UK Student Visa for Nepali Applicants 2026: Documents, Funds, CAS and Fees Explained

If you are a Nepali student planning to start a course in the United Kingdom in 2026, the visa you will apply for is called the Student visa (sometimes referred to as the "Student route"). It replaced the older Tier 4 (General) student route in October 2020 and is still the correct route to use today. This walkthrough covers the documents you need, how to prove you can support yourself financially, where to enrol biometrics in Kathmandu, and the fees and processing times most applicants are seeing this year.

1. Core documents you need to prepare

Before you start an online application, gather the following:

• A valid passport with at least one blank page. Your passport should be valid for the whole duration of your stay in the UK.
• A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your chosen UK education provider. The CAS is a unique reference number issued once you have an unconditional offer, paid any deposit the university asks for, and met academic and English requirements. It must be issued no more than six months before your course start date, and you can only use one CAS per application.
• Academic transcripts, certificates and any required translations.
• Evidence of English language ability, usually a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as IELTS for UKVI, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic UKVI or LanguageCert International ESOL SELT, depending on what your university and UKVI accept.
• A tuberculosis (TB) test certificate if your course is longer than six months. Nepal is on the UKVI TB testing list, so this is required for almost every Nepali applicant.
• Financial evidence, covered in detail below.
• If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian's consent letter and evidence of the relationship.
• ATAS certificate if your course falls under the Academic Technology Approval Scheme. This applies to certain sensitive postgraduate STEM subjects (for example, some engineering, physics, mathematics and bioscience programmes). Your CAS will state if ATAS is required. You must obtain the certificate before you apply for the visa.

2. Showing enough money: financial proof for Nepali applicants

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) wants to see that you can pay your tuition fees for the first year and support yourself in the UK without working or claiming public funds. The exact amounts are updated periodically on the official UKVI page "Student visa: money you need", and you should always re-check that page just before applying. As of 2026, the monthly living-cost figures used by UKVI are:

• London: £1,334 per month
• Outside London: £1,023 per month

Disclaimer: these figures can change; verify on gov.uk the week you submit.

The living-cost calculation is the applicable monthly rate multiplied by the length of your course, up to a maximum of 9 months. So even if your course runs for 12 or 18 months, you only need to show 9 months' worth of living costs. You also need to show tuition fees for the first year (or the full course if it is one year or shorter).

The funds must be held for at least 28 consecutive days, with the closing balance no more than 31 days old on the date of application.

Acceptable evidence includes personal bank statements, a sponsor letter (for example from the Nepali government or a scholarship body), or an official loan letter. The account can be in your name or, in some cases, in a parent's name with proof of relationship.

3. TB test in Kathmandu

Because Nepal is on the UK government's TB testing list, applicants staying more than six months must take the test at a clinic approved by the British High Commission. Approved clinics operate in Kathmandu; you can find the current clinic list on the UKVI "Tuberculosis testing: country list" page. Book your TB test early, as the certificate is only valid for six months and appointments can fill up around the September intake.

4. Visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge

There are two main costs to budget for, on top of the TB test:

• The visa application fee for a Student visa applied from outside the UK is £490.
• The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for students is £776 per year of leave granted (pro-rated for part-years). This gives you access to the UK's National Health Service during your stay.

Disclaimer: fees are reviewed annually; confirm the latest amounts on gov.uk before paying.

You can pay both online as part of the visa application process.

5. Biometric enrolment via VFS Global in Kathmandu

Nepali applicants do not visit a UK visa application centre directly. Instead, you book an appointment through the VFS Global UK visa portal and attend the VFS Global visa application centre in Kathmandu to submit fingerprints and a photograph. You will normally need to:

1. Complete the online application on gov.uk.
2. Pay the visa fee and IHS.
3. Book a VFS Global appointment and download your checklist.
4. Bring original documents and self-attested copies to the appointment.

6. Processing times in 2026

Standard processing for a Student visa application from Nepal is currently around 15 working days from your biometric appointment. Priority and super-priority services are available for an extra fee:

• Priority: typically 5 working days
• Super-priority: typically next working day (or 24 hours)

Current estimates are published on the UKVI "Processing times" page and can change, so check that page shortly before you submit. Apply as early as you can, ideally well in advance of your course start date, to avoid any last-minute rush.

Quick checklist before you apply

Make sure your CAS is fresh, your bank statements cover the required 28 days, your TB certificate is valid, and you have booked your VFS Global appointment. If your course needs ATAS, get that certificate first. Double-check fees on gov.uk the same week you submit, and keep digital and physical copies of every document. With the paperwork in order, the Student visa process from Nepal is straightforward and well-trodden by thousands of students every year.