UK Student Visa 2026: Latest Rules, Fees and Financial Requirements for Indian Students
Updated: Oct 9
Last updated: 9 October 2026
UK student visa rules continue to evolve, and several changes in 2026 are particularly relevant to Indian students planning to study in the UK. These include the upcoming reduction in the Graduate Route, revised financial requirements for applications made from 30 November 2026, and visa fee increases that took effect on 8 April 2026. This guide explains what has changed, what remains the same, and what Indian students and their families should consider when planning their applications.
The short version:
Student visa application fee: £558
Healthcare surcharge (IHS): £776 per year for students
Money required for living costs: £1,529 per month in London and £1,171 per month outside London for applications made before 30 November 2026. For applications made on or after 30 November 2026, this rises to £1,570 per month in London and £1,203 per month outside London.
Graduate Route: Two years for eligible bachelor's and master's graduates who apply on or before 31 December 2026; 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027. PhD graduates retain three years.
UK ETA: Indian passport holders need a visa for UK entry, including short visits. An ETA is not required alongside a Student visa.
The Graduate Route Is Shrinking, and the Date Is the Whole Story
The Graduate Route lets eligible international students stay in the UK and work after completing their degree. Currently, bachelor's and master's graduates can apply to stay for two years, while doctoral graduates can stay for three years.
For bachelor's and master's graduates who apply for the Graduate visa on or after 1 January 2027, the permission will reduce to 18 months. PhD graduates will continue to receive three years.
This change is confirmed in the official Student visa and Graduate visa guidance on GOV.UK. The date that matters is when you apply for the Graduate visa, not when you finish your course. A student who completes their degree in late 2026 but does not submit their Graduate visa application until January 2027 will receive the shorter period.
For families considering a UK master's degree starting in January 2027 or later, this is an important planning factor. A shorter post-study period means less time to secure employment and, where necessary, transition to a Skilled Worker visa before their permission to stay expires.
Students should consider course outcomes, career prospects and employer sponsorship opportunities when choosing a programme. The Graduate Route does not guarantee employment or a subsequent work visa.
The "Visa Brake": What It Is, and Why It Doesn't Touch India
You may have seen headlines about a UK "visa brake." In March 2026, the Home Office introduced a measure allowing it to refuse Student visa applications made from outside the UK by nationals of specific countries. From 26 March 2026, it has applied to nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan only. The Home Office has described it as temporary and subject to regular review, and linked it to asylum claims made by students from those countries.
It does not apply to Indian nationals, and it does not change anything about applying for a UK Student visa from India. We mention it only because it has been widely reported, and some coverage has suggested it applies to international students generally. It does not.
UK eVisas: What Students Need to Know Before Travelling
The UK has moved to a digital immigration status system, with eVisas replacing physical Biometric Residence Permits as the standard record of immigration status.
If you are granted a Student visa, check your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and ensure your immigration status and passport details are correct. You may need to generate a share code when a university, landlord or employer needs to verify your status.
Set up and check your account before travelling rather than waiting until you arrive in the UK. Ensure that the passport linked to your UKVI account matches the passport you intend to use for travel, and follow the official instructions if your passport details change.
The Money You Actually Need to Show
Financial evidence is an important part of the UK Student visa application. Applicants must ensure that they can demonstrate the required funds, hold them for the prescribed period where applicable, and submit evidence that meets the Home Office's requirements. Even when the funds are available, errors in timing or documentation can create avoidable complications.
Requirement | Application made before 30 November 2026 | Application made on or after 30 November 2026 |
London (per month, up to 9 months) | £1,529 | £1,570 |
Outside London (per month, up to 9 months) | £1,171 | £1,203 |
Living costs for 9 months, London (excluding course fees) | £13,761 | £14,130 |
Living costs for 9 months, outside London (excluding course fees) | £10,539 | £10,827 |
The increases come from Statement of Changes HC 584, published on 3 September 2026. The new amounts take effect on 30 November 2026. The transitional arrangements specify that applications made before that date will be decided in accordance with the Immigration Rules in force on 29 November 2026.
The date you submit your visa application determines which financial requirement applies, not your course start date.
Note: The figures applicable from 30 November 2026 are set out in Statement of Changes HC 584. The GOV.UK Student visa "Money you need" page currently displays the existing amounts, which remain applicable until the new requirements take effect.
Why this matters for January 2027 intakes
Many students starting in January will submit their visa applications in December. If that applies to you, plan for the higher financial requirement from the outset.
The required funds must meet the rules applicable on your application date. Remember that the living-cost requirement is in addition to any course fees you still owe for the first year.
How long the money must be held
In most cases, the money must be held for 28 consecutive days, and that 28-day period must end within 31 days of the date you submit your visa application. If the 28-day period ends too long before you apply, the application can be refused because the financial evidence does not meet the requirements, even if your family can easily afford the costs.
The 28-day rule does not apply if you are funded by a student loan or an official financial sponsor, such as a government or an international scholarship agency. Any course fees you have already paid to your university should be shown on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) or backed by a receipt.
Do Indian applicants need to show funds?
As a general rule, yes. Some nationalities are on a "differential evidence requirement" list, including the US, Canada, China, Australia and most of the EU. Applicants covered by these arrangements who apply from the country where they live or from within the UK usually do not have to submit financial evidence with their application, although they must still meet the financial requirement and can be asked to provide evidence.
India is not on that list. A student applying from India should expect to provide full evidence of funds.
There are individual exceptions. For example, someone applying from inside the UK who has already held UK immigration permission for 12 months or more on the date of application does not need to show funds. If you think an exception might apply to you, check with your university or our counsellors before deciding not to provide the evidence.
English Language: What Actually Counts as Proof
You need to demonstrate English-language proficiency at CEFR level B2 for degree-level study, or B1 for study below degree level, subject to the applicable rules and exemptions.
You may be able to demonstrate your English proficiency through:
A UK school qualification.
A degree taught in English, either from a UK institution or from an overseas institution, where the applicable requirements are met. An overseas degree may need to be assessed by Ecctis.
A Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider.
An assessment by a higher education provider where the Immigration Rules permit it.
India is not on the list of exempt nationalities. The appropriate route depends on your qualifications, the institution and the course you intend to pursue. Do not assume that IELTS for UKVI is necessary in every case. Check the requirements applicable to your circumstances and confirm what your university accepts.
Do You Need an ETA? No, and Here's Why This Keeps Confusing People
We are correcting our own previous post on this point. The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is for eligible visitors who do not ordinarily need a visa for short stays in the UK.
Indian passport holders need a visa for UK entry, including short visits. The ETA does not replace a visa, provide an alternative route for Indian travellers or need to be obtained alongside a Student visa.
If you see ETA guidance aimed at "UK travellers in 2026", check whether it applies to your nationality and immigration status. Rules for visitors from visa-exempt countries are different from those for Indian passport holders.
On the Horizon: England's International Student Levy
England's Department for Education plans to introduce a levy of £925 per international student per year from 1 August 2028.
The levy is payable by universities, not directly by students, and it does not change Student visa requirements. It is worth monitoring because it may influence how universities approach their budgets and tuition fees in future years. However, it should not be assumed that every institution will automatically pass the levy on to students through higher fees.
Full Cost Breakdown, 2026
Item | Cost |
Student visa application fee | £558 |
Healthcare surcharge (IHS), per year for students | £776 |
Financial requirement, London | £1,529/month (£1,570/month for applications from 30 November 2026) |
Financial requirement, outside London | £1,171/month (£1,203/month for applications from 30 November 2026) |
Graduate visa application fee | £937 |
Healthcare surcharge on Graduate visa, per year | £1,035 |
These figures are for the listed visa fees, healthcare surcharges and living-cost requirements. Your total budget will also depend on tuition fees, accommodation, travel, insurance or other expenses, and how long you intend to stay.
The financial requirement is not a fee paid to the Home Office. It is money you must be able to demonstrate you can access for your living costs, subject to the applicable rules.
Timing Your Application
From outside the UK, you can generally apply for a Student visa up to six months before your course starts. A decision is usually made within three weeks, although processing times can vary.
Timing matters for several reasons:
Check your 28-day window: The 28 days your funds are held must end no more than 31 days before you submit your application. If you delay submitting, you may need a fresh bank statement.
Apply too late: Processing time can affect your travel, accommodation and university orientation plans.
Apply around late November: Check which side of 30 November 2026 your application will be submitted on. If you apply on or after that date, you will need to meet the higher living-cost requirement.
Plan for your post-study options: If you expect to use the Graduate Route, understand how the application date affects the length of permission available to you.
Check the latest official guidance before submitting your application, particularly if your course start date is approaching or your circumstances are unusual.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the UK visa brake affect Indian students?
No. As of October 2026, it applies only to nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan. It does not apply to Indian nationals applying for a UK Student visa from India.
Do Indian students need a UK ETA?
No. India is a visa-required country, so the ETA system does not apply to Indian passport holders. You need the appropriate visa for your visit or study.
How much money do I need to show for a UK Student visa from India?
This is in addition to any course fees you still owe for the first year. It depends on when you apply:
Before 30 November 2026: £1,529 per month for courses in London, or £1,171 per month outside London.
On or after 30 November 2026: £1,570 per month in London, or £1,203 per month outside London.
Either way, you need to show living costs for up to nine months, normally held for 28 consecutive days. Most applicants from India need to provide this evidence, though individual exceptions apply, for example to some students already in the UK with 12 months' permission or more. The 28-day holding rule also has exceptions for students funded by a student loan or an official financial sponsor.
I'm starting in January 2027. Which amount applies to me?
The amount in force on the day you submit your visa application applies. Many January starters will apply in December, so plan for £1,570 per month in London or £1,203 per month outside London.
Will my Graduate Route visa be two years or 18 months?
Eligible bachelor's and master's graduates who apply for the Graduate visa on or before 31 December 2026 can receive two years. Those who apply on or after 1 January 2027 will receive 18 months. PhD graduates continue to receive three years. The date of your Graduate visa application, not your course completion date, determines the period.
Do I need IELTS for UKVI?
Not necessarily. The English-language evidence you need depends on your qualifications, the course and the applicable Immigration Rules. A university may be able to assess your English proficiency for degree-level study where the rules permit it. Confirm the accepted evidence with your university before booking a test.
Planning Your UK Study Journey with PNK Foreign Study
Understanding visa requirements is one part of preparing to study abroad. Choosing the right university and course, planning your finances, meeting application deadlines and considering your longer-term career goals are equally important.
At PNK Foreign Study, we help students and families navigate the international admissions process, understand their options and plan their applications with greater clarity.
Book a free discovery call with PNK Foreign Study → to discuss your UK study plans and the next steps in your application.
This article reflects UK Home Office guidance and Immigration Rules published on GOV.UK as of 9 October 2026. Immigration rules change frequently. Always confirm current requirements at GOV.UK before applying, or speak to our counselling team for guidance on your university application and study plans.
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