How much does a UK Student Visa cost in 2026?
Direct, verified statutory answer backed by official Home Office guidance and current 2026 Immigration Rules.
Direct Answer
A UK Student Visa costs £490 for the application fee, plus £776 per year of visa duration for the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). For example, a standard 1-year Master’s course (issued a 1.5-year visa) costs £490 + £1,164 (IHS) = £1,654 total government fees, excluding living maintenance funds.
Detailed Explanation & Context
The total cost of securing a UK Student Visa comprises direct Home Office application fees, mandatory NHS healthcare surcharges, university CAS deposits, biometric appointment charges, and living maintenance bank account proof. While maintenance funds are not paid to the government, they must be demonstrably held in your personal bank account for 28 continuous days before applying.
Mandatory Requirements Checklist
Important Exceptions & Nuances
- If you have lived in the UK with permission for at least 12 months prior to the date of application, you are EXEMPT from showing maintenance funds on your student visa extension.
Official Statutory References & Guidance
All requirements, salary floors, maintenance rates, and eligibility criteria on this page are cross-checked against official UK Government legislation, Immigration Rules, and regulatory guidance:
- GOV.UK — Student Visa Fees
Official statutory reference for this immigration question.
- GOV.UK — Immigration Health Surcharge Rates
Official statutory reference for this immigration question.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear, authoritative answers to common immigration, visa, and relocation questions.
A UK Student Visa costs £490 for the application fee, plus £776 per year of visa duration for the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). For example, a standard 1-year Master’s course (issued a 1.5-year visa) costs £490 + £1,164 (IHS) = £1,654 total government fees, excluding living maintenance funds. The total cost of securing a UK Student Visa comprises direct Home Office application fees, mandatory NHS healthcare surcharges, university CAS deposits, biometric appointment charges, and living maintenance bank account proof. While maintenance funds are not paid to the government, they must be demonstrably held in your personal bank account for 28 continuous days before applying.
Real Immigrant Experiences
Moderated, firsthand insights from immigrants who completed this pathway:
Global Talent Visa (Tech Nation / Exceptional Promise) Endorsement & Stage 2
Applied under Tech Nation exceptional promise route with 3 reference letters from AI founders, GitHub open-source contributions, and media features. Stage 1 endorsement came in 18 days, Stage 2 UKVI clearance took only 2 weeks without needing a sponsor employer.
NHS Registered Nurse Relocation to Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Secured NHS Band 5 registered nurse sponsorship through international recruitment. The Health & Care Worker route has reduced visa fees and exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
Spouse Visa (Appendix FM) Journey: Meeting Financial Requirements & Relationship Evidence
Applied from Pakistan to join my British citizen husband in Birmingham. We prepared over 80 pages of combined relationship evidence (chat logs, wedding photos, tenancy agreement in UK, 6 months payslips and bank statements). Decision took 12 weeks standard.
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