From 9 April 2026, the UK student visa application fee increased from £524 to £558. This is not the only cost. Here is the complete breakdown of every single pound Pakistani students must budget for before they submit their visa application.

The New Fee Structure from April 2026

The UK Home Office announced a fee increase across all visa categories effective 9 April 2026. For student visa applicants from Pakistan, the application fee is now £558 per applicant. This applies to all Student Route visa applications made on or after that date, regardless of where the application is submitted. If your application was submitted before 9 April 2026, the previous fee of £524 applies.

The IHS Surcharge, The Cost Most Pakistanis Miss

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is mandatory and must be paid in full before you attend your biometrics appointment. As of April 2026, the IHS rate is £776 per year of study. This is paid upfront for the entire duration of your course. A 3-year undergraduate degree costs £2,328 in IHS alone. A 1-year Master's costs £776. This is non-negotiable and non-refundable if your visa is refused.

Complete Cost Breakdown for Pakistani Applicants (April 2026)

Here is every mandatory fee a Pakistani student must pay before receiving their UK student visa:

• Visa application fee: £558 (mandatory for all applicants)
• IHS surcharge: £776 per year of study (paid in full upfront)
• Biometrics fee: £19.20 (for applications made outside the UK)
• Priority service (optional): £500 for 5-working-day processing
• Super priority (optional): £1,000 for next-working-day decision

For a Pakistani student applying for a 1-year Master's degree: £558 + £776 + £19.20 = £1,353.20 minimum before a single pound of tuition is paid. For a 3-year undergraduate degree: £558 + £2,328 + £19.20 = £2,905.20 minimum.

How This Compares to Previous Years

The UK government has increased visa fees significantly in recent years as part of broader immigration revenue policy. In 2023, the IHS was £624 per year. In 2024 it rose to £776, where it remains in 2026. The visa application fee rose from £363 in 2023 to £490 in 2024, then to £524, and now £558 in April 2026. Pakistani students applying in 2026 are paying approximately 54% more in combined fees than those who applied in 2023.

The Graduate Route Visa, An Additional Cost to Plan For

Pakistani students who complete their degree and wish to remain in the UK under the Graduate Route must pay £937 for that visa (from April 2026). This is separate from the student visa and applies after graduation. Students who applied before December 2026 may still be eligible for the 2-year Graduate Route. Students who apply after December 2026 will receive only 18 months under new Home Office policy. Plan for this cost well in advance.

Does the Fee Increase Affect Refunds?

The visa application fee is partially refundable if the Home Office does not process your application within their standard processing time (subject to conditions). The IHS, however, is refundable if your visa is refused, provided you apply for the refund within 30 days of the refusal date. Many Pakistani students are unaware of this and lose their IHS payment by not claiming the refund on time.

How to Reduce the Impact of Higher Fees

The increase in UK visa fees makes financial planning more important than ever. Pakistani students should: (1) Build visa costs into their total study abroad budget from day one, not as an afterthought; (2) Apply well within the 6-month advance window to avoid any rush processing surcharges; (3) Ensure their visa financial evidence clearly covers these fees in addition to tuition and living costs; (4) Work with an ICEF Approved agency like Gohata Global to ensure the application is correct on first submission, a refusal wastes the full fee.

What Gohata Global's Visa Success Rate Means for You

At 96% first-attempt success rate across 11 countries, Gohata Global's visa preparation process exists specifically to avoid costly refusals. We review every document, structure every financial statement, and conduct mock credibility interviews before submission. With visa fees now at their highest level in UK immigration history, submitting a strong application the first time is no longer just advisable, it is financially essential.