International students applying for UK student visas from 30 November will need to show higher amounts for living costs, with the monthly requirement increasing to £1,570 from £1,529 for those studying in London and to £1,203 from £1,171 for those studying elsewhere in the UK.

According to Study Now, the revised requirements were introduced through the UK Home Office’s Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 584), published on 3 September 2026.

The date of the visa application will determine which rates apply, rather than the date a student’s course begins. Applications submitted before 30 November will be assessed under the existing requirements, while those submitted on or after 30 November must meet the higher financial requirements.

Students must show that they have enough money to cover their living costs for each month of their course, up to a maximum of nine months. Those taking courses shorter than nine months will need to show funds for the actual course period, with any part of a month counted as a full month.

Under the revised rates, students studying in London for nine months or longer will need to show a maximum of £14,130, up from £13,761. For those studying outside London, the maximum will increase to £10,827 from £10,539.

The increase means students will need an additional £369 for a nine-month course in London and £288 for a course of the same duration elsewhere in the UK.

The maintenance funds are required in addition to any outstanding tuition fees for the first academic year, as stated in the student’s Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

Students who have paid a deposit to their university or college for accommodation arranged by the institution can deduct that amount from the maintenance funds they need to show, up to a specified limit. The maximum deduction will increase from £1,529 to £1,570 under the revised rules.

The requirement to hold the necessary funds for at least 28 consecutive days before applying remains unchanged. The final day of that period must fall within 31 days of the visa application date.

According to the Home Office’s explanatory memorandum, the maintenance requirement is linked to the maintenance loans available to UK home students. The annual increase brings the amounts in line with the loans available for the 2026-27 academic year.

The revised requirements also apply to some applications made from within the UK.

However, applicants who have already lived in the UK with valid immigration permission for at least 12 months before applying for a Student visa are generally exempt from having to prove they have the required maintenance funds.