In this write-up, we will explain the entire process of applying for a UK Student Visa from Pakistan as well as from India.
Most of the students are willing to study abroad, especially in the UK. However, they are not aware of the process of applying for a student visa.
Steps to Apply for the UK Student Visa from Pakistan
To apply for UK Student Visa, you have to follow the steps mentioned below in order.
1. IELTS is a Must
IELTS is a must. Without IELTS, we cannot enter the United Kingdom.
If you are applying for a bachelor’s degree program in the UK, you must obtain 5.5 to 6.0 bands in IELTS.
However, if you are applying for admission to the Master’s program, you must obtain 6.0 to 6.5 bands.
However, the bands’ requirements can vary from university to university as per their requirements.
2. Be mindful of when to Apply
Universities in Europe generally, and in the UK particularly announce admission in two intakes a year; i.e. January intake and September intake.
For whatever intake you wish to apply for, you must apply three months before either of the intakes.
3. Different Modes to Apply for the UK Student Visa
You can either apply through a consultant or can apply on your own.
Consultants usually charge 25000/- PKR in Pakistan. However, be aware of the frauds. Not all consultants are legit.
If you wish to apply on your own, it involves some very simple steps.
- First of all, you will need to visit the website https://www.ucas.com/.
- Register yourself or open your account on the website.
- On the website, you can apply to any of the five universities.
- To apply for admission to the universities in the UK, you will need the following documents.
- IELTS Certificate
- Matric Degree
- FSC Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree (if applying for Master’s)
Once you applied to any five universities on the website, you will receive an offer letter from any or all of the universities via email in 7 to 10 days.
You would need to accept the offer (if received) from the university of your choice.
Once you have accepted the offer, now head over to the next steps.
4. Interview with the University
An interview will be conducted online via video call. The interview is conducted to check the legitimacy of the applicant.
Of course, the interview will be conducted in the English language. They will judge your command of the language that will support your IELTS bands.
Once you have cleared the interview with the university, the university will send you an Unconditional Offer Letter.
You will find your course details, student ID, Fee details, etc. in the letter.
Moreover, the university will also demand your documents (that you have uploaded on the website while applying) as well as the bank statement for the last 28 days.
5. Details regarding the Bank Statement
When you are applying for a UK student visa, your bank statement should show the amount that would cover your one (01) year of the university’s fee as well as your cost of living for one year.
The cost of living generally includes your expenses for food, living, etc.
- The cost of living outside London is 9207 pounds which is approx. 23 Lac Rupees.
- If you are living inside London, your average cost of living would be 10500 pounds which is approx. 29 Lac Rupees.
In short, if you are applying for Bachelor’s, your bank statement should show 68 to 70 Lac Rupees.
And if you are applying for a Master’s, you should have 62 to 64 Lac Rupees in your bank statement.
Done with this step? Let’s jump to the next step.
6. TB (Tuberculosis) Test
TB is basically a bacterial infection of the lungs. The TB test is a must to apply for a UK student visa.
For TB tests, you would be required to visit any of the centers or clinics (UK’s own clinics to test TB) based in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and Mirpur Azad Kashmir.
The fee for the TB Test is 11000 PKR.
The TB Certificate would be required during the Visa application form as well as at Airport in the UK on arrival.
If you tested negative for TB, Congratulations!
Let’s move to the next step.
7. CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) Letter
After clearing all the steps i.e. bank statement, TB test, etc, you will need a CAS letter from the university.
CAS Letter is a sponsor letter that includes details such as the course start and end dates, the sponsor number, and a recommendation for the student visa.
The applicant is required to send the CAS letter to the UK Home Office for the Visa.
Before delivering the CAS letter, the university will conduct a pre-CAS interview via video call.
Once you have cleared the pre-CAS interview, you will get the CAS letter.
8. Apply for Visa
Now that you have your CAS Letter, TB Certificate, IELTS Certificate, and Degrees, you can now apply online for a visa.
Head over to UKVI Website and fill out the form. Fill in all the information correctly. Simply submit the application online and pay the visa fee.
Visa Fee as a student is generally around 110000 PKR. However, the fee structure can vary with time.
Whether you are applying for Bachelors’s or Master’s student visa, the visa fee will be the same.
After depositing the visa fee, you would also be required to deposit the IHS (International Health Insurance) fee.
- If you are applying for a Bachelor’s program, the IHS fee is around 4,85,000 PKR.
- For a Master’s, the IHS fee is around 1,65,000 PKR.
The difference in the fee is because of the difference in the duration of the stay.
The Bachelor’s Degree Program is of three years while the Master’s is completed in one year.
The International Health Insurance will cover all your medical expenses during your stay in the UK as a student.
9. Book an Appointment at VFS
VFS is a sort of courier service that will send all your documents (including your passport), your fingerprints, facial scan, and your pictures to the UK for the student visa.
VFS is basically based in 4 cities in Pakistan; Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and Mirpur. You will need to book an appointment online for any of the offices.
You will also receive your passport back via VFS within 15 business days (with or without a visa approval stamp).
Wrapping Up
Applying for a UK study visa is a time-consuming process. The process usually takes a complete 1 to 1.5 years from preparing and clearing IELTs to receiving the Student Visa.
We hope you have understood the entire process of applying for the UK Student Visa from Pakistan.
Still, if you have any queries, feel free to leave a comment below.
FAQs
No, it is not a requirement. You can apply for the UK Student Visa without verifying your degree from HEC.
2. How much amount is required for the Bank Statement for UK Student Visa?
We have explained it under Heading # 05.
Roughly you would be required from around 60 to 70 Lac Rupees depending upon your degree program.
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