UK student visa India 2026: Applications plunged 32% in Jan–Feb, Indian grant rate 91%
Home Office monthly statistics published on 12 February 2026 show UK student visa India 2026 applications fell sharply: 24,000 main study visa applications in Jan–Feb 2026 , a 32% drop versus Jan–Feb 2025. January 2026 alone recorded 19,800 applications, the lowest January total since 2022.
The Numbers — UK student visa India 2026 statistics
| Metric | Figure | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Jan–Feb 2026 main study visa applications | 24,000 | Down 32% vs Jan–Feb 2025 |
| January 2026 applications | 19,800 | Down 31% vs Jan 2025; lowest since 2022 |
| Q4 2025 main applicant applications | 43,000 | Down 21% vs Q4 2024 |
| Q4 2025 visa grant rate (all nationalities) | 85% | Down 6 percentage points vs Q4 2024 |
| Indian student visas issued Q4 2025 | 10,495 | Down 27% vs Q4 2024 |
| Indian student grant rate Q4 2025 | 91% | 4 pp below 95% BCA threshold |
| Student dependant applications (year ending Jan 2026) | 20,700 | Down 86% vs year ending Dec 2023 |
Why UK student visa India 2026 numbers fell
Three policy and cost changes explain most of the decline. The dependants ban introduced in January 2024 removed the right for most taught postgraduates to bring family, hitting Indian postgraduates who previously had high dependant ratios.
Visa and health charges also rose. The student visa fee increased to £558 from 8 April 2026 , and the Immigration Health Surcharge rose to £1,035 per year in 2024 . For a two-year master’s, pre-arrival visa plus IHS now exceeds £2,600 (around ₹3.25 lakh).
The new Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) framework, effective June 2026 , requires universities to maintain high grant rates. India’s 91% Q4 2025 grant rate sits below the 95% BCA threshold, creating pressure on universities when issuing CAS letters.
What the fall means for applicants and universities
Lower application volumes reduce competition for some courses, especially outside top-ranked institutions. At the same time, universities under BCA scrutiny are tightening CAS issuance — a refused visa now directly affects a university’s compliance score.
Universities may withhold CAS if financial documents are weak. Applicants must show tuition plus maintenance: £1,334/month for London or £1,023/month outside London, with consistent, unencumbered bank statements.
Key dates to remember
- 12 February 2026 : Home Office published January 2026 monthly visa statistics
- January 2024 : Dependants ban implemented
- 8 April 2026 : Student visa fee rose to £558
- 2024 : IHS rose to £1,035 per year
- June 2026 : BCA framework effective (RAG compliance signalling)