Student Visa in the UK

When considering studying in the UK, you have the option to select from two primary types of student visas available:

Do You Know: The National Health Service (NHS) provides free* medical treatment to international students who are enrolled in programs running for not less than 6 months. But to avail of the benefits, one needs to pay an immigration health surcharge during the Visa application. [*Terms and Conditions Apply]

Documents Required for UK Student Visa

• A valid passport (Should have validity for more than 6 months from the date of application of visa)
• Proof of financial stability
• Details of your travel plans and where you are about to reside.
• Health checkup report.
• Keep a blank page on your passport for the visa.
• If you have collected all the documents, recheck and make sure that everything is in English. If not, then you need a certified translator who can translate all of them in English.

You can apply for a student visa online at the official immigration website of the UK.

To study in the UK, there are several steps you need to follow. First, you must sign and submit your application form. After that, you will need to book an appointment and pay the application fee. Once the fee is paid, you should collect the receipt as proof of payment.

Additionally, you will be required to visit the application center to fulfill any other necessary formalities. It is recommended that you apply for a visa at least 3 months prior to the start of your course to allow ample time for processing.

UK Visa Application Fee

• UK visa application fee for Tier-4 Student Visa: £348
• Application fee for a short-term Student Visa: £97 for a 6-month visa & £186 for an 11-month visa

Healthcare Surcharge

When completing the application process, you will need to submit a healthcare surcharge fee under the following circumstances:

• A citizen of a country outside the European Economic Area (EEA)
• Applying for a visa to study, work or join your family
• Applying to stay for a period of more than 6 months
• Not applying to become a permanent resident of the UK

How to Apply for a Student Visa in the UK?

Having gained an understanding of the required documents and the appropriate visa for your study objectives, let’s delve into the process of applying for a student visa in the UK. Presented below is a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to assist you in your application.

• Choose a Student Visa
• Prepare Your Visa Application
• Get an Appointment at your nearest visa application
• Wait for the Final Decision

Note: Once you have got a visa appointment, you will have to submit a certificate proving that you do not have Tuberculosis (TB) alongside your application.

If your application is successful and is given a green light, then a sticker which is referred to as a vignette will be given to you which you need to keep in your passport. The vignette will comprise the following elements:

• The type of visa you have granted (like Tier-4 Student Visa)
• The dates by which your visa is valid (Start and End Date)
• The conditions you must meet while staying in the UK like whether you have “access to public funds”, a permit for part-time work, or “restricted work”.

Further, you will be required to register your details with the police department in the UK.

International students who want to study in the UK can work for up to 20 hours/per week. However, one can even work full-time during vacations. Further, If you want to work after graduation, you can apply for a UK post-study work visa!