Students applying for a UK Student visa on or after 30 November 2026 will need to show higher living-cost funds, under the Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules HC 584, published on 3 September 2026. The monthly figure rises from £1,529 to £1,570 for courses in London, and from £1,171 to £1,203 for courses elsewhere. Because the requirement is normally calculated for up to nine months, the totals rise to £14,130 in London, up £369, and £10,827 outside London, up £288, before any unpaid course fees shown on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.

Application date decides which rate applies

The decisive date is the date of application, not the date a place was offered or a course deposit was paid. Applications made before 30 November 2026 are decided under the rules in force on 29 November 2026, so the lower figures apply to them. An application made on 30 November or later must meet the new figures, even if financial preparation began earlier. The cap on the accommodation amount that can be offset against the funds requirement also rises, from £1,529 to £1,570, at the same time.

Other parts of the money rule are unchanged in the published summaries: funds generally must have been held for at least 28 consecutive days, with the end of that period falling within 31 days of the application. London, for this purpose, means the City of London and the 32 London boroughs. This is general information only, not personal immigration advice; applicants should check the GOV.UK Student visa money page and the Immigration Rules wording for their own route and date.