In Bangladesh, tuition is sent abroad through a bank Student File - a foreign-currency
transaction file opened at an Authorized Dealer (AD) branch. Funds are remitted directly to the
university, not to a personal account. The visa fee (£558) and healthcare
surcharge (£776/year) are paid in pounds during your online application.
The Three Payments
| Payment | How it's paid | Currency |
|---|
| Visa application fee (£558) | Online during the application | Charged in local currency at the day's rate |
| Healthcare surcharge / IHS (£776 per year) | Online during the application | Pounds only - cannot be paid in taka |
| University tuition (or deposit) | Remittance through your bank Student File | Usually GBP, to the university |
How the Student File Works
- Open a Student File at an AD branch. Major banks (Standard Chartered, Bank Asia, BRAC, City, and others) open student files. Either the student or the sponsor must hold an active account with the bank.
- Funds go straight to the institution. Admission and tuition fees are remitted in favour of the university; board/lodging and incidental expenses may be remitted in favour of the student.
- The file is your channel for the whole course - deposits, tuition instalments and living costs are processed through it.
- Keep every receipt. The remittance confirmation evidences a clean financial trail for your visa and future renewals, and universities often need it to confirm payment.
Documents Your Bank Will Ask For
Typically: offer/admission letter and CAS (or fee invoice), passport, the student's and/or sponsor's account details, and proof of the relationship if a sponsor pays. Requirements vary by bank - confirm with the AD branch before you start.
Managing the Exchange Rate
- Compare the all-in rate (spread plus charges), not just the headline rate.
- Build a buffer - budget 5-10% above the minimum so a swing on payment or application day doesn't catch you short; the same buffer protects your proof of funds.
- Start early - international transfers take several working days, and CAS issuance can wait on a cleared deposit.
What to Avoid
- Don't use the kerb/hundi market to move fees - you lose the bank paper trail universities and UKVI rely on, and it can fail credibility checks.
- Don't route fees through mobile wallets (bKash, Nagad, Rocket) - they're not a remittance channel, and a wallet balance isn't accepted as proof of funds either.
Last updated: June 2026. Bangladesh Bank and bank rules change - confirm the current Student File process and limits with your bank.