UK Student Visa from Nepal (2026): Requirements, Fees, Funds and the New Rules

UK student visa rules have changed a lot since the government's May 2025 immigration white paper, and two more changes arrive in the next two months. This page covers the UK student visa from Nepal in 2026: the requirements, the UK student visa fee, the money you must show, and the rules that actually apply, separates them from what was only proposed, and gives each number with its official source. It also works out the cost in Nepali rupees for students applying from Nepal.

Update (5 November 2026): the money you must show goes up for applications made on or after 30 November 2026: £1,203 a month outside London and £1,570 a month in London (UKCISA). And from 1 January 2027 the Graduate visa drops to 18 months for most graduates (gov.uk).

#UK student visa rules 2026: the short version

#1. How much money you need to show (bank balance)

You must show you can pay your course fees and living costs. For living costs, the amount depends on when you apply:

You show this for up to 9 months, plus any first-year tuition fees you haven't paid yet (UKCISA, September 2026; gov.uk: Student visa, money).

The 28-day rule: the money must be in the account for at least 28 days in a row, and the end of that 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date you apply (gov.uk). If the balance dips below the amount for even one day, the 28 days start again.

Example, applying from Nepal on or after 30 November 2026: for a course outside London you need 9 × £1,203 = £10,827 for living costs. At Nepal Rastra Bank's selling rate on 5 November 2026 (NPR 204.71 to £1), that is about NPR 22.2 lakh, plus your unpaid tuition fees. In London it is 9 × £1,570 = £14,130, about NPR 28.9 lakh. Rates change daily: check the NRB exchange rate when you prepare your statement.

#2. UK student visa fee and health surcharge

• Student visa fee: £558, whether you apply from outside the UK or extend/switch inside the UK (gov.uk: Student visa). It was £524 before 8 April 2026.
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £776 per year for students and their dependants, paid up front for the whole visa. A part year of 6 months or less costs half, £388 (gov.uk: healthcare surcharge).

Your visa usually runs a few months beyond the end of your course, so a one-year master's often means paying the IHS for more than one year. For example, 1 year and 4 months is £776 + £388 = £1,164. Use the official IHS calculator for your exact figure.

#3. Total cost of a UK student visa from Nepal

For a typical one-year master's outside London, applying on or after 30 November 2026 (rupee figures at NPR 204.71 to £1, NRB selling rate on 5 November 2026):

The TB test, document translation and courier costs come on top. To send tuition fees or living costs out of Nepal, you also need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the education ministry.

#4. UK student visa requirements for Nepalese students

• A CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) from a licensed university or college.
• Money in your account for 28 days, as above.
• English at CEFR level B2 for a degree-level course (B1 below degree level), shown through an approved test or your university's own assessment, depending on your sponsor (gov.uk: knowledge of English).
• A TB test certificate. Nepal is on the list of countries that need one for visas of more than 6 months (gov.uk: TB test). The certificate lasts 6 months from your chest X-ray, and must come from an approved clinic in Nepal.
• Your academic documents, as listed on your CAS.
• Preparation for a credibility interview: universities and UKVI often interview Nepali applicants about their course, finances and plans.

When to apply: from outside the UK, as early as 6 months before your course starts. A decision usually takes about 3 weeks (gov.uk).

#5. The Graduate visa is getting shorter

The Graduate visa lets you stay and work in the UK after a UK degree, without a job offer. It lasts 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, and 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027. PhD graduates still get 3 years. You must apply from inside the UK, and it costs £937 plus the health surcharge (gov.uk: Graduate visa).

The October 2026 Budget says graduates of "high-compliance" universities will keep two years, but no list has been published. Full details: UK Graduate visa: 18 months or 2 years?

#6. Dependants

For courses starting from January 2024, most international students cannot bring family members (dependants). The exceptions are students on postgraduate research programmes such as a PhD, and some government-funded scholarship holders (gov.uk: Student visa, family members).

#7. Working while you study

On a degree-level course you can usually work up to 20 hours a week during term time, and full time during official vacations, unless your CAS or visa says otherwise (gov.uk: Student visa).

#Other changes from the September 2026 rules

The Statement of Changes of 3 September 2026 also brought in, from 8 October 2026, stricter deadlines for giving your biometrics and new rules on fee waiver dates (UKCISA). The UK also rejoins Erasmus+ from 2027.

#What was proposed but is not (yet) a student rule

The May 2025 immigration white paper proposed several other changes, including:

• stricter compliance thresholds for universities that sponsor international students;
• a levy on universities' income from international students;
• making 10 years, rather than 5, the normal qualifying period for settlement (permanent residence). Update (2 November 2026): the government has now confirmed this, starting from December 2026 and through 2027. Student and Graduate visa time will not count towards settlement. See UK ILR changes: 5-year vs 10-year routes.

Some of these need further legislation or consultation, and details change. Treat them as proposals until they appear in the official Immigration Rules or on gov.uk.

#Frequently asked questions

What are the new UK student visa rules for 2026? The main changes are higher money requirements from 30 November 2026 (£1,203 a month outside London, £1,570 in London), the £558 visa fee from April 2026, and the Graduate visa dropping to 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027.

How much bank balance is required for a UK student visa from Nepal? Your unpaid first-year tuition plus 9 months of living costs. Applying on or after 30 November 2026, that is £10,827 outside London (about NPR 22.2 lakh) or £14,130 in London (about NPR 28.9 lakh), held for 28 days in a row.

How much does a UK student visa cost from Nepal? The visa fee is £558 (about NPR 1.14 lakh). With the health surcharge, a one-year master's usually costs about £1,722 (about NPR 3.5 lakh) before living costs and tuition.

Is IELTS compulsory for a UK student visa? No single test is compulsory. You need English at B2 level for a degree course; many universities accept IELTS or another approved test, and some assess you themselves. Check what your university's CAS says.

How much GPA is required to study in the UK from Nepal? The visa has no GPA rule. Each university sets its own entry grades, so check your course page.

Can I bring my husband or wife on a UK student visa? Only if you are on a postgraduate research course such as a PhD, or on some government-funded scholarships.

What about the Graduate visa after my course? See UK Graduate visa: 18 months or 2 years? for the dates, fee and exceptions.

#Checklist before you apply

• CAS from a licensed sponsor.
• Money held for 28 days, at the rate for your application date.
• English test or evidence your sponsor accepts.
• TB test certificate from an approved clinic in Nepal.
• Visa fee (£558) and IHS (£776 per year) budgeted.
• NOC for sending fees from Nepal.
• Preparation for a possible credibility interview.

#Sources

• UKCISA: Student update: changes to the Immigration Rules, September 2026 · Changes to the Student and Graduate rules (14 October 2025)
• GOV.UK: Student visa · Student visa: money · Graduate visa · Healthcare surcharge · TB test countries · Immigration white paper, May 2025
• Nepal Rastra Bank: foreign exchange rates (GBP selling rate NPR 204.71, 5 November 2026)

Hamropedia is not a registered immigration adviser. For your own case, check gov.uk and talk to your university's international student advice team.