Student Visa For UK

According to preliminary data provided by the Department of Home Affairs, around 44,000 applications for student visas came from Asia in the last six months of 2022. Students, who wish to study in the UK for more than 6 months, need to know about the following 3 UK Study Visas or UK visa types:

• Short-term Study Visa: For people who wish to learn English for up to 11 months, there is the short-term UK study visa.
• Student Visa: For those traveling to the UK to pursue higher education, this visa type is available. Prior to that, it was known as a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa,  popularly called a Tier 4 Student Visa.
• Child Student Visa: Children who are between the ages of 4 and 17 and want to study an independent school in the UK are eligible for this visa. Formerly known as the Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa.
• UK Student Visa Eligibility

• A student must have received an offer of a full-time academic course from a licensed student sponsor
• A student must have sufficient financial resources to support himself/ herself during the duration of the course
• A student must be able to speak, read, write and understand English
• If a student is aged 16 or 17, he/ she needs consent from his/ her parents

UK Student Visa Cost

If students are applying from outside the UK, the charge for the UK Student Visa, formerly known as the Tier 4 (General) Student Visa, is £363 (about Rs 34,594). You must also pay a healthcare fee, the amount of which is determined by how long you are staying. The payment options are shown below.

• Online using either a MasterCard or Visa card.
• Through demand draft at the visa applicaticentreter and selected branches of Standard Chartered Bank. 
• Through Cash at the visa applicaticentreter and selected branches of Standard Chartered Bank. 

Students must note that if they wish to switch to a UK Student Visa from inside the UK, they will have to pay a fee of £490.

UK Student Visa: Documents Required

UK Student Visa Requirements: In comparison to applying for a tourist visa, applying for a student visa requires having a lot more documentation. Candidates require the necessary paperwork as well as valid information of their academic records and financial situation. Before heading to the consulate for the visa interview, make sure to consult the UK Student Visa Checklist.

• A completed student visa application form
• If you’re below 18 years of age, you need to get proof of your parents’ or guardian’s consent
• A letter of acceptance on the course – You will receive an official and unconditional offer of a seat on a programme of study in the form of a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) and a visa letter from your approved education provider. The visa letter must be issued no later than six months before you submit your application. After six months of receiving their CAS, students must apply for a study visa for the UK.
• A visa letter is not a guarantee that your application will be approved. The applicant must meet all category requirements as well as any additional immigration rules.
• Proof of funds- Your first year of course tuition and up to nine months’ worth of living expenses must be covered by the funds you must show (1 academic year). Whether you are applying as an adult or child and whether you will be studying in or outside of London will determine how much money you will need. You must show that you have held the money for at least 28 days. Your application date cannot be more than one month from the conclusion of the 28-day period.
• You must show that you have the following funds available to cover your basic living expenses (excluding tuition) for a period of up to nine months. For example, £12,006 for nine months (or £1,334) if you live in London, and £9,207 for nine months (or £1,023) if you live outside of London.
• However, a student who has been in the UK with a valid visa for at least a year is not required to provide proof of funds when applying for a visa.

• The visa fees payment confirmation receipt
• ATAS certificate if your nationality and course need it
• Payslips
• Original mark sheets/provisional certificates
• Scoresheet of exams like TOEFL, GMAT, IELTS, etc.

Types of Courses valid under UK Student Visa

• A full-time program that would assist in obtaining a qualification below the degree level and organized daytime study of at least 15 hours per week
• A full-time course that would assist in obtaining a degree-level or higher qualification
• • A full-time course that would assist in obtaining a degree-level or higher qualification and shares the same platform as a UK higher education program.
• A part-time program that would assist in obtaining a degree-level or higher qualification
• A known foundation course for PG doctors or dentists
• An English language programme at B2 level or above in the Common European Framework of Reference Languages

UK Student Visa Process: How to Apply

The application process for a UK student visa includes several steps. Applications for UK study visas are handled three weeks after the completed application is submitted.

Step 1 – The first step is to check if you qualify for the student visa or not. You need to show that you have:

• A confirmed place at the college, institution, or school you plan to attend. A “confirmation of acceptance for studies” is what it is known as (CAS).
• enough money (also called to as “maintenance or funds”) to pay for your tuition and living expenses while studying in the UK.

Step 2 – Get your documents ready

Step 3 – Apply online: On the official UK Visa website, you must register and set up an account. You must print and sign your completed online application after you’ve finished filling it out. To make a appointment at the visa application centre, use the online appointment calendar. You will get an email with your application number once you have finished your online application.

Step 4 – Pay your application fee. There are 4 ways to pay your visa application fee.

• Payment at Standard Chartered Bank – You can pay your fee at some branches of Standard Chartered Bank. The bank will issue a demand draft in favour of the ‘British High Commission’.
• Demand draft from a nationalized or foreign bank – You can pay your fee by getting a demand draft issued by a nationalized or a foreign bank. Bank charges for this service will vary. The demand draft must be in favour of the ‘British High Commission’.
• Payment at the visa applicaticentreter – You can pay the visa application fee at the visa applicaticentreter when you submit your visa application.
• Pay online – You can pay your visa application fee online using a Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card.

Step 5 – On the scheduled date, visit the visa application centre.

To submit your application, a facial photograph, and your fingerprints, you must make a reservation and show up for it. Applications may be withdrawn by students.

To do this, they must speak with UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration). Their fee will be returned if the application processing has not yet started.

UK Point-based Visa System

Students ought to know that the UK Visa is a point-based visa and that it is mandatory for candidates to meet all immigration rules and have a total of 40 points.

UK Student Visa Part-time Work

You are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week for (UK Student Visa) and to work full-time during holidays or summer vacations if you are enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program or higher at a UK college that is included on both the list of “recognized bodies” and the official “UKBA Sponsor list.” Students should be aware that they are permitted to work 10 hours per week if their programme is below the level of a UK degree, such as foundation or pre-sessional English. In addition, students with short-term study visas are prohibited from working.

UK Student Visa: Dependents

For the same time period as the main applicant, the wife or children are granted a Dependent Visa. This only applies to applicants for master’s degrees. Your program must be at least 9 months long and RQF level 7 or higher. Dependents cannot go to the UK with undergraduates.

Your dependents must apply as “dependent on a Points Based System migrant” if you hold a student visa. Each dependent must submit a unique application and pay a separate fee.

You must show additional maintenance funds totalling £845 (inside London) or £680 (outside London) for each dependent for each month you are applying for up to a maximum of nine months’ maintenance funds in addition to your own maintenance funds. If you already have a scholarship, you can use it to cover the living costs for your dependents. The scholarship letter must specify that money is also intended for your dependents.

UK Student Visa: Additional Information

After completing your education, if you wish to work there, you must first apply for a Graduate Visa and then a Tier 2 visa for Highly Skilled Workers. Thus you do not also receive a work permit along with your student visa. A separate application for a work visa is required.

If the leave is allowed for more than a year, your spouse may work there. Your spouse won’t be permitted to work in the UK if your visa was issued for a shorter time than 12 months or you are enrolled in a lower level of study.

Premium Visa Services

A normal UK study visa could take at least 3 weeks to process, but for an additional charge, students can choose the Priority Visa Service or the Super Priority Visa Service to speed up the procedure. Within five working days of receiving your biometrics, UK Visas and Immigration intends to decide on your Priority Visa application and get in touch with you to let you know that your passport is ready for collection. The identical process is finished in 24 hours under the Super Priority Visa Application.

Applicants should be aware that this service costs extra on top of the visa application fee and that it is not refundable in the case that a visa request is denied or, in rare circumstances, if processing takes longer than expected.

• UK Priority Visa has an additional cost of £500
• UK Super Priority Visa has an additional cost of £800

How can I check the status of my UK student visa application?

The Embassy will review your application before informing you of the result. Your visa application may take two to three weeks to process, depending on your nationality. To avoid being rejected, make sure that everything on your application is finished and not pending. Certain situations could go on for a longer time. You can track your application number using the receipt you receive. You must use the reference number that was provided to you on the day of your appointment. Those who will choose SMS services will be intimated via SMS and email.

Scholarships for Studying in the UK

One of the best in the world, the UK has a world-class educational system. Nonetheless, to pursue their academic education there, the majority of international students require financial assistance. Many scholarships are offered to study in the UK in order to meet the needs of international students. The list of some of the best fellowships for studying in the UK can be seen below.

UK Student Visa: When to Apply for Visa Extension

It is advised that applicants who intend to apply for a UK student visa do so at least three months prior to the start of their study and no later than six months after getting a CAS. Make sure to submit your application before your current visa expires. Also, your new course must begin within 28 days of the expiration of your current visa. You may remain in the UK until a decision is conveyed to you.

UK Student Visa FAQs

• Q. What are the eligibility criteria for getting a UK Student visa?
  Following are the basic requirements for UK Student Visa:
• Candidates must have an unconditional offer from a recognized educational institute for pursuing a course with a licensed Tier 4 sponsor
• Appropriate funds to support yourself and for the course
• Q. Do I need a UK student visa to study in the UK?
  If you are a national from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you do need a visa to pursue your higher education in the UK. Students from all other nationalities need to have a valid UK student visa to study in the UK.
• Q. If a student is going just for one semester, in that case also he/she needs a visa?
  Yes, even if you are going for a short-term say less than six months, then you can apply for a Short-Term Study Visa.
• Q. At the latest when one can apply for a study visa?
  One can apply for 6 months before the start of their course. Also, candidates usually get a decision on their visa within 3 weeks.
• Q. How early one can come to the UK before the program starts? And for how long one can stay here?
  Students need to note the following points:
• If your course lasts 6 months or less then you can come to the UK up to one week before the beginning of your course.
• If your course lasts, more than 6 months then can come to the UK for up to one month before your course starts.
• Q. What is a CAS document?
  Your educational institute will send you a reference number called a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) once they admitted you for the course. Candidates need to enter this number on their visa application. Read more about CAS here
• Q. What are the conditions to extend my UK Student Visa?
  In order to extend your UK Student Visa, you need to fulfil the following conditions:
• You must be in the UK on Student Visa
• Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) must have an unconditional offer
• You must fulfil academic progress requirement
• In case if your stay in the UK has been of less than 12 months, then you need to provide financial proofs as well
• Q. What is the fee for UK Student Visa extension? In how much time can I expect a decision?
  In order to apply for UK Student Visa extension, you are required to pay a fees of £490. You also need to pay a healthcare surcharge. If you wish to receive a decision in the normal course of time, you can expect to wait for 8 weeks.
• Q. What proof of English language proficiency do I need to provide?
  In order to prove your English language proficiency, you need to pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider or have a GCSE A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, etc. Amongst Secure English Language Test (SELT), you can opt for one of the following:
• LanguageCert
• Pearson
• PSI Services (UK) Ltd
• IELTS SELT Consortium
• Q. What are the documents required for UK Student Visa?
  The following documents are required for UK Student Visa application:
• A valid passport
• Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
• Proof of finances
• Parent/ guardian consent if you are less than 18 years of age
• Tuberculosis test results
• Q. What are the financial requirements for UK Student Visa application? The following points will give you an idea of the financial requirements for UK Student Visa application:
• £1,334 per month (for up to 9 months) in case if you are pursuing a course in London
• £1,023 per month (for up to 9 months) in case if you are pursuing a course outside London
• If you bring your dependants, then you need to prove an addition £845 a month (for up to 9 months) in case if you are pursuing a course in London and £680 a month (for up to 9 months), in case if you are pursuing a course outside London.