Moving to the UK as a student from Pakistan: Visa fee and shipping
The UK student visa fee from Pakistan is £558 in 2026, but that is only one part of what you will pay. You also need the Immigration Health Surcharge, a TB test, proof of funds and a plan for getting your belongings to the UK.
This guide sets out every cost in pounds and approximate Pakistani rupees, the steps to apply, and how to ship your clothes, books and household items as unaccompanied baggage.
| £558 visa fee (around Rs 203,700) |
£776 a year IHS (around Rs 283,200) |
28 days funds must be held |
from £180 one suitcase by sea |
Checked October 2026. Fees and funds are taken from GOV.UK and UKVI guidance. Rupee figures use a rate of around £1 = Rs 365 (mid October 2026) and will change. Shipping prices are indicative “from” figures, confirmed when you book.
UK student visa fee from Pakistan in 2026
The Student visa application fee rose from £524 to £558 on 8 April 2026. You pay it online in pounds when you apply, along with the Immigration Health Surcharge.
| Cost | GBP | Approximate PKR |
|---|---|---|
| Student visa application | £558 | Rs 203,700 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge, per year | £776 | Rs 283,200 |
| IHS for a typical one year master’s (around 16 months of visa) | £1,164 | Rs 424,900 |
| Each eligible dependant’s visa | £558 | Rs 203,700 |
| TB test | Paid locally | Check the approved clinic |
Your bank may add a foreign transaction fee when you pay by card, so check with your bank first. Priority and super priority services may be available at an extra cost.
TB test requirement
Pakistan is on the UK’s list of countries where applicants need a tuberculosis test. If you are coming for more than six months, you must get a TB certificate from a clinic approved by the UK Home Office.
- Book at an approved clinic in Pakistan, listed on GOV.UK.
- Take your passport and passport photos to the appointment.
- The test is usually a chest X-ray, with further tests if needed.
- Your certificate is valid for six months, so time it close to your visa application.
How much money you need to show
You must show your first year’s tuition (minus any deposit paid) plus living costs for up to nine months, held for at least 28 consecutive days.
| Living costs | Per month | Maximum (9 months) |
|---|---|---|
| Studying in London | £1,529 (around Rs 558,000) | £13,761 (around Rs 5.02 million) |
| Studying outside London | £1,171 (around Rs 427,400) | £10,539 (around Rs 3.85 million) |
- Funds can be in your name or a parent’s or legal guardian’s name, with your birth certificate and a consent letter.
- Funds must be in an account with a bank that UKVI accepts. Some financial institutions are not accepted, so check before you deposit.
- Education loans and official sponsorship letters are accepted.
- Keep a buffer above the minimum in case the rupee weakens during the 28 days.
Steps to apply from Pakistan
- Accept an unconditional offer from a licensed UK student sponsor.
- Complete any pre-CAS interview your university runs.
- Hold your funds for 28 days.
- Take your TB test at an approved clinic.
- Receive your CAS.
- Apply online on GOV.UK and pay the visa fee and IHS.
- Attend your biometrics appointment at a visa application centre in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore or Mirpur.
- Prepare for a possible credibility interview with our guide to UK student visa interview questions.
- Receive your decision, usually within three weeks, and set up your UKVI account for your eVisa.
Some universities apply extra checks to applications from certain countries, so follow your university’s deadlines closely. For the full picture of courses, costs and the Graduate route, read our guide to how to study in the UK.
This is general guidance and not legal advice. Always check GOV.UK and UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) before you apply, as fees and rules can change at short notice.
Bringing family on a Student visa
You can only bring dependants if you are on a research based postgraduate course, such as a PhD, or a government sponsored course longer than six months. Each dependant pays the same visa fee and the IHS, and you must show extra funds of £845 a month in London or £680 a month elsewhere, for up to nine months.
Total first year budget
| Item | Typical cost (GBP) | Approximate PKR |
|---|---|---|
| Visa and IHS (one year master’s) | £1,722 | Rs 628,500 |
| Tuition (postgraduate taught) | £14,000 to £35,000 | Rs 5.1 million to Rs 12.8 million |
| Living costs outside London (9 months) | £10,539 | Rs 3.85 million |
| Flight to the UK | Varies by season | Book early for September |
| Shipping three to five boxes by sea | from around £290 | from around Rs 105,900 |
Cities such as Birmingham, Bradford, Manchester and Glasgow have large Pakistani communities, halal food and mosques, and they are often cheaper than London.
Shipping your belongings and unaccompanied baggage
Unaccompanied baggage is anything that travels separately from you. For students, it is usually the cheapest way to move a year’s worth of clothes, bedding and books. Anglo Pacific’s student shipping service runs into the UK through partner agents in Pakistan, with collection from your family home and delivery to your halls or flat.
| Shipment | Sea freight from | Air freight from | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| One 23kg suitcase | around £180 (Rs 65,700) | around £320 (Rs 116,800) | Sea 4 to 8 weeks; air 5 to 10 days |
| Three to five boxes (around 0.5 cubic metres) | around £290 (Rs 105,900) | Quoted on request | Sea 4 to 8 weeks |
| Small flat contents (around 1 cubic metre) | around £550 (Rs 200,800) | Quoted on request | Sea 4 to 8 weeks |
Airline excess fees are typically £60 to £120 per bag per leg, and a 23kg case paid at the check-in desk can pass £400 on long haul. Once you are sending two or more extra bags, shipping usually costs less. See our guide to excess baggage for students for a full comparison.
What to ship and what to leave
| Ship | Leave at home or buy in the UK |
|---|---|
| Winter coats, jumpers and shalwar kameez | Meat, dairy and homemade food |
| Bedding, towels and prayer mats | Fresh fruit, vegetables and seeds |
| Textbooks and course materials | Large electrical items with Pakistani plugs |
| Kitchen basics and a pressure cooker | Anything you can easily buy at a UK supermarket |
Commercially packed dry spices and tea are usually allowed, but meat and dairy products from outside the EU are banned. Check “Bringing food into Great Britain” on GOV.UK.
Customs relief for students
Students on a UK study visa may claim relief from duty and VAT on used personal belongings, usually through a Transfer of Residence (ToR1) application on GOV.UK. Anglo Pacific prepares the paperwork with you and confirms whether relief applies when you get your quote.
This is general guidance and not legal advice.
Pros and cons of shipping unaccompanied baggage
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cheaper than airline excess fees for two or more bags | Sea freight needs 4 to 8 weeks |
| Collection from your family home | Someone must receive it if you arrive later |
| Boxes up to around 30kg each | Restricted items cannot be shipped |
| Customs paperwork prepared for you | Accurate inventory required |
Pay your visa fee in pounds, keep your funds steady for 28 days, and ship the bulk of your belongings before you fly.
Ten tips for Pakistani students
- Check your bank is accepted by UKVI before you deposit your funds.
- Keep a rupee buffer above the minimum balance.
- Book your TB test early; clinics fill up before September.
- Apply for your visa as soon as you have your CAS.
- Link your eVisa to the passport you will travel on.
- Use a specialist currency provider for tuition payments; Anglo Pacific partners with Halo Financial. This is general information, not financial advice.
- Book sea freight 4 to 8 weeks before term.
- Pack heavy items in small boxes and keep each box under around 30kg.
- Keep an inventory of every box for customs.
- Plan your return shipment early; Anglo Pacific also runs removals to Pakistan.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the UK student visa fee from Pakistan?
£558, which is around Rs 203,700 at mid October 2026 rates. It rose from £524 on 8 April 2026.
2. How much is the IHS for Pakistani students?
£776 a year, paid upfront for the length of your visa. A one year master’s usually costs around £1,164.
3. Do Pakistani students need a TB test for the UK?
Yes. You need a certificate from an approved clinic if you are staying for more than six months.
4. How much bank statement is required for a UK Student visa from Pakistan?
Your unpaid first year tuition plus up to £13,761 for London or £10,539 elsewhere, held for 28 days.
5. Can I pay the visa fee in rupees?
The fee is set in pounds and paid online by card. Your bank converts it and may add a fee.
6. How long does a UK Student visa take from Pakistan?
Usually up to three weeks after your biometrics appointment.
7. Can I bring my spouse on a Student visa?
Only if you are on a research based postgraduate course or a government sponsored course longer than six months.
8. What is unaccompanied baggage?
Belongings that travel separately from you by sea or air freight, usually at a lower cost than airline excess fees.
9. How long does shipping from Pakistan to the UK take?
Around 4 to 8 weeks by sea and around 5 to 10 days by air, door to door.
10. Do I pay duty on my shipped belongings?
Students on a study visa may claim relief on used personal belongings. Anglo Pacific confirms this when quoting.
Ready to ship your belongings from Pakistan?
Get a fixed quote for student shipping into the UK, see our baggage shipping options, or request a quote online. Call 020 8965 1234 or book a free video survey through the Anglo Pacific app.
