UK Student Visa Requirements for Indian Students 2027: Fees, Funds, and Documents

To get a UK Student visa in 2027, Indian students need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed UK university, proof of funds for tuition and living costs held for 28 consecutive days, English language proficiency, and a TB test certificate.

The visa application fee is £558 (approximately ₹71,400), plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 a year. From 30th November 2026, the living costs you must show are increasing, so most students applying for 2027 entry will need to meet the new, higher amounts. This guide covers every UK Student visa requirement, fee, and step for Indian students applying in 2027.

What Are the UK Student Visa Requirements for Indian Students?

The UK Student visa is points-based, and you need 70 points to qualify: 50 for holding a valid CAS, 10 for meeting the financial requirement, and 10 for meeting the English language requirement. To qualify, you must meet these core requirements:

• A valid CAS: You need an unconditional offer and a CAS from a licensed UK student sponsor. If you’re still comparing options, our guide to the best UK universities is a good place to start.
• Proof of funds: You must show you can pay your first year’s tuition fees and living costs, with the money held for at least 28 consecutive days.
• English language proficiency: Degree-level courses require English at CEFR level B2, which your university can assess. Courses below degree level require B1, usually proven through a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as IELTS for UKVI.
• Genuine student intention: You must satisfy the Genuine Student requirement, showing that your main purpose in the UK is to study.
• Honest immigration history: You must declare all previous visa applications and refusals, as undisclosed history can lead to refusal.
• TB test: Indian residents must provide a tuberculosis test certificate from a UKVI-approved clinic.

What Is Changing for UK Student Visas in 2026 and 2027?

Several important changes affect Indian students applying for 2027 entry. The table below summarises what has changed and when.

UK visa fees are usually reviewed each April, so check GOV.UK or speak to the StudyIn visa team before you pay.

How Much Money Do You Need for a UK Student Visa?

You must show enough money to pay any outstanding first-year tuition fees, plus living costs for up to nine months. The amount depends on where you study and the date you apply, not your course start date. For applications made on or after 30th November 2026, the new, higher figures apply.

The funds must be held for at least 28 consecutive days, and the end of that 28-day period must fall within 31 days of your visa application. The money can be in your own bank account or your parent’s or legal guardian’s account with their written consent, and education loans from regulated lenders are also accepted.

If you are short of the full amount, our fully funded scholarships guide for Indian students covers funding options worth checking first.

How Much Does a UK Student Visa Cost for Indian Students in 2027?

The main costs are the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which gives you access to the NHS. The IHS is charged for the full length of your visa, including the extra time after your course ends, and any period of six months or less is charged at half the annual rate.

For a one-year master’s, this usually means £558 for the visa plus £1,164 for the IHS, a total of £1,722 (approximately ₹2.2 lakh).

INR amounts are converted at approximately ₹128 to £1 and are for guidance only, so check the latest rate before you finalise your budget or education loan. For the full picture beyond visa costs, see our cost of studying in the UK guide.

What Documents Do Indian Students Need for a UK Student Visa?

Most Indian students need to provide the following documents:

• CAS reference number: The unique number your university provides once you accept your offer.
• Valid passport: It must be valid for your journey and have at least one blank page.
• Proof of funds: Bank statements or an education loan letter that meet the 28-day rule.
• Academic documents: The transcripts and certificates listed on your CAS.
• TB test certificate: Issued by a UKVI-approved clinic in India.
• English language evidence: If your university used a SELT to assess you, include your test result.

In some circumstances, you may also need:

• ATAS certificate:Required for certain postgraduate and research courses in sensitive STEM subjects, and it can take several weeks, so apply early.
• Parental consent: Required if you are under 18.

What Is a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)?

A CAS is an electronic document issued by your university once you accept your offer and meet any conditions, such as paying a deposit. It is the most important part of your visa application, as it contains your course details, fees, and your university’s student sponsor licence number.

Your university can issue a CAS up to six months before your course starts, and each CAS is valid for six months and can only be used for one visa application. Check every detail on your CAS carefully, as errors can delay your application.

How Do You Apply for a UK Student Visa From India?

Our OISC-registered visa team at StudyIn guides Indian students through this process every intake, so you know what to expect at each stage. You can apply up to six months before your course starts.

1. Accept your unconditional offer and receive your CAS from your university.
2. Get your TB test certificate from a UKVI-approved clinic and, if needed, your ATAS certificate.
3. Make sure your funds have been held for 28 consecutive days and gather your supporting documents.
4. Complete your online application on GOV.UK.
5. Pay your visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
6. Book and attend your biometrics appointment at a VFS Global centre in India.
7. Receive your decision, then set up your UKVI account to access your eVisa.

Physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) have been replaced by eVisas, a digital record of your immigration status linked to your UKVI account. If you haven’t started your university application yet, our UCAS application guide for Indian students and guide to intakes in the UK for 2027 cover those steps first.

How Long Does a UK Student Visa Take and How Long Is It Valid?

Most Student visa applications made from outside the UK receive a decision within about three weeks of your biometrics appointment, and priority services can speed this up for an extra fee. How long your visa lasts depends on your course length:

• Courses of 12 months or longer: The length of your course, plus four months.
• Courses of six to 12 months: The length of your course, plus two months.
• Pre-sessional courses under six months: The length of your course, plus one month.
• Other courses under six months: The length of your course, plus seven days.

You can usually arrive in the UK up to one month before your course starts if it lasts more than six months, or up to one week before if it lasts six months or less.

What Are the Different Types of UK Student Visa?

Can You Work and Stay in the UK After Your Studies?

Students on degree-level courses can usually work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full-time during official vacations, while students on courses below degree level can work up to 10 hours a week. You cannot be self-employed, work as a professional sportsperson or entertainer, or take a permanent full-time job.

After graduating, you can apply for the Graduate Route visa to stay and work, or look for work. If you apply by 31st December 2026, you get two years, while applications from 1st January 2027 get 18 months for bachelor’s and master’s graduates, and PhD graduates keep three years.

Only students on postgraduate research courses, such as a PhD or research master’s, or government-sponsored students can bring dependants on a Student visa. Each dependant pays the same £558 application fee and the IHS.

Get Expert UK Visa Support From StudyIn

A small mistake in your financial evidence or documents can delay your visa and your start date. StudyIn’s visa consultants are registered with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) and keep up to date with every change to UK immigration rules, including the new maintenance requirements from 30th November 2026.

We support you through the full application cycle, from university shortlisting and CAS to your visa application, VFS Global appointment, and pre-departure preparation. Still weighing up your options? Read about the benefits of studying in the UK and how studying in the UK compares with staying in India, or book a free counselling session today.

FAQs

When and where can Indian students apply for a UK Student visa?

You can apply up to six months before your course starts. You submit your application online through GOV.UK, then attend a biometrics appointment at a VFS Global centre in India, such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, or Chennai.

What are the eligibility criteria for a UK Student visa?

You need 70 points: 50 for a valid CAS from a licensed sponsor, 10 for meeting the financial requirement, and 10 for meeting the English language requirement. You must also meet the Genuine Student requirement and provide a TB test certificate.

How much money do I need to show for a UK Student visa in 2027?

For applications made on or after 30th November 2026, you must show £1,570 a month in London or £1,203 a month outside London, for up to nine months, plus any outstanding first-year tuition fees. The funds must be held for 28 consecutive days.

How much does a UK Student visa cost in 2027?

The Student visa application fee is £558 (approximately ₹71,400), effective from 8th April 2026. You also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge at £776 a year for the length of your visa.

How long is a UK Student visa valid?

For courses of 12 months or longer, your visa covers your course plus four months. Courses of six to 12 months get an extra two months, and shorter courses usually get an extra seven days.

Can I stay in the UK after my studies?

Yes, through the Graduate Route. Applications made by 31st December 2026 get two years, while applications from 1st January 2027 get 18 months for bachelor’s and master’s graduates. PhD graduates get three years, and the Graduate visa fee is £937.

Can I work while on a UK Student visa?

Students on degree-level courses can usually work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full-time during vacations. You cannot be self-employed or take a permanent full-time job.

Can I bring dependants on a UK Student visa?

Only if you are studying a postgraduate research course, such as a PhD, or are a government-sponsored student. Students on taught master’s and undergraduate courses cannot bring dependants.

Do Indian students need a TB test for a UK Student visa?

Yes. Indian residents must provide a TB test certificate from a UKVI-approved clinic as part of their visa application.