UK student visa funds requirement rises from 30 November 2026

International students applying to study in the United Kingdom will have to prove they hold more money for living costs from 30 November 2026. The higher thresholds apply to student visa applications submitted on or after that date and add to the costs facing applicants from African countries including Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and Kenya.

Key facts

• New thresholds apply to student visa applications submitted on or after 30 November 2026
• London: £14,130 (about $18,760) for nine months, up from £13,761
• Outside London: £10,827 (about $14,370), up from £10,539
• The amounts cover living expenses only and exclude tuition fees
• The change was set out in a UK Home Office statement of changes to immigration rules published on 3 September 2026

What is changing?

Students attending institutions in London will need to show approximately $18,760 (£14,130) in living expenses for nine months, compared with the current $18,270 (£13,761). For those studying outside London, the requirement rises to approximately $14,370 (£10,827), up from $13,990 (£10,539).

On a monthly basis, the London figure goes from $2,030 (£1,529) to about $2,085 (£1,570), while the amount outside the capital increases from $1,555 (£1,171) to about $1,597 (£1,203). That is an increase of approximately 2.7 per cent in both cases. Over the full nine months, the additional requirement works out at about $490 (£369) for London and $383 (£288) elsewhere.

Who is affected?

The revised thresholds apply to international students applying for a UK student visa, including applicants from African countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and Kenya. The maintenance figures exclude tuition fees, so applicants must demonstrate funds for their studies as well as their living costs.

Applicants generally need to hold the required funds for at least 28 consecutive days, with the end of that period falling within 31 days of their visa application. Some applicants qualify for exemptions or reduced documentary requirements depending on their circumstances and nationality. UK government guidance lists Botswana, Mauritius and Tunisia among countries whose nationals benefit from differential evidence arrangements; eligible applicants may not need to submit financial documents at first, although immigration authorities can still request them.

Why is this happening?

The UK Home Office said the increase is intended to align international students' financial requirements with maintenance loans available to domestic students during the 2026/2027 academic year. The government described the change as an annual adjustment forming part of previously approved changes to the student immigration system.

What this means for travellers

Prospective students, particularly those relying on family savings or personal funds, will need to show greater financial resources when applying. Applicants should also factor in outstanding tuition fees, which make the total financial requirement considerably higher than the maintenance threshold alone.

The change comes as UK Home Office immigration statistics show 383,455 sponsored study visas, including dependants, granted in the year ending June 2026 — an 11 per cent decline on the previous year and 41 per cent below the 2023 peak. Nigeria remained one of the largest source markets, with 26,060 visas granted to main applicants, about 7 per cent of the total. The decline followed immigration restrictions introduced in January 2024 that stopped most international students on taught postgraduate courses from bringing dependants.

Students planning to apply should check the new figures against their own budget before submitting an application on or after 30 November 2026.