UK to Raise Student Visa Maintenance Requirement
Table of Content
Key Highlights
- The Home Office confirmed a rise in the student visa maintenance requirement from 30th November 2026.
- The requirement is now reviewed every year and is tied to maintenance loans available to UK students.
- The London monthly requirement will rise to £1,570 from £1,529, and the figure outside London will stand at £1,203, up from £1,171, a 2.7% increase in both cases.
Higher Funds Required From 30th November
The Home Office laid a Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 854) before Parliament on 3rd September 2026, confirming a rise in the financial ("maintenance") requirement for the student visa route from 30th November 2026. The trigger is the date of application rather than the course start date. Hence, applications made before that date will continue to be assessed against the current figures.
Under the revised rules, applicants studying in London must show £1,570 for each month of their course, up 2.7% from £1,529. Those studying elsewhere in the UK will need to show £1,203 a month, also up 2.7%, from £1,171. For the standard 9-month period used in most applications, the total amount will now be £14,130 for London and £10,827 for outside London. Notably, these sums are in addition to the applicant’s outstanding first-year tuition fees. The money has to be held as cash in a personal bank account in the applicant's own name, or a parent's or legal guardian's with their written consent.
This increase is not a one-off measure. The Home Office's explanatory memorandum confirms the requirement is reviewed annually and aligned with the maintenance loans available to UK students, a mechanism agreed as part of the May 2024 package of measures on the student route. The requirement has now risen three times since January 2025, and this is the second increase to take effect in November.
The maximum accommodation offset also rises to £1,570. Applicants who have paid a deposit for accommodation arranged by their university can deduct that amount from the maintenance funds they need to evidence. This does not apply to deposits paid to anyone other than the university, including private landlords or other accommodation providers.
| Requirement Details | Outside London | London |
|---|---|---|
| Previous monthly requirement | £1,171 | £1,529 |
New monthly requirement (from 30th November 2026) | £1,203 | £1,570 |
9-month total (new) | £10,827 | £14,130 |
| Increase | Up £32 per month (2.7%) | Up £41 per month (2.7%) |
What the Increase Means for Students
There are exemptions for certain students, and not everyone is required to prove the amount. Applicants who have held valid UK permission for 12 months or more, student union sabbatical officers and doctors or dentists on a foundation programme are exempt.
A larger group falls under the differential evidence requirement, including nationalities that do not have to submit financial proof with the application. However, this is not an exemption from the requirement itself. These applicants must still hold funds and are required to provide evidence if a caseworker requests it.
The rule that catches most people out has not changed. Funds must remain in the account for 28 consecutive days, and the closing balance must be dated no more than 31 days before the application is submitted.
What Comes Next for Student Visa Rules
The Home Office committed to aligning the student route requirement with the maintenance loans available to UK students, which the Department for Education reviews each year. A further adjustment is anticipated around November 2027, in-line with the pattern observed in the past two years.
The Graduate Route also shortens from 2 years to 18 months for bachelor’s and master’s applications made on or after 1st January 2027. Students planning a 2027 arrival will be faced with a higher entry cost along with a shorter post-study window in the same cycle.