The UK Home Office has announced an increase in the financial maintenance requirement for applicants under the Student visa route, with the revised amounts taking effect from 30 November 2026.
The change has been introduced through the Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules, HC 584, published on 3 September 2026. Under the revised rules, international students applying for a UK Student visa will need to demonstrate a higher level of funds to cover their living expenses, depending on whether they will study in London or elsewhere in the UK.
For students planning to submit applications on or after 30 November 2026, understanding the new financial requirement will be important when preparing their visa documentation.
What Is Changing Under the UK Student Visa Rules?
From 30 November 2026, the required maintenance funds will increase to:
| Study location | Current monthly requirement | New monthly requirement |
|---|---|---|
| London | £1,529 | £1,570 |
| Outside London | £1,171 | £1,203 |
The new figures are specified in HC 584, which replaces the existing amounts in the relevant Student route provisions.
The increase means applicants will need to demonstrate additional funds compared with the current requirements.
London
The new requirement will be £1,570 per month, subject to the maximum nine-month period.
For the maximum period:
£1,570 × 9 = £14,130
Therefore, a student who needs to demonstrate maintenance funds for the full nine-month period will need to show £14,130 for living costs.
Outside London
For students studying outside London, the revised requirement will be £1,203 per month, again subject to a maximum of nine months.
For nine months:
£1,203 × 9 = £10,827
Accordingly, an applicant requiring the full nine months of maintenance funds would need to demonstrate £10,827 for living costs.
These amounts relate to the maintenance requirement and are separate from any course fees that the applicant may need to demonstrate. GOV.UK states that students generally need to show sufficient funds for their outstanding course fees for the relevant academic year as well as the required living costs.
Why Is This Change Important for International Students?
The financial requirement is an important part of the UK Student visa rules.
Students applying from overseas should not look only at tuition fees when preparing their financial documentation. They may also need to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to support themselves during their initial period in the UK.
The revised amounts increase the financial planning requirement for students, particularly those applying for courses in London where the required maintenance amount is higher.
For example, under the new rules, the maximum maintenance requirement will be:
- London: £14,130
- Outside London: £10,827
This means prospective students should assess their available funds well before submitting a visa application.
How Long Do Students Need to Demonstrate the Funds?
The Student route generally requires applicants to demonstrate funds for living costs for up to nine months. The exact amount depends on the location of study and the circumstances of the application.
The nine-month maximum is particularly important when calculating the financial evidence required for a course lasting nine months or longer.
Students should therefore calculate their maintenance requirement carefully rather than assuming that the monthly amount alone represents the total financial requirement.
The 28-Day Financial Evidence Rule
Meeting the required balance is not the only consideration.
Where an applicant is relying on personal or qualifying financial funds, the Student route generally requires the required funds to have been held for a consecutive 28-day period. The end of that 28-day period must normally be no more than 31 days before the visa application date.
This means students should plan their finances and supporting bank evidence in advance.
A last-minute transfer into an account may therefore create problems if the required balance has not been maintained for the necessary period.
Applicants should also ensure that their financial evidence meets the applicable requirements regarding the type of account, ownership or control of funds, dates and supporting documentation.
Course Fees Are Separate From Maintenance Funds
The maintenance requirement should not be confused with the amount required for tuition.
According to current GOV.UK guidance, Student visa applicants generally need enough money to cover their outstanding course fees for the relevant academic year, in addition to the required funds for living costs.
For example, a student studying in London could potentially need to demonstrate:
Outstanding eligible course fees + up to £14,130 maintenance funds
Similarly, a student studying outside London could potentially need:
Outstanding eligible course fees + up to £10,827 maintenance funds
The actual financial requirement will depend on the applicant’s individual circumstances, course and evidence.
Are There Any Exceptions?
The financial evidence rules contain specific exemptions and alternative arrangements.
For example, applicants who have been in the UK with valid permission for at least 12 months at the date of application may automatically meet the financial requirement and may not need to provide the same financial evidence. Certain categories, including some students receiving official financial sponsorship or relying on qualifying student loans, are also subject to specific provisions.
Applicants should therefore assess their circumstances against the Immigration Rules rather than assuming that the standard maintenance figure applies in exactly the same way to every Student visa applicant.
What Should Students Applying After 30 November 2026 Do?
Students planning to apply for a UK Student visa on or after 30 November 2026 should consider the revised financial requirement when preparing their application.
It is advisable to:
- Calculate the maintenance requirement based on the location of the course.
- Check the maximum nine-month requirement where applicable.
- Add the relevant outstanding course fees to the financial planning calculation.
- Maintain the required funds for the applicable 28-day period.
- Check the date of the financial evidence before submitting the application.
- Review whether any exemption or alternative financial evidence provision applies.
- Ensure that the documents submitted meet the applicable Immigration Rules and UKVI evidential requirements.
Careful preparation is particularly important because satisfying the financial requirement involves more than simply having a sufficient balance on the day of application.
What Is the Difference Compared With the Current Requirement?
The change represents an increase of:
- £41 per month for students studying in London.
- £32 per month for students studying outside London.
Over the maximum nine-month period, this represents an increase of:
- £369 for London students — from £13,761 to £14,130.
- £288 for students outside London — from £10,539 to £10,827.
The increase reflects the Home Office’s revision of the maintenance figures in the Immigration Rules.
Key Takeaway
The UK’s revised Student visa maintenance requirement will come into effect on 30 November 2026.
From that date, students will generally need to account for:
London: £1,570 per month, up to £14,130 for nine months
Outside London: £1,203 per month, up to £10,827 for nine months
The change is particularly relevant for students preparing applications for the 2026–27 intake and for anyone planning their finances ahead of a UK Student visa application.
Students should also remember that maintenance funds are only one component of the Student visa requirements. Course fees, immigration requirements, financial evidence rules and any applicable exemptions must be considered together.
Because Immigration Rules can change, applicants should verify the applicable requirements at the time they submit their application and rely on the latest official Home Office guidance.
