Student Visa Checklist by Country: USA, Canada, UK, Australia
This student visa checklist by country puts the USA, Canada, UK and Australia side by side: the application form, official fees, how much money you must show, English and health checks, biometrics and processing time. From Nepal in October 2026, the visa fees alone are US$185 plus a US$350 SEVIS fee for the USA, C$150 plus C$85 biometrics for Canada, £558 plus the health surcharge for the UK, and A$2,500 for Australia.
Last checked: 20 October 2026. Rupee amounts use the NRB selling rate, 17 Oct 2026.
Student visa checklist by country: master table
| Item | USA (F-1) | Canada (study permit) | UK (Student visa) | Australia (subclass 500) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| School document | Form I-20 from an SEVP-approved school | Letter of acceptance from a DLI, plus a PAL/TAL unless exempt | CAS from a licensed student sponsor | Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) |
| Application form | DS-160 online | Online through IRCC | Online on GOV.UK | Online through ImmiAccount |
| Visa fee | US$185 (Rs 28,164) | C$150 (Rs 16,133) | £558 (Rs 1.13 lakh) | A$2,500 (Rs 2.65 lakh) |
| Other compulsory fee | SEVIS I-901: US$350 (Rs 53,284) | Biometrics: C$85 (Rs 9,142) | Health surcharge: £776 per year (Rs 1.58 lakh) | OSHC health cover (price varies by insurer) |
| Money to show | The costs on your I-20, with proof of how you will pay | First-year tuition + C$23,448 living costs + travel | Course fees owed + £1,529/month London or £1,171 outside London, up to 9 months, held 28 days | Tuition + travel + at least A$29,710 living costs |
| English test for the visa | Set by the school, not by the visa form | Not listed by IRCC for the study permit; your DLI sets its own | B2 for degree level, B1 below degree level | May need results from an approved test |
| Health check | No routine visa medical listed for students | Medical exam: Nepal is on IRCC’s list | TB test: Nepal is on the list | Health exam may be required |
| Biometrics | Fingerprints usually taken at the interview | Within 30 days of the request letter | At a visa application centre or by ID Check app | Required for all applicants in Nepal |
| Interview | Generally required at the embassy | Not routine | A credibility interview may be required | Not routine |
| Processing time | Depends on interview wait times | Check IRCC’s processing times tool | Usually 3 weeks from outside the UK | Check Home Affairs’ global processing times tool |
Need the full walk-through for one country? Use our step-by-step guides for the US F-1 visa, Canada study permit, UK Student visa and Australian Student visa.
USA F-1 checklist
- Form I-20 from an SEVP-approved school.
- SEVIS I-901 fee paid (US$350) and receipt printed.
- DS-160 confirmation page, with a photo that meets State Department rules.
- Visa application fee of US$185 (non-refundable) paid.
- Valid passport.
- Academic transcripts and test scores the officer may ask for.
- Proof of how you will pay your costs, and evidence of your plans to leave the US after study.
According to the State Department’s student visa page, a new student’s visa can be issued up to 365 days before the programme start date, but you cannot enter the US more than 30 days before that date. For Nepali citizens, the reciprocity table shows no issuance fee for F-1, multiple entries, and up to 60 months’ validity.
Canada study permit checklist
- Letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution (DLI).
- Provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL), unless you are exempt. From 1 January 2026, master’s and doctoral degree students at a public DLI do not need one.
- Proof of funds: first-year tuition, transport, and C$23,448 for one person’s living costs outside Quebec for applications on or after 1 September 2026 (about Rs 25.22 lakh).
- Fees: C$150 study permit plus C$85 biometrics (about Rs 25,274 in total).
- Immigration medical exam by a panel physician, because Nepal is on IRCC’s list for stays over 6 months.
- Biometrics within 30 days of your request letter.
UK Student visa checklist
- CAS from a licensed student sponsor.
- Visa fee of £558 and the immigration health surcharge of £776 per year of the visa.
- Funds: course fees still owed plus living costs of £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 outside London, for up to 9 months. Held for 28 days in a row, ending within 31 days of your application.
- English at CEFR B2 for degree level or B1 below degree level. A higher education provider can assess this itself for degree-level study.
- TB test certificate from a Home Office approved clinic in Nepal.
- Identity check at a visa application centre, or through the UK Immigration: ID Check app if eligible.
Applying on or after 30 November 2026? The Statement of Changes HC 584 raises the monthly amounts to £1,570 (London) and £1,203 (outside London). For 9 months that is £14,130 (about Rs 28.68 lakh) or £10,827 (about Rs 21.98 lakh). You can apply up to 6 months before your course starts.
Australia Student visa checklist
- CoE from a CRICOS-registered provider.
- Visa application charge: A$2,500 from 1 July 2026 (about Rs 2.65 lakh). Nepal is not on the list of countries that kept the old charge.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Study Australia warns your application will be refused without proof of it.
- Genuine Student requirement answers.
- Financial capacity: at least A$29,710 for living costs (about Rs 31.48 lakh), plus tuition and travel.
- English test results if required for you.
- Health examination at an approved panel clinic if required.
- Biometrics at the Australian Biometrics Collection Centre in Kathmandu.
From 2 October 2026, new Student visa rules mean family members generally cannot be included in a Student visa application unless an exemption applies, and offshore applicants must be outside Australia when the visa is granted. Practise with our Genuine Student answers guide.
Documents every Nepali student needs, whatever the country
- Valid passport with plenty of validity left.
- SEE, +2 and university transcripts and certificates.
- English test score report, if your school or visa needs one.
- Bank statements, education loan letter or sponsor income papers, as your destination requires.
- Relationship documents if a parent or relative is sponsoring you.
- A No Objection Certificate (NOC), if your bank asks for one before sending fees abroad.
- Police clearance, only if your visa office asks for it.
Step-by-step order that works for all four
- Get your offer and confirm the school is on the official register (SEVP, DLI list, UK sponsor register or CRICOS).
- Pay the deposit and receive your I-20, letter of acceptance plus PAL, CAS or CoE.
- Arrange funds and make sure they meet the rule and timing for your country.
- Book any medical or TB test.
- Fill in the online application and pay the official fees only on the official site.
- Give biometrics and attend an interview if asked.
- Wait for the decision before booking flights.
Common mistakes
- Counting the visa fee or health surcharge as part of your funds. They are paid on top.
- Moving money into an account too late. The UK’s 28-day rule is strict.
- Using old figures. Canada’s funds amount changed on 1 September 2026, and the UK’s changes on 30 November 2026.
- Paying a fee through an agent’s personal account. Pay governments only through their official systems.
- Booking flights before the visa arrives.
What to do next
Add up the fees and funds in rupees with our student visa money calculator. Then open the step-by-step guide for your country above and work through it in order, keeping copies of every receipt and document you submit.
Frequently asked questions
Which student visa is cheapest from Nepal in 2026?
By official visa fees alone, Canada is lowest at C$235 including biometrics (about Rs 25,274). The US costs US$535 with SEVIS (about Rs 81,448). The UK fee is £558 plus the health surcharge, and Australia’s is A$2,500.
How much bank balance is needed for a student visa in 2026?
For living costs: C$23,448 for Canada, A$29,710 for Australia, and up to £13,761 (London) or £10,539 (elsewhere) for the UK, rising for UK applications from 30 November 2026. The US uses the costs on your I-20. Tuition is extra everywhere.
Do Nepali students need a medical test for a student visa?
For Canada, yes for stays over 6 months, as Nepal is on IRCC’s list. For the UK, a TB test is needed. Australia may ask for a health exam. The US State Department does not list a routine medical for F-1 applicants.
How long does a UK student visa take from Nepal?
GOV.UK says usually 3 weeks from outside the UK, starting from your identity check or biometrics appointment.
Is IELTS required for a Canada study permit?
IRCC’s study permit application page does not list a language test. Your college or university sets its own English requirement, and a PGWP later has its own language rule.
Related guides
- Study in Ireland from Nepal: €10,000 Funds, Stamp 2 and 1G
- Study in the Netherlands from Nepal: MVV, Funds, Work 2026
- Study in South Korea from Nepal: D-2, D-4 Visa and Work Rules
- Choose a Course and University Abroad: 15-Point Checklist
Sources
- Student visa – US Department of State
- Fees for visa services – US Department of State
- Nepal reciprocity schedule – US Department of State
- I-901 SEVIS fee – ICE
- Fee list – IRCC
- Apply for a study permit – IRCC
- Proof of financial support – IRCC
- Provincial attestation letter – IRCC
- Medical exam country requirements – IRCC
- Student visa – GOV.UK
- Student visa: money – GOV.UK
- Student visa: knowledge of English – GOV.UK
- Immigration health surcharge – GOV.UK
- Countries where you need a TB test – GOV.UK
- Visa processing times outside the UK – GOV.UK
- Statement of Changes HC 584 – GOV.UK
- Student visa application charge increase – Study Australia
- Visa application process – Study Australia
- Student visa changes October 2026 – Study Australia
- Visas – Australian Embassy Nepal
- Foreign exchange rates – Nepal Rastra Bank
Last checked: 20 October 2026. This is general information, not immigration advice. Fees and rules change; confirm on the official page before you pay.
Responses