UK Visa Procedure

Tier 4 Student Visa is the study visa issued to international students who like to pursue education in the UK. A student applies to the university based on the requirements and waits for its decision. When the university is satisfied with the requirements and feels the student is the best fit then the university issues an admission offer. 

If the student accepts the un/conditional offer then s/he has to plan their finance and show proof of the same. They need to pay an acceptance deposit amount for reserving the admission in most cases.

Students who will be studying at London campuses will need to show:

• Enough funds to cover the first year’s tuition fees; and £1,334 for every month of your course, up to a maximum of 9 months.

Students who will be studying at a campus outside London will need to show:

• Enough funds to cover the first year’s tuition fees; and £1,023 for every month of your course, up to a maximum of 9 months.

A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is a unique number that confirms you have been accepted on a course of study in the UK. It is an electronic document generated using the Home Office’s system and is essential in order to make a successful Student visa application. You will need a CAS from the university in order to apply for a Student Route visa.

Please find below the steps to obtaining a CAS:

1. Accept an Unconditional Offer and pay your fees.

2. Log onto CAS Shield and complete the dynamic form.

3. Assessment of Student Visa Sponsorship.

4. Receive your CAS Statement.

This lays the foundation for the next important step, applying for a visa.

Please find below the requirements for a UK study visa:

• CAS letter

• Enough funds to cover tuition fees for the first year and 9 months of living

• Financial evidence maintaining enough funds for a minimum of 28 days

• Supporting documents

• TB screening document

• A fully certified translation of any documents which are not in English

• Proof of knowledge of English

• Health Insurance

General charges:

• Finance: Tuition Fee + 9 months of living

• TB Screening: ₹2,500

• IHS: £470

• Visa Application Fee: £363 (Normal)

Priority and super priority costs are high and the decision will be given in less time than the previous.

Most students are interviewed by the college or university if required. It's important to note that an interview is not always required, and the decision to conduct an interview is at the discretion of the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) department. The UKVI may request an interview depending on the individual circumstances of the application. A visa interview is to find the intention and genuineness of the student.

Visas are processed by the UKVI department and as long as the requirements are met the visa application will be approved. Please keep the required documents handy so that there will be no delay in processing the application and the chances of refusal and the interview will be low

After submitting the visa application the student has 240 days to give biometrics and photo at the nearest VAC.

A visa does not guarantee entry into the United Kingdom.  A visa only allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.K. port-of-entry (generally an airport) and request permission to enter the United Kingdom. 

As you prepare to study in the UK, Border Force has developed ten top tips to make sure you have every you need for a smooth arrival.

Expect border force officers of immigration control to ask simple questions about your stay in the UK when you arrive. There is no need to panic and this interview is just like a summary of all your homework to reach the UK.

Once you clear the procedure you are now officially an international student of the UK. Yay!

The Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card is a requirement for all students entering the UK on a Student visa unless you use the UK Immigration: ID Check app to upload your biometric data when applying for your visa. When you apply for your visa, you must give the Alternative Collection Location (ACL) code in order to use the university address as your BRP card collection point. 

Production of BRPs by the Home Office can be subject to delays, and yours may not be available as soon as you arrive in the UK. If you did not enter the ACL code in your visa application, you should collect your BRP from a Post Office as directed by the Home Office.

Join your university on the orientation day. International Student Orientation covers important immigration, employment, and cross-cultural sessions, as well as academic information specifically of interest to all international students beginning at the University. This program will give you the chance to learn important information for your studies, as well as to meet your new classmates. 

• Can work on- or off-campus up to 20 hours/week during term-time

• Can work full-time during breaks, vacations, or work placement as a part of the course.

• Eligible for the graduate visa which lasts up to 3 years if the course duration is more than or equal to 9 months.

• Unlike other work visas, you do not need a job offer to apply for the Graduate Route.

• You are free to seek employment in any field and location in the UK.

• You can switch to other work Visas like a Skilled Worker Visa if you find a job that meets the requirements of those Visas.

A Graduate visa lasts for 2 years. If you have a Ph.D. or other doctoral qualification, it will last for 3 years.

A Skilled Worker visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer. This visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. It also allows you to work in UK waters.

To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, you must:

• Work for a UK employer that’s been approved by the Home Office

• Have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer with information about the role you’ve been offered in the UK

• Do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations

• Be paid a minimum salary 

• Your visa can last for up to 5 years before you need to extend it.

• These 5 years in the UK as a skilled worker will lead to PR

• In the UK to become a permanent resident you have to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

•  It’s also called ‘settlement’. It gives you the right to live, work, and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible.

• You can use it to apply for British citizenship.

• You must:

  • Have lived and worked in the UK for 5 years - there are rules for what counts towards your time in the UK.

  • Meet the salary requirements.

  • Continue to be needed for your job and meet the salary requirements after you get indefinite leave to remain - you’ll need a document from your employer (sponsor) to confirm this.