Planning to study in the UK is exciting. But before you submit your visa application, you need to understand how much the visa actually costs. Many students only look at the visa application fees and miss the highest cost in the process, which is the immigration health surcharge.
If you are applying from India for the 2026 intake, this guide will help you clearly understand student visa fees, IHS charges, and the complete cost breakdown you should prepare for before travelling to the UK.
Before applying for your visa, it is also helpful to understand the complete application process. You can read our detailed guide on How to Apply to UK Universities: Step-by-Step Guide 2026 to prepare your documents and timelines properly.
When you apply to study in the UK, the visa process includes a few mandatory payments. These payments are required to process your visa and allow you to access certain services once you arrive in the UK.
Most students will need to pay:
- visa application fees
- immigration health surcharge or IHS
- biometric and application processing charges
Understanding these costs in advance helps you plan your finances properly and avoid surprises during your application submission.
Table of Contents
Overview of UK Visa Application Fees
When you submit your visa application, the first payment you will make is the standard visa application fee.
For students applying under the UK Student Visa category from India, the standard fee is about ₹67,077 for the main applicant and dependents.
This payment is made online when you complete your visa application through the official visa system.
Different visa categories have different application fees. For example, a short-term study visa for English language courses lasting more than 6 months but less than 11 months costs around ₹27,394.
If a parent is applying to accompany a school student, the Parent of a Student Child visa (valid for up to 12 months) costs around ₹87,303.
The exact fee depends on the visa category you choose and can always be checked by using the visa fee tool on the official government website. Many immigration applicants use the search gov.uk visa fee checker to confirm the latest fees before applying.
But before you submit your student visa application, one step that many students struggle with is understanding the UK visa financial requirements for Indian students. The UK government requires every international student to prove that they can pay their course fees and living costs while studying in the country. Read our detailed guide for complete information: UK Visa Financial Requirements Explained for Indian Students (2026–2027)
Understanding visa fees is just one part of the process. You should also review the Complete UK Application Document Checklist (2026) to ensure you have all the required documents before submitting your visa application.
What Is the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)?
Once you move forward with your visa application, you will come across another mandatory payment called the immigration health surcharge (IHS).
This fee allows international students and other immigration applicants to access healthcare through the UK’s public healthcare system, the National Health Service.
In simple terms, when you pay the IHS fee, you gain access to NHS medical services during your stay in the UK.
You can start using NHS services from the date your visa officially begins, provided the surcharge has already been paid.
However, it is important to understand that some services still require payment, such as:
- prescriptions
- dental treatment
- eye tests
- assisted fertility treatment
When you access healthcare in the UK, you may sometimes need to prove your immigration status online using a share code.
If you are still planning your study journey, you may also find our UK Study Guide for Indian Students (2026) helpful to understand the full process from admission to arrival.
Who Needs to Pay the IHS
Many students ask whether the IHS fee applies to them. In most cases, the answer is yes.
You are usually required to pay the healthcare surcharge if:
- You are applying for a visa for more than 6 months while applying from outside the UK
- You are applying for any visa extension or immigration application inside the UK
Since most student visas last longer than six months, international students are required to pay this surcharge during the application process.
Another important thing to remember is that you still need to pay the IHS even if you already have private medical insurance.
Who Does Not Need to Pay the IHS
There are a few exceptions where applicants do not need to pay the healthcare surcharge.
For example, the surcharge does not apply if you are applying for a visitor visa or a visa that lasts 6 months or less when applying from outside the UK.
Certain immigration categories are also exempt from the surcharge. These include applicants under specific immigration routes such as diplomatic categories, humanitarian protection, or certain government programmes.
However, these situations rarely apply to international students who are planning long-term study in the UK.
How Much Is the Immigration Health Surcharge?
The amount you need to pay depends mainly on the length of your visa.
Currently, the healthcare surcharge costs:
- £776 per year for students, their dependants, and applicants under 18
- £1,035 per year for most other immigration applications, such as the Skilled Worker Visa
For example, if your visa is issued for two years, the healthcare surcharge would be £1,552 in total.
The important thing to remember is that the surcharge is calculated based on the visa duration, not just your course duration. Sometimes the visa may last longer than the course itself, which slightly increases the amount you need to pay.
What Happens if Your Visa Includes Part of a Year?
Visa durations do not always match exact years, so the surcharge is also calculated for partial periods.
If the visa includes 6 months or less, students applying from outside the UK usually do not need to pay the surcharge.
However, if you apply from inside the UK for a short extension, you may have to pay half the yearly cost, which is about £388 for students.
If the visa period is more than 6 months but less than one year, you will still need to pay the full yearly amount.
For visas lasting more than one year, the total amount will include the yearly cost plus additional charges depending on how long the visa lasts.
What Happens If You Do Not Pay the IHS?
During the visa application process, the healthcare surcharge must be paid before the application is processed.
If the payment is incomplete or missing, you will receive an email from UK Visas and Immigration explaining how to complete the payment.
Once the email is sent, you must pay the surcharge within:
- 7 working days if you are applying from outside the UK
- 10 working days if you are applying inside the UK
If the full payment is not made within this time, the visa application may be refused.
Paying the Healthcare Surcharge for Dependants
If your dependants apply for a visa along with you, they will usually need to pay the same healthcare surcharge amount.
For example, if your student visa is issued for two years and you pay £1,552 in healthcare charges, each dependent applying under your visa must also pay the same amount.
Visitor Visas and Short-Term Study Visas
If someone is travelling to the UK on a visitor visa, the healthcare surcharge does not apply.
However, visitor visa holders must pay for medical treatment at the point of use if they need healthcare services in the UK.
In many cases, treatment can cost significantly more because overseas visitors may be charged up to 150 per cent of the NHS treatment cost. For this reason, visitors are usually advised to purchase travel or health insurance.
When Can You Start Using NHS Services?
Once your visa becomes valid and the healthcare surcharge has been paid, you can start using NHS healthcare services.
However, if the UK Home Office has not yet decided on your visa application, you may still need to pay for treatment during that period.
After your visa is approved, NHS access becomes available for most essential healthcare services.
Can the IHS Fee Be Refunded?
Students sometimes wonder whether the healthcare surcharge can be refunded.
In some situations, the refund happens automatically. For example, if your visa application is refused or rejected, the surcharge will usually be returned to the same account used to make the payment.
However, refunds are not issued in certain situations.
For instance, if you receive your visa but decide not to travel to the UK, the surcharge will not be refunded. The same rule applies if you leave the UK early or your visa is shortened.
Example Cost Breakdown for a UK Student Visa
To make things clearer, here is a simplified example of what a typical student might pay when applying from India.
| Expense | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Student visa application fee | INR 67,077 |
| Immigration health surcharge for a year | £776 |
| Additional visa processing services | varies |
The final cost depends on your visa duration and any additional services you choose during the visa application. Your total cost for one year would be, in INR terms, roughly ₹1.4 – ₹1.5 lakh total (depending on exchange rate)
Get Expert Support for Your UK Study Plans
Understanding visa fees, immigration health surcharge rules, and application procedures can feel confusing when you are planning to study abroad.
Career Launcher has guided 200,000+ students through university admissions and visa processes. Our UK study abroad experts can guide you through the entire process. From selecting the right universities to completing your visa application, you can get personalised support at every step.
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- university shortlisting
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Book a Free Study Abroad Counselling Session →Recommended Reads
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FAQs
- How much does a UK student visa cost for Indian students in 2026?
The UK student visa application fee is approximately £524. In addition, students must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is usually £1035 per year. The total cost depends on the length of your visa and any additional services you choose.
- Do I need to pay the IHS fee before submitting my visa application?
Yes, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) must be paid during the visa application process. You will be directed to the payment page after completing your visa form. Your visa application will only be processed once the IHS payment is completed.
- Is the IHS fee refundable if my visa is rejected?
Yes, if your visa application is refused or withdrawn, the Immigration Health Surcharge is usually refunded automatically. The refund is processed to the original payment method. However, if your visa is approved and you later decide not to travel, the IHS fee is generally not refunded.
- Do dependants also need to pay visa and IHS fees?
Yes, dependants applying with you must pay both the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge separately. The amount depends on the length of their visa and whether they are applying from outside or inside the UK.
- Can I pay the visa fee and IHS in instalments?
No, both the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge must be paid in full during the application process. Your visa application will not be submitted until the full payment is completed.
