International students planning to study in the United Kingdom will have to show more money to cover their living expenses under new immigration rules taking effect on November 30, 2026.
The changes will affect students from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Cameroon, as well as other international applicants seeking to study in the UK.
Under the revised rules, students studying in London must demonstrate that they have £1,570 per month available for living costs, up from £1,529. Those studying outside London will need to show £1,203 per month, compared with the previous requirement of £1,171.
For courses lasting nine months or longer, this means applicants in London must have access to up to £14,130, equivalent to about $19,100, while those studying elsewhere in the UK will need up to £10,827, or approximately $14,630.
The new requirements apply to visa applications submitted from November 30.
The changes were presented to the UK Parliament on September 3 as part of amendments to the country’s immigration rules.
The money required for living expenses is separate from tuition fees and other costs associated with studying in the UK.
Applicants must demonstrate that the required funds have been held in their bank account for at least 28 consecutive days. The closing balance must also be dated no more than 31 days before the visa application is submitted.
Students will additionally have to pay visa application fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
The UK government said the revised maintenance requirements align with the level of maintenance loans available to domestic students for the 2026/27 academic year. The thresholds are expected to be reviewed annually.
Major Destination For African Students
The changes come at a time when the UK remains one of the leading overseas study destinations for students from Africa.
Nigeria, in particular, remains one of the country’s largest sources of international students. In the year ending June 2026, the UK granted 26,060 Sponsored Study visas to Nigerian main applicants, accounting for 7 percent of all such visas issued during the period.
Nigeria ranked third globally behind China and India.
Overall, 365,868 Sponsored Study visas were granted to main applicants in the year ending June 2026, a 12 percent decline from the previous year.
Students from countries including Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, Egypt and Morocco will also be affected by the higher financial requirements, alongside applicants from other parts of the world.
Part Of Wider Changes To Student Immigration
The increase in maintenance requirements comes as the UK continues to tighten aspects of its international student immigration system.
Since January 2024, most international students enrolled in taught postgraduate programs have been prohibited from bringing dependants to the UK. Restrictions have also been introduced on switching from student visas to work routes before completing a course.
The government has said some of the measures are intended to address abuse of the Student route. However, a 2024 review by the Migration Advisory Committee found no evidence of widespread abuse of the Graduate visa route.
The latest change, however, is linked specifically to the rising cost of living and the financial support available to domestic students.
