In the UK, a full-time student visa is called the Tier 4 (general) student visa. Due to the tightening of visa rules over recent years, getting a British student visa is more tough than before. There are two student categories under Tier 4 of the points-based system-

Tier 4 Student Visa for general :-This visa category is for students coming to the UK for higher education. The applicant must be at least 16 years old. Tier 4 Student Visa for child: -This visa category is for children between 4 and 15 years of age coming to the UK for their higher education. Children between 4 and 15 years can only be educated at independent fee-paying schools. If the students are enrolled in a bachelors degree program or higher at a UK college that is listed on both the official “UKBA Sponsor list” and the list of “recognized bodies”, the students are allowed to work for up to 20 hours/week for Tier 4 General and work full-time during vacations and holiday

Reinstatement of the two-year post-study work Visa.

The United Kingdom’s government has announced the reinstatement of the two-year post-study work visa for international students. This new immigration rules will benefit those international students who are planning to pursue their higher studies in the UK starting from 2020-21. Also now, international students pursuing Bachelor’s or Master’s degree can stay back for a period of four months only. The international students who are studying in 27 universities can stay back for six months which are part of the pilot scheme. Numerous Indian students are also going to benefit from this new regulations.

Cost of Visa

The amount of fee for the Tier 4 General Visa is £348 that is in Rs.33,349. Various Methods of payment are as follows-

• Online using either a MasterCard or Visa card
• Through demand draft at the visa application center and selected branches of Standard Chartered Bank
• Through Cash at the visa application center and selected branches of Standard Chartered Bank 
• Documents required for a UK Study Visa

UK Student Visa Requirements-

International students who are Applying for a student visa requires them to carry a lot more documents in comparison to a tourist visa, by comparison. Aspirants need the mandatory documents along with supporting documents of financial and academic records. Make sure students refer to the UK Student Visa checklist before going to the consulate for the visa interview.

The international students should have the following documents before applying-

A proper completed student visa application form along with a  letter of acceptance on the course. The students must have an approved education provider will give you an acceptance letter (CAS) and a visa letter which are official and unconditional offers of a place on a course of study and also the visa letter must be issued no more than six months before they apply. Besides, The applications where the visa letters are older than six months will be refused, so students should be aware. Also Having a visa letter does not guarantee the application will be successful. Moreover, the applicant must meet all the requirements of the category and any other requirements of the immigration regulations.

Proof of funds :-

For the international students, the money they need to show, covers  their course fees for the first year of study and living costs for up to a maximum of nine months and also the amount they will be needing depends on whether  they are applying as a child or adult and also whether they will be studying in or out of London. Moreover, they must show that they have held the money for at least 28 days. The end of that 28 day period must not be more than one month before the date of students application.

UK Student Visa Process: How to Apply

There are various steps to apply for a UK Student Visa and the UK Study Visa applications are processed within three weeks of the completed application being completed.

Step 1 = The first step is to check if the students qualify for the student visa or not. They need to show that they have, a confirmed place at the school, university or college where they intend to study. It is called a confirmation of acceptance for studies along with Enough money, also known as maintenance or funds to cover their course fees and living costs in the United Kingdom.

Step 2 = The International students should get their documents ready.

Step 3 =Apply online, International students will be needing to register and create an account on the official UK Visa website and when they have completed their online application form, they will be needing to print and sign their completed form. The students must use the online appointment calendar to book an appointment at the visa application center and also when they have completed their online application, they will receive an email message containing their application number and details.

Step 4 = Pay the application fee. There are 4 ways to pay your visa application fee as follows-

Payment at Standard Chartered Bank :- The International students can pay their fee at some branches of the Standard Chartered Bank. The bank will issue a demand draft in favor of, The British High Commission.

Demand draft from a nationalized or foreign bank :- The International students can pay their fee by getting a demand draft issued by a nationalized or a foreign bank. Bank charges for this service will vary while the demand draft must be in favor of, The British High Commission.

Payment at the visa application center :- The International students can pay the visa application fee at the visa application center when they submit their visa application.

Pay online :-  The International students can pay their visa application fee online using a Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card.

Step 5 = Besides, visit the visa application center on the appointed date. The students must book and attend an appointment at the visa application center to submit their application and facial photograph along with their fingerprints.

Therefore, these rules and regulations should be followed by International students for UKVI so as to study in the United Kingdom as well as stay there.                                                                                                                                                                                                       Reference– https://www.gov.uk/student-visa