UK Student Visa Costs
UK student visa costs vary by visa type, course duration, and application method, with standard Student visa costs ranging from £363-490 for standard applications to £363-490 plus £470 Immigration Health Surcharge for comprehensive visa and healthcare coverage. Understanding UK student visa costs, application requirements, and additional fees helps international students plan UK studies while managing visa application expenses. From short-term study visas to long-term student visas, UK visa system offers various options for international students.
🎓 UK student visa represents essential travel document for international students studying in UK requiring careful application planning and fee payment. Evaluating whether standard or priority visa provides best value, understanding application requirements and processing times, and knowing when to apply helps optimize visa costs while ensuring successful student visa approval.
How Much is a UK Student Visa?
Student Visa (Standard): £363 for standard Student visa application for courses over 6 months. Student visa costs £363 for full-time courses at UK educational institutions. Includes online application and standard processing time.
Student Visa (Priority): £363 plus £250 for priority Student visa service providing faster processing within 5 working days. Priority Student visa costs £613 total including standard visa fee and priority service. Includes faster processing for urgent applications.
Short-term Study Visa: £200 for short-term study visa for courses up to 6 months. Short-term study visa costs £200 for English language courses and short courses. Includes standard processing and limited visa validity.
Child Student Visa: £363 for Child Student visa for students aged 4-17 years. Child Student visa costs £363 for younger students attending UK schools. Includes comprehensive visa validity for full course duration.
Immigration Health Surcharge: £470 per year for Immigration Health Surcharge providing NHS healthcare access. IHS for students costs £470 per year of visa validity, with typical 3-year course costing £1,410 total. Includes comprehensive NHS healthcare coverage for visa duration.
Additional Services: £50-300 for additional services including visa application centre fees, biometric appointments, and document translation. VAC fees vary by location, biometric appointments may cost £19.20, and document translation costs £50-200 depending on document volume. Additional services significantly affect total visa application costs.
For example, standard Student visa at £363 with 3-year IHS at £1,410 totals £1,773, while priority Student visa at £613 with IHS totals £2,023. Short-term study visa at £200 provides affordable option for short courses.
Real-World Examples:
UK Visas and Immigration in London: Student visa from £363, priority service from £250, Immigration Health Surcharge from £470 per year. Official UK visa processing service with comprehensive student visa support and processing options.
VFS Global Visa Application Centre in Manchester: Student visa from £363, short-term study visa from £200, biometric appointment from £19.20. Visa application centre with comprehensive student visa services and application support.
Visa Application Centre in Birmingham: Child Student visa from £363, priority service from £250, document translation from £50. Professional visa application centre with student visa processing and comprehensive services.
TLScontact in Edinburgh: Student visa from £363, Immigration Health Surcharge from £470 per year, comprehensive services from £300. Visa application centre with comprehensive student visa services and IHS support.
Student Visa Agents in Glasgow: Visa application assistance from £150, document preparation from £200, comprehensive student services from £400. Professional student visa agents with application support and document preparation services.
Factors that Affect UK Student Visa Costs
📚 Visa Type and Course Duration
Short-term study visa costs £200 for courses up to 6 months, while standard Student visa costs £363 for courses over 6 months. Visa type and course duration significantly affect costs, with longer courses requiring standard Student visas. Course duration directly impacts visa type and total costs.
⚡ Processing Speed and Priority Services
Standard processing costs £0 additional fee, while priority service costs £250 for 5-day processing, and super priority service costs £956 for next-day processing. Processing speed significantly affects costs, with faster processing commanding premium prices. Priority services reduce waiting times but increase total application costs.
🏥 Immigration Health Surcharge
IHS costs £470 per year of visa validity, with typical 3-year course costing £1,410 total. IHS provides NHS healthcare access and significantly affects total visa costs. IHS duration directly impacts total healthcare surcharge costs.
📍 Application Location and Method
Online application costs standard visa fee, while application centre fees may add £50-200 depending on location and services. Application method and location affect total costs, with premium locations commanding higher fees. Application location significantly impacts convenience and costs.
📄 Additional Services and Documentation
Biometric appointments cost £19.20, while document translation costs £50-200, and application assistance costs £100-300. Additional services significantly affect total visa application costs. Documentation requirements and support services can add £100-500 to standard visa fees.
How to Save Money on UK Student Visa
⏰ Apply Early for Standard Processing
Standard processing costs £0 additional fee, while priority service costs £250 for faster processing. Applying early allows standard processing without premium fees. Early application can save £250-956 on priority service fees.
📄 Prepare Documents Yourself
Self-preparation costs £0 additional fees, while professional assistance costs £100-300 for application support. Preparing documents yourself eliminates professional fees. Self-preparation can save £100-300 on visa application costs.
🔍 Compare Application Centres
Application centre fees vary by location—compare multiple options to find best value. Some centres offer lower fees or better services. Comparing centres can save £50-150 on application centre fees.
✅ Ensure Complete Application
Complete applications avoid delays and additional costs, while incomplete applications may require resubmission fees. Ensuring complete and accurate applications prevents additional expenses. Proper preparation can save £100-300 on reapplication or correction fees.
📚 Consider Short-term Study Visa
Short-term study visa costs £200 compared to standard Student visa costing £363, saving £163 for courses up to 6 months. Short-term visa provides affordable option for short courses. Appropriate visa selection can save £100-200 on visa costs.
FAQs
How much does a UK student visa cost?
UK student visa costs £363 for standard Student visa, plus £470 per year for Immigration Health Surcharge. Typical 3-year course costs £1,773 total including visa fee and IHS. Short-term study visa costs £200 for courses up to 6 months. Additional services including priority processing may add £250-956 to total costs.
What is the Immigration Health Surcharge for students?
Immigration Health Surcharge costs £470 per year of visa validity, providing NHS healthcare access for international students. Typical 3-year course requires £1,410 IHS payment. IHS is mandatory for Student visas and provides comprehensive NHS healthcare coverage for visa duration.
How long does UK student visa processing take?
Standard UK student visa processing takes 15-30 working days, while priority service provides 5-day processing for £250 additional fee, and super priority service provides next-day processing for £956 additional fee. Processing times vary by application complexity and peak periods. Apply early to allow standard processing time.
What documents are required for UK student visa?
Required documents include valid passport, completed visa application form, CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies), recent photographs, financial evidence, English language proficiency, and supporting documents. Document translation may cost £50-200 if required. Ensure all documents are complete and accurate to avoid delays and additional costs.
How can I reduce UK student visa costs?
Apply early for standard processing, prepare documents yourself, compare application centres, ensure complete application, and consider short-term study visa for short courses. These strategies can save £100-956 on UK student visa costs. Standard processing and self-preparation provide largest savings opportunities for visa applications.
Conclusion
UK student visa costs range from £200-1,773 depending on visa type, course duration, Immigration Health Surcharge, and processing speed, requiring careful application planning and fee management for successful UK study approval. Strategic visa planning—applying early for standard processing, preparing documents yourself, comparing application centres, ensuring complete applications, and considering short-term study visa—saves £100-956 while ensuring successful student visa approval. UK student visas provide access to UK education, making them essential for international students. Compare student visa costs with other study expenses like tourist visas or travel costs when planning UK studies. With proper planning and application preparation, UK student visas can be obtained effectively ensuring successful UK study without excessive financial burden. 🎓
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Alan Frost |
| Grew up in and live in Birmingham. Writer, publisher, editor, EFL teacher, composer. |
