If you are planning to study in the UK from Bangladesh, understanding the UK Visa fee, IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) fee, and service charges is essential. The actual fees are set by UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration), but due to currency conversion, bank charges, and additional transaction costs, Bangladeshi students often pay more than the official amount. Below, we break down the real costs and what you should expect to pay.
UK Student Visa Fee for Bangladeshi Students
The official UK Student Visa application fee is approximately GBP £490, which in Bangladeshi Taka (BDT) is around 85,000 to 96,000 BDT (depending on the exchange rate).
However, students end up paying more due to the following factors:
- Banking or card processing charge: 3% to 15%
- International transaction fee: $50 to $100 (approx. 6,000–11,000 BDT)
- Exchange rate fluctuations on the payment date
Estimated Total Visa Cost
Base Fee: 85,000 – 96,000 BDT + 3% to 15% bank charge: 2,550 – 14,400 BDT + $50 to $100 transaction fee: 6,000 – 11,000 BDT = 1,10,000 – 1,22,000 BDT (may vary depending on exchange rate and bank charges).
Furthermore, the actual cost varies from student to student because different banks and cards have different fee structures, and the exchange rate changes daily. Understanding these variations is important for accurate financial planning before starting your UK study journey.
IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) Fee for Bangladeshi Students
In addition to the visa application cost, Bangladeshi students must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which is a mandatory fee for accessing the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) during your stay. For a UK student visa, students are required to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £776 per year. This ensures that international students receive healthcare services in the UK without paying additional charges for most treatments.
Estimated Total IHS Fee for 1 Year
- IHS Fee in GBP: £776 per year.
- Base Fee for 1 Year: 1,85,000 to 2,00,000 BDT (approx.)
- Banking or card processing charge: 3% to 15%
- International transaction fee: $50 to $100 (approx. 6,000–11,000 BDT)
- Exchange rate fluctuations on the payment date
Estimated total cost for 1 Year: Base Fee for 1 Year: 1,85,000 to 2,00,000 BDT + Bank charge: 3% to 15% (6,000 to 27,750 BDT. Approx.) + transaction fee (4,000 to 10,00 BDT)= 2,18,000 BDT to 2,30,000 BDT (approx.) for 1 year.
This can be applicable for Master’s Students. The UK Undergraduate program is 3 years. So undergraduate students have to pay the IHS fee for 3 years. So the estimated cost for IHS for undergraduate students comes around 6,50,000 BDT to 7,30,000 BDT (approx.)
UKVI Student Visa Service Levels and Costs
When applying for a UK student visa, Bangladeshi students can choose from three service levels offered by UKVI: Standard, Priority, and Super Priority. The main differences between these options are processing time and additional service fees.
Standard Service:
Included in the regular visa application fee (no extra charge beyond the visa fee). Processing Time is within 3 weeks. The service is best for the students applying well in advance who do not need urgent decisions.
Priority Service:
If the student took priority service, then the student has to pay 84,900 BDT, excluding the Visa application and IHS fee. The student can pay the payment in BDT. That’s why no extra fee will be added. The Visa decision within 5 working days. Best For Students who need a quicker decision but can still wait a few days.
Super Priority:
If the student took priority service, then the student has to pay 1,69,656 BDT , excluding the Visa application and IHS fee. The student can pay the payment in BDT. That’s why no extra fee will be added. The Visa decision will be made within working days. This Option is best for students in urgent situations who require an immediate decision
Important Note
- These service fees are in addition to the regular visa application fee and do not replace the visa or IHS costs.
- The Priority and Super Priority options are optional and only recommended if students need faster processing due to time-sensitive situations
For Bangladeshi students, the 1-year total cost during the visa application process—including the UK visa fee and the IHS fee—typically ranges from approximately 2,60,000 BDT to 3,30,000 BDT. This estimate does not include optional service fees such as Priority or Super Priority visa services. The final amount may vary depending on bank charges, international transaction fees, and daily currency exchange rates
