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The United Kingdom has announced an increase in the financial requirements for international students applying for study visas, with applicants studying in London expected to demonstrate access to at least £14,130 in living expenses from November 30, 2026.
The revised maintenance requirements, introduced by the UK Home Office, will affect prospective international students, including Nigerians, seeking admission to British universities. Students must demonstrate they have sufficient funds to cover living expenses during their studies, in addition to tuition fees and other visa-related costs.
Under the new rules, international students studying in London will need to show access to £1,570 per month, up from £1,529.
For courses lasting nine months or longer, the maximum maintenance requirement will rise from £13,761 to £14,130, an increase of £369.
Students studying outside London will also face higher requirements, with the minimum monthly amount increasing to £1,203 from £1,171.
The maximum nine-month maintenance requirement outside London will rise from £10,539 to £10,827, an increase of £288.
The amounts represent the minimum living expenses applicants must demonstrate and do not include tuition fees.
Applicants must also budget separately for the student visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
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The increase means students planning to study in the UK will need to make additional financial provisions before submitting their visa applications, ensuring they meet the applicable maintenance threshold for their university’s location and provide acceptable evidence that the required funds are available.
Approximately 685,565 international students were enrolled in UK higher education institutions during the 2024/2025 academic year, representing about 24 per cent of the total student population.
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.
