Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad for Pakistani Students: Costs and Visa Requirements Compared

For Pakistani students wanting to study abroad at the lowest possible first-year expense, the lowest first-year expense out of the six countries compared for this study is in Turkey. Of the five countries that speak English, New Zealand is the most affordable as long as you choose from the lower-cost cities and programmes. Using this same methodology, the most expensive first-year cost of the six is generally at private universities in the USA.

Considering just tuition, the cheapest country to study abroad for Pakistani students is Turkey, but other factors are just as important and can greatly affect overall cost. These are the cost of living, visa cost, health insurance, the price of degree proof of funds, and most importantly, the length of the study.

Together with Turkey, this study also looks at New Zealand, Canada, the UK, Australia, and the USA. First-year costs and the costs of meeting the immigration requirements are the criteria for this study. If you are not sure which study destination best meets your budget, Glommico’s team can use your financial resources to assess your academic profile and preferred degree to help you find study options that are within your budget.

Total First-Year Cost of Studying Abroad as Pakistani Students

This shows the first-year cost comparisons based on available tuition, living costs and compulsory immigration or student costs (if applicable). These comparisons use a single 6 September 2026 exchange-rate capture in the PKR conversion to show the costs in the same time period across the board for the following tuition and living costs. For example, 1 CAD was approximately PKR 200.49, 1 AUD approximately PKR 199.86, 1 GBP approximately PKR 374.91 and 1 NZD approximately PKR 163.15.

PKR amounts will vary due to fluctuating exchange rates. This information should not be used as a quotation from the university. The financial threshold of CAD 23,448 (for Canada) applies to all applications made outside of Quebec after September 1, 2026. The student visa cost for the UK is £558, while the Immigration Health Surcharge is £776 for the entire stay of the applicant. Information verified on GOV.UK+1. We have included the comparison for International students, including Bachelor's and Master's Degree students only. PhD programs were excluded due to variability in pricing, especially in New Zealand.

The calculation is based on the annual tuition plus living costs for the year, plus the necessary visa charge, plus health cover, plus the health surcharge (if applicable), plus the student or residence charge (if applicable).

Application costs, deposits, flights, English language tests, medical check-ups, police clearance certificates, and required textbooks are explained further, as the costs differ for each applicant and are not required for each of the six destinations.

In academic comparisons, we have used the best available options of public universities and, in the case of private universities, of mainstream non-elite institutions. Valid examples include the Middle East Technical University (Turkey), University of Otago (New Zealand), University of Manitoba (Canada), a public university in the UK and Australia, and a public university in the USA.

Exchange rates are from 6th September 2026. In this case, the rate from the 6th September was approximately PKR 200.49 for CAD, PKR 199.86 for AUD, PKR 374.91 for GBP and PKR 163.15 for NZD.

Study Abroad on a Low Budget from Pakistan: Turkey and New Zealand Lead the Value Conversation

1. Turkey

For this comparison, Turkey is the best low-budget option, as the tuition at public universities is about USD 500 per year, and compared to the five other English-speaking countries, the cost of living is also significantly lower. The only con of choosing Turkey is that the availability of English-taught programs varies by University and field of study. It is possible to find Programs taught in Turkish, but preparation in the Turkish language is required.

In this context, Turkey is the best option for students asking which country is cheapest for Pakistani students to study abroad.

Public universities cost on average USD 500 to USD 7,000, while most private vakıf universities cost a lot more. Monthly expenses are usually USD 400 to USD 800, depending on lifestyle.

For Pakistani students, out of the available options, Turkey is likely to provide the best value for English-language university programs, especially if it is a priority to minimize annual costs over maximizing the options for English-language programs. Students should differentiate between a visa and a residence permit. Reportedly, the residence permit card is around TRY 964, and students enrolled in a degree program are exempt from the residence permit harç.

If your choice is Turkey, Glommico can help you determine the differences in universities, availability of English-taught programs, admission criteria, and the documents required for the student visa, all of which can help you decide before you spend any money.

2. New Zealand

New Zealand is a more balanced destination for students wanting an English language education when compared to the more expensive options. Looking at places such as Dunedin helps, but again, tuition is still higher than in Turkey.

Tuition for bachelor studies ranges from NZD 22,000 to 38,000, and for master studies, from NZD 26,000 to 48,000.

Immigration New Zealand wants assurance of NZD 20,000 for living costs for tertiary students, which also has to be accounted for in tuition. Therefore, this planning assumption differs from the actual budget for the year.

For students wanting an English language education and a lifestyle in smaller cities, New Zealand offers a more attractive and straightforward financial planning option.

Explore Glommico's New Zealand study guidance

3. Canada

Students interested in a longer commitment to their career and studies in an English-speaking country can consider Canada as a possible option. However, it's worth noting the financial barriers. With international study and living costs, Canada tends to be more expensive for a first year abroad.

According to our source for this comparison, data provided by Statistics Canada, the approximate costs for international undergraduates and graduate students for the 2023/24 year would be CAD 41,746 and CAD 24,028, respectively.

For Pakistani applicants, IRCC’s financial requirements are adjusted as of September 1, 2026. As of that date, anticipated costs for a typical single applicant are CAD 23,448 for annual living expenses, not including tuition or transportation, for a location outside of Quebec.

Thinking “How much does Canada cost?” provides only part of the picture. All expenses for tuition and living, plus the funds required for travel, must be considered.

Affordable Study Abroad Options for Pakistani Students: UK, Australia and USA

4. United Kingdom

While the UK has higher costs than Turkey, the longer duration of travel (3 years for undergrad and 1 year for postgrad) offers more balance for the budget, compared to the costs incurred each year. The main disadvantage is the combination of tuition, living costs, visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge.

The UK Student visa fee is currently £558 for applications outside the UK. As for the Immigration Health Surcharge, it is £776 for students, and it is charged for each year of study.

For maintenance, the financial requirement is £12,006 if living in London and £9,207 outside London, in addition to tuition. The funds must be in the account for the required period, so it is not enough to have the funds at some point during the visa application. This is an important consideration for Turkey vs UK for study.

5. Australia

Australia is a good option for a student wanting a wide choice of universities and good post-study opportunities, but it is not possible to study there without significant finances. Compared to students studying in Sydney or Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth are more manageable financially. However, the variable for study costs is tuition.

The indicative costs for international study are from AUD 20,000 to AUD 45,000 for undergrad and from AUD 22,000 to AUD 50,000 for postgrad.

The financial requirement for the government is set at AUD 29,710 for one year, which is the living costs for one student, in addition to tuition and travel. The OSHC is also a financial requirement.

The Immigration Department’s statements on the Immigration and Citizenship pages direct you to the updated price lists and indicate that visa charges are subject to change. Therefore, it is advised that you check the Australian visa costs on their official site prior to visa application submission instead of relying on the prices mentioned in older publications.

6. USA

The USA has the greatest variety of universities and programs among the countries in this comparison, but in general, it is the most expensive. The USA has no centralized student financial requirement; each university sets the financial figure on the Form I-20.

Public universities in the USA charge annual tuition of USD 25,000 to USD 45,000, while Private ones are USD 40,000 to USD 65,000 and more. The F visa application fee is USD 185, and the other visa application fee is the SEVIS I-901 fee.

Therefore, it is impossible to rank the USA on par with countries that have a government-set student financial requirement of CAD 23,448 (Canada) or AUD 29,710 (Australia). The Form I-20 is the most important document to determine the required financial amount for each university.

How Much Bank Balance Do I Need to Study Abroad from Pakistan?

The required amount varies with the university and the country of study.

Canada’s threshold is especially relevant due to the applications made on or after 1 September 2026 requiring CAD 23,448, whereas prior applications required CAD 22,895. Canada

The cheapest country to study abroad for Pakistani students will have a different ranking of financial requirements. A single country may have low tuition, yes, but may also require a high amount of liquid funds to be available prior to visa issuance.

This is where professional services are helpful. Glommico’s study-abroad service manages financial documentation and provides admission and visa application assistance. Glommico

If you have a rough budget, Glommico can check the financial requirements for immigration, tuition, and living expenses, helping you avoid a mistake when selecting a university you believe to be affordable.

Why the University Degree Length Changes the Ranking

Annual cost is only half of the calculation. While similar bachelor's programs in other countries may take four years, a bachelor's degree in the UK can take only three years. A master's degree in the UK can also take only one year, while a comparable master's degree in other countries can take two years, making the UK a more affordable option.

Simply comparing annual tuition between Turkey and the UK does not accurately answer the question of whether Turkey is cheaper than the UK for study. Turkey may be cheaper on a yearly basis; however, program length, language, career and scholarship goals also greatly influence the student's final decision.

International Universities PhD Costs: The Exception

PhD applicants should be advised to consider the master's and bachelor's ranking differently. Particularly, New Zealand can be quite appealing, as international PhD scholars at some institutions can pay close to domestic PhD tuition. Indicative annual tuition may even be NZD 6,500 to NZD 9,000.

For a PhD scholar, the ranking can completely change. Particularly for a PhD, the cheapest country to study abroad for Pakistani students can greatly differ from what it can be for a bachelor's. PhD applicants should thoroughly evaluate funding and scholarship terms in addition to tuition.

Visa Fees and One-Time Costs Compared

The CAD 23,448 is not a fee; rather, it is the minimum amount a Canada study permit applicant must have available for living expenses. For the UK, the £558 visa fee and £776 annual IHS are required payments. The maintenance figure (or requirement) is different because it must be demonstrated by the applicant. This is an important distinction when budgeting with an immigration consultant. Visa fees are separate from the financial requirements.

International Scholarships

A scholarship can change the ranking more dramatically than a small difference in living costs.

For scholarship-focused applicants, the Türkiye Bursları program in Turkey can be of interest. Universities in New Zealand, Canada, Australia, the UK, and the USA also provide institution-specific merit awards.

Students should not assume they can include a scholarship when creating a visa budget until they have received the scholarship conditions in writing. A scholarship that includes a discount on tuition does not cover living expenses, health insurance, visa costs, or costs that provide proof of funds.

Glommico offers a different approach. They help students identify programs that are likely to create an affordable option based on the student’s academic profile and budget, rather than helping students select a country and determine funding options.

Employment Rights While You Study

Work income is limited to supplemental income for the first year.

Which Destination Fits Your Budget?

The goal is not simply the destination with the lowest tuition. Your passport, personal budget, parents' budget, educational long-term goals and personal preference also factor into which choice makes the most sense.

Turkey vs UK for Study: Which Is Better for Pakistani Students?

In terms of annual spending, Turkey is typically less expensive. Still, when considering the UK as a viable option for an English-speaking environment of higher education, shorter master's programmes, and a more developed education, the UK is the better choice.

Looking specifically at tuition fees in Turkey vs the UK and the cost of living in Turkey vs the UK for Students, Turkey is the better choice in almost every scenario.

However, when considering the total cost of the programme, the UK becomes more competitive as you can complete a master's programme in one year.

For Pakistani students asking Turkey or the UK which is better, the answer relies on the aim of the student. For those students on a tighter budget, Turkey is well-suited. If the students prefer the English language, the UK is a better-suited option as it also offers master’s degrees and well-established graduate pathways.

It's important to compare the post-study work visa in Turkey vs UK separately from the cost factor, since immigration policies can change without the institution's tuition rate.

Can I Study Abroad on a Budget?

Absolutely, but you have to plan before you get accepted to study abroad on a budget. The best option is to select the destination, city, university and programme all together. It may be difficult for a student who chooses an expensive city and then works to save money to meet the initial cost requirement.

This is because the cheapest country to study abroad for Pakistani students will vary in terms of academic level. Turkey may appeal especially to those looking for a low-cost bachelor's study, and New Zealand's PhD tuition system can alter the equation at the doctorate level.

This is where having a personalised assessment can save you valuable time and avoid costly mistakes in your application. You can narrow down the figures above to a personalised list of affordable study abroad options for Pakistani students. Glommico can help you with this by taking into consideration your budget and academic profile, and determining where and what kind of programme would be most suitable, before you make your investments in application forms.

Conclusion

This is just the first step, as finding the cheapest country to study abroad for Pakistani students is only the beginning. The real question is: At what destination can I afford, qualify, and complete successfully?

Glommico is a Lahore-based study abroad and immigration consultant that helps students with university selection, university admissions, financial documentation, visa applications, preparation for interviews, and scholarship suggestions for top countries like the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Turkey and New Zealand. This means considering tuition, living costs, financial needs, visa requirements, the length of the degree, and more.

If you are a Pakistani student with a limited budget, Turkey is generally the best low-cost option. Public university tuition in Turkey is the lowest out of all of the other countries in this study, and the living costs are also very likely to be the lowest.

If you are looking for an English-speaking country, lower-cost options are found in both New Zealand and Canada, but you will have to choose lower-cost universities and cities. The three year bachelor degree and one year masters programs in the UK can also be an option for lower overall cost programs.

The cheapest country to study abroad for Pakistani students will be determined by several factors, such as the duration of the study, English-taught programmes, and the funds you need to show for your visa.