UK Visa Fees in Pakistani Rupees: Full Cost Breakdown for 2026

The UK Skilled Worker visa costs more than most applicants expect — and for Pakistani professionals, the rupee equivalent of those costs represents a significant financial commitment. At current exchange rates (approximately 355-360 PKR per GBP), the upfront fees for a single applicant on a 5-year visa total close to 2.5 million rupees before you account for any Pakistan-side preparation costs.

Here is a complete breakdown of every cost you will pay, in both GBP and approximate PKR, before you set foot in the UK.

The Main UK-Side Fees

Visa Application Fee

The fee depends on the length of your visa and whether it is a new application or an extension:

Most Skilled Worker visas are issued for up to 5 years (the CoS defines the end date). If your CoS grants more than 3 years, expect to pay the higher fee.

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

The IHS is the largest single cost for most applicants. It is paid upfront, in full, for the entire visa period at the time you submit the online application. The current rate is £1,035 per year per adult, with a reduced rate of £776 per year for dependants under 18.

For a family of four (two adults, two children) on a 5-year visa, the IHS alone is approximately £18,110 — around 6.5 million PKR.

If your visa is refused, the IHS is refunded in full. The visa application fee is not refunded. If your visa is granted and you later leave the UK, partial IHS refunds are available through GOV.UK for unused complete months.

Priority Service (Optional)

Adding Priority Visa Service costs approximately £500 (around 180,000 PKR). Super Priority, where available, costs approximately £1,000. Both are non-refundable regardless of the outcome.

Pakistan-Side Preparation Costs

These costs are paid in Pakistan before you even submit the UK application.

TB Screening (IOM)

Pakistan is on the UK's mandatory tuberculosis testing list. You must obtain a certificate from an IOM-approved clinic before your application can be processed.

If your chest X-ray is inconclusive and a sputum culture is required, add 6 to 8 weeks to your timeline. The certificate is valid for 6 months from the X-ray date.

HEC Degree Attestation

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) must attest your degrees before they can be recognized by UK ENIC or your UK employer.

Note: HEC requires a complete academic history from Matriculation upward. If you have a Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD, you will pay attestation fees for each level. A complete set for a Master's-level applicant typically runs 3,000 to 6,000 PKR in fees, though the time cost of securing appointments can be significant.

Ecctis (UK ENIC) Qualification and Language Assessment

If you are using your Pakistani degree to satisfy the English language requirement rather than taking an IELTS for UKVI test, you must obtain an Ecctis Statement of Comparability and English Proficiency Statement through the QLS service.

The QLS fee is £210 plus VAT (approximately 80,000 PKR). There is no fast-track option; standard turnaround is 20 working days. A critical risk: the QLS requires a live identity check using a biometric passport chip scan. If the scan fails for any reason, the application is rejected and the fee is not refunded.

IELTS for UKVI (If Taking the Test)

Taking the IELTS for UKVI directly is typically more reliable than the Ecctis route for most Pakistani applicants. The test fee at British Council centers in Pakistan is approximately 40,000 to 45,000 PKR. You need a score of at least 5.5 in each of the four components (reading, writing, listening, speaking) to meet the B2 requirement since January 2026.

Total Cost Summary

For a single professional applying for a 5-year Skilled Worker visa:

For a family of four on 5-year visas (two adults, two children), add the IHS for dependants and the TB tests for each family member. The total approaches 8.5 to 9 million PKR.

The Critical Issue with Third-Party Payments

If your visa is refused, the IHS is refunded to the original payment method. This is a significant trap for Pakistani applicants who use visa consultants or friends abroad to pay their fees on their behalf. If a refund is due, it goes to the card that was charged — not to the applicant's bank account. Recovering the refund from a third party introduces a risk that is entirely avoidable.

Pay your own IHS and visa fees directly from your own card wherever possible. If you cannot make the payment from Pakistan, use a family member's card with a formal, documented agreement about refund handling before the payment is made.

The Pakistan to UK Skilled Worker Guide covers the fee payment sequence, how to handle the IHS refund process, and the full financial planning timeline for the 3 to 6 months between job offer and UK arrival.

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