait for the decision
The standard published processing time for applications made outside the UK is generally three weeks, although some applications can take longer.
When Should Indian Students Apply for a UK Student Visa?
Students applying from outside the UK can generally submit their Student Visa application up to six months before the course start date.
However, waiting until the last possible moment is risky.
A better approach is to prepare your:
- University documents
- Passport
- CAS
- Financial evidence
- TB certificate
- English-language evidence
well before your intended application date.
Can Indian Students Work in the UK on a Student Visa?
Eligible students can work subject to the conditions attached to their Student permission.
For eligible full-time degree-level study, the usual limit is:
Up to 20 hours per week during term time
Different rules can apply depending on the type and level of course.
Students should check their individual visa conditions before accepting employment.
Part-time work should supplement your finances, not be the foundation of your education budget.
Can Students Bring Their Spouse or Children to the UK?
This is one area where UK immigration rules have become considerably more restrictive.
For students beginning postgraduate courses on or after 1 January 2024, dependants are generally permitted only in limited circumstances, including certain qualifying doctoral or research-based higher degrees.
There are also provisions for certain government-sponsored students.
What does this mean for Master’s students?
If you are planning a standard taught Master’s degree, do not assume that your spouse or children can automatically accompany you as dependants.
Common UK Student Visa Mistakes Indian Students Should Avoid
Even when a student has received a university offer and CAS, mistakes in the visa application can cause unnecessary problems.
Mistake 1: Arranging funds at the last minute
The financial requirement has a specific holding-period rule.
Mistake 2: Using the wrong maintenance amount
London and outside-London requirements are different.
Mistake 3: Not checking the CAS
Errors in personal or course information should be corrected before applying.
Mistake 4: Assuming CAS guarantees a visa
It does not.
Mistake 5: Using an unapproved TB clinic
The TB certificate must meet the applicable UK requirements.
Mistake 6: Confusing university requirements with visa requirements
Your university may have requirements that differ from UK immigration requirements.
Mistake 7: Depending entirely on part-time work
You should have adequate funds before travelling to the UK.
Mistake 8: Booking expensive non-refundable flights too early
Standard processing is around three weeks, but applications can take longer.
UK Student Visa Checklist for Indian Students
Use this checklist before submitting your application:
Academic Documents
- University offer
- CAS
- Academic certificates/transcripts
- English-language evidence, where required
Financial Documents
- Tuition fee calculation
- Maintenance-fund calculation
- Bank statements, where required
- Student loan evidence, if applicable
- Sponsorship evidence, if applicable
Visa Documents
- Valid passport
- TB certificate, if required
- ATAS certificate, if required
- Certified translations, where required
- Additional documents requested during application
Application
- Online application completed
- Visa fee paid
- IHS paid
- Identity/biometrics completed
- Supporting documents submitted
What Happens After Your UK Student Visa Is Approved?
Successful applicants will receive information about their digital immigration status/eVisa.
Before travelling, check:
- Your immigration permission
- Course details
- University
- Visa conditions
- Travel document
- Course start date
For eligible courses, you may be able to enter the UK before the course starts within the permitted timeframe.
Do not travel before the date from which your immigration permission allows you to enter.
How Can ED4WO Help With Your UK Study Abroad Journey?
Getting a UK Student Visa is only one part of the study-abroad process.
Before reaching the visa stage, students need to make several important decisions:
- Which course should you choose?
- Which university fits your academic profile?
- What tuition fee can you realistically afford?
- Which location fits your budget?
- What documents will the university require?
- How should you plan your finances?
- What needs to be prepared before the CAS stage?
ED4WO Study Abroad Consultancy can guide students through the broader UK study-abroad journey, from course and university selection to application and visa guidance.
The goal should not simply be to get an admission offer. It should be to choose a course and university that make sense for your academic background, career plans and financial situation.
UK Student Visa: Final Checklist
Before submitting your application, ask yourself:
Do I have a valid CAS?
Have I calculated my tuition and maintenance requirements correctly?
Have my funds been held for the required period?
Do I need a TB certificate?
Have I met the applicable English-language requirement?
Are all my documents accurate and consistent?
Have I checked the latest UK immigration rules?
If the answer to all of these is yes, you are in a much stronger position to submit your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the UK Student Visa requirements for Indian students?
Indian students generally need a valid passport, CAS from a licensed Student sponsor, evidence of English proficiency where required, sufficient financial evidence where required, a TB certificate where applicable and any additional documents relevant to their circumstances.
2. How much bank balance is required for a UK Student Visa?
As of September 2026, the maintenance requirement is £1,529 per month in London and £1,171 per month outside London, for up to nine months, in addition to the relevant tuition requirement.
3. Is CAS mandatory for a UK Student Visa?
Yes. Students applying under the Student route generally need a valid CAS issued by their licensed Student sponsor.
4. How many days should money be maintained for a UK Student Visa?
Where financial evidence is required, the required funds generally need to be held for 28 consecutive days, with the final day falling within 31 days of the visa application.
5. How much does a UK Student Visa cost from India?
The current Student Visa application fee for applications made outside the UK is £558. Students normally also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.
6. Do Indian students need a TB test for the UK?
Many Indian students studying in the UK for six months or more need a TB test, subject to the relevant UK immigration conditions.
7. How long does a UK Student Visa take from India?
The standard published processing time for applications submitted outside the UK is generally three weeks, although individual applications may take longer.
8. Can Indian students work while studying in the UK?
Eligible students can generally work subject to their visa conditions. For qualifying degree-level courses, this commonly means up to 20 hours per week during term time.