UK Student Visa Bank Balance Rises on 30 November 2026: How Much Money You Need

6 min read October 2026Pravasi Editorial

From 30 November 2026, the money you must show for a UK Student visa goes up to £1,570 a month in London and £1,203 a month elsewhere — up to £14,130 or £10,827 for 9 months. Here is who it affects, how the 28-day rule works, and how to avoid a refusal.

The new amounts at a glance

For applications made on or after 30 November 2026, the living-cost amounts rise. Studying in London: £1,570 a month, up from £1,529 — up to £14,130 for 9 months, up from £13,761. Studying outside London: £1,203 a month, up from £1,171 — up to £10,827 for 9 months, up from £10,539. The change comes from the Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 584) and keeps the requirement in line with maintenance loans for UK students.

Who it affects — it depends on your application date

What matters is the date you submit your application. Apply before 30 November 2026 and the current amounts apply. Apply on or after 30 November 2026 — which includes most students starting in January or February 2027 — and you need the new, higher amounts. If you are close to the date, plan your funds for the higher figure to be safe.

Living costs are on top of your course fees

The monthly figure covers living costs only. You also need enough money to pay your course fees for the first year (up to 9 months), minus anything you have already paid to your university, which should be shown on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). Check your CAS carefully — a mistake there is a common reason for refusals.

The 28-day rule

You must have held the money for at least 28 days in a row, and the 28-day period must end within 31 days of the date you apply. For example, if you apply on 1 January, you need to have held the funds for the 28 days ending no earlier than 1 December. If your balance drops below the required amount on even one day in that period, the funds may not count, so do not move money around while you are building your 28 days.

If you have paid for university accommodation

If you have already paid your university for accommodation, some of that can count towards your living costs. From 30 November 2026 the maximum that can be offset rises to £1,570. The amount should appear on your CAS.

Which figure applies to you: London or outside London

The London figure applies if your course is in the City of London or one of the 32 London boroughs. If your university is based outside London but you study at a London campus, it is where you actually study that counts — check the address on your CAS.

Checklist to avoid a refusal

Use statements that show your name (or your parent's name, if you are using their account with their consent and proof of your relationship), the bank's name and the dates covering the full 28 days. Make sure the money is in a form you can access. If your funds are in rupees or another currency, the Home Office converts them using its own exchange rate on the date of your application, so keep a buffer above the minimum in case the rate moves. If you have been in the UK on a visa for 12 months or more when you apply, you may not need to show living-cost funds at all — check GOV.UK for your situation.

Where to check

This guide reflects the Immigration Rules changes published by the Home Office in HC 584, as of 29 October 2026. Before you apply, check gov.uk/student-visa/money — GOV.UK will show the new amounts once they take effect on 30 November 2026. If your finances are complicated, speak to your university's international student team or an adviser regulated by the OISC.

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