The UK government has raised financial maintenance requirements for foreign students applying for a Student Visa. Effective November 30, 2026, applicants intending to study in London must prove access to at least £14,130 to cover their living expenses.
According to a Nairametrics report published Wednesday, the UK Home Office’s updated maintenance criteria will directly impact international students applying to British universities, particularly applicants from Nigeria.
Under the new regulations, students must demonstrate sufficient funds to cover living expenses alongside tuition fees and related visa processing costs.
The policy adjustment aligns with rising living costs across the United Kingdom and mounting financial pressure on overseas students.
Under the updated rules, international students studying in London must demonstrate access to £1,570 per month, up from the previous £1,529.
For courses lasting nine months or longer, the total maintenance requirement increases by £369, rising from £13,761 to £14,130.
Students studying outside London face higher thresholds as well, with monthly maintenance requirements rising from £1,171 to £1,203.
Consequently, the maximum nine-month requirement for students outside London increases by £288, moving from £10,539 to £10,827.
These amounts cover only basic living expenses; applicants must demonstrate separate funds for tuition fees.
Students must also budget independently for the student visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, which provides access to the UK’s National Health Service.
The increased thresholds force prospective Nigerian students to secure significantly higher funding prior to submitting visa applications.
Backstory…
International students contribute significantly to the UK higher education system and the broader economy, driving the government’s policy updates.
During the 2024–2025 academic year, UK higher education institutions enrolled approximately 685,565 international students, representing nearly 24% of the total student body.
Non-EU nations accounted for approximately 622,000 of these students, while EU countries supplied roughly 63,600.
Professor Padam Simkhada, Dean of Global Impact and Research at the University of Chester, noted that international students contributed approximately £41.9 billion to the UK economy during the 2021–2022 academic year.
Read Also: UK Universities Withdraw Offers to Nigerian Students Over Visa Crackdown
