The UK Home Office has confirmed that a range of visa application fees will increase from 8 April 2026. If you are planning to apply for a UK Student visa, a Child Student visa, or a Student Dependent visa, or if you are considering using a priority service, this guide explains exactly what is changing, how much more you will pay, and what you should do before the deadline.
The full fee schedule is published on gov.uk. This guide focuses only on the fees that are most relevant to international students.
Important: If your application is submitted before 8 April 2026, the current fees apply. If it is submitted on or after that date, the new fees apply. The date that matters is the date your application is received, not the date you start preparing it.
1. Student Visa and Child Student Visa
The application fee for the Student visa and the Child Student visa is increasing by £34 per person. The same fee applies whether you are applying from outside the UK or switching routes from inside the UK.
|
Visa category |
Current fee |
Fee from 8 April 2026 |
Change |
|
Student visa (main applicant and dependants) |
£524 |
£558 |
+£34 |
|
Child Student visa |
£524 |
£558 |
+£34 |
This applies whether you are applying for the first time from your home country, extending your studies, or switching from another route such as the Graduate visa. If you are applying with one dependant, the total fee increase for both of you combined is £68. Check the full requirements on the gov.uk Student visa page.
When can you apply?
The timing of your application depends on where you are applying from:
- Applying from outside the UK: The earliest you can apply is 6 months before your course starts.
- Applying from inside the UK: The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your course starts. You must apply before your current visa expires. Your new course must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring.
If you are unsure about your timing, check the Student visa guidance on gov.uk or speak to our team for personalised advice.
2. Short-Term Student Visa (English Language)
If you are planning to study an English language course in the UK for more than 6 months but no more than 11 months, you will need a Short-Term Student visa. This fee is also increasing from 8 April 2026.
|
Visa category |
Current fee |
Fee from 8 April 2026 |
Change |
|
Short-term student studying English language (more than 6 months, up to 11 months) |
£214 |
£228 |
+£14 |
This visa does not allow you to switch to a Student visa from inside the UK. If you are planning to progress to a full degree after your English language course, you will need to apply for a Student visa separately. Contact us if you are unsure which route is right for you.
3. Graduate Visa
The Graduate visa allows you to stay and work in the UK after completing your degree. You apply for this from inside the UK after graduation. The fee is also increasing from 8 April 2026.
|
Visa category |
Current fee |
Fee from 8 April 2026 |
Change |
|
Graduate visa (main applicant and dependants) applied inside the UK |
£880 |
£937 |
+£57 |
The Graduate visa currently gives bachelor's and master's graduates two years to work in the UK without needing a job offer. From 1 January 2027, this will reduce to 18 months for new applications. PhD graduates always receive three years. What matters is when you apply for the Graduate visa, not when you start or finish your course. Read more on our post-study work visa page.
4. Immigration Health Surcharge
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a separate charge you pay as part of your visa application. It gives you access to the National Health Service (NHS) during your studies. It is paid upfront in full when you submit your application and is calculated based on the length of your visa.
The IHS rate for students has not changed as part of the April 2026 fee update. It remains £776 per person per year. The same rate applies to Student visa dependants.
However, because many students apply for visas covering more than one year, the total upfront IHS cost can be significant. Here are some examples of what you can expect to pay based on your course length:
|
Scenario |
IHS per person |
Total upfront IHS cost |
|
1-year master's degree (main applicant only) |
£776 x 1 year = £776 |
£776 |
|
3-year bachelor's degree (main applicant only) |
£776 x 3 years = £2,328 |
£2,328 |
|
3-year bachelor's degree + 1 dependant |
£776 x 3 years x 2 people |
£4,656 |
|
PhD (3.5 years, main applicant only) |
£776 x 3.5 years = £2,716 |
£2,716 |
You can calculate your exact IHS payment using the official IHS calculator on gov.uk. Always verify the current rate before you apply, as IHS rates can change separately from visa fees.
5. Priority Services
Priority services allow you to pay for faster processing of your visa application. The fees for priority services are not changing in April 2026. The same fees apply whether you are applying from outside or inside the UK:
|
Service |
Current fee |
Fee from 8 April 2026 |
|
Priority service (non-settlement) |
£500 |
£500 (no change) |
|
Super Priority service |
£1,000 |
£1,000 (no change) |
Priority service typically reduces processing time from several weeks to around 5 working days. Super Priority service aims to process your application by the end of the next working day. Availability and timescales can vary depending on where you are applying from, so check the UKVI priority service page for the latest information.
Priority services are optional. Most straightforward student visa applications do not require them, but they can be useful if you have a tight deadline, such as a late university offer or a course start date that does not leave much time.
6. What Does This Mean for Your Total Application Cost?
To help you plan your budget, here is a realistic example of the total cost of a Student visa application from 8 April 2026 onwards, based on a three-year bachelor's degree applied for from outside the UK:
|
Cost item |
Amount |
|
Student visa application fee (1 person) |
£558 |
|
Immigration Health Surcharge (3 years x £776) |
£2,328 |
|
Total (1 applicant, no dependants) |
£2,886 |
|
Total (1 applicant + 1 dependant) |
£5,772 |
This does not include tuition fees, living costs, or the UKVI maintenance funds you are required to show in your bank account as part of the application. For a full breakdown of what studying in the UK costs, read our cost of living guide for international students
7. What Should You Do Before 8 April 2026?
If your application is ready or nearly ready, it may be worth submitting it before 8 April 2026 to pay the current lower fees. Here are the key steps:
- Check that you have all your documents ready, including your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your university, proof of English language proficiency, and evidence of funds.
- Use the IHS calculator to calculate your exact surcharge before you apply.
- Apply online through the UKVI application portal. Make sure your application is submitted, not just started, before 8 April 2026 to benefit from current fees.
- If your CAS has not yet been issued, speak to your university's international student office as soon as possible. You cannot apply without it.
- If you need faster processing, book a priority appointment in advance as slots can fill up quickly.
If you are unsure about any part of the process, our team at Atava Education and Training has been supporting international students with their UK study applications since 2013. We are accredited by the British Council, English UK, and IALC. Get in touch if you would like guidance on your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these fee changes affect my current visa?
No. The fee changes only apply to new applications submitted on or after 8 April 2026. If you already have a valid Student visa, nothing changes for you until your next application.
Does the fee change affect the Immigration Health Surcharge?
No. The IHS rate for students remains £776 per person per year. It is unchanged as part of the April 2026 update. Always verify the latest rate on the IHS calculator page before applying.
I have already received my CAS. Can I still apply at the old fee?
Yes, as long as you submit your full application before 8 April 2026. Your CAS being issued does not lock in the fee. It is the submission date of your application that determines which fee applies.
What if I am switching from a Graduate visa to a Student visa?
The same fee applies: £558 per person from 8 April 2026, up from £524. If you are switching routes inside the UK, the fee is the same as applying from outside. Our guide on switching from the Graduate Route to a Student visa has more detail.
Are the Child Student visa fees also increasing?
Yes. The Child Student visa fee increases from £524 to £558, the same increase as the main Student visa. This applies whether the application is made inside or outside the UK.
Where can I see the full list of fee changes?
The complete fee schedule is published on gov.uk. This guide covers only the fees most relevant to students. You should always verify figures on gov.uk before submitting any application.
Need Help With Your Application?
At Atava Education and Training, we help international students navigate every stage of their UK study journey, from choosing the right university to submitting a strong visa application. If you have questions about the fee changes or need support with your application, we are here to help.
Contact the Atava team | Browse our partner universities | Read our cost of living guide
Source: Home Office immigration and nationality fees, 8 April 2026 (gov.uk) | IHS rate: gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application