The UK has raised visa fees every April since 2024, and settlement itself is mid-overhaul — the government intends to double the standard path to permanent residence from 5 to 10 years, with implementation expected later in 2026. Whichever UK route you're considering, the details that matter most are the ones that just changed.
Current fees at a glance
Figures per Home Office fees updated 8 April 2026. Confirmed current as of this page's last review.
Each route has its own sponsor requirements, evidence standards, and refusal patterns. Here's the honest breakdown of all three.
For applicants with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed sponsor. Approval turns on your CAS being valid, meeting the current financial requirement, and your credibility interview going well.
See UK study visa detailsFor tourism, visiting family, or business meetings, up to 6 months per visit. Indian applicants need a full Standard Visitor visa — not the ETA available to some other nationalities — and strong evidence of ties back home.
See visitor visa detailsFor joining a spouse, partner, or family member settled or settling in the UK. This route has its own minimum income requirement and a substantial entry clearance fee — we confirm both before you apply.
See spouse visa detailsThe standard route from student to settled status is well established — but the final step is under active reform. Here's where things stand today.
Your sponsor issues a CAS confirming your course, and your visa is tied to maintaining that enrolment throughout your studies.
After completing an eligible degree, you can switch to the Graduate Route for unrestricted work rights — currently 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates), reducing to 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027.
Moving into sponsored employment with a licensed employer, for up to 3 years at a time, renewable while you remain sponsored.
Currently available after 5 years of continuous lawful residence on most work routes. The government intends to raise this to a 10-year baseline under an "earned settlement" model, with limited exceptions for high earners — implementation is expected later in 2026, but has not yet been made law as of this page's last review.
Generally available 12 months after ILR is granted, subject to good character and residence requirements — this timeline would shift if the ILR qualifying period changes.
Not a ranking — just where we see the most applications from Chandigarh, across research-intensive and applied institutions.
CAS validity and financial requirement confirmed before filing
Credibility interview preparation, not just document checklists
Visitor visa ties-to-India evidence built to withstand scrutiny
Spouse visa income requirement checked against current thresholds
Honest guidance on the shifting ILR settlement timeline
25+ years handling UK files from Sector 17B, Chandigarh
The Student visa application fee is £558 from outside the UK, following the 8 April 2026 fee update. On top of this, most students pay the Immigration Health Surcharge at £776 per year of the course.
Yes — Indian passport holders need a full Standard Visitor visa, currently £135 for a 6-month visa, rather than the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) available to some other nationalities. Long-term visitor visas (2, 5, or 10 years) are also available for frequent travellers.
The Graduate Route lets eligible UK degree graduates work in the UK without needing a sponsor, currently for 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates) at a fee of £822. From 1 January 2027, the standard length reduces to 18 months.
The government has confirmed its intention to move to a 10-year baseline "earned settlement" model, with reductions possible for high earners, and has indicated implementation later in 2026. As of this page's last review, the change has not yet been made law and the current 5-year qualifying period still applies to most routes — we recommend applying as soon as you're eligible rather than waiting.
The minimum income requirement for the spouse/partner route has changed in recent years and continues to be reviewed by the Home Office. We confirm the exact current threshold and acceptable evidence types for your specific application before you apply.
The ILR application fee rose to £3,226 per applicant from 8 April 2026, up from £3,029. Every person named in the application, including partners and children, pays the full fee separately — there is no discounted family rate.
Yes, this is a common pathway — many students move onto the Graduate Route first to secure a job, then switch to a Skilled Worker visa once sponsored by an eligible employer. Direct switching from Student to Skilled Worker is also possible if you secure sponsorship before your student visa expires.
Tell us your purpose of travel. We'll tell you plainly which route fits, and what it costs under the current 2026 fees — before you spend a rupee.
No charge. No obligation. Just honest advice.
