In Pakistan, tuition is remitted abroad through an Authorized Dealer (your bank's
foreign-exchange desk) under State Bank of Pakistan rules. Banks may remit up to
US$70,000 per student per calendar year for application charges, tuition and living
expenses. 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 rupees |
| University tuition (or deposit) | Bank remittance via an Authorized Dealer (FE desk) | Usually GBP |
How the Student Remittance Works
- Use a bank's Foreign Exchange / student remittance desk. Major banks (HBL, UBL, Meezan, and others) handle outward education remittances under the State Bank framework.
- The annual cap is US$70,000 per student for application/processing charges, tuition and living expenses combined - far above a typical year's costs.
- Remit directly to the university where possible, in pounds, for the amount your CAS or offer requires.
- Keep every document. Banks ask for your admission/offer letter, passport and CAS; the remittance receipt then evidences a clean financial trail for the visa and future renewals.
Documents Your Bank Will Ask For
Typically: university offer/admission letter, CAS (or invoice/fee notice), your passport, and the student's bank details. Requirements vary by bank - call the FE desk before you go.
Managing the Exchange Rate
- Buy in tranches. Instead of converting everything at the last minute, move rupees into pounds in steps when the rate is stable.
- Compare the all-in rate. Ask the bank for the total cost including spread and 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.
What to Avoid
- Don't use the open/grey market or hawala 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 (JazzCash, Easypaisa) - they're not a remittance channel and a wallet balance isn't accepted as proof of funds either.
- Don't leave it late. International transfers take several working days, and CAS issuance can wait on a cleared deposit.
Last updated: June 2026. State Bank rules and limits change - confirm the current student remittance limit and process with your bank and the State Bank of Pakistan.