International students planning to study in the United Kingdom will face higher financial proof-of-funds requirements starting 30 November, as the UK Home Office updates the required monthly maintenance figures for visa applicants.
The official changes, confirmed in Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 584) published on 3 September, align the maintenance requirements for international applicants with the maintenance loan levels available to domestic UK students for the 2026/27 academic year.
Revised living allowance requirements
Under the updated framework, the monthly maintenance threshold for students studying in London will rise from £1,529 to £1,570 per month.
For courses lasting nine months or longer, the maximum required living allowance in London increases by £369, moving from £13,761 to £14,130.
For institutions situated outside London, the monthly maintenance figure will increase from £1,171 to £1,203 per month.
The nine-month maximum for studies outside London will rise by £288, moving from £10,539 to £10,827.
In addition, the maximum amount that can be offset against maintenance calculations for students who have pre-paid university accommodation will increase from £1,529 to £1,570.
Application timing and cut-off dates
According to guidance highlighted by Opeyemi Daniel Abatan of education consultancy Study Now, the applicable financial threshold depends strictly on date the visa application is submitted, rather than the start date of the academic course.
Applications submitted on or before 29 November will be evaluated under the existing lower maintenance figures, whereas applications submitted on or after 30 November must meet the new, higher financial amounts.
Students aiming for a January 2027 course intake can still apply under the lower rates if they possess a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and submit their application prior to 30 November 2026.
Financial evidence and holding period rules
Core financial evidence rules remain unaltered by the Home Office update. Applicants must demonstrate maintenance funds for up to a maximum of nine months.
Any unpaid tuition fees for the first academic year, as stated on the CAS, must be shown in full on top of the maintenance funds.
Moreover, the required funds must be held continuously in a qualifying account for at least 28 consecutive days, with the end date of this 28-day period falling within 31 days of the visa application submission date.
Financial exemptions and differential requirements
Financial evidence is not required for applicants who have held a valid UK visa and resided in the UK for at least 12 months prior to their application date, nor for those applying as student union sabbatical officers.
Applicants from nations listed under the differential evidence requirement are also exempt from submitting bank statements up front, although UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) reserves the right to request such documents before issuing a decision.
Rules for dependants and processing procedures
Dependants, comprising partners and children, of postgraduate students studying at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 7 or above on courses lasting nine months or longer, such as PhD or research-based higher degrees, or government-sponsored students, must demonstrate additional maintenance funds.
Dependant maintenance funds remain unchanged at £845 per month for London courses and £680 per month outside London, required for up to nine months.
Standard Student visa application fees remain fixed at £558 for both overseas and in-country applications, alongside the compulsory Immigration Healthcare Surcharge.
Application decisions generally take three weeks for overseas submissions and eight weeks for in-country applications, resulting in a digital eVisa linked to a UKVI account upon approval.
Successful graduates remain eligible to switch to the Graduate visa route, offering two years of stay for applications made on or before 31 December, 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027, or three years for doctoral graduates.
