UK to hike proof-of-funds requirement for international students from Nov 30

The U.K. will increase the minimum maintenance funds international students must demonstrate for visa applications starting Nov. 30, with the maximum requirement rising by £369 (US$493). Under updated Home Office immigration rules, the monthly maintenance requirement will rise from £1,529 to £1,570 for students studying in London. For those attending universities outside the capital, the requirement will increase from £1,171 to £1,203.Students must prove they have sufficient funds for each month of their course, capped at nine months. This means applicants taking courses lasting nine months or longer will have to show £14,130 for living expenses in London, up from £13,761. Those studying outside London will need to show £10,827, compared with £10,539 previously.The new financial thresholds apply based on the date an applicant submits their visa application, rather than the course start date. Applications submitted before Nov. 30 will be assessed under the existing rules.This financial requirement is strictly for living costs and remains separate from tuition fees. Applicants must additionally demonstrate sufficient funds to cover any outstanding course fees for one academic year, as outlined in their Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.The Home Office links the maintenance requirement to the living-cost support available to domestic students through maintenance loans. This annual adjustment brings the figures in line with loan amounts for the 2026/27 academic year.Students who have already paid for university accommodation can deduct that amount from their maintenance requirement. The maximum allowable deduction will also increase from £1,529 to £1,570.Applicants must hold the required funds in an eligible bank account for at least 28 consecutive days. The final day of this 28-day period must fall within 31 days of the visa application date. For instance, an applicant applying on Jan. 1 must show the funds were held for 28 consecutive days ending no earlier than Dec. 1.The requirement can also be met through qualifying student loans or official financial sponsorship.Certain applicants are exempt from the financial requirement. This includes individuals applying as student union sabbatical officers and students who have lived in the U.K. on a valid visa for at least 12 months immediately preceding their application.Students do not need to provide proof of funds if they are British nationals (overseas) or citizens of specific exempt countries and territories.The exempt list includes Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, the Republic of Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.During the 2024/25 academic year, 685,565 international students were enrolled at U.K. higher education institutions, making up 24% of the total student population. Of these, 63,600 came from the EU and 622,000 from outside the bloc.This total marks a 10% drop from the record high in 2022/23, representing the second consecutive year of decline. Since the current higher education sector was established in the early 1990s, international student numbers have fallen in only one other year, which was 2012/13.