UK student visa financial requirements for 2026 are generally the unpaid course fees stated on your CAS plus living costs of £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 elsewhere, for up to nine months: £13,761 or £10,539. The money must normally be held for at least 28 consecutive days, with the end of that period within 31 days of applying. Eligible dependants require additional funds of £845 or £680 a month, each. From 30 November 2026, the student maintenance figures rise to £1,570 a month in London and £1,203 elsewhere. The dependant rates remain unchanged.
UK student visa financial requirements are the funds an applicant must demonstrate to meet the relevant course-fee and living-cost requirements. For most applicants, this means any unpaid course fees for the relevant academic year shown on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), plus the required monthly maintenance amount for up to nine months. The rules are set out in Appendix Student and Appendix Finance, including provisions for acceptable evidence, exemptions and alternative funding methods.
Last updated: 27 September 2026 Breadcrumb: Home → Study in UK → UK student visa financial requirements
UK student visa financial requirements are an important part of preparing an application, particularly when applicants need to coordinate tuition payments, family funds, bank statements and the 28-day holding period. Global Edge, counselling from Green Park, New Delhi, reviews financial evidence and funds timing as part of its SPEC9 profile evaluation. The full visa process is covered in UK Student Visa for Indian Students.
UK student visa financial requirements: how much in 2026
How much bank balance is needed for a UK student visa in 2026?
For most applicants, the required amount is any unpaid course fees shown on the CAS plus £1,529 per month in London or £1,171 per month outside London, for up to nine months. For a course lasting nine months or more, the maximum maintenance amount is £13,761 in London or £10,539 elsewhere, in addition to unpaid course fees. Eligible tuition payments and qualifying university accommodation deposits can reduce the amount you need to show. From 30 November 2026, the monthly maintenance figures increase to £1,570 and £1,203 respectively.
| Item | London | Outside London |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly maintenance (student), up to 29 November 2026 | £1,529 | £1,171 |
| Maximum maintenance for 9 months, up to 29 November 2026 | £13,761 | £10,539 |
| Monthly maintenance from 30 November 2026 | £1,570 | £1,203 |
| Maximum maintenance for 9 months from 30 November 2026 | £14,130 | £10,827 |
| Each eligible dependant, per month | £845 | £680 |
| Plus | Any unpaid course fees shown on the CAS | Any unpaid course fees shown on the CAS |
Under Appendix Student, most applicants applying for entry clearance must show sufficient funds for any outstanding course fees stated on their CAS, together with the required maintenance amount for each month of the course, up to a maximum of nine months. If the course includes part of a month, the period is rounded up to the next full month. Different provisions apply to some categories, including students at residential independent schools and applicants who qualify for a financial-requirement exemption.
Source: Immigration Rules, Appendix Student, ST 12.1–ST 12.6 | GOV.UK — Appendix Student
UK student visa financial requirements: London vs outside London
What is the maintenance fund requirement per month for London versus outside London?
The current maintenance requirement is £1,529 a month for study in London and £1,171 a month for study outside London, for up to nine months. From 30 November 2026, the rates rise to £1,570 and £1,203. London means the City of London and the 32 London boroughs. Check the location of your course and the information recorded on your CAS when working out the amount.
The current figures are listed on the GOV.UK Student visa money page. The Home Office’s Statement of Changes HC 584, published on 3 September 2026, sets out the annual uplift to the Student route maintenance requirement, effective from 30 November 2026. The change increases the maximum accommodation-deposit offset to £1,570 as well. Applicants should use the rules that apply on their application date, rather than relying on an older estimate. See Study in UK in 2027.
Myth: The UK student visa financial requirement is the same as the amount I will actually spend while studying.
Reality: The UKVI maintenance amount is a visa requirement, not a full personal budget. Actual living expenses vary by city, accommodation, transport, lifestyle and individual needs. For example, King’s College London publishes its own estimated living-cost guidance for students. Build a realistic budget in addition to meeting the immigration requirement.
The 28-day rule in UK student visa financial requirements
For how many days must the money have been in the account?
Where the 28-day holding requirement applies, the required funds must normally be held for at least 28 consecutive days. The end date of that period must be within 31 days of the visa application date. The balance must not fall below the required amount during the relevant period. Funds held in a parent’s or legal guardian’s account may be accepted when the applicant provides the required proof of relationship and written consent.
“You must have this money for at least 28 days in a row. The end date of the 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date you apply for your visa.”
Source: UKVI — Student visa: money you need | GOV.UK
| Appendix Finance topic | What applicants should know |
|---|---|
| Overdrafts | Overdraft facilities do not count as funds for meeting the financial requirement. |
| Parent or legal guardian account | Permitted for relevant Student applications when the required relationship evidence and written consent are provided. |
| Future financial support | A promise of future support alone is not the same as qualifying funds or accepted sponsorship evidence. |
| Evidence date | Financial evidence must meet the applicable timing requirements, including the 31-day rule where relevant. |
| Accessible funds | Funds must meet the rules on permitted accounts and availability; investments that cannot be accessed in the required way may not qualify. |
| Student loan | A qualifying loan must be supported by a lender’s letter meeting the requirements, including its date, amount, applicant details and release conditions. |
For the detailed requirements, consult Appendix Finance, including its rules on acceptable accounts, third-party funds, official sponsorship and student loans.
When funds are held in a currency other than pounds sterling, UKVI applies the currency-conversion method specified in the financial guidance and rules. Exchange-rate movement can affect whether the converted amount meets the requirement. For that reason, applicants may wish to keep a reasonable margin above the calculated minimum rather than relying on an exact conversion.
Source: Immigration Rules, Appendix Finance | GOV.UK
If you would like help checking the funds calculation and evidence dates, Global Edge can review your documents as part of its counselling services in Delhi — book a SPEC9 profile evaluation.
What Indian families should check about UK student visa financial requirements
Indian applicants should check whether they need to submit financial evidence with their application and whether any exemption or differential-evidence provision applies to their circumstances. India is not included in the country and territory list currently shown on the GOV.UK differential evidence page, so applicants from India should generally prepare to meet the financial evidence requirements. UKVI may request evidence in some cases even where an applicant qualifies for differential evidence treatment.
Families should calculate the amount using the course fees and study location recorded on the CAS, then check the applicable maintenance rate, evidence rules and holding period. Where a student loan is being used, the lender’s letter must meet the requirements in Appendix Finance. See Education Loans for UK Studies. For broader household budgeting, see UK Study Budget for Parents.
One practical planning issue is the difference between the rupee balance a family expects to have and the amount UKVI calculates after currency conversion. A balance that appears to meet the pound-sterling requirement when first estimated may be insufficient on the application date if exchange rates move. Families should check the official conversion approach, keep a sensible buffer where possible and ensure the funds meet the required holding-period rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the UK student visa financial requirements for 2026?
For most applicants, the requirement is any unpaid course fees stated on the CAS plus £1,529 per month in London or £1,171 outside London, for up to nine months. This means a maximum maintenance amount of £13,761 or £10,539, respectively, in addition to unpaid fees. From 30 November 2026, the monthly rates increase to £1,570 in London and £1,203 elsewhere. The funds must normally meet the 28-day and evidence-date rules where applicable.
Can I show my parents’ bank account for the UK student visa?
Yes, where the relevant rules allow it. A Student visa applicant relying on funds in a parent’s or legal guardian’s account must provide evidence of the relationship and written consent from that parent or guardian to use the funds. The account and funds must also meet the applicable financial evidence requirements.
Does a deposit reduce UK student visa financial requirements?
Tuition fees already paid to the student sponsor can reduce the outstanding course-fee amount when the payment is confirmed on the CAS or supported by an acceptable sponsor receipt. A deposit paid to the sponsor for accommodation arranged by the sponsor can also be offset against the maintenance requirement, up to the applicable cap. The current cap is £1,529; it increases to £1,570 from 30 November 2026.
What if my balance drops below the required amount for a day?
If the 28-day holding requirement applies, the relevant funds must be maintained at or above the required level throughout the qualifying period. A shortfall during that period can mean the evidence no longer meets the rule, so the applicant may need to build a new qualifying 28-day period before applying. Check the rules and evidence requirements for your specific funding method.
Do Indian students need to show funds for a UK student visa?
Indian applicants should generally prepare to provide financial evidence because India is not currently listed among the countries and territories covered by the GOV.UK differential evidence requirement. Individual exemptions may apply, and UKVI can request evidence in some circumstances. Always check the current GOV.UK guidance before submitting an application.
How much extra is needed for dependants?
Where a student is eligible to bring dependants, the current maintenance requirement is £845 per month in London or £680 outside London for each dependant, for up to nine months, subject to the relevant rules. These dependant rates are separate from the student’s own required funds and are not changed by the 30 November 2026 student maintenance uplift described in HC 584. Dependant eligibility is restricted, so applicants should check the current Student route rules before including family members in their plans.
The Bottom Line
- Takeaway 1: UK student visa financial requirements generally include unpaid course fees shown on the CAS plus maintenance funds based on the study location, for up to nine months.
- Takeaway 2: Where the 28-day rule applies, funds must be held for 28 consecutive days, with the end date within 31 days of applying.
- Takeaway 3: The maintenance requirement increases from 30 November 2026. Check the amount, evidence rules, exemptions and exchange-rate calculation applicable on your application date.
Global Edge can help applicants review their funds calculation and supporting documents in Green Park, New Delhi. UKVI sets the immigration requirements and makes the visa decision.
Interested to Study Abroad?
Book a free counselling / SPEC9 profile evaluation with Global Edge — study abroad consultants in Delhi. Our team has counselled 57,000+ students across 21+ countries and assists with university shortlisting, applications, SOP & LOR, scholarships, education loans, visa file preparation, and pre-departure briefing.
- Phone: +91-11-48475000
- Email: office@globaledge.net.in
- Head Office: S-6, 2nd Floor, Green Park Extension Market, New Delhi – 110016
- Enquire / talk to us: https://globaledge.net.in/contact-us/
Do my funds meet the UK student visa financial requirements?
Check the course fees, study location, maintenance rate, evidence method and holding period that apply to your application.
You are ready when:
- Your funds cover the unpaid course fees and applicable maintenance requirement.
- Your financial evidence meets the required holding period and date rules, where applicable.
- Parent-account consent and relationship evidence are ready if you rely on a parent’s or legal guardian’s funds.
- You have checked the maintenance rate that applies on your application date.
Check and resolve first when:
- The balance may have fallen below the required amount during the qualifying period.
- Your funds are held in an account or form that may not meet the rules.
- You have not allowed for currency conversion or the scheduled maintenance-rate increase.