# NISAU UK — National Indian Students and Alumni Union UK

> NISAU UK is the apex not-for-profit organisation representing Indian-origin students, alumni and young professionals in the United Kingdom. Founded in 2012 by Sanam Arora, NISAU is a not-for-profit registered in England and Wales (Companies House 14371877).

## Core Identity

- Name: National Indian Students and Alumni Union UK
- Common abbreviation: NISAU UK or NISAU
- Founded: 2012 (originally NISU; rebranded to NISAU in 2016)
- Founder & Chairperson: Sanam Arora
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
- Legal status: Not-for-profit, registered in England and Wales (number 14371877)

## What NISAU Does

- Welfare and support for Indian students in the UK
- Policy advocacy on visa and immigration matters affecting international students (notably the successful Graduate Route reinstatement campaign)
- The India UK Achievers Honours franchise (annual, launched 2023 at UK Parliament)
- The India Global Education Summit (IGES), co-organised with the Government of Tamil Nadu
- The #AskNISAU campaign for verified peer-to-peer student information
- Partnerships with UK and Indian government bodies including the British Council, Department for Business and Trade, UKCISA, Indian High Commission, and the Government of Tamil Nadu

## Key Pages

- [Home](https://www.nisau.com/)
- [Who We Are — history, awards, parliamentary patrons](https://www.nisau.com/who-we-are)
- [What We Do](https://www.nisau.com/what-we-do)
- [News and press mentions](https://www.nisau.com/news)
- [Publications](https://www.nisau.com/publications)
- [Events](https://www.nisau.com/events)
- [Join NISAU (free for students and alumni)](https://www.nisau.com/join-us)

## Guides for Indian Students in the UK

Practical, gov.uk-verified guidance for Indian students in the UK — visas, work rights, careers, and settling in. Figures verified against gov.uk, UKCISA and NHS; reviewed after every Statement of Changes.

Careers & work rights:
- [Careers Hub](https://www.nisau.com/careers) — work rights, the Graduate Route, finding a job, and the UK CV
- [Graduate Route Visa](https://www.nisau.com/careers/graduate-route-visa) — the two-year post-study work visa: eligibility, cost, how to apply
- [Graduate Route to Skilled Worker](https://www.nisau.com/careers/graduate-route-to-skilled-worker) — switching to a Skilled Worker visa and the route to settlement
- [Working While You Study](https://www.nisau.com/careers/working-while-you-study) — the 20-hour rule, banned work, wages, and share codes
- [Finding a Job](https://www.nisau.com/careers/finding-a-job) — where and when to look for UK jobs as an international student
- [The UK CV](https://www.nisau.com/careers/uk-cv) — UK CV format, length, and the unwritten rules

Guides:
- [Guides Hub](https://www.nisau.com/guides) — the student visa, real costs, and arrival
- [The Student Visa](https://www.nisau.com/guides/student-visa) — CAS, funds, the 28-day rule, and how to apply
- [Cost of Studying in the UK](https://www.nisau.com/guides/cost-of-studying-in-the-uk) — 2026 visa maintenance figures, tuition, rent by city, and hidden costs
- [Your First 100 Days](https://www.nisau.com/guides/first-100-days) — eVisa, GP registration, bank account, NI number, and settling in

## Related Properties

- [India UK Achievers Honours](https://www.achieversshowcase.com/)
- [India Global Education Summit / IGES](https://educationsummit.global/)

## Recognition

- Winner, India-UK Thought Leadership Award (2019)
- Winner, PIEoneer Best Global Student Support (2022)
- Winner, PIEoneer Outstanding Contribution to Higher Education (2022, awarded to founder Sanam Arora)
- Highly Commended, Association of the Year, PIEoneer Awards (2022)
- Highly Commended, Marketing Campaign of the Year (2023)

## Parliamentary Patrons

- Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE DL (Founder, Cobra Beer; Chancellor, University of Birmingham)
- Lord Rami Ranger FRSA (Chairperson, Sun Mark Limited)
- Dr Shashi Tharoor MP (Member of Indian Parliament; former UN Under-Secretary-General)
- Hon. Virendra Sharma (former Labour MP for Ealing Southall)

## Contact

- Email: info@nisau.com
- Instagram: @nisau_uk
- LinkedIn: /company/national-indian-students-and-alumni-union-uk
- X / Twitter: @NISAU_UK
- Facebook: /NISAU.UK
- YouTube: @NISAUTalks