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Before you even think about PR in the UK, the first step is getting admission into a recognised UK university. This is where your journey begins and it matters, because your future visa and PR eligibility depend on where and what you study.

Here’s how Indian students can apply to UK universities:

• Pick your course and university smartly: Look at fees, job prospects, and which unis offer the best post-study visa chances.
• Check if you qualify: Most unis expect around 60–70% in your previous studies and a valid English test score like IELTS 6.0 or above.
• Apply the right way: For undergrad, you’ll use UCAS. For postgrad, it’s usually a direct application on the university’s website.
• Get your documents in place: Have your transcripts, SOP, LORs, IELTS/TOEFL scores, and passport ready to go.
• Wait for your offer letter: If you meet the requirements, you’ll get a conditional or unconditional offer from the university.

Once you receive your offer letter from a UK university, the next step is getting your student visa. This visa allows you to live and study in the UK for the duration of your course.

Here’s how Indian students can apply for a UK student visa:

• Apply for a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS): Your university will issue a CAS once you accept the offer and meet all requirements.
• Fill out the visa application online: Use the official UK Government website to apply for a Student visa (previously called Tier 4).
• Pay the visa fee and healthcare surcharge: As of 2024, the visa application fee is INR 46,000 (GBP 490 approx.), and the healthcare surcharge is INR 63,000 per year (GBP 624).
• Book your biometric appointment: Schedule your visit to a Visa Application Centre to provide fingerprints and a photo.
• Keep these documents ready: Passport, CAS letter, financial proof, proof of English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL), and TB test results (if required).

Visa processing usually takes 3 to 6 weeks, so it’s best to apply at least 2 months before your course starts.

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After completing your studies, you can stay back in the UK under the Graduate Route, commonly known as the Post Study Work Visa (PSW UK).

Here’s what Indian students need to know:

• Duration of stay: You can stay for 2 years after completing your bachelor's or master’s degree. PhD graduates can stay for 3 years.
• No job offer required: You don’t need a job or sponsor to apply. You can use this time to look for work, intern, or even switch jobs freely.
• When to apply: Apply before your student visa expires, once your university confirms that you’ve successfully completed your course.
• Visa fee and healthcare surcharge: The application fee is INR 58,000 (GBP 715), and you’ll also pay the annual healthcare surcharge of around INR 63,000 (GBP 624).

PR in the UK means Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), it lets you live, work, and stay in the UK without any time limit.

This is also called settlement. Once you get PR, you are no longer on a temporary visa. You can stay as long as you want, apply for certain benefits, and even become eligible to apply for British citizenship later.

International students usually apply for PR through work. After finishing your studies, you need to live and work in the UK for 5 continuous years under a valid visa like the Skilled Worker visa.

Other routes include family ties, previous ILR status, or humanitarian reasons, but for most Indian students, the work route is the main path.

The type of visa you hold after graduation will determine when and how you can apply. So if you're on a Tier 2 or Skilled Worker visa, you're on the right track to PR.

Well, to be eligible for a PR in the UK after masters, you will first have to hold a valid visa and meet the financial requirements depending on your visa type. The following requirements are crucial to being eligible for PR in the UK for international students:

• I lived and worked in the UK for 5 years.
• Your job must meet the salary requirements, which must be further paid higher of the following:

1. £25,600 or INR 2,586,160 per year
2. £20,480 or INR 2,068,930 per year (when you are paid less)
3. £10 or INR 1,020 per hour
4. The ‘going rate’ for the type of job you are doing
5. Must have a job from the list of approved employers by the Home Office

• You must be needed for your job and continue to meet the salary requirements even after getting indefinite leave to remain. Your employer must provide a document confirming this.
• You will have to take the “Life in the UK Test” if you are aged between 18 and 64 years.
• Fulfill the English language requirements with an English qualification at the B1 level of the Common European Framework of References for Languages (CEFR) or complete a degree taught in English.

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Following are the documents you may have to present for procuring a UK PR.

• your certificate of sponsorship reference number (given by the employer.)
• proof of your English proficiency.
• a valid passport or other documents that show your identity and nationality.
• your job title and annual salary.
• your job’s occupation code.
• the name of your employer and their sponsor license number this will be on your certificate of sponsorship.

A question that may come to your mind now is how to get PR in the UK for Indian students. Keep reading the subsequent sections to learn about the process.

Getting permanent residency (PR) in the UK after studying involves a few key steps. You can apply once you've spent 5 continuous years in the UK under a valid work visa, like the Skilled Worker visa.

Here’s how to apply for PR in the UK as an international student:

Step 1: Check if you're eligible

Make sure you’ve:

• Lived and worked in the UK for 5 years
• Met all salary and visa requirements during this time
• Passed the “Life in the UK” test
• Met the English language requirement (CEFR B1 or equivalent

Step 2: Choose the right application form

• Use Form SET (O) if you’re applying as a worker (Tier 2, Skilled Worker, Innovator, etc.)
• Use Form SET (M) if you’re applying as a dependent partner or parent

Step 3: Apply online

Visit the official UK Home Office website and fill out the online application. You can apply 28 days before you complete your 5-year qualifying period.

Step 4: Prepare your documents

Keep these ready:

• Passport
• Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
• Employer’s confirmation letter
• Payslips and bank statements
• Certificate of sponsorship (CoS) details
• Proof of salary meeting the required threshold
• Life in the UK test pass certificate
• English proficiency proof (if required)

Step 5: Submit your biometric information

After applying, you’ll be asked to visit a UKVCAS centre to provide your fingerprints and photograph.

Step 6: Wait for the decision

• Standard service: takes up to 8 weeks
• Priority service: decision in 5 working days (extra cost)
• Super priority: decision by next working day (higher fee)

Once approved, you'll get Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) your official PR status in the UK.

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The full process to get permanent residency (ILR) in the UK after studying usually takes at least 5 years.

Here’s a breakdown:

• 5 years of legal stay: Most students move to a Skilled Worker visa after graduation. You need to complete 5 continuous years under a qualifying visa like this.
• Application timeline: You can apply 28 days before you complete 5 years of stay. Once applied, you’ll get a decision in 3 to 8 weeks under the standard process.
• Faster options: You can pay extra for priority (5 working days) or super priority (1 working day) services if needed.

If you’re completing a master's degree in the UK, here’s how you can move towards PR step by step:

• Graduate and get your Post Study Work Visa (Graduate Route): This gives you 2 years to stay and work in the UK without a sponsor.
• Switch to a Skilled Worker visa: Get a job with an approved UK employer and switch to the Skilled Worker visa, which is valid for up to 5 years.
• Complete 5 years of legal stay: Your 2 years on the Graduate Route won’t count towards PR. Only time on a Skilled Worker visa or other qualifying visa counts.
• Apply for PR (ILR): After completing 5 years on an eligible visa, you can apply for permanent residency using Form SET (O).

So technically, it takes about 7 years after your master’s, 2 years on PSW and 5 years on a work visa, to be eligible for ILR in most cases.

As of 2025, here are the key updates that affect Indian students planning to settle in the UK:

• Blocked account or maintenance fund proof still needed for initial visas.

• Higher salary thresholds: Skilled Worker visa applicants must now meet the minimum salary requirement of GBP 29,000 (approx. INR 30 lakhs) per year for most jobs.

• Stricter job checks: Your employer must still be on the Home Office sponsor list, and jobs must meet the updated "going rate".

• No major changes in PR eligibility time: You still need 5 years of continuous stay on a work visa to be eligible for PR.

• Health and character checks remain important: Any long gaps, unpaid taxes, or police records can affect your ILR application.

The total cost to apply for PR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) in the UK is approximately INR 2.9 to 3.2 lakhs, depending on the type of service you choose.

Here’s the detailed cost breakdown for Indian students applying for ILR in 2025:

• Application fee: Standard ILR application fee is GBP 2,885 (approx. INR 2.91 lakhs)

• Priority service (optional): An additional GBP 500 (approx. INR 50,000) for a decision in 5 working days

• Super priority service (optional): An additional GBP 1,000 (approx. INR 1 lakh) for a next-day decision

• Other possible expenses: You may also need to cover biometric enrolment charges, document translation (if applicable), and travel to a visa centre.

Note: There is no separate NHS surcharge at the PR stage. That applies only while holding temporary visas like Student or Skilled Worker.

Getting PR in the UK is not just about settling down. It’s about securing long-term stability, career freedom, and access to benefits like healthcare and education. For Indian students, it’s one of the most rewarding milestones after years of effort.

But the process isn’t just about reaching the 5-year mark. From choosing the right degree and university to transitioning to the right visa at the right time, every step matters. That’s where 爆料吃瓜网 Premium helps. We guide you through course planning, visa pathways, and career direction, so your dream of UK PR isn’t left to guesswork.