# Student visa eligibility for Indian applicants, 2026

Who qualifies for the Student visa from India, the thresholds that apply in 2026 and the tools to check before you pay.

Source: https://ukvisadesk.com/visas/student-visa/eligibility · Updated 2026-10-08 · Reviewed by UK Visa Desk counselling team, licence 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024 · UK Visa Desk, a brand of Pro Lifeset Overseas Private Limited, Patiala, India. WhatsApp +91 91155 80911, Mon to Sat, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM IST.

- An unconditional offer and a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a sponsor on the Home Office register, issued within the last 6 months
- Money for the first year of tuition still owed on the CAS, plus living costs of £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 a month outside London for up to 9 months, held for 28 consecutive days
- From 30 November 2026 the monthly figures rise to £1,570 in London and £1,203 outside London, as reported by law-firm sources; the official instrument does not print them, so re-check before you file
- English at CEFR B2 for degree-level courses or B1 below degree level, by a Secure English Language Test or a university assessment where the sponsor is a Higher Education Provider with a track record
- Age 16 or over; under 18 needs written parental consent and arrangements for care in the UK
- A genuine student: your study history, gaps, the course and your plans after it must make sense together, tested at a credibility interview where the officer has doubts
- ATAS certificate for certain science and engineering postgraduate courses
- Dependants only if you are on a PhD or other doctoral course, a research-based postgraduate course, or a government-sponsored student on a course of 6 months or more

Maintenance: £1,529 London, £1,171 outside London per month, up to 9 months; from 2026-11-30: £1,570 and £1,203. Held 28 days. Verified 2026-10-08.

## FAQ
**How much money do I need to show for a UK student visa from India in 2026?**
Tuition still owed for the first year, as shown on the CAS, plus £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 a month outside London, for up to 9 months. That is £13,761 in London and £10,539 outside London for a 9-month course, on top of unpaid tuition. From 30 November 2026 the monthly figures are expected to be £1,570 and £1,203. Our maintenance calculator applies the right figure for your application date.

**What is the 28-day rule?**
The closing balance must stay at or above the required amount for every one of the 28 days before the final balance date. One day below the line resets the clock. The statement must also be no more than 31 days old when you submit the online form.

**Does an education loan sanction letter from an Indian bank count?**
Yes, if the loan is sanctioned, not just approved in principle, and the letter is from a bank regulated by the Reserve Bank of India. The letter should state your name, the amount, the course and that funds will be released. NBFC loans are accepted only where the lender meets the Home Office's definition of a regulated financial institution, so ask us before you rely on one.

Full guide: https://ukvisadesk.com/visas/student-visa.md

---
UK Visa Desk is a brand of Pro Lifeset Overseas Private Limited, a visa consultancy licensed by the Government of Punjab, India. We are a private company, not affiliated with the UK Government, and we are not regulated by the UK Immigration Advice Authority. We serve applicants who are in India; applicants already in the UK are referred to a regulated UK adviser. We do not handle work visas. Information here is general, not legal advice, and no visa outcome is guaranteed.
We do not handle UK work visas. Applicants already in the UK are referred to a regulated adviser.