Visa Fees in the UK: What’s Changing for International Students?
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Visa Fees in the UK: What’s Changing for International Students?

You may have heard that as of 4 October 2023, there will be some changes to immigration fees in the UK.

How much more will you have to pay for a UK student visa, and are there any other changes you need to be aware of? We’ve explained what you need to know.

How much will it cost for a UK student visa?

The cost of applying for a student visa from outside the UK will be rising by £127 to £490. This is equal to the amount currently charged for in-country applications.

Note that visa fees for short-term English language students (staying for between six and 11 months) will not change.

You can find a full list of updated immigration and nationality fees on the government website.

What about post-study visas?

There will also be an increase in the cost of applying for a Graduate Route visa, which allows Masters graduates to stay in the UK for up to two years post-graduation, and PhD graduates for three years.

Graduate Route visa application fees will increase by £107 to £822.

What about the Immigration Health Surcharge?

The Immigration Health Surcharge, which all international students must pay to receive healthcare from the National Health Service (NHS) is currently £776 for most students but you can check the exact amounts you need to pay on the GOV.UK website.


We’ll keep you updated with any postgraduate-related news in future! In the meantime, you can find out more about studying and living in the UK in our full guides. If you’re concerned about the recent increase in visa charges, check out our guide to preparing financially for international study.

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Last updated: 19 September 2023