Riddhi Mevada
Oct 30, 2026
UK Student Visa Financial Requirements 2026: How Much Money Do You Need to Show?
How much money do I need to show for a UK student visa in 2026?
You must show your first-year tuition fees still to be paid plus living costs for up to 9 months. Until 29 November 2026 the living-cost figure is £1,529 a month in London and £1,171 a month outside London. For applications made on or after 30 November 2026 it rises to £1,570 and £1,203. The money must be held for 28 consecutive days.
Money is one of the most common reasons UK Student visa applications run into trouble, and one of the easiest to prepare for if you start early. This guide answers the questions students ask most often, with the numbers, the rules and the mistakes to avoid.
Timing matters this year. The Home Office has confirmed a rise in the maintenance requirement from 30 November 2026. The amount that applies to you depends on the date you submit your visa application, not your course start date. If you are applying for a January 2027 intake, check which side of that date you fall on.
What changes on 30 November 2026?
| Study location | Monthly amount now | Monthly amount from 30 Nov 2026 | 9-month total now | 9-month total from 30 Nov 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | £1,529 | £1,570 | £13,761 | £14,130 |
| Outside London | £1,171 | £1,203 | £10,539 | £10,827 |
For a standard nine-month calculation the increase is £369 for London and £288 for study outside London. The Home Office has said the requirement will be reviewed every year and linked to the maintenance loans available to UK students, so expect the figure to change regularly.
How do I calculate the exact amount I need to show?
The formula is simple:
Total funds required = tuition fees still to pay for your first year + maintenance funds (monthly amount × up to 9 months)
- Your tuition figure comes from your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies).
- If you have already paid a deposit and your CAS shows it as paid, deduct it.
- If you have paid university accommodation fees, you may be able to deduct them from the maintenance figure, up to £1,529 now or £1,570 from 30 November 2026.
- Study in London only if your course is mainly delivered at a London site. Confirm which figure applies with your university before you apply.
Worked example (illustrative figures)
Assume a one-year master's with tuition of £16,000 on the CAS, and a £2,000 deposit already paid. Outstanding tuition is £14,000.
| Scenario | Outstanding tuition | Maintenance (9 months) | Total to show |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outside London, applying before 30 Nov 2026 | £14,000 | £10,539 | £24,539 |
| Outside London, applying on or after 30 Nov 2026 | £14,000 | £10,827 | £24,827 |
| London, applying before 30 Nov 2026 | £14,000 | £13,761 | £27,761 |
| London, applying on or after 30 Nov 2026 | £14,000 | £14,130 | £28,130 |
These are examples only. Courses shorter than nine months are calculated for the actual course length, so ask your university to confirm your figure.
What is the 28-day rule for UK student visa funds?
The full required amount must stay in your account for 28 consecutive days, and the closing balance date must be no more than 31 days before you submit your visa application. If your balance drops below the required amount on any day in that period, the count starts again.
In practice this means you need to plan roughly 8 to 9 weeks ahead of your intended application date: 28 days to hold the money, plus time to collect the statement and complete the application. Avoid moving money between accounts during the 28 days, and avoid planned withdrawals. If you plan to apply before 30 November 2026 to use the current amounts, your funds need to be in place in early November at the latest.
Which documents are accepted as proof of funds?
| Source of funds | What you need to provide | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Your own bank account | Bank statement (or passbook or bank letter) showing the required details and balance for the 28-day period | Statement older than 31 days at application date |
| Parent's or legal guardian's account (one or both) | Their statement, proof of relationship (such as your birth certificate) and a consent letter allowing you to use the funds for study | Missing consent letter or relationship proof |
| Education loan | Lender letter confirming the loan amount, that it is a recognised student or education loan, and that the money is available to you before you travel | Conditions attached to release of the funds, or a loan in a parent's name |
| Official financial sponsor | Sponsor letter on official letterhead confirming the amount and what it covers | Sponsor that does not meet the Home Office definition |
A bank stamp is not required on statements, but the document must clearly show the account holder's name, account number, date, bank name and balance. Always confirm the format your university accepts, because the university checks your documents before issuing the CAS.
Can my uncle, sibling or other relative fund my UK student visa?
Not directly. The Home Office accepts accounts held by you or by your parents or legal guardians. You cannot rely on an account held by siblings, uncles, aunts or step-parents. If a relative is helping you, the money needs to be transferred into your own account, or your parent's account, early enough that it sits there for the full 28 days.
Do I need to show financial evidence if I apply from inside the UK?
If you are extending your stay or switching to a new Student visa from inside the UK, and you have already been in the UK with valid permission for at least 12 months on the date you apply, you are treated as meeting the financial requirement and do not need to submit evidence. This exemption does not apply to applications made from outside the UK, such as from India.
What other costs should I budget for besides maintenance funds?
- Visa application fee: £558, after the increase from £524 on 8 April 2026.
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): paid separately for your course length. Use the official IHS calculator for the exact amount.
- Tuition deposit: most universities ask for one before issuing the CAS.
- Documents and travel: tuberculosis test certificate (if applicable for your course length), flights and first-month accommodation.
Maintenance funds are not paid to the UK government. They are money you must be able to show, and then use for your living costs while you study.
What mistakes cause UK student visa financial refusals?
- Balance dipping below the required amount during the 28 days, even for one day.
- Statement more than 31 days old on the date of application.
- Using the old figure after the rise on 30 November 2026.
- Missing parent documents: no proof of relationship or no consent letter.
- Loan letter problems: the loan is conditional, in the wrong name, or not available before travel.
- Large unexplained deposits just before the 28-day window starts.
- Wrong location figure: using the outside-London amount for a London course.
- Forgetting to deduct the paid deposit or miscalculating tuition and ending up with too little money.
Step-by-step: how to prepare your UK student visa finances
- Get your CAS details and note the tuition fee, amount paid and course length.
- Work out your exact figure using the formula above and the amounts that apply on your planned application date.
- Choose your funding source: own funds, parents, an education loan, a sponsor, or a mix.
- Start the 28-day clock with a small safety margin above the minimum.
- Collect documents: statements, relationship proof, consent letter, loan letter.
- Check dates: the closing balance must be within 31 days of submission.
- Submit your application and keep copies of everything.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need to show for a UK student visa in 2026?
Your outstanding first-year tuition plus living costs for up to 9 months. Currently that is £1,529 a month in London (£13,761) and £1,171 a month outside London (£10,539).
What changes in the UK student visa financial requirement on 30 November 2026?
The monthly figure rises to £1,570 for London and £1,203 outside London, giving 9-month totals of £14,130 and £10,827.
What is the 28-day rule for UK student visa bank statements?
The required funds must stay in the account for 28 consecutive days, with the closing balance dated within 31 days before you apply. If the balance falls below the required amount, the count restarts.
Do I have to show my tuition fees as well as living costs?
Yes. You show the tuition still to be paid for the first year, as shown on your CAS, plus maintenance funds. A deposit your CAS records as paid can be deducted.
Can I use my parents' bank statement for a UK student visa?
Yes. You can use an account held by one or both parents or legal guardians, with proof of your relationship and a consent letter from them.
Can other relatives such as an uncle or sibling fund my UK student visa?
Not directly. Accounts held by siblings, uncles, aunts and step-parents are not accepted. The money must be in your own or your parent's account for the full 28 days.
Can I use an education loan as proof of funds for a UK student visa?
Yes, if the loan is in your name, comes from a recognised government or education loan scheme, and your lender letter confirms the money is available to you before you travel with no conditions other than a successful visa.
Does my bank statement need a bank stamp for a UK student visa?
No stamp is required, but the statement must show the account holder, account number, date, bank name and balance. Check your university's format guidance.
How much is the UK student visa application fee in 2026?
£558 since 8 April 2026, up from £524. The Immigration Health Surcharge is paid separately.
Which financial amount applies if I apply close to 30 November 2026?
The date you submit your application decides. Before 30 November 2026 the current figures apply, and on or after that date the higher figures apply.
Read more from Volumaax
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Book a free consultationSources and how this guide was prepared
Figures and rules in this guide were checked against GOV.UK's Student visa money and financial evidence guidance, the Home Office's September 2026 announcement of the maintenance increase from 30 November 2026, and published guidance from UK universities. Immigration rules change often, so verify the current amount on GOV.UK on the day you apply.
GOV.UK: Student visa, money you need · GOV.UK: Financial evidence for Student and Child Student route applicants
Disclaimer: This article is for general information and is not legal or immigration advice. Fees, funding amounts and evidence rules are set by the UK Home Office and UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and can change without notice. Always confirm current details on GOV.UK before you apply. Volumaax is not a government body, and no consultancy can guarantee a visa decision.
