Understanding these requirements helps students plan for additional costs and avoid unexpected expenses, particularly for Nepali students applying for UK visas. Having a clear understanding of these requirements can also help reduce confusion around the various costs and payment requirements involved in the UK visa application process.
In this blog, we explain the UK Student Route visa fees for international students, including the payment requirements, how the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) works, and the costs of priority visa services. We also cover other expenses students may need to consider, helping Nepali students planning to study in the UK prepare financially for their visa application.
What is the UK Student Route Visa?
The UK Student Route Visa is a points-based immigration system that allows international students to stay and learn in the UK for full-time or part-time study in a licensed institution or university. It is available to students who are eligible for full-time and part-time postgraduate courses.
To apply for a UK Student Route Visa, students must meet the age requirement of being over 16 years old, have financial requirements, have English language proficiency, and have Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) provided by a UK university.
Cost of UK Student Route Visa
International students are required to pay a visa fee when applying for the UK Student Route Visa. In addition to the UK student visa, the student must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge and choose optional priority services for faster visa processing.
| Visa-related Cost | Current Fees | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Student visa application | £558 | Applies to applications inside or outside the UK. |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | £776 per year | This cost is applicable for students, their dependents, Youth Mobility Scheme applicants, and children under 18. |
| Priority service | £558 additional cost |
£558 (standard student visa application fee) + £558 (priority service fee) = £1,116 total. Visa decision within 5 working days of your biometric appointment. |
| Super Priority service | £1,000 | Visa decision within 2 working days after your biometric appointment. |
Who Needs to Pay the UK Student Route Visa Fee?
Every international student who is planning to study an eligible higher education program lasting more than 6 months is required to pay the UK student route visa fees. Also, the dependents of the students are also required to pay the UK student route visa fee as the main applicant.
International Students
International students, including Nepali applicants applying for a UK student visa from Nepal, are required to pay the UK Student Route Visa fee of £558. This fee is just part of the online visa application process, as the additional Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fee and optional priority visa services are required to be paid by international students.
Students Applying or Switching Inside the UK
International students who are already in the UK and want to extend or switch to the Student Route must also pay the UK Student Route Visa fee of £558. Applicants are required to meet the immigration requirement before applying or switching applications before expiry for existing permission.
Dependents
Students who are eligible to bring their dependents must also pay for the UK Student Route Visa for their dependents, such as spouse or child. Dependents are required to make separate applications and also pay for the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). While most students planning to study postgraduate or government-sponsored courses can bring dependents, others may not be eligible to bring dependents in the UK.
What Is the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)?
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is the additional fee that the students and their dependents (if eligible) are required to pay along with the UK Student Route Visa. IHS are paid on an annual basis, costing £776 per application. This is mandatory for every applicant regardless of whether they have private medical insurance or not.
Optional Priority Visa Services
The optional priority visa services are additional costs that students can pay to get a faster visa decision. These services are not mandatory, and their availability may depend on the application and its location. However, students can choose optional priority visa services if they require faster visa-related decisions. The optional services include Priority Service and Super Priority Service.
Priority service costs an additional £558 in visa fees, providing a visa decision in the average of 5 working days from the biometric appointment. Meanwhile, Super Priority Service costs an additional £1,000 and provides a visa-related decision 2 working days after biometrics.
Other Costs UK Student Visa Applicants Should Budget For
In addition to the UK Student Route visa, Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), and optional costs like priority visa services, Nepali students also have to manage the expenses related to health tests and other documentation expenses. The additional costs required for applying for a UK student visa application include a TB test that costs an average of £50 to £60 or NPR 8000 to 10000, the cost of document translations or certification fees, and other application-related expenses.
Conclusion
Being familiar with the UK Student Route Visa, its fee, requirements, and additional cost requirements helps Nepali students to prepare and plan their budget in advance. The cost of the Student Route Visa fee is not just the only mandatory requirement, as students are also required to pay the mandatory Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) and fees related to tests, the NOC application, and document translations. Also, in case students want a faster visa decision, an additional fee for Visa Priority services can be paid.
Planning to study in the UK and need guidance in university and course selection, visa application, and documentation? Contact 360 Education for expert guidance and assistance from selecting a course, choosing a university, to documentation and applying for the UK Student Route Visa.
