UK
£558 fee + £776 a year health surcharge
USA
US$185 visa fee + US$350 SEVIS fee
Canada
CAN$150 permit + CAN$85 biometrics
Australia
AUD 2,500 application charge
Quick Answer
The student visa fee is £558 for the UK, US$185 plus a US$350 SEVIS fee for the USA, CAN$150 plus CAN$85 biometrics for Canada, and AUD 2,500 for Australia. The funds you must show also differ: £1,203 or £1,570 a month from November 30, 2026 for the UK, CAN$23,448 for Canada and at least AUD 29,710 for Australia. The USA asks you to prove how you will pay.
What this comparison covers
This guide compares the visa-side costs of studying abroad from Nepal: the fee you pay the government and the funds you must show. It does not include tuition, which differs by university and course, so check the destination page for each country. Every figure comes from an official source linked at the end, as checked in October 2026.
Student visa fees by country
- UK: £558 for a Student visa applied for from outside the UK, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year of visa, according to GOV.UK.
- USA: US$185 visa application fee for an F-1 student visa and a US$350 I-901 SEVIS fee, according to the US Department of State and ICE.
- Canada: CAN$150 for the study permit and CAN$85 for biometrics, according to the IRCC fee list.
- Australia: AUD 2,500 student visa application charge from July 1, 2026, up from AUD 2,000, according to Study Australia.
Funds you must show
- UK: £1,171 a month outside London or £1,529 in London for up to 9 months, held for 28 days. For applications from November 30, 2026 the amounts are £1,203 and £1,570. See our guide to the UK student visa bank balance.
- USA: the State Department asks you to show how you will pay for your studies. Your Form I-20 states the school's estimate of costs.
- Canada: CAN$23,448 for living costs for one applicant on applications from September 1, 2026, plus first-year tuition and travel, according to IRCC.
- Australia: at least AUD 29,710, according to Study Australia, plus compulsory health cover (OSHC) for your whole stay.
Rules that change the real cost
- Health cover: the UK charges the health surcharge with your visa. Australia requires OSHC before you apply. Plan for both as real costs.
- Canada's cap: most new bachelor's and college applicants need a provincial attestation letter (PAL). Master's and doctoral students at public institutions are exempt. See our study permit cap guide.
- UK funds date: the funds figure rises for applications from November 30, 2026, so the date you apply matters.
- Australia: new student visa application rules start October 2, 2026. See our October 2026 changes guide.
How to choose between them
Visa cost is only one factor. Compare the full picture before you decide:
- Add tuition and living costs for the course and city you want.
- Check what you can do after study. See our post-study work comparison.
- Check the funds you can realistically show and hold for the required time.
- Read the destination page: UK, USA, Canada or Australia.
If you want a plan matched to your budget, see the top education consultancies in Nepal.
Check before you apply
- Confirm each fee on the official fee page on the day you pay.
- Check whether your application date changes the funds figure.
- Get your health cover quote (UK surcharge or Australian OSHC).
- Keep your funds in your account for the full holding period.
- Do not use an agent who promises a visa. No consultancy can guarantee one.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Student visa
- US Department of State: Student visa
- ICE: I-901 SEVIS fee
- IRCC: Fee list
- IRCC: Proof of financial support
- Study Australia: Student visa (subclass 500)
- Study Australia: Student visa application charge increase
Checked in October 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm on the official site when you apply. For help with your own application, talk to our counseling team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has the cheapest student visa for Nepali students?
On the visa fee alone, Canada's study permit (CAN$150 plus CAN$85 biometrics) is the lowest of the four at current exchange rates, and Australia's AUD 2,500 charge is the highest. Visa fees are a small part of the total, so compare tuition and living costs too.
How much money must I show for a Canada study permit?
IRCC asks a single applicant to show CAN$23,448 for living costs for applications from September 1, 2026, plus first-year tuition and travel costs.
Do I pay a health fee for a UK student visa?
Yes. You pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year of visa when you apply, as listed on GOV.UK.
Is the Australia student visa fee the same for every country?
The student visa application charge is AUD 2,500 from July 1, 2026. Some applicants are exempt, but Nepal is not on the published exempt list. Check the Home Affairs fees page.
Does the USA ask for a fixed bank balance?
The US State Department asks you to show how you will pay for your studies rather than a single fixed amount. Your Form I-20 states the school's cost estimate.
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