The UK Government has announced new safety measures for Indian students travelling to the UK from April 23rd onwards. All students travelling from or through India have been asked to stay at a managed hotel in London for a short period of 10 days before moving on to their universities. 

In line with the Government’s roadmap to easing lockdown, face-to-face teaching is expected to resume at UK universities from May 17th. University campus and residence are currently functional except for mass gatherings and large classrooms.  

The UK is one of the safest countries in the world currently for international students with a large part of its population vaccinated, international students having access to vaccination and transmission levels dropping to very low.  

If students wish they can pre-book a quarantine hotel before arriving in the UK and arrange a covid-19 test in advance using the following information:

-A Covid test is required 3 days prior to travel with protocols in the following link - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-travelling-to-england

-Book and pay for a travel test package in advance which which will include Covid test on Day 2 and Day 8 depending on provider, ranging between £170 to £575 here - https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india/safety-and-security

-Complete the passenger locator form available on the UKVI website prior to travelling - https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk

-A 10 day quarantine is mandatory costing around £1750 for the London hotel stay

-Typically, a student might have to spend approximately £2000 {£1750 + (£170 to £575)} for travel test and hotel stay 

Guidance for September 2020 and January 2021 Intake Students

As announced earlier, international and Indian students who joined a UK university in September 2020 have until June 21st to arrive in the UK in order to benefit from the Graduate Immigration Route. Students who have already arrived in the UK or are planning to do so before 21st June 2021 will get access to the new Graduate Route visa allowing them to work or look for work in the UK for upto 2-years at any skill level and without a minimum salary threshold limit. 

Students who joined a UK university in January 2021 have until 27th September 2021 to arrive in the UK. According to the UK and Scottish Government’s roadmap to lockdown easing, a full on-campus learning experience can be expected from September 2021 as all students are expected to return to fully functional university campuses. 

For the latest updates on UK universities and travel restrictions for Indian students, connect with an SI-UK India counsellor and book a free consultation online. Our UK education experts are constantly in touch with UK universities and will provide you complete support to make your dream of studying in the UK come true!