Student visa: Indian citizen in United States → United Kingdom
Indian citizens living in the United States need a UK Student visa — apply online on gov.uk and give biometrics at a UK visa application centre in the United States.
Lets you study in the UK if you're 16 or over, you've been offered a place by a licensed student sponsor, can support yourself, and meet the English language requirement.
- Validity
- If you're 18 or over and your course is at degree level, you can usually stay for up to 5 years; below degree level, usually up to 2 years.
- Entries
- Multiple entry for the duration of your visa.
- Max stay per visit
- For the length of your course (up to 5 years at degree level, up to 2 years below degree level).
When to start
Start 30 days–3 months before your travel date.
Getting an appointment in United States
- 38 centre locations nationwide plus premium centres (VFS directory, captured 2026-06-11). Ten are full-service Mon–Fri: New York, Washington DC, Chicago, LA, San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, Boston, Miami, Seattle; the rest (Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Portland, Philadelphia and more) run limited schedules.
- With this density, comparing two or three cities usually finds a near-term slot.
- No recent public wait-time reports found for the US — the band below is general guidance.
You must be 16 or over, have a place on a course from a licensed student sponsor, have enough money, and meet the English requirement.
You must have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor, who issues you a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
You'll usually need to prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to the required level when you apply.
Complete the application on gov.uk. It costs £558 to apply for a Student visa from outside the UK, plus the healthcare surcharge.
As part of your application you'll need to prove your identity — using the ID Check app or by giving fingerprints and a photo at a visa application centre.
From outside the UK you'll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
What you'll need
- Passport / travel document — A current passport or other valid travel documentation. ✓ verified
- Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) — A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider. ✓ verified
- Proof of funds — Proof you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course. ✓ verified
- Parental or guardian consent (if under 18) — Proof of parental or other legal guardian consent if you're under 18. ✓ verified· you're under 18
- Tuberculosis (TB) test results — Your tuberculosis test results (required for applicants from listed countries, including India). ✓ verified· you're from a country where you must take the TB test
Where you'll apply
Because you live in the USA, you apply at a UK Visa Application Centre in the US — not in your home country. There are UK visa application centres in 30+ US cities (including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington DC, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia and Seattle). Use the official VFS US centre directory (linked below) to find and book the one nearest you.
- UK Visa Application Centres — United States — serves 30+ locations across the US — find and book your nearest
Fees
| Student visa (apply from outside the UK) | GBP 558 |
Gotchas to watch
- You can only study with a licensed student sponsor — you must have a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) before you apply.
- If you're 16 or 17 you need consent from your parents to apply.