UK Student Visa Maintenance Rise Starts Nov 30, 2026; Here’s What You Need To Know.
If you’re planning to study in the UK, there’s a change coming that will directly affect your visa application budget and this relates to the 2026 requirements for Proof of fund. The UK Home Office has confirmed an increase to the Student visa maintenance (living costs) requirement, effective 30 November 2026.This change is outlined in HC 584, presented to Parliament on 3 September 2026.
Whether you’re applying for a January intake, or a September 2027 intake, understand this change now. Waiting until you submit could lead to a partial, or even a full, financial refusal.
What Is the Maintenance Requirement?
The maintenance requirement, also known as proof of funds, is the money you must prove you have for living costs. This is on top of tuition fees and aligns with the 2026 requirements for Proof of fund, covering living costs. The admission office rejects applicants mainly due to strict rules on amount, timing, or format, not because funds are insufficient.
If you haven’t seen our Study Abroad Personal Guide , it’s worth downloading before you go any further. The guide explains the step-by-step processes and shows how to structure bank statements. For the official playbook on what counts as acceptable evidence, UKCISA’s financial requirements guidance is the definitive independent reference.
What’s Changing on 30 November 2026
| Location | Current requirement | New requirement (from 30 Nov 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Studying in London | £1,529/month | £1,570/month |
| Studying outside London | £1,171/month | £1,203/month |
Over a standard 9-month course, this brings the total maintenance funds you’ll need to:
- £14,130 if you’re studying in London
- £10,827 if you’re studying outside London
This is separate from your tuition fees and separate from the Immigration Health Surcharge (currently £776/year).
Why the Requirement Keeps Rising
The Home Office reviews this figure periodically and ties it to UK domestic student loan maintenance rates, which is why it tends to increase most years rather than stay fixed, a mechanism confirmed in the government’s own explanatory memorandum. Applicants who reuse an old figure or rely on advice from a previous intake are one of the most common causes of avoidable refusals.
This mirrors what we’re seeing across other major study destinations. Canada’s IRCC made a similar move in 2026 with its own proof of funds increase so if you’re weighing the UK against Canada, it’s worth comparing both sets of updated figures side by side before you commit to a destination.
The Rules You Still Need to Get Right
A higher number doesn’t change the underlying rules, it just raises the bar. You’ll still need to make sure:
- Funds are held for at least 28 consecutive days before you apply: money deposited the week before your application won’t count.
- Your bank statement is dated within 31 days of your application date.
- The account is in your name (or your parent’s/legal guardian’s, with the right supporting documents if they’re sponsoring you).
- The currency conversion is accurate on the day you check your balance: figures close to the threshold are the riskiest.
These are some of the detail-level checks our advisors would run through on every application, because a single dating error can trigger a refusal even when the funds themselves are more than sufficient.
What This Means If You’re Planning to Apply
If you’re targeting a January 2027 intake, your 28-day funds window could overlap with this change depending on when you apply so it’s worth locking in your figures now rather than waiting. If you’re aiming for September 2027, you have more runway, but the earlier you start saving toward the new threshold, the less last-minute pressure you’ll be under.
Get Your Finances Application-Ready
Each year, avoidable financial issues lead to the refusal of genuine, well-qualified students. Don’t let an outdated figure or a mistimed bank statement be the reason your UK study plans stall.
👉 Book a free consultation with our advisors and we’ll review your finances against the new requirement before you submit anything to the Home Office.
