UK Student Visa Fee from Pakistan 2026–2027: Visa Fee, IHS and Complete Budget

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Last Update: September 12, 2026

tudying in the United Kingdom can be a life-changing opportunity, but it also requires careful financial planning. For Pakistani students, the cost is not limited to the visa application fee. You may also need to budget for the Immigration Health Surcharge, university deposit, remaining tuition fees, maintenance funds, TB testing, document preparation, accommodation and travel.

As of September 2026, the standard UK Student Visa application fee for an applicant applying from Pakistan is £558. The official Home Office fee calculator displayed this as approximately PKR 217,909 at the time this guide was updated. The exact PKR amount can change because the Home Office uses its own exchange rate.

However, paying £558 does not cover your complete study visa journey.

This guide from AHS Consultants explains the full UK Student Visa cost from Pakistan for the 2026–2027 academic year, including which amounts are actual payments and which amounts only need to be shown as financial evidence.

UK Student Visa Cost from Pakistan at a Glance

Here is a simple overview of the main costs Pakistani students should consider:

Expense	Current Amount or Typical Range	Payment or Financial Evidence?
UK Student Visa application fee	£558	Paid to UKVI
Immigration Health Surcharge	£776 per year of visa permission	Paid during the application
Maintenance funds in London	£1,529 per month for up to 9 months	Usually shown as evidence
Maintenance funds outside London	£1,171 per month for up to 9 months	Usually shown as evidence
Outstanding first-year tuition fee	Amount stated on the CAS	Paid or shown as evidence
University deposit	Depends on the university	Usually paid before CAS
TB test	Depends on the approved clinic	Paid to the clinic
Priority processing	Optional and subject to availability	Paid if selected
English-language test	Depends on the test and university	Paid to the test provider
Air ticket and initial settlement	Variable	Personal expense

The three biggest figures students commonly confuse are:

The visa application fee, which is paid to UKVI.
The IHS, which is paid during the visa application.
The financial requirement, which normally has to be demonstrated but is not paid to UKVI.

What Is the UK Student Visa Fee from Pakistan in 2026–2027?

The standard UK Student Visa fee is currently:

£558 for the main student applicant
£558 for each eligible dependant

Approximately PKR 217,909 per applicant, according to the official Pakistan fee calculator, when checked in September 2026

The PKR amount you see at checkout may differ from a conversion performed on Google or by your bank. This happens because the Home Office applies its own exchange-rate policy, and your card provider may add foreign-transaction or currency-conversion charges.

Is the UK Student Visa Fee Refundable?

The application fee is generally not refunded simply because:

The visa is refused
The applicant changes their mind
Incorrect documents were submitted
The application is withdrawn after processing has started

A refund may be possible in limited circumstances, such as when an applicant withdraws before UKVI begins processing the application. Applicants should check the official withdrawal and refund rules instead of assuming that every withdrawn application qualifies.

This is why your documents, financial evidence, and CAS information should be checked carefully before payment.

Does a Dependant Pay a Separate Visa Fee?

Yes. Every eligible dependant normally submits a separate application and pays a separate application fee and IHS.

Not every international student can bring dependants. Eligibility depends on the course, sponsorship and immigration rules in force when the application is made. Students should confirm their eligibility before calculating a family budget.

What Is the UK Immigration Health Surcharge for Students?

The Immigration Health Surcharge, commonly called the IHS, is a mandatory healthcare charge paid by most international students applying for permission lasting more than six months.

The current discounted IHS rate for students and eligible Student-route dependants is:

£776 per person, per year of immigration permission

You pay the IHS during the online visa application. Paying it allows you to use many National Health Service services during your valid immigration period, although some services—such as prescriptions, dental treatment and eye care—may still involve additional charges.

Private medical insurance does not normally remove the obligation to pay the IHS.

How Is the IHS Calculated for a UK Student Visa?

A common mistake is multiplying £776 only by the number of academic years.

The IHS is based on the total length of immigration permission, not only the classroom duration. A Student Visa may include time before the course begins and additional time after it ends.

For Student applications, the IHS system uses the course dates recorded on the CAS. The final amount is automatically calculated during the application.

The IHS is normally charged in yearly and six-month blocks:

A partial period of up to six months is generally charged as half a year.
A partial period exceeding six months is generally charged as a full year.

Estimated IHS for Common Course Lengths

These are planning examples, not guaranteed quotations:

Common Course	Illustrative Visa Duration	Estimated IHS
One-year master’s	Approximately 17 months	Approximately £1,164
Three-year bachelor’s	Approximately 41 months	Approximately £2,716
Four-year bachelor’s	Approximately 53 months	Approximately £3,492

Your actual payment can differ if your CAS dates, course duration or immigration period differ. Always use the official IHS calculator and the amount produced during your visa application.

Do Dependants Pay the IHS?

Yes. Each eligible dependant normally pays the Student-route IHS rate for the duration of their immigration permission.

For example, if a student’s calculated IHS is £1,164 and an eligible spouse applies for the same period, the spouse may also pay approximately £1,164.

That means a couple could pay:

Student application fee: £558
Spouse application fee: £558
Student IHS: approximately £1,164
Spouse IHS: approximately £1,164
Combined visa and IHS cost: approximately £3,444

This does not include tuition fees, maintenance evidence, or other expenses.

How Much Bank Balance Is Required for a UK Student Visa?

The required bank balance is not another visa fee. It is the amount you may need to demonstrate to satisfy the UK Student Visa financial requirement.

In most cases, a student needs enough money for:

Outstanding first-year course fees shown on the CAS; and
The prescribed living-cost amount for up to nine months.

The current maintenance requirement is:

£1,529 per month for study in London
£1,171 per month for study outside London
Calculated for a maximum of nine months

The maximum maintenance figures are therefore:

Study Location	Monthly Requirement	Nine-Month Requirement
London	£1,529	£13,761
Outside London	£1,171	£10,539

These are immigration-evidence figures. They are not necessarily a complete representation of what you will spend during the entire course.

How to Calculate Your Required Funds

Use this formula:

Outstanding first-year tuition fee on CAS + required maintenance funds

Example 1: University outside London

Suppose:

First-year tuition fee: £16,000
Tuition already paid: £6,000
Outstanding tuition: £10,000
Required maintenance: £10,539

Your potential financial evidence requirement would be:

£10,000 + £10,539 = £20,539

Example 2: University in London

Suppose:

First-year tuition fee: £18,000
Tuition already paid: £8,000
Outstanding tuition: £10,000
Required maintenance: £13,761

Your potential financial evidence requirement would be:

£10,000 + £13,761 = £23,761

If the tuition payment is not correctly recorded on the CAS—or otherwise supported in a form accepted under the rules—UKVI may calculate the outstanding amount differently. Students should therefore check their CAS carefully before submitting the visa application.

Does the Bank Balance Include the Visa Fee and IHS?

Normally, the financial requirement is calculated using outstanding tuition and prescribed maintenance funds.

Nevertheless, a sensible budget should keep the following payments separate:

Visa application fee
IHS
TB test fee
Priority-service fee, if selected
Card or foreign-exchange charges
Travel and initial accommodation costs

Do not use the exact financial-evidence balance to pay the visa fee or IHS before submitting the application if doing so would reduce the account below the required level.

The UK Student Visa 28-Day Bank Statement Rule

Where financial evidence is required, the relevant funds generally need to be held for at least 28 consecutive days. The closing balance must not fall below the required amount during those 28 days. Even a temporary drop can create a problem.

The end of the 28 days must usually fall within 31 days before the visa application date. UK immigration rules also specify requirements concerning acceptable accounts, financial institutions, currencies, and evidence.

Pakistani applicants should verify:

The account holder’s name
Account number
Bank or financial institution details
Statement date
Opening and closing dates
Daily balance throughout the required period
Relationship documents if using a parent’s funds
Consent letter where required
Currency conversion used for the application

A bank certificate showing only the closing balance may not resolve a problem if it fails to demonstrate that the required funds were maintained throughout the complete period.

University Tuition Fees for Pakistani Students

Tuition fees vary considerably by university, subject, and study level.

According to Study UK, international tuition fees commonly fall within these broad ranges:

Undergraduate degree: approximately £11,400 to £38,000 per year
Postgraduate degree: approximately £9,000 to £30,000 per year
Clinical and specialised courses can cost more

Students should rely on their university offer and CAS for their actual course fee.

How Much University Deposit Is Required Before CAS?

There is no single deposit amount for every UK university.

Depending on the institution and applicant profile, a university may ask for:

Fixed initial deposit
Percentage of the first-year tuition
Larger payment before issuing the CAS
An additional deposit after the credibility interview
Full or partial tuition payment before enrolment

A larger deposit can reduce the outstanding tuition amount that needs to be demonstrated, provided the university records the payment correctly on the CAS.

Before transferring money, confirm:

The university’s official bank details
Deposit refund policy
CAS issuance conditions
Payment deadline
Whether the payment will appear on the CAS
Whether the deposit is refundable following a visa refusal

Never send tuition money to a personal account or an unverified third party.

Other UK Student Visa Expenses from Pakistan

The visa fee and IHS are only part of the complete budget.

TB Test Fee

Pakistani applicants travelling to the UK for more than six months generally need a tuberculosis certificate from a Home Office-approved clinic.

The clinic fees may vary by location and applicant age. Only certificates issued by approved clinics are accepted.

English-Language Test Fee

Depending on the university and the applicant’s circumstances, proof of English may come from:

IELTS for UKVI
IELTS Academic
Pearson PTE
LanguageCert
A university-approved English assessment
A recognised degree taught in English, where accepted

Do not book a test only because another student used it. Confirm which evidence your university and visa route will accept.

Document Translation and Attestation

Documents not written in English or Welsh generally require a compliant translation.

Possible expenses include:

Certified translations
Academic document verification
Degree or transcript issuance
Relationship documents
Affidavits or consent documents
Courier services
Passport renewal

The translator’s certification should meet the applicable UKVI requirements.

Credibility or Pre-CAS Interview Preparation

Some universities conduct a Pre-CAS interview before issuing a CAS. UKVI may also assess whether an applicant is a genuine student.

Applicants should be ready to explain:

Why they selected the course
Why they selected that university
How the course connects with previous education or work
How the studies are funded
Why they chose the UK
Their accommodation plans
Their realistic career objectives

Preparation should focus on the applicant’s genuine circumstances. Memorised or copied answers can sound unnatural and create contradictions.

Priority and Super Priority Processing

Faster processing may be offered for an additional charge, but availability can vary by application centre, visa category and appointment date.

Historically, optional premium processing has been priced separately from the visa fee. Applicants should only include it in their budget after confirming that the service appears during their actual application journey.

A faster service does not guarantee visa approval. It only aims to provide a quicker decision.

Flight and Initial Accommodation

You should also budget for:

One-way air ticket
Airport transfer
Temporary accommodation
Accommodation deposit
First month’s rent
Food and local transportation
SIM card and basic household items
Warm clothing
Emergency reserve

These expenses are not part of the UKVI application fee, but they matter when calculating a realistic study-abroad budget.

Complete Budget Example for a One-Year Master’s Outside London

Consider a Pakistani student taking a one-year master’s course outside London.

Expense	Illustrative Amount
Annual tuition fee	£16,000
Tuition deposit already paid	£6,000
Outstanding tuition	£10,000
Maintenance requirement	£10,539
Visa application fee	£558
Estimated IHS	£1,164
Financial evidence potentially required	£20,539
Visa fee plus estimated IHS	£1,722

What has already been paid?

University deposit: £6,000

What may need to be shown as funds?

Outstanding tuition: £10,000
Maintenance funds: £10,539
Total potential evidence: £20,539

What must normally be paid during the visa application?

Visa fee: £558
Estimated IHS: £1,164
Total: £1,722

TB testing, English testing, translations, flights and accommodation would be additional.

Complete Budget Example for a One-Year Master’s in London

Now consider a student studying in London:

Expense	Illustrative Amount
Annual tuition fee	£18,000
Tuition already paid	£8,000
Outstanding tuition	£10,000
London maintenance requirement	£13,761
Financial evidence potentially required	£23,761
Visa application fee	£558
Estimated IHS	£1,164
Visa fee plus estimated IHS	£1,722

Studying in London requires more maintenance funds under the immigration rules. Actual rent and lifestyle costs can also be higher, so students should prepare a personal monthly budget instead of relying only on the minimum visa figure.

How to Convert Your UK Student Visa Budget into PKR

Because the GBP-to-PKR exchange rate changes, fixed conversions can quickly become misleading.

Use this formula:

GBP amount × applicable exchange rate = estimated PKR amount

For example, if your total is £20,000, multiply £20,000 by the current relevant exchange rate.

When planning, remember that three different rates may be involved:

The Home Office exchange rate used for visa payments
Exchange rate used when UKVI assesses foreign-currency evidence
Bank or card-provider rate used for an international transaction

Common Budgeting Mistakes Pakistani Students Should Avoid

Mistake 1—Treating the Visa Fee as the Complete Cost

The £558 fee is only the application charge. The IHS, tuition, financial evidence, and supporting expenses are separate.

Mistake 2—Calculating IHS Only for the Course Length

The visa may include additional time before and after the course. Use the officially calculated amount rather than guessing.

Mistake 3—Showing Only Living Costs

You may also need to show the outstanding first-year tuition fee stated on the CAS.

Mistake 4—Letting the Balance Fall for One Day

The required balance should remain available throughout the complete qualifying period.

Mistake 5—Using an Unacceptable Account

Not every savings arrangement, investment, property valuation or financial instrument satisfies the Student-route requirements.

Mistake 6—Paying Fees from the Required Balance Too Early

Paying the visa fee or IHS from the same account can bring the balance below the required amount.

Mistake 7—Ignoring the CAS

Paying the visa fee or IHS from the same account can bring the balance below the required amount.

Mistake 7—Ignoring the CAS

The CAS should correctly show:

Course dates
Total course fee
Tuition already paid
Accommodation payment recorded by the university, where applicable
Sponsor details

Mistake 8—Using an Informal Currency Conversion

Use the conversion method accepted under the immigration rules and maintain a buffer for exchange-rate movements.

Mistake 9—Hiding the True Source of Funds

Large unexplained deposits can raise questions. The applicant should be able to demonstrate a genuine and understandable source of funds.

How to Reduce the Cost of Studying in the UK

Students may be able to reduce their overall budget by:

Applying for university scholarships early
Comparing universities outside London
Selecting courses with realistic tuition fees
Paying deposits through official university channels
Choosing affordable accommodation
Applying early enough to avoid optional priority costs
Preparing the application correctly to reduce the risk of refusal
Looking for courses with placement or employability value
Comparing total cost—not just tuition fees

Eligible Pakistani students can also investigate the GREAT Scholarships, which offer £10,000 towards tuition for selected one-year postgraduate courses at participating universities in the 2026–2027 academic year.

A lower-cost university is not automatically the best choice. Course quality, location, career relevance, university credibility and the student’s academic profile must also be considered.

Why Plan Your UK Study Budget with AHS Consultants?

A successful UK study plan begins before the visa form is opened. AHS Consultants helps Pakistani students understand the complete journey, including:

Course and university selection
Application preparation
Offer-letter guidance
Tuition-deposit planning
CAS document review
Financial document guidance
Pre-CAS interview preparation
Student Visa application support
Pre-departure guidance

Every student has a different academic profile, sponsor arrangement, and budget. Advice that worked for a friend may not be suitable for your case.

AHS Consultants focuses on building a clear, realistic and properly documented application based on the applicant’s genuine circumstances.

Free Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions About UK Student Visa Fees

How much is the UK Student Visa fee from Pakistan in 2026?
The standard Home Office application fee for an entry clearance UK student visa from Pakistan is £490, payable online during submission. In addition to this baseline embassy fee, applicants must budget for mandatory biometrics center services and healthcare surcharges, and consulting a professional UK student visa consultant in Pakistan ensures complete fee verification and accurate currency conversion before payment.
How much is the UK IHS fee for a Pakistani student?
The discounted Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) rate for international students is £776 per year of permission granted. The total IHS calculation depends directly on your full course duration plus any wrap-up leave granted at the end, and expert UK student visa guidance in Pakistan guarantees this mandatory healthcare surcharge is calculated correctly to prevent application invalidation.
What is the UK IHS fee calculation for a one-year UK master’s degree from Pakistan?
For a typical 12-month master’s programme, the Home Office grants a visa valid for approximately 16 to 17 months, meaning the IHS is billed for 1.5 years at approximately £1,164. Seeking assistance from a dedicated study abroad consultant in Pakistan ensures your course dates and post-study buffer periods are accurately matched against UKVI billing rules.
How much maintenance money is required for a UK Student Visa outside London?
Under standard UKVI maintenance requirements, students studying outside London must show £1,023 per month for living costs for up to a maximum of 9 months (£9,207 in total), plus any outstanding course tuition fees. Utilizing professional UK visa document preparation services in Pakistan ensures your maintenance funds fulfill the mandatory consecutive 28-day holding rule without missing a single requirement.
How much maintenance money is required for a UK Student Visa in London?
For universities located within Greater London, applicants must demonstrate living expenses of £1,334 per month for up to 9 months (£12,006 in total), in addition to any unpaid tuition fees stated on your CAS letter. An experienced UK education consultant in Pakistan evaluates your London university offer to verify that your bank statement balances precisely meet the higher metropolitan financial thresholds.
Is the bank statement maintenance amount paid to the UK government?
No, the funds shown in your bank statement are not paid to the Home Office or the UK embassy; they simply serve as verified financial proof that you can cover your living expenses and tuition independently. Working with a reliable student visa consultancy in Pakistan helps you maintain these liquid funds correctly in an approved financial institution throughout the visa assessment period.
Can I use my parents’ bank account for a UK Student Visa application from Pakistan?
Yes, Pakistani students can rely on their mother’s or father’s bank account to demonstrate maintenance funds, provided they supply legal relationship evidence. This includes an official NADRA family registration certificate (FRC) or birth certificate, alongside a formal sponsorship consent letter, which an expert UK study visa consultant can draft to satisfy strict UKVI guidelines.
Can I use fixed property, land valuations, or gold as financial evidence for a UK Student Visa?
No, UKVI strictly mandates that financial maintenance evidence must be in liquid cash held in acceptable savings or current accounts; property valuations, land papers, gold, shares, and non-liquid assets are not accepted. Securing guidance from an affordable student visa consultant in Pakistan prevents severe refusals caused by presenting invalid asset documentation.
Is the UK IHS fee refunded if my Student Visa application is refused?
Yes, if your UK student visa application is refused, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) payment is automatically refunded back to the original card used during payment. However, the standard visa processing fee is non-refundable, which is why working with a seasoned UK visa refusal and appeals specialist in Pakistan is crucial to securing an approval on your initial attempt.
Can I pay the UK visa fee in Pakistani rupees (PKR)?
While the official UKVI visa application and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fees are billed in British Pounds (GBP) or US Dollars (USD), you can pay using a Pakistani debit or credit card enabled for international transactions. Your issuing local bank will automatically convert the equivalent amount into Pakistani Rupees (PKR) at prevailing exchange rates plus applicable foreign transaction taxes. Consulting a UK student visa consultant in Pakistan ensures your card limits and currency conversions are planned accurately to avoid payment failure during online visa submission.
Will UK Student Visa fees remain the same in 2027?
The UK Home Office periodically reviews and updates its immigration and visa fee structures to match administrative costs, inflation, and policy changes. While standard fees may adjust over time, working with a leading study abroad visa consultant in Pakistan keeps you informed of the latest UKVI fee regulations, IHS rate revisions, and maintenance fund threshold updates well ahead of your intake schedule.

References

View Official Government Sources & References

The following official UK government and British Council sources support the visa application fee, Immigration Health Surcharge, financial requirements, tuition costs and other information discussed in this article.

UK Government. Student Visa: Overview and Application Fees . Official information about UK Student Visa eligibility, application fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge. Accessed September 7, 2026.
UK Home Office. Student Visa Application Fees in Pakistan . Official UK Home Office fee calculator showing the Student Visa application fee payable by applicants applying from Pakistan. Accessed September 7, 2026.
UK Government. Pay for UK Healthcare as Part of Your Immigration Application . Official overview of the Immigration Health Surcharge and who may need to pay it. Accessed September 7, 2026.
UK Government. Immigration Health Surcharge: How Much You Have to Pay . Official information about the discounted IHS rate for students and how the total healthcare surcharge is calculated. Accessed September 7, 2026.
UK Government. Immigration Health Surcharge: Who Needs to Pay . Official guidance explaining when international students and their dependants are required to pay the IHS. Accessed September 7, 2026.
UK Government. Student Visa: Money Required to Support Yourself . Official maintenance-fund requirements for students studying in London and outside London. Accessed September 7, 2026.
UK Government. Financial Evidence for Student and Child Student Visa Applicants . Official guidance covering course fees, maintenance funds and acceptable financial evidence for Student Visa applications. Accessed September 7, 2026.
UK Government. Immigration Rules Appendix Finance . Official immigration rules concerning acceptable funds, financial institutions, evidence dates and the 28-day holding requirement. Accessed September 7, 2026.
UK Government. Immigration Health Surcharge: Caseworker Guidance . Official guidance explaining how the IHS is assessed using a student’s course and immigration-permission dates. Accessed September 7, 2026.
UK Government. UK Visa Fees and Revised Fee Tables . Official Home Office publication containing current and previous UK immigration and nationality fees. Accessed September 7, 2026.
UK Government. Pakistan: Approved Tuberculosis Testing Clinics for UK Visa Applicants . Official information about approved TB-testing clinics and certificate requirements for applicants in Pakistan. Accessed September 7, 2026.
British Council, Study UK. Cost of Studying in the UK . Guidance about typical international tuition fees, accommodation and living expenses in the United Kingdom. Accessed September 7, 2026.
British Council, Study UK. GREAT Scholarships for Pakistani Students . Information about participating universities and scholarship opportunities available to eligible Pakistani postgraduate students for 2026–2027. Accessed September 7, 2026.

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