The UK Student visa: an overview for Indian students

What Britvia can and cannot help with

The main requirements

GOV.UK sets out three core requirements: you must have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor, have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course, and be able to speak, read, write and understand English.

• An offer from a university on the official register of licensed student sponsors.
• A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number from that university.
• Evidence of money for your course fees and living costs, where required.
• Evidence that you meet the English language requirement.
• An ATAS certificate, if your course and nationality require one. Many technology and engineering postgraduate courses do.

What is a CAS?

A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is a reference number your education provider sends you once it has offered you a place. GOV.UK says you must have an unconditional offer on a course with a licensed student sponsor, you need a CAS before you can apply for your visa, and you must apply within 6 months of receiving it.

• Universities usually issue a CAS after you have met your offer conditions and completed any steps they ask for, such as paying a deposit.
• Check that your name, passport details, course, start date and any fees already paid are correct, and ask your university to fix errors before you apply.
• Ask your university when it issues CAS statements for your intake, so you can plan ATAS and your funds in time.

Money you may need to show

The money must usually have been held for 28 consecutive days, and there are rules about whose accounts count and how recent the evidence must be. The visa figures are a minimum to show, not a full budget. Use our guide to UK university fees and the UK Study Cost Planner to plan realistically.

The English language requirement

For degree-level study the requirement is equivalent to CEFR level B2. India is not on the list of countries whose nationals are exempt, so most Indian students need to show their English in one of the ways GOV.UK allows.

• A Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider.
• For degree-level courses at a higher education provider, the university can assess your English itself, as long as the level is equivalent to B2.
• In some cases, a degree taught in English outside the UK, confirmed through Ecctis.

A typical sequence from offer to decision

1. 1

   Accept your offer and meet conditions

   Send final results and documents, and pay any deposit your university requires.

2. 2

   Apply for ATAS if needed

   Check early whether your course needs ATAS clearance. Allow at least 30 working days before you plan to apply for your visa.

3. 3

   Prepare your money evidence

   Make sure the funds are in place and held for the required period before you apply.

4. 4

   Receive your CAS

   Check every detail on it before you use it.

5. 5

   Apply online

   Apply up to 6 months before your course starts, pay the fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, and prove your identity as instructed.

6. 6

   Get a decision

   From outside the UK, GOV.UK says you will usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

Official visa costs

Working while you study

UKCISA explains that students on a degree-level course at a licensed higher education provider can usually work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full time outside term time. Your own limit is shown on your visa, and term dates are set by your university, so check them before working full time.

• Self-employment is not allowed, including selling goods or services online for profit.
• You cannot work as a professional sportsperson, including paid sports coaching, or as an entertainer.
• You cannot take a permanent full-time job.

Part-time work can help with day-to-day costs, but do not rely on it to pay essential costs such as fees or rent.

Bringing family members

Most students on taught postgraduate courses, such as a one-year Master's, cannot bring family members as dependants. There are exceptions, including some postgraduate research courses such as PhDs and certain government-sponsored students. Check the GOV.UK page on family members before you make plans.

After you graduate

The Graduate visa lets eligible students stay and work after their course. It lasts 2 years for applications made on or before 31 December 2026 and 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027, or 3 years for PhD graduates. Read what the change to 18 months means.