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UK Student Visa Nepal 2026: The process has 8 steps — accept offer, get NOC from MoEST (NPR 2,000, noc.moest.gov.np), maintain bank balance £10,539 outside London or £13,761 London for 28 days at a UKVI-approved Nepali bank, receive CAS, complete TB test, submit visa application (fee £558 + IHS £776/year), attend VFS biometrics, then await decision — standard 3–8 weeks. HOA provides free guidance. 99% success. 5,000+ placed.

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UKVI-compliant Free Service — Nepal

UK Student Visa from Nepal — Complete Process Guide 2026

The full 8-step UK Student Route Visa process for Nepali students — documents, bank balance, NOC, CAS, TB test, biometrics, fees, and timelines. Free expert guidance from HOA. 99% visa success rate across 5,000+ students placed.

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Last Updated: 08 Jun 2026  |  All figures verified against UK Home Office, MoEST Nepal, and Nepal Rastra Bank 2026 data

Direct Answer — UK Student Visa Process Nepal

To get a UK student visa from Nepal, complete these 8 steps in order:

  1. Accept a UKVI-licensed UK university offer and pay the tuition deposit
  2. Obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Nepal MoEST at noc.moest.gov.np — NPR 2,000, takes 1–5 working days
  3. Maintain £10,539 (outside London) or £13,761 (London) in a UKVI-approved Nepali bank for 28 consecutive days
  4. Receive your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) number from the university
  5. Complete a TB test at an IOM-approved clinic in Kathmandu or Pokhara
  6. Submit the online application at gov.uk/student-visa — visa fee £558 + IHS £776/year
  7. Attend a biometric appointment at VFS Global Nepal (Kathmandu or Pokhara)
  8. Await the decision — standard processing takes 3–8 weeks

Key Requirements at a Glance

UK Student Visa Requirements — Nepal 2026

The UK Student Route Visa (formerly Tier 4) is the mandatory visa for Nepali students studying full-time at any UKVI-licensed UK university or college. Every requirement below is sourced from the UK Home Office Appendix Student (gov.uk/student-visa, 2026) and Nepal MoEST.

UKVI-Licensed University Sponsor
Your UK university must hold a valid UKVI sponsor licence and be on the UK Register of Licensed Sponsors. All 153 HOA partner universities are UKVI-licensed. UK Home Office, gov.uk/student-visa, 2026
CAS — Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies
A unique reference number issued by your UK university after offer acceptance and deposit payment. The CAS is mandatory and cannot be substituted. UKVI Appendix Student, 2026
Bank Balance — 28-Day Rule
£10,539 outside London (≈ NPR 20.5 lakhs) or £13,761 in London (≈ NPR 26.8 lakhs), maintained in a single UKVI-approved Nepali bank for 28 consecutive days. UK Home Office, Appendix Student, 2026
NOC — No Objection Certificate (Nepal-Specific)
Mandatory for all Nepali students going abroad, issued by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) Nepal. Apply online at noc.moest.gov.np — fee NPR 2,000, processing 1–5 working days. MoEST Nepal, noc.moest.gov.np, 2026
Tuberculosis (TB) Test — IOM Clinic
All applicants from Nepal must submit a TB test certificate from an IOM-approved clinic (Kathmandu: Lazimpat / Pokhara). Certificate valid for 6 months. UKVI medical requirements — gov.uk/tb-test-visa
English Proficiency — IELTS or MOI Letter
IELTS Academic minimum 5.5–6.5 (varies by programme) OR a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter from TU, KU, PU, or Purbanchal University. 25+ UK universities accept MOI — saving NPR 25,000+ in IELTS costs. Individual university admissions policies — HOA partner data, 2026

Financial Requirements

Bank Balance & Fee Requirements — UK Student Visa Nepal 2026

The UK Home Office sets exact financial requirements under Appendix Student (gov.uk/student-visa, 2026). The figures below are the official 2026 amounts — use them verbatim when preparing your visa file.

Outside London Universities

Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Edinburgh, Coventry, Hertfordshire, Sheffield & all others

UKVI monthly allowance
£1,171 / month
Duration (9 months)
× 9 months
Total balance required
£10,539
NPR equivalent (NRB rate: NPR 195 = £1)
≈ NPR 20.5 lakhs
Minimum holding period
28 consecutive days

London Universities

UEL, Middlesex, Westminster, Brunel, Kingston, London Metropolitan & all London campuses

UKVI monthly allowance
£1,529 / month
Duration (9 months)
× 9 months
Total balance required
£13,761
NPR equivalent (NRB rate: NPR 195 = £1)
≈ NPR 26.8 lakhs
Minimum holding period
28 consecutive days
28-Day Rule — Critical for All Nepali Applicants The full balance must remain in a single UKVI-approved Nepali bank account without any dip for 28 consecutive days ending no more than 31 days before the visa application date. Any withdrawal that reduces the balance below the threshold resets the 28-day count to zero. Only 12 specific banks in Nepal are UKVI-approved. View the full list of 12 UKVI-approved banks in Nepal →

Complete Visa Cost Breakdown

UK Student Visa Fees for Nepali Students — 2026 (Source: UK Home Office, gov.uk/student-visa)
Fee Component Amount (GBP) NPR Equivalent Notes
Visa application fee £558 ≈ NPR 1.02 lakhs Paid at gov.uk/student-visa UK Home Office, 2026
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) — 1-year MSc £776 ≈ NPR 1.51 lakhs Paid before submission UKVI IHS portal, 2026
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) — 3-year BSc £2,328 ≈ NPR 4.54 lakhs £776 × 3 years
TB test (IOM clinic, Kathmandu) ~£20–£28 ≈ NPR 4,000–5,500 IOM-approved clinic required — UKVI, 2026
VFS Global Nepal service charge ~£30–£60 ≈ NPR 6,000–12,000 VFS Global Nepal — Kathmandu or Pokhara
NOC — Nepal MoEST — NPR 2,000 noc.moest.gov.np — MoEST Nepal, 2026
HOA guidance and application support £0 — Free NPR 0 100% free to Nepali students — always, no exceptions

UK Student Visa Processing Timeline — Nepal

Typical UK Student Visa Timeline for Nepali Applicants (apply at least 3 months before course start)
Stage Step Typical Duration Type
Offer → Deposit Step 1 1–7 days University
NOC application Step 2 1–5 working days Nepal Mandatory
28-day bank balance period Step 3 28 consecutive days minimum Nepal Mandatory
CAS issuance by university Step 4 1–2 weeks after deposit University
TB test certificate Step 5 1–3 working days (results) Nepal Mandatory
Online visa application + payment Step 6 1 day UKVI
VFS biometric appointment Step 7 1 day (appointment) VFS Global Nepal
UKVI decision Step 8 3–8 weeks UK Home Office

Documents Checklist

UK Student Visa Documents Checklist — Nepal 2026

Every document below is required by UKVI (UK Home Office, Appendix Student, 2026). Missing or inconsistent documentation is the most preventable cause of visa refusals. HOA provides a free document review before every VFS submission.

Identity Documents

  • Valid passport — minimum 6 months validity beyond course end date UK Home Office — gov.uk/student-visa, 2026
  • All previous passports — any prior UK visa stamps must be declared

University & CAS Documents

  • CAS number — issued by your UKVI-licensed UK university UKVI Appendix Student — mandatory, 2026
  • Unconditional offer letter from your UK university
  • Tuition deposit payment confirmation

Financial Evidence

  • Official bank statement — 28 consecutive days showing full balance UK Home Office, Appendix Student financial requirements, 2026
  • Must be from one of the 12 UKVI-approved Nepali banks — see approved list
  • Education loan sanction letter (if applicable)

Academic Documents

  • All academic transcripts — notarised originals with English translation
  • All degree/diploma certificates — notarised
  • IELTS/PTE certificate (min. band 5.5) OR MOI letter from TU, KU, PU, Purbanchal University admission policies — 25+ HOA partners accept MOI, 2026

Nepal-Specific Mandatory Documents

  • NOC from Nepal MoEST — noc.moest.gov.np | NPR 2,000 | 1–5 working days MoEST Nepal — mandatory for all Nepali students going abroad, 2026
  • TB test certificate — IOM-approved clinic only (Lazimpat KTM or Pokhara) UKVI medical requirements — gov.uk/tb-test-visa, 2026
  • Nepal citizenship certificate (certified copy)

Supporting Documents

  • Statement of Purpose / personal statement (some universities and UKVI officers may request)
  • Sponsorship letter (if a family member is funding study — must name exact amounts)
  • Parent or guardian consent letter (if under 18)
Free HOA Document Review HOA reviews every document in your visa file before VFS submission — at no cost. Name inconsistencies, low-resolution uploads, and missing items are caught before the application reaches UKVI. WhatsApp +977-9802373936 to book.

Step-by-Step Application Process

How to Apply for a UK Student Visa from Nepal — 8 Steps

Follow these steps in the exact order shown. Steps 2, 3, and 5 are Nepal-specific requirements that are frequently missed by first-time applicants — all three are mandatory for Nepali students.

  1. Accept your UK university offer and pay the tuition deposit

    Accept your conditional or unconditional offer from a UKVI-licensed UK university and pay the required tuition deposit (typically £2,000–£8,000). This triggers the CAS issuance process at your university. HOA assists with applications to 153 HOA partner universities — all free.
    September 2026 intake deadlines →

    Duration: 1–7 days

  2. Obtain your NOC from Nepal MoEST Nepal Mandatory

    The No Objection Certificate (NOC) is mandatory for all Nepali students going abroad for study, as stipulated by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) Nepal. Apply online at noc.moest.gov.np. Fee: NPR 2,000. Processing: 1–5 working days. Apply immediately after accepting your offer — do not wait. The NOC is required before any international bank transfer and before the visa application.
    Full NOC guide — documents, process, common errors →

    Fee: NPR 2,000  |  Duration: 1–5 working days

  3. Run the 28-day bank balance period at a UKVI-approved bank Nepal Mandatory

    The UK Home Office requires £10,539 (outside London, ≈ NPR 20.5 lakhs) or £13,761 (London, ≈ NPR 26.8 lakhs) to be held in a single UKVI-approved Nepali bank account for 28 consecutive days (Appendix Student, gov.uk/student-visa, 2026). Plan the 28-day window to end no more than 31 days before your visa application submission date. Only 12 Nepali banks are UKVI-approved — funds at any other bank will not be accepted as evidence.
    See the 12 UKVI-approved Nepal banks →  |  28-day rule explained →

    Amount: £10,539 or £13,761  |  Duration: 28 days minimum

  4. Receive your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies)

    Your UKVI-licensed UK university issues a unique CAS reference number after you confirm your place and pay your deposit — typically 3–6 months before course start. The CAS is essential for the visa application. Verify every detail on your CAS exactly matches your passport — name, date of birth, course details. Any mismatch is grounds for refusal.
    CAS guide — how to check and use your CAS →

    Duration: 1–2 weeks after deposit confirmation

  5. Complete the tuberculosis (TB) test at an IOM-approved clinic Nepal Mandatory

    All UK visa applicants from Nepal must submit a TB test certificate from an IOM (International Organization for Migration) approved clinic. In Nepal, IOM-approved clinics are at Lazimpat, Kathmandu, and in Pokhara. The certificate is valid for 6 months from the test date. Results are available within 1–3 working days. Book in advance as appointments can be limited.
    TB test guide — booking, timing, and cost →

    Cost: ≈ NPR 4,000–5,500  |  Duration: 1–3 working days

  6. Submit your UK Student Visa application online and pay fees

    Apply at gov.uk/student-visa. Pay the £558 visa application fee (UK Home Office, 2026) and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £776 per year of study (immigration-health-surcharge.service.gov.uk, 2026). The IHS must be paid before the visa form can be submitted — retain the IHS payment reference number. Upload all supporting documents in the order specified.

    Visa fee: £558 + IHS £776/year  |  Duration: 1 day

  7. Book and attend your biometric appointment at VFS Global Nepal

    After submitting the online application, book a biometric appointment at VFS Global Nepal in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Attend with your original passport, application reference number, and all original supporting documents. HOA conducts a free pre-biometrics document check for every student — WhatsApp +977-9802373936 to book.

    Duration: 1 day (appointment)  |  HOA check: Free

  8. Receive your visa decision and prepare for travel

    Standard UKVI processing from Nepal takes 3–8 weeks after biometrics. The UK Home Office target is within 3 weeks. Once the visa is stamped in your passport, book flights. You may enter the UK up to 1 month before your course start date (for courses of 12 months or more). Complete the HOA pre-departure checklist before travel.
    After graduation, you are automatically eligible for the Graduate Route Visa — 2 years of unrestricted work rights (no job offer required).

    UKVI processing: 3–8 weeks standard  |  Priority: 5–7 working days
Apply at Least 3 Months Before Your Course Start Date UKVI processing targets 3 weeks from biometrics, but delays can occur during peak seasons (July–September for September intake). You can apply up to 6 months before your course start date. HOA recommends starting the process as soon as you receive your offer letter.

Work Rights & Graduate Pathway

What You Can Do on a UK Student Visa — Work & After Graduation

The UK Student Visa includes significant work rights during study and a clear post-graduation pathway, making the UK among the most valuable study destinations for Nepali students.

Part-Time Work During Term
20 hours per week, any employer, any sector. At the National Minimum Wage of £12.71 per hour (UK Low Pay Commission, April 2026), 20 hours generates approximately £254.20 per week — ≈ NPR 1.98 lakhs per month. UK Low Pay Commission, gov.uk, April 2026
Full-Time Work During Holidays
Unlimited hours during official university vacations and holidays. Full-time at £12.71/hr for 8 weeks ≈ NPR 5.1 lakhs — a significant contribution toward the following year's living costs. UKVI Appendix Student — gov.uk/student-visa/work, 2026
Graduate Route Visa — 2 Years Post-Study
After completing a UK bachelor's or master's degree, you are eligible for the Graduate Route Visa — 2 years of unrestricted work rights (3 years for PhD), with no job offer, no employer sponsorship, and no salary minimum required. UK Home Office, gov.uk/graduate-visa, 2026
Skilled Worker Visa Pathway → ILR
After Graduate Route, a job paying £38,700+ per year (2026 Skilled Worker threshold) qualifies for a Skilled Worker Visa and begins the 5-year path to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK. UK Home Office, gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa, 2026

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions — UK Student Visa Nepal 2026

Each answer below begins with a direct, self-contained response that can be read independently. Extended detail follows for those who need it.

The process has 8 steps: (1) Accept a UK university offer and pay deposit. (2) Obtain NOC from Nepal MoEST at noc.moest.gov.np — NPR 2,000, 1–5 working days. (3) Maintain £10,539 (outside London) or £13,761 (London) in a UKVI-approved Nepali bank for 28 consecutive days. (4) Receive the CAS number from your university. (5) Complete a TB test at an IOM-approved clinic in Kathmandu or Pokhara. (6) Submit the visa application at gov.uk/student-visa — fee £558 + IHS £776/year. (7) Attend VFS biometric appointment in Nepal. (8) Await decision — standard 3–8 weeks. HOA provides free guidance for every step — 99% success rate.
Allow 3 months minimum from accepting your offer to visa approval. The 28-day bank balance period alone takes 4 weeks. Add 1–5 days for NOC, 1–3 days for TB test, and 3–8 weeks for UKVI processing after biometrics. UKVI's standard decision target is within 3 weeks of biometrics. Priority visa services at VFS Global Nepal reduce this to 5–7 working days. Apply no later than 3 months before your course start date.
£10,539 (approximately NPR 20.5 lakhs) for universities outside London. £13,761 (approximately NPR 26.8 lakhs) for London universities. These amounts are set by the UK Home Office under Appendix Student (gov.uk/student-visa, 2026). The full amount must be held in a single UKVI-approved Nepali bank for 28 consecutive days without any withdrawal that reduces the balance below the threshold.
Mandatory documents: (1) Valid passport — 6 months validity beyond course end. (2) CAS number from your UK university. (3) 28-day bank statement at a UKVI-approved Nepali bank. (4) IELTS/PTE certificate (min. 5.5) or MOI letter. (5) Academic transcripts — notarised with English translation. (6) NOC from Nepal MoEST (noc.moest.gov.np). (7) TB test certificate from IOM-approved clinic. (8) Nepal citizenship certificate (certified copy). HOA reviews all documents free of charge before VFS submission.
Yes — the NOC is mandatory for all Nepali students. The No Objection Certificate (NOC) is required by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) Nepal for any student travelling abroad for study, regardless of destination country. Apply at noc.moest.gov.np — fee NPR 2,000, processing 1–5 working days. The NOC is required before international bank transfers (tuition fee payment) and before submitting the UK visa application. Do not apply for the visa without a valid NOC.
Visa application fee: £558 (≈ NPR 1.02 lakhs), paid at gov.uk/student-visa (UK Home Office, 2026). Additionally: Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) £776/year — £776 for 1-year MSc, £2,328 for 3-year BSc. TB test ≈ NPR 4,000–5,500. VFS Nepal service charge ≈ NPR 6,000–12,000. NOC: NPR 2,000. HOA guidance is completely free — no student ever pays HOA.
Yes — up to 20 hours per week during term time, and unlimited hours during official university holidays. At the 2026 National Minimum Wage of £12.71 per hour (UK Low Pay Commission), 20 hours per week generates approximately £254.20 per week — roughly NPR 1.98 lakhs per month — covering a significant portion of living costs. Full-time work during holidays is unrestricted.
Yes — the Graduate Route Visa allows 2 years of post-study work (3 years for PhD graduates) with no job offer, no employer sponsorship, and no salary minimum required (UK Home Office, gov.uk/graduate-visa, 2026). After Graduate Route, securing employment at £38,700+ per year (Skilled Worker threshold, 2026) allows a Skilled Worker Visa and begins the 5-year path to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK.
12 Nepali banks are UKVI-approved (UK Home Office, Financial Evidence Guidance, 2026): Rastriya Banijya Bank (RBB), Nepal Bangladesh Bank (NBB), Standard Chartered Bank Nepal, Global IME Bank, Sunrise Bank, NMB Bank, NIC ASIA Bank, Sanima Bank, Civil Bank, Nepal Credit and Commerce Bank (NCC), Bank of Kathmandu Lumbini (BOK), and Prabhu Bank. Funds held at any other bank in Nepal will not be accepted as financial evidence by UKVI.
The most common refusal reasons for Nepali applicants: (1) Bank balance not maintained for the full 28-day window. (2) Funds at a non-UKVI-approved Nepali bank. (3) CAS details do not exactly match passport data. (4) NOC missing or not included. (5) TB test certificate missing, expired, or from a non-IOM clinic. (6) Statement of Purpose lacks genuine academic intention. (7) Document inconsistencies — name spelling differs across documents. HOA has a 99% first-attempt visa success rate by addressing each of these systematically before submission.

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House of Admissions has guided over 5,000 Nepali students to universities across the United Kingdom — from Russell Group institutions to specialist colleges. Our UKVI-Compliant advisors handle everything: university selection, application, UK Student Visa, CAS preparation, scholarship applications and your Graduate Route to permanent UK settlement. Every consultation is 100% free.

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Why Nepali Students Choose UK for Higher Education — and HOA for Guidance

The United Kingdom is Nepal’s most popular study abroad destination. A UK Bachelor’s degree takes just 3 years (versus 4 in the US or Australia), making it more cost-efficient per year of study. The UK is home to 4 of the world’s top 10 universities (Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, UCL), and over 40 UK universities feature in the global QS top 200. For Nepali students, the total cost of a 1-year Master’s in the UK ranges from NPR 55–82 lakhs all-in (tuition, living costs, and visa) at NPR 195/£1 — with Sheffield and Liverpool among the most affordable destinations.

The UK Student Visa (as governed by Appendix Student of the UK Immigration Rules) allows up to 20 hours of part-time work per week during term time and full-time work during vacations, enabling students to offset living costs. The mandatory 28-day bank balance is £10,539 for universities outside London (NPR ≈ 20.5 lakhs) and £13,761 for London (NPR ≈ 26.8 lakhs), per UK Home Office guidance. House of Admissions prepares complete visa files with a 99% approval rate. Students choosing universities in Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, and Sheffield pay NPR 13–20 lakhs per year in living costs, compared to NPR 25+ lakhs in London.

Nepali graduates who studied in English at Tribhuvan University, Pokhara University, Kathmandu University, or Purbanchal University can apply to 25+ UK universities via Medium of Instruction (MOI) letters instead of IELTS — saving NPR 25,000+ in examination fees and up to 3 months of preparation time. HOA provides free MOI eligibility checks at both offices. After graduation, the Graduate Route Visa grants 2 years of unrestricted work rights with no job offer or sponsor required, per UK Home Office policy (gov.uk/graduate-visa). A switch to the Skilled Worker Visa at the £38,700 salary threshold leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years of qualifying UK residence.

House of Admissions has secured £2M+ in scholarships for Nepali students since 2016, including 50+ Chevening placements (fully funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office), GREAT Scholarships (£10,000 partial award), Commonwealth Scholarships (fully funded), and university merit awards of £2,000–£10,000+. Every HOA student receives personalised scholarship matching as part of the free service. Institutions and businesses wishing to provide HOA’s UK guidance to their student communities are welcome to enquire about a free partnership arrangement. Two offices serve all of Nepal: HOA Kathmandu at Putalisadak (main office), and HOA Pokhara at Trade Mall, Chipledhunga. Book a free consultation at either office →