UK Student Visa from Pakistan: 2026 Requirements, Fee in PKR and Process
A UK Student visa from Pakistan needs a CAS from a licensed university, approved English evidence, a TB test and funds held for 28 days. The visa fee is £558 (about PKR 2 lakh) plus the Immigration Health Surcharge. Standard decisions take about three weeks.
- Visa fee
- £558 ≈ PKR 2.05 lakh
- Processing
- ≈ 3 weeks (standard)
- Funds rule
- 28 days, statement ≤ 31 days old
What is a UK Student visa for Pakistani students?
A UK Student visa is the immigration permission that lets a Pakistani student aged 16 or over study a full-time course at a university licensed by UKVI. The university sponsors the student through a CAS number. The visa covers the course length plus a short extra period, and allows limited part-time work.
The Student visa replaced the old Tier 4 route in 2020, although many Pakistani agents still use the older name. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), part of the Home Office, makes every decision; no university or consultant can approve a visa.
For a degree-level course of more than one year, the visa usually runs four months beyond the course end. A one-year Master's normally gets about 16 months in total, with two extra months at the end. Those extra months matter because they connect to part-time work and the Graduate route.
Who is eligible for a UK Student visa from Pakistan?
A Pakistani applicant is eligible for a UK Student visa when holding an unconditional offer and CAS from a licensed sponsor, English at CEFR level B2 for degree courses, enough money for tuition and living costs, and a genuine intention to study. Applicants aged 16 or 17 also need parental consent.
- A CAS from a university on the UKVI register of licensed student sponsors.
- English at B2 level for degree courses, proven by IELTS for UKVI, PTE Academic UKVI or the university's assessment.
- Money for the remaining first-year tuition plus up to nine months of living costs.
- A clear academic progression from your previous study, or a believable reason for changing field.
- A clean immigration history, with any earlier refusals declared honestly.
Eligibility for admission itself, marks, gap years and 14-year degrees, is a separate question covered in the guide to studying in the UK from Pakistan. This page starts once a university offer is in hand, so check the UK entry requirements after FSc first if you are still applying.
Which documents do you need for a UK student visa?
Pakistani students need a valid passport, the CAS number, a bank statement or loan letter covering 28 days, a TB test certificate, English evidence, and the academic documents listed on the CAS. Applicants using a parent's funds also need a birth certificate or NADRA FRC and a signed consent letter from that parent.
UK student visa documents checklist
| Document | Where it comes from | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport | Directorate General of Immigration & Passports | At least one blank page; declare old passports |
| CAS number | Your UK university | Valid for one visa application only |
| Bank statement or loan letter | Your or your parent's bank / regulated lender | 28 consecutive days, dated within 31 days |
| Bank maintenance letter | The same bank | Confirms the account and balance |
| Fee deposit slip | Your bank / university receipt | Shows tuition already paid |
| Sponsorship letter | Your UK university or sponsor | Only if a sponsor covers costs |
| TB test certificate | IOM clinic in Pakistan | Valid for six months |
| English evidence | IELTS for UKVI, PTE, MOI or the university | Must match the method stated on the CAS |
| Academic documents | Board, university, IBCC or HEC | Only the documents listed on the CAS |
| Experience letter and updated CV | Employer / yourself | Explains any study gap |
| Parent relationship proof | NADRA (FRC) or birth certificate | Plus a signed parental consent letter |
| ATAS certificate | UK Foreign Office (free) | Only where the CAS says ATAS is required |
TB test from IOM clinics in Pakistan
Every Pakistani applicant staying longer than six months needs a tuberculosis certificate from a UKVI-approved clinic. IOM runs these clinics in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Mirpur, and the certificate stays valid for six months.
Documents not in English or Welsh need a certified translation. UKVI can ask for originals at any time, so keep attested copies ready even when the university has already verified them. Choosing between IELTS for UKVI and PTE options early avoids a mismatch with the CAS.
How much money must your bank statement show?
The bank statement must show unpaid first-year tuition plus living costs: £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 a month elsewhere, for up to nine months. That equals £13,761 or £10,539 for living costs. From 30 November 2026 the monthly amounts rise to £1,570 and £1,203.
The 28-day rule explained
The full amount must stay in the account for 28 consecutive days. The closing balance on the last day must be no older than 31 days on the date you submit the visa application.
In practice, most Pakistani students show around PKR 65 to 70 lakh in a 28-day matured bank statement. The exact figure depends on your unpaid tuition and city.
A single day below the total breaks the rule, even by a few thousand rupees. UKVI converts PKR balances using the OANDA rate on the application date, so keep a buffer of around 5% to cover exchange-rate movement. Families still budgeting can compare this with the total cost of UK study in PKR.
Parent's account, education loans and sponsors
Funds may sit in your own account or a parent's account, with relationship proof and a consent letter. An education loan works only from a regulated lender, with a loan letter showing your name and the amount.
An official financial sponsor, such as a government or a university scholarship body, provides a sponsor letter instead of a bank statement. Funding from UK scholarships for Pakistani students reduces the amount you must show. Official figures are listed in GOV.UK Student visa money requirements.
How much does the UK student visa cost in Pakistani rupees?
The UK Student visa application fee is £558, about PKR 2.05 lakh, for applications made from Pakistan since 8 April 2026. The Immigration Health Surcharge adds £776 for each year of visa, so a one-year Master's student pays roughly PKR 6.3 lakh in total visa costs before the TB test.
| Cost item | GBP | PKR (≈ £1 = 367) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student visa application fee | £558 | ≈ PKR 2.05 lakh | Non-refundable |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (1-year Master's, ≈1.5 yrs visa) | £1,164 | ≈ PKR 4.27 lakh | Refunded if refused |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (3-year Bachelor's, ≈3.5 yrs visa) | £2,716 | ≈ PKR 9.97 lakh | Refunded if refused |
| Priority service (decision in ~5 working days) | £500 | ≈ PKR 1.84 lakh | Optional |
| Super priority (next working day) | £1,000 | ≈ PKR 3.67 lakh | Optional, limited slots |
| TB test at IOM clinic | - | ≈ PKR 15,000 – 20,000 | Paid in Pakistan |
| IELTS for UKVI (if required) | - | ≈ PKR 70,000 – 80,000 | Paid to test centre |
The surcharge charges half the yearly rate for any extra period of six months or less, which is why a 16-month visa costs £1,164. Rupee figures move with the exchange rate, so check the live amount on the GOV.UK IHS calculator before paying.
How to apply for a UK student visa from Pakistan, step by step
Applying for a UK Student visa from Pakistan takes eight steps: accept an unconditional offer, pass pre-CAS checks, hold funds for 28 days, receive the CAS, get a TB test, apply online and pay fees, give biometrics at the visa centre, then collect the decision. Most applicants finish within six to eight weeks.
- 1Accept an unconditional offer. Meet all academic and English conditions so the university can move to CAS stage.
- 2Pass the university's pre-CAS checks. Send financial documents and attend the credibility interview if one is scheduled.
- 3Hold funds for 28 consecutive days. Keep tuition balance plus nine months of living costs in the account without dipping below the total.
- 4Receive your CAS. Check name, passport number, course dates, fees paid and English method carefully for errors.
- 5Get the TB test. Book an IOM clinic in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi or Mirpur for the chest X-ray.
- 6Apply online on GOV.UK. Fill in the Student visa form, pay the £558 fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
- 7Book biometrics. Attend the UK visa application centre for fingerprints, photo and document upload.
- 8Wait for the decision and collect the vignette. The 90-day entry vignette goes in your passport; the eVisa covers the rest of your stay.
The pre-CAS interview and the possible UKVI video interview both check credibility. Practising with real UK student visa interview questions is the most useful preparation for step two.
How long does UK student visa processing take from Pakistan?
UK Student visa processing from Pakistan usually takes about three weeks after biometrics under the standard service. Priority service gives a decision in around five working days for £500, and super priority by the next working day for £1,000. Interviews or extra checks can add one to three weeks.
| Service | Typical decision time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard service (outside UK) | About 3 weeks | Most Pakistani applicants |
| Priority service | About 5 working days | Late CAS or close course start |
| Super priority service | By the end of the next working day | Emergency cases, limited slots |
| Credibility interview added | Adds 1–3 weeks | Applicants selected for UKVI interview |
| Peak season (July–August) | Can stretch beyond 3 weeks | September-intake rush |
Processing time starts from the biometrics appointment, not from the online payment. September-intake students should aim to give biometrics by early August, which fits the UK September intake calendar.
What changed in UK student visa rules for 2026?
The main UK student visa changes affecting Pakistani applicants in 2026 are a higher visa fee of £558 from 8 April, higher maintenance amounts from 30 November, and a shorter Graduate visa of 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027. Dependants remain limited to postgraduate research students.
- Visa application fee raised to £558 for applications from 8 April 2026.
- Living-cost amounts rise to £1,570 (London) and £1,203 (outside London) a month from 30 November 2026.
- Graduate visa cut from two years to 18 months for applications made from 1 January 2027; PhD graduates keep three years.
- Dependants allowed only for postgraduate research or government-sponsored courses, as in force since January 2024.
- Stricter compliance targets for universities, which makes pre-CAS checks tougher for Pakistani applicants.
- Switching from Student to work visas before finishing the course is not allowed.
UK immigration rules change several times a year. Check the official GOV.UK Student visa page before every payment. The dependants rule also shapes which UK study levels suit married students.
Why are UK student visas refused, and what can you do?
Most UK Student visa refusals for Pakistani applicants come from funds errors, especially breaking the 28-day rule, and from failed credibility checks. A refused applicant cannot appeal but can request an Administrative Review for £80 within 14 days if UKVI made a clear mistake, or re-apply with the problem fixed.
Common refusal reasons
- Funds dipped below the required total on even one day of the 28-day period.
- Bank statement older than 31 days on the application date.
- Large unexplained deposits shortly before the statement period began.
- Weak credibility interview: unclear course knowledge, costs or career reasons.
- Documents listed on the CAS missing or not matching the originals.
- Funds in a relative's account who is not a parent or legal guardian.
How the embassy evaluates your profile
Embassy criteria are not fixed, and every profile is judged differently. Officers usually look at how much tuition is paid, the English test or MOI letter, any study gap, the bank statement duration, the university and course chosen, and how early the CAS was issued.
Administrative Review or a fresh application
Administrative Review only corrects caseworker errors, such as ignoring a document you actually submitted. It does not give a retake of a failed embassy interview. Applicants who made the error themselves should re-apply instead. Most self-made errors match the common UK study planning mistakes, and UK credibility interview preparation tips help with the rest.
A refusal must be declared on every future UK application, so a strong second file matters. An honest free visa file check with our student visa consultants before submission catches most funds and document errors.
UK student visa from Pakistan, frequently asked questions
How early can I travel to the UK on a Student visa?
Pakistani students on a course longer than six months can enter the UK up to one month before the course start date shown on the CAS. Students on shorter courses can arrive up to one week before. The 90-day entry vignette in the passport sets the exact travel window.
Can I apply for a UK student visa without IELTS?
A UK Student visa is possible without IELTS when the university assesses your English itself, for example through a Pakistani degree taught in English or an internal test, and states this on the CAS. UKVI can still interview you, and weak spoken English at that stage can lead to refusal.
How early can I apply for a UK student visa from Pakistan?
Pakistani students can apply for a UK Student visa up to six months before the course start date, as long as the CAS has been issued. Most applicants apply six to ten weeks before travel, after the 28-day funds period finishes, which leaves time for standard processing and booking flights.
Can my family's money be used for my UK student visa?
Yes, funds in a parent's or legal guardian's account are accepted for a UK Student visa. You must add your birth certificate or family registration certificate (FRC) to prove the relationship, plus a signed consent letter from the parent. Money from uncles, brothers or friends is not accepted for this purpose.
Is the Immigration Health Surcharge refunded if my visa is refused?
Yes, the Immigration Health Surcharge is refunded automatically if a UK Student visa is refused, usually within six weeks to the card used for payment. The £558 visa application fee is not refunded after refusal, and priority-service fees are refunded only if UKVI fails to deliver the faster decision.
Can I re-apply after a UK student visa refusal?
Yes, a refused applicant can re-apply for a UK Student visa at any time. The new file should fix the exact reason given in the refusal letter. A new application needs a valid CAS, often a new one from the university, and fresh funds evidence. Repeating the same mistake usually leads to a second refusal.
Do I need ATAS clearance as a Pakistani student?
ATAS clearance is required for Pakistani students on certain postgraduate courses in sensitive subjects such as some engineering, physics and computer science research areas. The university states on the offer or CAS whether ATAS applies. The certificate is free, takes about 30 working days, and must be obtained before the visa application.
Which bank statement is acceptable for a UK student visa from Pakistan?
UKVI accepts statements from regulated Pakistani banks that can be verified, so a printed statement on bank letterhead or stamped by the branch is normal. The statement must cover 28 consecutive days, show your name or your parent's name, and be dated within 31 days of the visa application.
Can I do a second Master's in the UK on a student visa?
Yes, a second Master's in the UK is allowed for Pakistani students with proper justification. Explain clearly how the new course differs from your first degree and how it moves your career forward. Your statement, CV and interview answers should all tell the same story, because a weak reason is treated as a credibility risk.
How do I find student accommodation in the UK?
Pakistani students can book UK accommodation through websites such as AmberStudent, Student.com, Places4Students and StudentCrowd, or through the university's own accommodation page. Booking before the visa interview helps, because the embassy interview may ask whether you have selected accommodation and how you will reach the university from the airport.