United Kingdom
UK student visa: funds needed rise from 30 November 2026
From 30 November 2026, UK Student visa applicants must show £1,570 a month for London or £1,203 outside it, up from £1,529 and £1,171.
The short answers
How much money do I need for a UK student visa?
A UK Student visa applicant must show £1,570 a month for a course in London or £1,203 a month outside London, for up to 9 months, on applications made from 30 November 2026. Applications made before that date use the current figures of £1,529 and £1,171 a month.
When does the UK student visa maintenance requirement increase?
The UK Student visa maintenance requirement increases on 30 November 2026, under the Statement of Changes HC 584 published on 3 September 2026. Applications made before 30 November 2026 are decided under the rules in force on 29 November 2026.
How long must money be in the bank for a UK student visa?
Money for a UK Student visa must be held for at least 28 days in a row, and the 28-day period must end within 31 days of the date of the visa application, according to GOV.UK.
What changed
A Student visa applicant has to show money to live on as well as the course fee. The Home Office sets the monthly figure, and it counts for up to 9 months of the course. The Statement of Changes HC 584, published on 3 September 2026, raises it for applications made from 30 November 2026.
For a course in London the figure goes from £1,529 to £1,570 a month. For a course anywhere else in the UK it goes from £1,171 to £1,203. GOV.UK defines London as the City of London and the 32 London boroughs. The Home Office has also raised the maximum accommodation offset, which lets a student who has paid an accommodation deposit in the UK show less money, in line with the new figures.
The Home Office says the increase matches the maintenance loans available to home students for the 2026/2027 academic year, and that it will keep the figure aligned with those loans in future. An application made before 30 November 2026 is decided under the rules in force on 29 November 2026.
GOV.UK sets out how the money is shown. It must be held for at least 28 days in a row, and the 28-day period must end within 31 days of the date of the application. An applicant who has been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months on the date of application does not have to show it, and extra money is needed for each family member who comes too.
What they published
Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 584, 3 September 2026
Home Office · read 27 October 2026
In ST 12.3(a), for “£1529”, substitute “£1570”.
In ST 12.3(b), for “£1171”, substitute “£1203”.
has been made before 30 November 2026, such applications will be decided in accordance with the Immigration Rules in force on 29 November 2026
Explanatory memorandum to HC 584, 3 September 2026
Home Office · read 27 October 2026
the changes relating to the Annual Uplift to the Student Route Maintenance Requirement will come into effect on 30 November 2026
This change increases the maintenance requirement to match the maintenance loans available for home students for the 2026/2027 academic year.
We have updated the maximum amount for the accommodation offset in line with the changes to the maintenance requirement.
Student visa: money
UK Visas and Immigration · read 27 October 2026
£1,529 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London
You must have this money for at least 28 days in a row. The end date of the 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date you apply for your visa.
London means the City of London and the 32 London boroughs.
unless you've been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months on the date of your application
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