Student Visa UK Fees 2026: Application Fee, IHS and Total Cost

Planning to study in the UK in 2026 means looking beyond university tuition fees. For international students, the overall student visa UK fees can include the visa application fee, Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), optional priority processing, financial maintenance funds, and other costs connected with preparing and submitting the application.

It is important to distinguish government charges from the money you need to demonstrate for your application. Your financial requirement is not a fee paid to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). Instead, it is evidence that you have enough money available to pay for your studies and support yourself in the UK.

In this guide, we explain the main UK student visa fees for 2026, how the Student Visa application fee works, what you can expect to pay for the Immigration Health Surcharge, and how to estimate your overall UK Student Visa cost.

The figures below reflect the UK immigration rules and government fee information as of August 2026. Immigration fees can change, so applicants should always check the latest GOV.UK information before submitting an application.

Student Visa UK Fees 2026 at a Glance

For most applicants, the core government costs are mentioned in the table below:

The student visa application fee UK applicants pay is £558 whether the application is made from outside the UK or, where permitted, from inside the UK to extend or switch to the Student Visa route. The £558 fee took effect on 8 April 2026, increasing from £524.

The IHS is separate from the visa application fee. For students, the current rate is £776 for each year of immigration permission, with the final amount calculated according to the length of the visa.

What Is the Student Visa Application Fee UK Students Pay?

The Student Visa application fee is the mandatory Home Office charge for submitting a Student Visa application.

Effective from 8 April 2026, the fee is £558 per applicant.

This applies to the main Student Visa applicant and also to each dependent who is eligible to apply under the Student route. The Home Office's fee increased from £524 to £558 in April 2026 for applications made both outside and inside the UK.

So, if you are applying alone from overseas, your starting government cost is £558 before considering the IHS or any optional services.

If your family members are eligible to apply as Student dependants, each person has their own visa application and must pay the relevant application fee. GOV.UK confirms that each dependant must pay the visa fee and healthcare surcharge.

Did the Student Visa Fee Increase in 2026?

Yes. The Student visa fee was £524 before 8 April 2026. From 8 April 2026, it increased by £34 to £558. The same £558 fee now applies to Student Visa applications made from outside the UK and eligible applications made from inside the UK.

This is the reason it is important to check current UKVI Student Visa fees when preparing your budget. Older websites and articles may still quote the previous £524 figure.

What Is the Immigration Health Surcharge for International Students?

The Immigration Health Surcharge, usually called the IHS, is another major part of the Student Visa UK cost.

You pay the IHS as part of your immigration application, separate from the visa application fee. Students are currently required to pay £776 per year as IHS.

The same £776 annual rate applies to Student Visa dependants and certain other categories, including Youth Mobility Scheme applicants.

Paying the IHS generally gives eligible migrants access to NHS healthcare in the UK on broadly the same basis as UK residents, although some services and charges can still apply.

For students, the IHS can represent a substantial proportion of the upfront cost of studying in Britain. This is particularly important for longer courses because the IHS is based on the period of immigration permission rather than simply the advertised length of your university course.

How Much is the Student Visa IHS Fee?

At the current student rate:

• 1 year of IHS = £776
• 2 years of IHS = £1,552
• 2.5 years of IHS = £1,940
• 3 years of IHS = £2,328
• 3.5 years of IHS = £2,716
• 4 years of IHS = £3,104

The actual amount can depend on the period of immigration permission granted and the rounding rules used by the IHS system.

The Home Office explains that the IHS is calculated in six-month periods. Where the period includes part of a year, the amount is rounded up to the next six-month period.

This means you should not simply multiply £776 by the number of academic years shown on your university offer letter. Your visa can cover additional time before and after your course.

One interesting point: if someone is applying from outside the UK for immigration permission of six months or less, they generally do not have to pay the IHS. However, applications made from inside the UK can attract a charge even for shorter periods.

Why the IHS Can Be Higher Than Expected

One of the most common mistakes we see when people calculate their UK Student Visa cost is assuming that a 12-month course means exactly 12 months of IHS.

The immigration permission granted to a student can extend beyond the actual teaching period.

For example, a student studying a course lasting more than 12 months can receive 17 months of immigration permission. For a 12-month course applied for from outside the UK, there can also be additional time before and after the course. This is why the IHS payment displayed during your application is the figure you should use when finalising your budget.

Example: Two-year UK Master's degree

Suppose your course is a two-year Master's programme.

Your visa permission may extend beyond the exact course dates. Depending on the dates and circumstances, the IHS calculation could cover 2.5 years.

At £776 per year:

£776 × 2.5 = £1,940

Add the £558 Student visa application fee:

£1,940 + £558 = £2,498

Therefore, the core immigration charges could be approximately £2,498, before any optional priority service, TB testing, travel, tuition or living costs.

The Home Office system calculates the exact IHS amount, so applicants should use the figure generated during their application rather than relying solely on an illustrative calculation.

Student Visa Financial Requirement in 2026

The Student Visa financial requirement is the amount of money you may need to demonstrate that you can support yourself and pay your course fees.

For most students, you need to show money for your course fees and living costs unless an exemption applies. The course fee information is normally contained in your CAS, or Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.

For living costs in 2026, the required amount is:

Studying in London

£1,529 per month, for up to nine months.

The maximum maintenance requirement is, therefore:

£1,529 × 9 = £13,761

Studying Outside London

£1,171 per month, for up to nine months.

The maximum maintenance requirement is:

£1,171 × 9 = £10,539

These are the amounts specified by GOV.UK for Student Visa financial evidence. Remember that this is a financial requirement, not an application fee.

If you are asked to demonstrate £13,761 for a London-based course, you are not paying £13,761 to UKVI. You are demonstrating that you have access to the required funds.

How CAS and Tuition Fees Affect Your Budget

Your CAS, or Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, is central to your Student visa application.

Your education provider issues the CAS after offering you a place and completing its relevant sponsorship procedures. Your CAS contains important information about your course and can show the tuition fees relevant to your application.

The tuition fee you need to budget for is therefore highly specific to your university and course.

There is no single national tuition fee for international students. Fees can vary considerably by institution, subject, qualification, and course duration.

Student Visa Priority Service

Some applicants want a faster decision and may be offered an optional Student Visa priority service.

Current Home Office fees:

• Priority Visa service: £500
• Super Priority Visa service: £1,000

These charges are additional to the standard Student Visa application fee.

Priority availability can depend on where you apply and the application service available to you. Paying for a priority service does not guarantee that an application will be successful. It is a faster processing option, not a guarantee of approval.

For example, an overseas student paying for Priority service has to pay:

£558 standard application fee + £500 Priority = £1,058 before adding IHS.

With Super Priority:

£558 + £1,000 = £1,558 before IHS.

The standard GOV.UK Student Visa guidance says applications made outside the UK usually receive a decision within three weeks, while applications made inside the UK usually take longer. Applicants are told during the process whether a faster service is available.

Student Visa Dependant Costs

Not every international student can bring dependants.

The rules have become more restrictive. Generally, Student dependants are permitted in specific circumstances, including certain government-sponsored students and eligible postgraduate students.

From 1 January 2024, a postgraduate student generally needs to be studying a PhD, another doctorate, or a research-based higher degree at an eligible higher education provider to bring dependants.

Where a dependant is eligible, they generally need their own application and must pay the relevant visa fee and IHS.

Dependant Visa Fee

The Student dependant application fee is £558 per person.

Dependant IHS

Adult dependants normally pay the student-rate IHS of £776 per year, calculated according to the length of their immigration permission.

Eligible dependants also have a financial requirement.

For each dependant, the maintenance requirement is currently:

• £845 per month in London, up to nine months
• £680 per month outside London, up to nine months

That means a dependant accompanying a student in London could need to demonstrate up to:

£845 × 9 = £7,605

This amount is in addition to the Student's own maintenance requirement, where the financial evidence rules apply.

Student Visa UK Cost: What Else Do You Need to Budget For?

Although the main focus of this guide is Student Visa UK fees, a sensible financial plan should cover the additional expenses, including the following:

1. Tuition Fees

As mentioned, international students must consider tuition fees, which may vary significantly between institutions and courses. Check the CAS provided by your university for relevant fee information and payment schedule.

2. Accommodation

Rent can be one of the largest ongoing expenses, particularly in London and other major university cities.

You may need money for:

• Rental deposits
• First month's rent
• University accommodation fees
• Private accommodation
• Utilities
• Council tax considerations, where relevant

3. Living Costs

The UKVI maintenance requirement is an immigration benchmark. It should not automatically be treated as a complete personal budget.

Actual living costs for UK Student Visa applicants vary depending on lifestyle, location, accommodation, and travel.

4. Travel

Remember to budget for:

• Flights
• Airport transfers
• Train or coach travel
• Local public transport

5. Health and Testing Costs

Depending on your circumstances and country of application, you may need to pay for a TB test or other required documentation.

6. English Language Testing

If you need to take an approved English language test, include the test fee and any potential retest costs.

7. Professional Immigration Advice

If your circumstances are complex and you decide to seek professional immigration advice, you must account for the associated fee, which will depend on the adviser and service you choose.

How to Reduce the Risk of Unexpected Student Visa Costs

Here are some practical steps you can take before submitting your application to avoid surprises:

Check the Current Fee Immediately Before Applying

Do not rely on old data, university forums, or social media posts for the visa fee. Check the government website for the current fee.

As of August 2026, the Student Visa fee remains £558.

Check the IHS Calculation Carefully

The IHS is not always simply the number of course years multiplied by £776. Consider your visa dates, validation of immigration permission and the six-month rounding system to calculate the exact amount.

Review Your CAS

The CAS is a central document in the Student route and can affect both your financial planning and IHS calculation. Therefore, review your CAS and make sure the course information, dates, and fee information match your application.

Separate Fees from Financial Evidence

Don't confuse the money you must demonstrate with money you must pay to UKVI.

For example, a London Student applicant may need to demonstrate up to £13,761 for maintenance. That does not mean £13,761 is an immigration fee.

Consider Priority Processing Carefully

If you have plenty of time before your intended travel date, you may not need to spend an additional £500 or £1,000 on faster processing.

If timing is important, however, check whether the relevant service is available before relying on it.

Budget for Your Dependants Separately

If your family is eligible to accompany you, calculate each person's:

• Visa application fee
• IHS
• Maintenance requirement
• Travel and accommodation costs

This can make a significant difference to the total family budget.

Student Visa UK Fees 2026: Final Checklist

Before you submit your application, use this simple checklist to review your budget:

• Check that the current Student Visa application fee
• Calculate the expected IHS using the length of your immigration permission
• Check whether Priority or Super Priority is available and whether you actually need it
• Review your CAS and tuition fee information
• Calculate the Student Visa financial requirement
• Check whether you are studying in London or outside London for maintenance purposes
• Check whether you are eligible to bring dependants
• Calculate the separate visa and IHS costs for each eligible dependant
• Budget for accommodation and living costs
• Allow for flights and initial relocation expenses
• Check whether you need a TB test
• Check whether you need an ATAS certificate
• Review the latest GOV.UK guidance immediately before submission

How UK Visas Can Help with Your Student Visa

Applying for a UK Student Visa can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to balance university deadlines, financial planning, and immigration requirements at the same time. At UK Visas, our Student Visa service in the UK supports applicants through every stage of the process, making it clearer, faster, and less stressful.

Our immigration advisors can help you by:

• Reviewing your eligibility for a UK Student visa before you apply
• Checking your CAS details to ensure they meet UKVI requirements
• Helping you calculate your total visa cost, including IHS and maintenance funds
• Advising on financial evidence and documentation requirements
• Assisting with completing and submitting your visa application correctly
• Identifying potential issues that could lead to delays or refusals
• Supporting you if you are applying with dependants
• Guiding you on priority and super priority service options where available

Our goal is to provide you with UK visa services that help you avoid common mistakes that can lead to unnecessary delays or additional costs. Whether you are applying for the first time or extending your stay in the UK, we can provide tailored support based on your individual circumstances.

Final Thoughts

Understanding student visa UK fees is about more than knowing one number.

In 2026, the standard Student visa application fee is £558, while the student Immigration Health Surcharge is £776 per year. Optional Priority and Super Priority services can add £500 or £1,000 respectively where available. Beyond those charges, students need to plan carefully for tuition fees, accommodation, living costs and any financial evidence required under the Student route.

The biggest budgeting mistake is to treat the visa application fee as the total cost of obtaining a UK Student visa. The £558 charge is only one component. The IHS can be substantial for longer courses, and the amount you need to demonstrate for maintenance can also be significant.

Your CAS, course length, location, immigration history and family circumstances can all affect the figures relevant to you.

For the most accurate calculation, check the latest official UKVI requirements and the fee displayed during your application. If your circumstances are complicated, obtaining professional immigration advice before submitting the application can help you identify potential issues early.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a Student Visa in the UK in 2026?

The Student Visa application fee is £558 in 2026. This is separate from the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is currently £776 per year for students.

What is the Student Visa IHS fee in 2026?

The student IHS rate is £776 per year. The amount actually payable depends on the length of immigration permission and the applicable six-month calculation rules.

Is the IHS included in the £558 visa fee?

No. The £558 Student visa application fee and the IHS are separate charges.

When Should You Apply for a UK Student Visa?

If you are applying from outside the UK, you can normally submit your Student Visa application up to six months before your course begins. If applying from inside the UK, the earliest application point is normally three months before the course starts, subject to the relevant rules.

Applying early gives you more time to deal with unexpected issues, but it does not mean you should submit an application before you have the necessary information and documents.

Is the maintenance requirement a visa fee?

No. It is financial evidence showing that you have enough money to support yourself and pay your course costs where required.

Get in touch with us today for assistance with Student Visa application or to learn more about our fees.

Garima Arora

Garima, a seasoned legal professional, became part of the UK Visas team in 2018 and brings with her vast expertise in all areas of immigration law. She qualified as a solicitor in 2017 and holds IAAS Level Senior Caseworker status