The United Kingdome is home to the finest and most elite universities of the world. Degrees offered by academic programs here are most often recognized world over! Therefore, you can expect a dynamic, positive change in your career and personality once you have studied in the UK. To pursue any academic program here, Indians require the UK visa for Indian students.
In this article, we shall discuss the various aspects of procuring a UK visa for Indian students.
Who needs a student visa?
UK visa requirement for Indian students is needed in order to pursue your educational course as a full-time student. Following educational programs from recognized universities or institutions need a student visa: -
- Primary and secondary schools
- Secondary school exchange programs
- Vocational Education and Training
- Graduate and Post Graduate Coursework
- Postgraduate Research
- Any English Language Course
What type of visa is suitable for you?
UK visa for Indian students is issued under the following three categories: -
1.Short-term study visa: Indian students (aged 16+) who get accepted in a course in the UK for 6 months or less are issued this visa. Students will be eligible for English courses, part course and short-time research through this visa. To be considered for this visa category, you must ensure that your selected program has a Tier 4 sponsor license or is recognized by any one of the following agencies:
- Schools Inspection Service
- HM Inspectorate of Education (in Scotland)
- Independent Schools Inspectorate
- Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted)
- Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
- Higher Education Funding Council for England
- Accreditation UK
- Accreditation Service for International Colleges
- British Accreditation Council
- Bridge Schools Inspectorate
- Estyn (in Wales)
- Education and Training Inspectorate (in Northern Ireland)
- Accreditation Body for Language Services
- Tier 4 (Child) student visa: Indian students aged between 4-17 years who wish to join an independent school in the UK are issued this visa. To be considered for this visa category, you must ensure that your selected course should be in accordance with the national curriculum, the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), or in line with any one of the following agencies:
- -Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted)
- HM Inspectorate of Education (in Scotland)
- Estyn (in Wales)
- Education and Training Inspectorate (in Northern Ireland)
- Independent Schools Inspectorate
- Tier 4 (General) student visa: Indian students, aged 16+ who want to pursue long-term higher education are issued this visa. It is important to check whether your university/institute is licensed to sponsor migrant students, thereby permitting granting the Tier 4 (General) student visa.
What are the documents needed?
For each category of the UK visa, there are certain documents required. You must have the original as well as copies of these documents. Following are the documents required to apply for any one of the UK visas for Indian students: -
- Valid Passport-A Valid passport having at least two blank pages. The validity should be till after 3 months of the entire duration of your stay.
- Proof of sufficient funds
To prove that a student is financially secure adequate proof is required. Copies bank statements (of the past 6 months), mutual or provident funds can be provided for the same. This is to ensure that the student or his/her guardian is capable enough to support the academic expenses, living expenses and return transportation cost.
- Confirmation of Acceptance Studies (CAS)
CAS on the official letterhead of your university, institute or school is required. It ought to contain details of the course, duration, stay and cost involved.
- Certified Translation of all non-English or Welsh documents into English is required.
- In order to study in the UK, TB test results are mandatory. The test ought to have been administered by approved hospitals or doctors only.
- The contact details of parents/guardian are needed.
- Details of the travel plan and stay are required. This must include proof of accommodation of the hostel or campus you’ll be staying in during the tenure of your education program.
- If applicable, the student would be required to present score cards of English Language Test (SELT) to prove his/her knowledge of English. All universities of UK accept IELTS scores.
- For Tier 4 (Child) and Tier 4 (General) Visas-
These visa applicants are required to submit proof of relationship with listed parent or guardian along with a Letter of Consent from the parent or guardian.
- Certified copies of your latest educational results, character certificates, recommendation letters, and other relevant documents.
Note: These are the main documents required, you may be asked to present additional documents as per your course provider’s guidelines.
Procedure for a student visa
VSF Global handles all applications for UK visa for Indians. Therefore, the process is granted ease with their efficient services. Once you have collected all the relevant documents, you can proceed to apply by following these steps: -
- First, you need to apply for a visa here- AccessUK.
- Fill all the information online and gather all the required documents.
- Pay the visa fee online and get a print-out of your application. Following this, you can book an appointment at the visa application center. VFS centers are located in Delhi, Chennai, Chandigarh, Mumbai and Kolkata.
- Now you will be required to visit the visa application center that you have booked while filling your application. You must carry your appointment letter, application pack, valid passport and other required documents to the center.
- At the center you would be required to collect a token according to which you will receive assistance. Upon filing the visa application, you will be issued an acknowledgement receipt, please keep it safely as it will be required to collect the documents later.
- Tier 4 visa applicants would be required to face a short interview to judge their motive for studying in the UK and whether you are willing to return to India on the completion of your studies.
- All applicants are required to submit their biometric information at the visa application center. This is inclusive of a digital finger scan and a digital photograph.
- Once your application is submitted, you will be notified of the result ideally within 15 working days.
- Your documents shall be returned to you via Blue Dart. However, if you’ve chosen to collect them personally then you will be required to do the same.
Things to keep in Mind
Following are some crucial points that you should keep in mind while applying for UK visa for Indian students: -
- Students should carry copies of all their documents at all times, this will help in case of loss or theft.
- For biometric information, it is strongly advised that your fingertips are free from any abrasions, cuts, decoration or any other markings that can prevent you from providing acceptable finger scans.
- Please note that the documents you submit at the time of your appointment shall only be considered for the visa.
- Every student should adhere to the working hours permitted by his/her visa type.
- You must inform the Immigration department if the course or course work provider is changed.
Reasons for rejection
Following are some of the reasons that could lead to rejection of your application: -
- Discrepancies in your application form or any other document(s).
- Inadequate proof of financial stability and/or lack of sufficient funds to support your stay.
- Deliberate withholding of any criminal record(s).
- Discrepancies in biometric information or medical certificate.
UK presents ample opportunities to Indian students to take their academics and career to greater heights. You can even obtain a UK tourist visa easily- all you need is to follow each step efficiently!