United Kingdom is the dream destination of many Asians including Indians due to its rich educational history and availability of ample of opportunities. Many girls and boys who are interested in the academics and research prefer to study in the prestigious universities or colleges in the UK. This leads to the high numbers of the student visa applications to the embassy every year. Student visa application to the UK involves a number of steps which takes approximately 50 to 55 days. It is a long process which needs a little patience to follow each step correctly.
- Getting the documents ready: The initiation of the process happens with getting the documents ready for the process, this includes the general certificates, educational documents and the financial proofs. All of this is required for the study visa application.
- IELTS/PTE scores: The next most significant document is the evidence of proficiency level in English which is a must. You can take either IELTS or the PTE test as both are acceptable in the UK.
- Applying for Offer letter for Enrolment: Once the above documents and certificates are available, the student visa consultant applies to the university to secure a seat for the aspirant. To do this all the required documents should be attached with the application along with a well written SOP which clearly depicts the purpose and provides strength to the application. You can get either unconditional or conditional offer letter. In case of the conditional letter, you need to fulfill the conditions as mentioned. Usually the offer letter is received in 10 days.
- Pre-CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) Interview: Once the offer letter for the enrolment is received from the university, there will be a pre-CAS interview which the student needs to face online on a video call. This is meant to check the credibility of the information and documents provided by the applicant.
- Payment of tuition fees: If you clear this interview then you need to make the payment for the advance tuition fee as mentioned in the offer letter.
- CAS application: Once that is done then application for CAS is submitted. This needs all the educational documents, unconditional offer letter and funds in the accounts for at least 28 days. In almost a fortnight the CAS is received. The university takes time to check the funds and verify other documents and if they are satisfied, CAS is awarded.
- Visa Application filing: The next step is to apply for the UK Study Visa to the embassy. The applicant needs to attach the medical certificate with the application form along with rest of the documents, pay for the health insurance and visa application fee at the time of submission. There is choice of choosing the standard fee or priority fee or a super-priority fee which basically expedites the process, of course there is a charge for that.
- Biometrics Registration: The visa applicant needs to get the biometrics registered at VFS office. He or she must carry all the required documents and go there to get the finger print scanning. This happens within a week’s time.
- Result Received Online: Within almost 5-6 days you get the result online confirming the approval of your application. Now you just have to wait for the passport that comes through mail. In case of the priority service the result is declared in 5 days’ time.
- Arrival of the Passport:Congratulations! In another 3-4 days’ time or depending upon the location the passport with the visa stamp is delivered.
The below mentioned tabular representation describes the rough estimate of the cost to apply for the study visa to the UK. This does not include the university fees and payments that you will be paying during the process. It will surely help you to plan the finances better.
| Estimation of Student Visa Application Cost – UK | |||
| University Application Fee | If Applicable | ||
| Visa Application Fee – Standard | 490 GBP | ||
| Visa Fee – Priority | 510 GBP | ||
| Visa Fee – Super Priority | 1000GBP | ||
| Immigration Health Surcharge Fees (depends on the course & its duration) |
Masters | 1164 GBP | Up to 13 months |
| 1552 GBP | Up to 19 months | ||
| 1940 GBP | Up to 25 months | ||
| Bachelors | 2716 GBP | 3 Years | |
| 3492 GBP | 4 Years | ||
| VFS Services – Additional | As applicable | ||
| Acceptable Modes of Payment | Visa/Master, credit/debit card accepting international payments |
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