Moving to the UK from India: Complete Guide 2026
What you need to know
- •India is the UK's largest source of Skilled Worker and Student visa holders.
- •TB test is mandatory. Get it at an approved IOM clinic before applying.
- •MEA apostille is required for Indian documents since India joined the Hague Convention in 2023.
- •VFS Global operates major visa application centres in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, and Hyderabad.
- •Total costs range from 3 to 7 lakh INR depending on visa type, before living expenses.
- •Priority processing is available at select VFS centres for faster decisions.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of Indian nationals receive UK visas. India consistently leads the world in Skilled Worker visa grants and is the second-largest source of international students in the UK after China. This guide covers the specific visa routes, document requirements, costs, and practical steps for Indian citizens planning to move to the United Kingdom.
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Which Visa Route Is Right for You?
The visa you need depends on why you are moving to the UK. Indian nationals most commonly use these routes:
Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Worker visa is the most popular work route for Indians. You need a job offer from a UK employer who holds a sponsor licence, and the role must meet the minimum salary threshold (generally £38,700 per year, with lower thresholds for shortage occupation roles and Health and Care Worker positions). India has been the top nationality for Skilled Worker visa grants every year since the route launched in 2021, with IT, engineering, healthcare, and finance being the dominant sectors.
You will need a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer. The visa is initially granted for up to 5 years and can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years of continuous residence.
Student Visa
The Student visa is the second most common route. Indian student numbers in the UK have grown significantly, with over 150,000 study visas granted to Indian nationals in recent years. You need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed UK institution and must show you have enough money to cover tuition and living costs for the first year.
After completing your degree, you may be eligible for the Graduate route, which allows you to stay and work in the UK for 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates) without needing a sponsor. Many Indian graduates then switch to a Skilled Worker visa for long-term settlement.
Health and Care Worker Visa
A growing number of Indian nurses, doctors, and care workers use this route. It is a variant of the Skilled Worker visa with significantly lower fees and no Immigration Health Surcharge. If you work in an eligible health or social care role, this is the most cost-effective route.
Spouse and Family Visas
If your spouse or partner is a British citizen or has settled status, you can apply for a Spouse visa. The UK sponsor must meet the financial requirement (currently £29,000 per year). You will need to provide genuine relationship evidence including photographs, communication records, and details of time spent together.
Indian Document Requirements
Indian applicants must prepare documents carefully. The Home Office has specific expectations for documents originating from India.
MEA Apostille
India became a member of the Hague Apostille Convention on 15 July 2023. Since then, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issues apostille certificates for Indian public documents. For UK visa applications, your documents should be apostilled rather than using the older legalisation route.
The apostille process works as follows:
- State-level attestation. Get your document attested by the relevant state government authority (e.g., the Sub-Divisional Magistrate or the Home Department).
- MEA apostille. Submit the state-attested document to the MEA (or an authorised agency such as a regional passport office) for apostille. The MEA affixes an apostille sticker to the document.
- Translation. If the document is in Hindi or a regional language, you need a certified English translation. The translation itself should also be attested.
Common documents that need apostille include birth certificates, marriage certificates, degree certificates, and police clearance certificates.
Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
The Indian Police Clearance Certificate is issued by the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) under the Ministry of External Affairs. You apply through the Passport Seva portal and attend an appointment at your nearest PSK. The PCC is typically issued within 1 to 3 weeks if your passport address verification is clear. If a police verification is required, it may take longer.
Financial Documents
The Home Office accepts Indian bank statements as financial evidence. Key points for Indian applicants:
- Bank statements must cover a consecutive period (28 days for Student visas, varying periods for other routes).
- Statements should be on the bank's letterhead with the bank's stamp or be electronic statements accompanied by a bank letter confirming their authenticity.
- The Home Office converts INR to GBP using the OANDA exchange rate on the date of application. As of early 2026, £1 is approximately ₹108–112.
- Fixed deposits (FDs) are accepted as savings evidence, but the funds must have been held for the required period and you must provide an FD certificate or statement showing the maturity value.
- For Student visas, you must show tuition fees plus £1,023 per month for living costs (London) or £821 per month (outside London) for up to 9 months.
TB Test Requirement
India is on the Home Office's list of countries where a tuberculosis (TB) screening certificate is required for any visa of more than 6 months. You must get tested at an approved clinic before you submit your visa application.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) operates approved TB testing clinics across India in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Cochin, Jalandhar, and Pune. The test involves a chest X-ray and typically costs around ₹3,500–4,500. Results are usually available within 1 to 3 working days.
If TB is detected, you will be referred for treatment and cannot apply for a visa until treatment is completed and you receive a clear certificate. The TB certificate is valid for 6 months from the date of issue, so time your test accordingly.
English Language Requirement
India is not on the list of majority English-speaking countries, so most Indian applicants must pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT). The level required depends on your visa:
- Skilled Worker visa: CEFR B1 (intermediate) in speaking and listening.
- Student visa: CEFR B2 (upper intermediate) in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Many universities set higher requirements.
- Spouse visa: CEFR A1 (beginner) for initial application, A2 for extension, B1 for ILR.
IELTS for UKVI is the most popular test in India, with centres in over 40 cities. PTE Academic (UKVI) is also widely available and growing in popularity due to faster results. You are exempt from the language test if you have a degree taught in English from a recognised institution or if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country (which India is not).
VFS Global Visa Application Centres in India
VFS Global manages UK visa applications in India. After completing your online application on GOV.UK, you book a biometric appointment at a VFS centre. India has one of the most extensive VFS networks in the world:
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- Major centres (full services including priority): New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad
- Additional centres: Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Cochin, Goa, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Lucknow, Pune
Services available at major centres include:
- Priority Visa: Typically 5 working days (additional fee of approximately £250).
- Super Priority Visa: Next working day decision (additional fee of approximately £800). Available for Skilled Worker and Student visas at Delhi and Mumbai.
- Walk-in appointments: Some centres accept walk-in applications, but booking in advance is strongly recommended during peak season (June to September).
Processing Times from India
As of early 2026, typical processing times from India are:
- Skilled Worker visa: 3 to 8 weeks (standard), 5 working days (priority), 1 working day (super priority)
- Student visa: 3 to 6 weeks (standard), 5 working days (priority)
- Spouse visa: 8 to 24 weeks (standard). Priority is sometimes available.
- Visitor visa: 3 to 6 weeks (standard)
Peak application season for Student visas is May to August, when processing times can be longer. Apply as early as possible once you have your CAS. For detailed information on visa processing times, see our Skilled Worker processing time guide and Spouse visa processing time guide.
Costs in Indian Rupees (INR)
Here is a breakdown of typical costs for the main visa routes. All GBP amounts are converted at approximately £1 = ₹110 (check the current rate before applying, as the Home Office uses the OANDA rate on the date of application):
- Skilled Worker visa fee: £719–£1,420 (₹79,000–₹1,56,000) depending on length and whether the role is on the shortage list
- Health and Care Worker visa fee: £284 (₹31,000)
- Student visa fee: £490 (₹54,000)
- Spouse visa fee: £1,846 (₹2,03,000)
- Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035/year (₹1,14,000/year) — exempt for Health and Care Workers
- TB test: ₹3,500–4,500
- IELTS for UKVI: ₹16,500–17,000
- VFS service charge: ₹1,500–2,500 (basic), more for premium services
For a complete breakdown of all UK visa fees, see our dedicated guide.
Common Issues for Indian Applicants
India has high approval rates overall, but certain issues come up regularly:
- Name discrepancies. Indian documents often show different name formats (e.g., father's name as surname on one document but not another, or a single name without a surname). Provide an affidavit explaining any discrepancies and, where possible, get documents re-issued with consistent names.
- Maintenance funds falling short. Student visa applicants must show funds for the full period in a single account. Parents' accounts are acceptable but must be accompanied by a letter authorising the student to use the funds and proof of the relationship.
- Late TB tests. Your TB certificate expires after 6 months. If your visa processing takes longer than expected, you may need to retake the test. Plan the test date carefully.
- Employment verification delays. The Home Office sometimes contacts Indian employers to verify Skilled Worker applications. Ensure your employer is prepared to respond promptly.
- Gaps in education or employment. Unexplained gaps can cause delays. Provide a clear covering letter explaining any periods of inactivity.
Practical Tips for Moving from India to the UK
Flights
Direct flights operate from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata to London Heathrow, Gatwick, and other UK airports. Air India, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Vistara offer direct services. Flight times are approximately 9 to 10 hours. Book early during peak season (June to September) when prices rise significantly.
Shipping and Customs
Most Indian movers ship belongings by sea freight (4 to 8 weeks) or air freight (1 to 2 weeks). You can bring personal belongings without paying UK customs duty if you are moving permanently and have owned the items for at least 6 months. You must declare goods through the Transfer of Residence (ToR) process via HMRC.
Indian Diaspora in the UK
The UK has one of the largest Indian-origin communities in the world, with over 1.8 million people of Indian heritage. Major concentrations are in London (especially Wembley, Southall, Tooting, and East Ham), Leicester, Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds. You will find established Indian grocery stores, temples, gurdwaras, mosques, cultural organisations, and community support networks in all major cities.
Banking and Money
Open a UK bank account as soon as possible after arriving. Some banks (such as Monzo, Starling, and HSBC) allow you to start the process before you arrive. You can transfer money from India using services like Wise (formerly TransferWise), which typically offers better exchange rates than traditional banks. Note that India's Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) allows individuals to remit up to USD 250,000 per financial year.
First Steps After Arrival
When you arrive in the UK, you should:
- Collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or set up your eVisa within 10 days.
- Apply for a National Insurance number so you can work and pay tax.
- Register with a GP (doctor) near your address.
- Open a bank account.
- Register for Council Tax at your local council.
Path to Settlement and Citizenship
Most work visa routes lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years of continuous residence. Once you have ILR, you can apply for British citizenship after a further 12 months. You must pass the Life in the UK test and meet the English language requirement at B1 level for ILR.
India permits dual citizenship through its Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card scheme, so you can hold both British and Indian-origin status, though India does not recognise dual nationality in the traditional sense. You should take legal advice on the implications before renouncing Indian citizenship.
Next Steps
Start by identifying the right visa route for your situation. Gather your documents early, especially your MEA-apostilled certificates and police clearance. Book your TB test at least 2 to 3 months before you plan to apply.
For official information, visit the GOV.UK immigration page.
Related guides:
This guide is general information, not immigration advice. Immigration rules change frequently. For advice on your specific situation, consult an OISC-registered adviser or immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the latest rules.
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