UK Increases Student Visa Financial Requirement from November 30, 2026: New Maintenance Funds Announced

The UK government has made an official declaration regarding the increment of the financial maintenance rules for international students who are applying for a study permit in the UK. From November 30, 2026 onwards, international students will have to show proof of sufficient funds for living expenses during their study in the UK.

If you are looking to study abroad and want to help international students with the process, or have planned your own studies, here is a helpful overview of the new UK student visa maintenance requirement, amounts, lodging allowances, and other changes in the policy.

Breakdown of the Updated Financial Requirements

Under the UK Student visa route, applicants must show they have sufficient funds to cover living costs for each month of their course, up to a maximum period of nine months. Meeting the proper UK student visa maintenance requirement depends on whether the student’s primary study location is within London or outside London.

Starting November 30, 2026, the required monthly and 9-month maximum financial thresholds for those choosing to study in UK destinations will increase as follows:

Important Detail: These figures pertain exclusively to living costs. They remain completely separate from course tuition fees, visa application fees, and the Immigration Health Charge (IHC). For programs lasting less than nine months, applicants must demonstrate maintenance funds for the precise number of study months.

Accommodation Offset Cap Expansion

Students planning to study abroad in Britain who pay an advance deposit for housing arranged directly through their official student sponsor (such as university halls of residence) can deduct a portion of that payment from their total maintenance requirement.

• New Offset Limit: Effective November 30, 2026, the maximum accommodation offset limit will rise from £1,529 to £1,570.
• Eligibility Rules: Deductions do not automatically apply to private accommodation or general rent payments. To qualify, the payment must be made for sponsor-arranged housing and explicitly stated on the applicant’s Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) or supported by recognised official receipts.

Transitional Rules & Application Timing

Determining when your visa application is submitted is critical to understanding how the UK student visa maintenance requirement will apply to your application:

• Submitted on or before November 29, 2026: Assessed under the existing lower maintenance rules.
• Submitted on or after November 30, 2026: Assessed strictly under the higher, revised maintenance thresholds.

Background Policy Rationale

According to the Home Office, these revisions align international student maintenance thresholds with the domestic maintenance loans available to home students for the 2026/27 academic year. The Department for Education reviews these amounts annually to mirror actual shifts in domestic living costs.

Furthermore, wider updates to the Student routes have been introduced to support the UK’s planned association with the Erasmus+ programme starting in 2027. These amendments permit sponsorship for certain non-degree programmes and flexible work placements for qualifying exchange students looking to study in UK institutions.

Conclusion

While the moderate increase in maintenance funds (£288 to £369 overall) reflects adjustments for inflation and living standards, it highlights the importance of early financial preparation for students choosing to study abroad. Applicants planning to submit their applications near the end of November 2026 should audit their bank statements carefully, ensure all financial criteria and 28-day holding period rules are strictly met, and confirm that any sponsor accommodation deposits are accurately documented on their CAS prior to submission.