UK Visa Requirements for Indians 

UK Visa Requirements for Indians are not very different from other foreign students. Listing them exclusively for Indian students helps to understand the UK credit structure in the Indian grading context. It is always a dream come true to receive an offer letter from a top UK university. But imagine having an offer letter from a UK university and still missing out on the opportunity due to the decline of a UK Visa for any uncertain reason. 

Therefore, right after getting the offer letter, you should begin the application process for a student visa. Therefore, students have to be well aware of the UK Visa requirements in advance to beat the competition and begin their study abroad journey without any hassle. 

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Latest Updates on UK Visa 2023

As per the Ministry of Home Affairs, UK the UK visa costs for most visa categories have been increased from 04th October 2023 onwards. The student visa cost has also increased by 20%. This means an increase of GBP 127 getting the visa fee total to GBP 490 for a UK student visa.

Moreover, the Immigration Health Surcharge amount has also increased and that goes to the NHS. Lastly, the restrictions around dependent visas in the UK have been regulated. UK students will not be allowed to bring dependents from January 2024, except under certain conditions.

For details about the abovementioned updates, read the following news:

Also Read:  Types of UK Visa for Indian Students

UK Visa Requirements for Indians

There are many types of UK visas, and all of them have different sets of requirements to be fulfilled. Since we cannot list the requirements for all visa types, here we have mentioned the requirements for the UK Student Visa and Work Visa apart from the general requirements.

1. An Indian passport with at least 6 months of validity beyond the period of stay in the UK.
2. No criminal record in the home country or abroad.
3. Proof of funds to sustain the period of stay.
4. Accommodation booking.
5. A negative test for tuberculosis.
6. Pass the visa interview in some visa categories.
7. Justify the intent of travelling to UK.
8. Any other eligibility related to a specific visa category.

UK Student Visa Requirements

There are some specific eligibility criteria for a student visa or Tier 4 visa in the UK. These requirements are mentioned below;

1. You must be enrolled in a course offered by an education sponsor (University).
2. Proof of funds for the entire tuition fee and cost of living in the UK for a particular duration. A loan sanction letter or a scholarship letter will also work in this case.
3. You also need to prove your proficiency in the English language through grades or English proficiency tests.
4. A consent form from your parents might also be required.
5. You must be at least above 16 years of age at the time of UK visa application.

UK Skilled Worker Visa Requirements

If you are planning to work in the UK then you will require a skilled worker visa in the UK. This visa allows you to work and live in the UK throughout its period of validity. Here are some requirements for the UK skilled worker visa.

1. You must have an offer letter for work for a UK employer.
2. Your offer letter must be approved by the Home Office.
3. Also, a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from the employer is required. It should have details of the role offered to you in the UK.
4. You will have to fulfil the English proficiency requirements.
5. Additionally, your job must be on the list of eligible occupations for a skilled worker visa.
6. Lastly, you must be offered a minimum salary amount to sustain in the UK. This amount depends on the type of job.

There are some other job-specific requirements as well. Furthermore, if you do not fulfil any of these criteria you can apply for other types of work visas in the UK.

Family Visa

There have been changes made to the eligibility of dependent visas in case of overseas students coming to study in the UK. One can check those under the latest updates section. However, families of workers, residents and other visa holders also fall under this category and here are some basic requirements.

1. One cannot apply for a family visa if their relative is on a temporary work visa or student visa in the UK.
2. Instead, under certain conditions, they can apply to stay as a dependent with their relatives.
3. If you are on a visitor visa in the UK, you will have to leave the country to apply for a family visa.
4. Your visitor visa duration in the abovementioned case must be at most 06 months.
5. In case of family court case or divorce, candidates are allowed to stay in the UK.
6. Also, if you have a 06 months family visa as a fiance or civil partner you can upgrade it to a family visa.

Health and Care Worker Visa

There are clear-cut requirements for health and care worker visas in UK. These requirements are listed below;

1. You must be a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional or adult social care professional for this visa.
2. You must have a job in healthcare or medical field, that is eligible for the visa.
3. You must be employed by a UK employer who is approved by the UK home office.
4. A certificate of employment will be necessary.
5. You must be paid a minimum eligible salary for the visa.

Requirements for Indefinite Leave to Remain

This stage of visa is a dream come true for many. Once you get an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) you will not require any other visa except if you want to apply for British Citizenship. Here are the requirements to apply for an indefinite leave to remain.

1. If you work in the UK and have already worked for at least 5 years in the country.
2. If you have a Tier 1 visa, you can apply after 2-3 years or with an Innovator Founder or Global Talent visa within 3 years.
3. In any case, you will have to maintain sufficient financial stability to get the ILR.
4. You can also apply for this visa if you have family in the UK.
5. This visa is also available for those who have lived for 10 years in the UK.
6. Moreover, you can also apply for ILR if you are a Commonwealth citizen.

Documents Required for UK Visa Application

The documents needed for a UK visa vary depending on the type of visa, according to the documentation requirements for Indian nationals. There are certain documents required for each category of UK visa. However, the following are the typical prerequisites for the majority of types: 

• An online application for a UK visa must be submitted to the official website.
• A valid passport that has at least one blank page can be used for at least six months after the date of return.
• Documents to prove the applicant’s financial stability to support their lifestyle in the UK.
• A complete itinerary of travelling.
• Accommodation and occupancy proof.
• Fee receipt of the UK visa application.
• Information related to biometrics (if applicable).

Also Read:  UK Visa Application Process, Fee & Requirements

Photo Requirements for UK Visa

Apart from considering other prerequisites, the visa issuing authority accepts the applications only if the candidates meet the following UK visa photo requirements:

• Date of Capturing the UK Visa Photo: The photograph must be taken recently.
• UK Visa Photo Size: The dimensions of the photograph should not exceed 35mm X 45 mm.
• Photo Background: The background of the applicant’s photo should be in classic cream or light grey only.
• Use of Eye Gears: Applicants can only wear spectacles in case they have any medical condition.
• Other Accessories/Gears: Headgear is only permitted to not hurt the religious sentiment of a candidate. 
• Point of Focus in the Photo: Applicants must gaze directly at the lens with a neutral facial expression during photography. 

UK Visa Fees

The cost of a UK visa application for an Indian is determined by factors like the kind of visa they need, the number of entries, the length of the visa validity, biometric fees, express processing costs, and any additional service costs. Therefore, checking the precise costs of the visa is essential before applying. Generally, the application fee for a UK Visa ranges from GBP 115 to GBP 490. 

UK Visa Application Process Tips 

Before proceeding with a visa application, it is rather wise to first become aware of all the prerequisites to obtain a visa for the UK. Hence, you should first try to figure out the type of UK Visa you would require to migrate to the country and pursue your dream. 

Some of the common tips that you must keep in mind before starting the application process are mapped out below:

• Figure out the type of visa you would need to apply for your reason to fly out to the UK. 
• Check and confirm the eligibility criteria to get past the verification round of the application process.
• Gather all the stated documents for the visa application process. 

The process of UK visa application can be completed online and may vary depending on the type of visa applied for. 

Visa Application Processing Time

Generally, applicants may expect their UK visa application to be processed within 15 working days. However, there are numerous factors like visa type or if the documents submitted during the application process are complete and authentic or not, affect the speedy processing of the visa approval. 

Therefore, it is advisable to ensure that your visa application has been approved at least 2 or 3 months before the usage to avoid any unnecessary hustle. 

FAQs

Applying for a visa to study in the UK requires candidates to undergo a few technicalities like documentation and verification in the name of requirements. Since all the processes are very crucial and cannot be taken lightly, it becomes a little complicated to avoid any last-minute hurdles and succeed on our own. 

For avoiding any last-minute delays and getting guidance on how to proceed with the visa application process, speak to Leverage Edu’s experts today. Our visa experts will not only help you to understand the UK visa requirement but also prepare you for the Visa interview. All you have to do is book a 30-minute free counselling session at our toll-free number 1800-572-000 or by email at  [email protected].