Indians planning to study or work in Britain in 2025 will need to budget for higher expenses. Starting January 2025, the British government will increase the financial requirements for student and work visas by 11%.
This means individuals will need to show more money as savings in their accounts to qualify for these visas.
The change aims to reduce the impact of immigration on Britain’s housing and economy.
Currently, Britain hosts a large number of foreign students and workers, including over 100,000 Indian students studying at top universities.
The updated requirements have been published on the UK government’s website, detailing the new conditions for obtaining student and work visas.
New Rules for UK Student Visas
From January 2, 2025, students applying for visas to study in Britain must demonstrate sufficient funds for living expenses.
For London: Students need to show monthly savings of £1,483 (around ₹1.5 lakh). For a one-year master’s program, this adds up to £13,347 (around ₹14 lakh) for nine months of expenses.
For Cities Outside London: Students must show monthly savings of £1,136 (around ₹1.2 lakh), totaling £10,224 (around ₹11 lakh) for a one-year program.
These funds must be in the applicant’s account for at least 28 days before applying for the visa.
Conditions for Skilled Workers
Individuals applying for a skilled worker visa must meet the following requirements:
1) Show an annual income of at least £38,700 (approximately ₹41 lakh), covering living expenses and housing.
2) Obtain sponsorship from a UK company approved by the Home Office.
3) If sponsorship is unavailable, the required funds must remain in the applicant’s account for 28 days before submitting the visa application.
Increase in Visa Fees
Visa application fees for various categories, including tourist, family, spouse, child, and student visas, will also see a slight hike.
However, exemptions will apply to certain groups, including people with disabilities, caregivers, healthcare workers, military personnel, and individuals with special abilities.
These updates highlight the rising costs of moving to Britain, emphasizing the need for better financial planning for Indian students and workers.
