UK student visa financial requirements 2026: 7 essential rules

The basic calculation behind the UK student visa financial requirement is simple to state, even though the numbers can get detailed:

For most students applying from outside the UK, the course-fee part is based on tuition fees for one academic year, up to 9 months, as stated on your CAS. If you have already paid part of your tuition fee, that payment can reduce the amount you need to show — where the payment is properly confirmed by your education provider on the CAS or by an acceptable receipt.

For 2026, the official maintenance requirement is £1,529 per month in London and £1,171 per month outside London, for a maximum of 9 months.

The UK rules define London as the City of London and the 32 London boroughs. If the relevant course period covers only part of a month, the Immigration Rules provide for that period to be rounded up to the next full month.

What does this mean for Kerala students?

A student from Kochi, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode or anywhere else in Kerala does not use a different rate because they are applying from Kerala. The rate depends on where you will study in the UK, not where you apply from. A student applying from Kerala for a course in Manchester uses the outside-London rate; a student applying for a course in London uses the London rate.

The required funds normally need to be held for at least 28 consecutive days, and the final date of that 28-day period must fall within 31 days of the visa application date.

This does not mean depositing the required amount shortly before your visa appointment. Your financial evidence needs to demonstrate that the required level of funds was maintained for the full 28-day period, and the evidence itself must generally be dated no more than 31 days before the date of application. It should show the account holder's name, the bank or building society name and the amount of money available.

UKVI accepts several forms of financial evidence — but each type has its own conditions.

Your own savings

Acceptable if held in an account that meets UKVI requirements, allows immediate access to the funds, and was acquired legally.

Your parent's money

Parents can provide financial support where the rules allow it. This normally needs evidence of the relationship and written consent confirming you can use the money for your studies — especially relevant for Indian students whose costs are funded by parents.

Student loans

A qualifying student loan can be used, but the evidence must contain specific details: the loan amount, confirmation it is a student loan, that it is for the applicant, and when the funds become available or are paid to the education provider. A loan should not be assumed acceptable simply because it is called an "education loan."

Official financial sponsorship

Qualifying sponsorship from bodies such as the UK government, a national government, the British Council, an eligible university or an international organisation. If not already recorded on the CAS, confirmation from the sponsor may be required.

CAS stands for Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies — the reference issued by your licensed UK education provider for your Student visa application. It contains your course and tuition-fee details, including any payments already made.

If your university has recorded a tuition payment on your CAS, calculate the remaining tuition amount rather than adding the full original fee again. Checking your CAS carefully before calculating your bank balance avoids one of the most common and easily preventable errors in this process.

Most financial-document problems can be avoided by checking the balance, dates, CAS and evidence format before you submit.

• Balance dipping below the required amount during the 28-day period — even a temporary shortfall can create a problem.
• Using an outdated bank statement that falls outside the required date limits.
• Forgetting unpaid tuition fees and calculating maintenance funds alone.
• Assuming an education loan is automatically acceptable without checking it meets official requirements.
• Not checking the CAS for tuition payments already recorded.
• Using cryptocurrency, stocks or an unsuitable account — GOV.UK guidance specifically excludes several asset types, including cryptocurrency, stocks and shares, and pensions.
• Forgetting parent-consent evidence when relying on a parent's account.
• Relying on old social-media advice or unofficial blogs instead of checking GOV.UK directly before applying.

UK immigration requirements change, sometimes with little notice. Maintenance amounts, accepted document lists and evidence rules should always be checked against the current GOV.UK Student visa: money guidance immediately before you submit your application — not just when you first start researching.