India added to the UK's Red-List: What does this mean for Indian Students?

April 2021

As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, India, like other countries, is experiencing the second and more severe wave of infections. With the daily case count being high, exceedingly more than 200,000 per day, the future of students enrolled to study abroad hangs in the balance.

We, at Edwise, being study in UK consultants, are here to help clear all your doubts and confusion. Here are a few updates on the current situation and what India being added to the UK's Red-List means for you and your study in UK dreams.

study-abroad

Update on study in the UK

In light of the current second wave of COVID-19 infections in the country, the United Kingdom announced that from 4 am on Friday 23 April, international visitors who have departed from or transited through India, in the previous 10 days will be refused entry into England. Only British and Irish citizens, or those with residence rights in the UK (including long-term visa holders), would be allowed to enter the country. The UK has now Red-Listed India, which means that individuals that do not have residency or long stay visas for the UK will not be permitted entry.

Problems faced by Indian students

This news of India being Red-Listed has sent Indian students into a frenzy as they initially expected to study the Fall 2021 semesters in the UK, on campus. Along with this, the additional costs for mandatory quarantine in the UK is said to add further financial burden on students enrolled at universities in the UK. Initially, students who were enrolled to the courses in the UK, but were studying online, had to arrive before 21st June 2021 to be eligible for Post Study Work Rights, but now, with the current restrictions in place, students aren't sure if this will be affected. This has caused a great deal of fear and confusion.

Can I travel to the UK for my overseas education?

In a silver lining, according to The PIE News, the UK Home Office, has confirmed that international students who are travelling from India are exempt from the travel ban as a student visa or a Tier 4 visa has residence rights in the UK.

This move has been furthered by the vaccines, which have now been made available to younger people.

Indian students coming to the UK must have a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), a document issued by the Home Office to confirm that holders can live and study in the UK. This entitles a student to enter the country, provided that they follow quarantine rules and requirements. Students, however, are advised to check with their respective universities if they are required to travel to the UK and only then make travel arrangements for the same.

What are the requirements I have to meet in order to enter the UK?

As Indian students will be travelling from a "Red List" country, according to Gov.uk, there are a few rules and requirements that have to be followed and met:

There is a mandatory requirement of quarantine for 10 full days from the point of their arrival - the day of arrival in England will be treated as day 0.
The individual must isolate in a managed quarantine facility.
Before arriving in the UK, Indian students must have a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). Students must also take a COVID-19 test and get a negative result, three days before their date of travel.
Before completing the Passenger Locator Form, which is a requirement from before, the student or individual has to book and pay for the quarantine package. The package includes the costs of transport from the port of arrival to the designated hotel, food, accommodation, security, other essential services and testing. The rate that is charged per adult in one room for 10 days (11 nights) is £1,750.

For further clarifications or information, get in touch with Edwise, India's Leading Overseas Education Consultants.

study-abroad