How Much Does a UK Student Visa Cost From Pakistan? (2026)
Table of contents
The full cost breakdown
When Pakistani students ask about the price of a UK student visa, they usually mean the application fee. That is only one line on the bill. The visa itself carries several fixed charges, and the health surcharge is often bigger than the application fee. Here are the main items for 2026:
- Student visa application fee (applying from Pakistan): around 524 pounds
- Immigration Health Surcharge: 776 pounds per year of the visa
- TB test in Pakistan: roughly 12,000 to 15,000 rupees
- Priority or super priority service (optional): 500 pounds and up
- Biometric enrolment at the visa centre: usually included, small courier or premium lounge fees may apply
Fees are set in pounds by the UK Home Office, so your rupee cost moves with the exchange rate on the day you pay. Always confirm the current figure on the official gov.uk page before you budget, because these charges rise most years.
What is the Immigration Health Surcharge?
The Immigration Health Surcharge, or IHS, is a fee that gives you access to the National Health Service during your stay. For students it sits at 776 pounds for each year of your visa. The Home Office charges it upfront for your whole visa length, not year by year.
This is where the total climbs. A student visa is usually granted for your course length plus a few extra months. So a one-year masters is charged around 776 pounds of IHS, while a longer visa is charged more. The good news is that once you pay it, your day to day healthcare in the UK is covered the same way it is for a local resident.
TB test, biometrics and priority fees
Pakistan is on the list of countries where a tuberculosis test is required for visas longer than six months. You take it at an approved clinic, and the certificate is valid for six months. Budget roughly 12,000 to 15,000 rupees for this.
Biometric enrolment happens when you submit your application at the visa centre, and the basic step is part of the process. Priority and super priority services are optional add-ons that speed up your decision. They cost several hundred pounds extra, and you only need them if your intake date is close. For a normal timeline, the standard service is fine. If you want to know how long the wait runs without paying extra, read our guide on UK student visa processing time from Pakistan.
Want a clear number for your exact course?
Border and Bridges can total your visa fees, IHS and living cost proof for your chosen university in one sitting. Tell us your course length and we will do the math.
What a real applicant pays in total
Here is how the visa cost looks for two common cases. Figures are in pounds and cover only the visa side, not tuition or living costs.
One-year masters student
Application fee near 524 pounds, plus about 776 pounds of IHS for the year, plus the TB test. Total visa cost lands close to 1,300 pounds, or a little over 4.5 to 5 lakh rupees depending on the rate.
Three-year bachelors student
Application fee near 524 pounds, plus IHS across the full visa length which can reach 2,300 to 2,500 pounds, plus the TB test. Total visa cost passes 2,800 pounds, roughly 10 lakh rupees or more.
These totals sit on top of what you pay the university. To see the bigger picture, read how much it costs to study in the UK from Pakistan in 2026, which covers tuition and living costs in detail.
Costs beyond the visa fee
The visa fee is not the money the embassy wants to see in your account. Separately, you must prove you can cover tuition plus living costs. The exact figure you hold in the bank is covered in our guide on bank statement needed for a UK student visa from Pakistan. Keep the two separate in your head. One is what you spend on the visa, the other is what you show to prove funds.
Once you are in the UK, you can earn back some of these costs through part-time work. Our guide on part-time work for Pakistani students in the UK explains the weekly hour limits during term.
How to keep costs down
- Apply for the right visa length. A longer visa means more IHS, so do not over-request.
- Skip priority service unless your intake is tight. The standard timeline is free.
- Book your TB test at an approved clinic to avoid repeat fees for a rejected certificate.
- Chase scholarships that waive tuition or living costs. See the best UK scholarships for Pakistani students.
- Lock your currency early if the rupee is moving against the pound, since fees are billed in pounds.
Key takeaways
A UK student visa from Pakistan costs around 524 pounds for the application and 776 pounds a year for the health surcharge, so a one-year masters is near 1,300 pounds and a three-year degree can pass 2,800 pounds, plus a TB test of 12,000 to 15,000 rupees. All of this is separate from tuition and the funds you must show in your account. Confirm current figures on gov.uk before you budget.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the UK student visa application fee from Pakistan?
The application fee for applying from outside the UK is around 524 pounds in 2026. It is billed in pounds, so your rupee cost depends on the exchange rate that day.
Do Pakistani students have to pay the health surcharge?
Yes. The Immigration Health Surcharge is 776 pounds per year of your visa, charged upfront for the whole visa length. It gives you access to the NHS during your studies.
Is the visa fee the same as the money I show in my bank?
No. The visa fee is what you pay the Home Office. Separately you must prove tuition plus living funds in your account. They are two different numbers.
Do I need a TB test and how much is it?
Yes, for a visa longer than six months you need a TB test at an approved clinic in Pakistan. It costs roughly 12,000 to 15,000 rupees and the certificate is valid for six months.
Can I pay extra for a faster decision?
Yes. Priority and super priority services cost several hundred pounds extra and speed up the decision. They are optional and only worth it if your intake date is close.
Are visa fees refundable if I am refused?
The application fee is generally not refunded once your application is processed, but the IHS is refunded if your visa is refused. Keep your refusal letter for the refund.
Will the fees change in 2026?
UK visa fees and the health surcharge usually rise each year. Always check the current amount on the official gov.uk page before you send your application.
Get your true UK visa budget from a verified team
Border and Bridges is a Johar Town, Lahore consultancy verified by SECP, FBR, ICEF and the British Council. We help Pakistani students total their visa fees, prepare the funds proof and apply the right way. Explore our study destinations, open the UK study page, or contact our team today.
