UK Student Visa Fee 2026: IHS & Application Cost for Indian Students

Most UK visa fees have increased by around 6-7% across various visa types, impacting international students, skilled workers, and visitors. This means students planning to study in the UK for the September 2026 intake and beyond will need to budget for the revised visa costs.

Below is the table with updated fees for the UK visa types most relevant to students: 

(Conversion rate used: £1 = ₹126. INR figures are approximate, as the actual amount depends on the exchange rate on the payment date.)

Although the fee for a UK student visa has increased by just £34 (₹4,284), the overall cost impact is much higher. Total visa-related expenses now come to about ₹2.40-2.44 lakh for a one-year master’s and ₹4.36-4.40 lakh for a three-year bachelor’s.

A major reason for this is the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £776 (₹97,776) per year. It makes up about 60% of the total cost for a one-year master’s and about 78% for a three-year bachelor’s.

Below is the table with a detailed breakdown of the total UK student visa cost for Indian students, including all major components:

The IHS is a mandatory fee that most student visa applicants pay upfront. Introduced in 2015, it allows the use of the NHS on largely the same terms as a UK resident, including GP visits and hospital care, for the full duration of the visa. It cannot be paid in instalments or waived, even with private health insurance. Some services, such as dental treatment and eye tests, still carry a charge, and prescription charges vary across the UK.

How Much is the IHS in 2026?

The IHS is £776 (₹97,776) per person per year at the student rate. It is charged on the full length of the visa, which includes time before and after the course, not only the course length. A part year of up to six months is charged at £388, and a part year of more than six months is charged as a full year. The table shows two typical examples.

Because students must pay the IHS in full at the time of application, those planning longer courses or courses with placements should budget for it early. You can confirm the exact amount using the official IHS calculator.

Who Needs to Pay the IHS?

Whether the IHS applies depends on the visa type and the length of stay.

• A visa longer than six months applied for from outside the UK requires the IHS, including the Student, Skilled Worker, and family visas.
• An extension or switch inside the UK requires the IHS regardless of duration, for example moving from a Student visa to a Graduate visa.
• Every dependant on the application pays their own IHS unless they are exempt.
• Private health insurance does not replace the IHS. It must still be paid even if the applicant plans to use private cover.

Who Does Not Need to Pay the IHS?

Applicants on permanent or humanitarian routes do not pay the IHS, and those on short visas pay for healthcare when they use it.

• Health and Care Worker visa holders and their dependants receive free NHS access without the surcharge.
• Permanent settlement applicants, such as those applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain or British citizenship, are exempt.
• Humanitarian and protection cases, including asylum seekers, refugees, and victims of trafficking or domestic abuse under specific Home Office rules, do not pay.
• Applicants granted a Home Office fee waiver are also exempt from the IHS.
• Visitors and other applicants on visas of six months or less applying from outside the UK skip the upfront IHS and pay directly for any NHS treatment they use.

UK student visa applicants can pay for a faster decision through the Priority or Super Priority service. Standard processing usually takes about 3 weeks. The Priority service gives a decision within 5 working days for £500 (₹63,000), and the Super Priority service gives a decision by the end of the next working day for £1,000 (₹1,26,000).

Below are the available priority visa options with their fees and processing timelines:

Note: The fee is charged per applicant, so each dependant on the application pays it separately. Availability also varies by visa application centre, so check with VFS before booking.

Only some students can bring family members to the UK. Dependants are generally allowed only for postgraduate research students and certain government-funded students, not for undergraduate or taught master’s students. Each dependant applies separately, and the cost has two parts: the visa fee and the IHS.

• The visa fee is the same as the student’s. Each dependant pays £558 (₹70,308), up from £524 (₹66,024) for applications made from 8 April 2026.
• The IHS is charged per person for each year of leave granted. Student dependants pay the discounted rate of £776 a year, whatever their age, and the amount for the full visa length is paid upfront.
• Both fees are paid in the same online application. Each dependant’s IHS is added to the total alongside the student’s own.

Because the IHS is charged per person for every year of the visa, a longer course or a larger family raises the upfront cost quickly. For example, the dependant of a PhD student on a 41-month visa pays £3,274 (₹4,12,524), made up of £558 for the visa and £2,716 for the IHS. Two dependants on the same visa pay £6,548 (₹8,25,048).

Beyond the visa fee and the IHS, students should budget for English testing, service charges, and the funds that must be shown. The IELTS, TB test and VFS charges are already included in the total cost table above. The remaining costs depend on each student’s case.

• TB test: ₹2,500-₹3,500
• IELTS or another English language test: ₹19,000 for IELTS
• VFS service charges: ₹1,500-₹4,500
• Document translation, if required: ₹1,000-₹3,000
• Optional appointment services: Varies with the services selected
• Tuition deposit: Many universities ask for a deposit before issuing the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), and the amount is set by the university.
• Funds to show: Applicants must show £10,539 (₹13.28 lakh) outside London or £13,761 (₹17.34 lakh) in London for up to nine months of living costs. This is money to hold, not a fee.

Planning for the UK isn’t just about tracking visa fee changes; what often impacts students the most is the total upfront cost, mainly the IHS and additional service charges. Many students underestimate this and focus only on the visa fee, which is a small part of the overall expense. Preparing a realistic budget early can help avoid last-minute financial stress and delays in the application process.

This is where platforms like Yocket Premium can make a real difference by guiding students through every step, from accurate cost estimation to visa documentation and application timelines. With expert support, students can avoid common errors, understand financial requirements clearly, and improve their chances of a smooth visa approval.