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You may be a prospective foreign student in the UK and fit into one of three categories: you are either applying to be admitted to study in UK, you are planning to study there, or you are awaiting word from the institution regarding your application. If you fit into the first category, you have been accepted to the University of the United Kingdom. Since everything looks so complicated, you must be wondering how to apply for a student visa for studying abroad in UK.
International students find the United Kingdom to be an extremely popular destination. International students are drawn to well-known universities across the world, a thriving multicultural community, affordable housing, and excellent career prospects.
Applying for a student visa through the Student Route is probably required if you are 16 years of age or older and wish to study at a higher education level in the UK for more than six months. Each application costs £490 for this. It will pay more for a priority or super-urgent service.
Steps to Apply for a UK Student Visa
You need to apply for your student visas as soon as you’ve determined which option best suits your course and study requirements.
This may appear complicated at first because there are several processes involved. On the other hand, the application procedure ought to be simple and quick if you adhere to the instructions below.
- Choose the university and the course:
Choose the course you want to take and research which UK institutions offer that course. Once the universities have been narrowed down, you can view their rankings and begin the application process. Since the course is the only thing you will ultimately benefit from the university, we will always advise you to put the course above the institution.
- Pay the course fees and accept your offer:
You have to formally accept the course offer from your university before you can apply for your student visitor to the UK. Prior to your university being able to offer a CAS, this is an important initial step.
A deposit for course costs is also required by certain institutions. This payment will be applied to the total price of your tuition and subtracted from it. Yet, this payment is not included in the cost of a UK student visa.
- Obtain a university-issued CAS letter:
When applying for a student visa to the UK, your CAS letter is crucial. It is therefore important to verify that all information—including personal and course details—is accurate.
Your personal information, course specifics, tuition costs, and deposits are all included in the CAS letter. Any additional qualifications for English language proficiency will also be indicated in the letter.
Before your university may issue a CAS, you may need to fill out a brief questionnaire in order to successfully apply for a UK student visa. But only those students who have already attended a UK institution are covered by this.
- Begin gathering your financial documentation:
You should start setting up your money for your time in the UK in the interim. It’s because UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires you to provide financial proof. You must present the sponsorship letter you received from any sponsors if you are receiving funding from them. The initial year’s tuition, living expenses, and other payments are included in the financial evidence.
- Start the application procedure:
Visit the UK government’s website and choose the visa you want to apply for there. Carefully fill out the online visa application form. Even visiting the local UK embassy or consulate will allow you to apply. Additionally, you must pay the 348 GBP application cost.
You are prepared to begin the online application procedure once you have your supporting papers and CAS letter in order.
In addition, there will be a healthcare surcharge for NHS services, typically costing £470 annually. The cost of a UK student visa for any short courses is £186 for eleven months or £97 for six months.
The processing period for a UK student visa can be up to three weeks. However, if a visa application facility requests biometric data, you might be able to pay to expedite the decision-making process.
- Get the necessary paperwork ready:
The next action is to get the paperwork ready that the embassy needs. The documents are listed in the following order:
filled-out visa application form, current passport, two passport-sized photos from recently, proof of finances proving you can sustain yourself while visiting, English language test results, CAS number, and visa application cost slip authentic academic records that were referenced on your CAS, Immigration Health Surcharge: GBP 150 for each academic year Additional qualifications that can change based on where you were born.
- Send in your biometrics and documents:
Certain nationality-specific students must turn in their biometrics, such as their fingerprints or signatures. Make an appointment with the embassy, bring the required paperwork, and provide your biometrics.
You might also be chosen for a “credibility interview,” which consists of a five-minute video link interview with UKVI representatives. If you are chosen, don’t worry—this is merely an authentication process to ensure that you are an actual student.
- Obtain your visa and make travel arrangements:
If your application is granted, you can pick up your study visa at this point. It is now possible to schedule your travel and purchase tickets to the UK.
Student visas for the UK are typically processed in three weeks. Your passport and decision letter will be returned along with a vignette affixed to a blank page once your application has been processed.
You have a 30- or 90-day window to enter the UK with this vignette. This window is typically right before the commencement of your course; this will be shown on the application form you submitted for a UK student visa.
Nonetheless, there are some circumstances in which a visa may be denied or in which one may be issued incorrectly. If this has affected you, get in touch with your university right once, and they will advise you on the best course of action.