Deadline · 6 min read
UK Student Visa Maintenance: New Funds Needed from 30 November
If you're planning to apply for a UK Student visa soon, pay close attention to the financial requirements. New rules taking effect on 30 November 2026 will increase the amount of money you need to show for your maintenance funds. This is a crucial detail for your application.
Planning to study in the UK? You'll want to mark 30 November 2026 on your calendar. New UK immigration rules, outlined in Statement of Changes HC 584, mean that anyone applying for a Student visa from this date onwards will need to show more money for their living costs. This isn't a policy crackdown, but a scheduled increase to align with home-student maintenance loans, affecting a significant number of prospective students, including many of you who plan to use this route as a springboard to a skilled career in the UK.
Student Visa Maintenance: The New Figures and Deadline
This change updates the amount of money you need to hold in your bank account to prove you can support yourself during your studies. This is separate from your tuition fees, visa application fee, or the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1,035 per year. The increases, roughly 2.7 per cent, are designed to keep pace with the 2026/2027 home-student maintenance loan, a mechanism agreed by ministers in May 2024 and committed to by the Home Secretary on 30 July 2024.
Here's a straightforward look at the new figures, coming into force from 30 November 2026:
| Location | Current Monthly Requirement (until 29 Nov 2026) | New Monthly Requirement (from 30 Nov 2026) | Current Maximum Total (9 months) | New Maximum Total (9 months) | | :--------------------- | :-------------------------------------------- | :----------------------------------------- | :------------------------------- | :--------------------------- | | Studying in London | £1,529 | £1,570 | £13,761 | £14,130 | | Studying Outside London | £1,171 | £1,203 | £10,539 | £10,827 |
Remember, you'll need to show funds for up to 9 months of your course, so the maximum totals listed above are what you should aim for. If your course is shorter than 9 months, you'll need to show the monthly amount multiplied by the number of months of your course.
A small silver lining: the maximum accommodation payment you can offset against this requirement also rises, now up to £1,570. This means if you've paid some of your university accommodation fees in advance, you might be able to use that payment to reduce the total maintenance funds you need to show, up to this new limit.
What Counts as Qualifying Funds & The 28-Day Rule
Proving you have these funds isn't just about having the right amount; it's also about how you hold them. The money must be in a bank account, either in your name or your parent's/legal guardian's name (with their consent and proof of relationship). It needs to be readily accessible - not tied up in investments or property.
Crucially, these funds must have been held for a continuous 28-day period. This 28-day period must end no more than 31 days before the date you submit your Student visa application. For example, if you apply on 15 December, your 28-day period must have ended between 15 November and 14 December. This '28-day rule' is a common stumbling block, so plan carefully.
You can get an accurate breakdown of all the costs involved, including visa fees, IHS, and these maintenance funds, using our free UK visa cost calculator. This can help you plan your finances effectively.
Who is Exempt from Showing Funds?
While these financial requirements apply to most Student visa applicants, there are a couple of important exemptions:
- Applicants with 12 months' continuous lawful UK residence: If you have been living lawfully in the UK for at least 12 months on the date you apply for your Student visa, you generally won't need to provide evidence of your maintenance funds. This often applies to those extending their visa or switching from another visa type within the UK.
- Differentiation Arrangements nationalities: If you are a national of a country listed under the UK's 'Differentiation Arrangements' and your university confirms your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) was issued by an approved Higher Education Provider, you typically won't need to submit financial evidence with your initial application. The Home Office can, however, still request this evidence at any point during the application process, so it's always wise to ensure you meet the requirements even if you don't submit proof upfront. You should check the official GOV.UK Student visa guidance for the most up-to-date list of these nationalities.
Worked Timeline for January 2027 Intake
Let's look at a practical example for those targeting the January 2027 intake. This is where the 30 November deadline becomes critical:
- Scenario A: Applying on or before 29 November 2026
If you apply, say, on 20 November 2026, you would need to show the current* maintenance funds: £1,529 per month for London (£13,761 total) or £1,171 per month for outside London (£10,539 total). * Your 28-day period for holding these funds would need to end between 21 October and 19 November.
- Scenario B: Applying on or after 30 November 2026
If you apply, say, on 10 December 2026, you would need to show the new* maintenance funds: £1,570 per month for London (£14,130 total) or £1,203 per month for outside London (£10,827 total). * Your 28-day period for holding these funds would need to end between 11 November and 9 December.
As you can see, a decision to apply even a few days earlier or later can change the financial sum you need to demonstrate. Make sure your funds are in place and meet the 28-day rule according to your planned application date. For personalised guidance on your specific circumstances, our AI immigration assistant can help clarify complex rules.
From Student to Skilled Worker Sponsorship
The Student visa is a vital stepping stone for many hoping to build a career in the UK. After completing your studies, you can often switch to the Graduate route, which gives you 2 or 3 years (depending on your qualification) to live and work in the UK without needing sponsorship. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable work experience and find an employer who can sponsor you for a Skilled Worker visa.
The path from Student to Graduate to Skilled Worker is a common and successful one. With roughly 360,700 main applicant Student visa applications made in the year ending August 2026, many people are pursuing this route. Finding a sponsor for a Skilled Worker visa requires research and networking. You can start by browsing our directory of 130,000+ UK visa sponsors to see which companies are authorised to sponsor visas, filtering by your desired industry or location like sponsors on the Skilled Worker route in London.
Final Advice
These changes are a reminder that UK immigration rules are regularly updated. Always cross-reference the information with the official GOV.UK Student visa guidance and your university's international office before submitting your application. They are your best resources for the most current and accurate advice specific to your situation. Planning ahead, especially regarding your finances, will make your visa application process much smoother.