By Abishek, Leobiss International | Status as of: 22-10-2026
The UK Home Office has confirmed an increase to UK student visa maintenance funds, effective 30 November 2026. If you’re applying for a Student visa around this date, the number you need to show — and when you apply — can genuinely change your budget.
What’s Changing
The increase comes through a Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules, presented to Parliament on 3 September 2026. It raises the monthly living-cost figure UKVI expects you to prove.
The New Numbers
| Before 30 Nov 2026 | From 30 Nov 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Inside London, per month | £1,529 | £1,570 |
| Inside London, 9-month max | £13,761 | £14,130 |
| Outside London, per month | £1,171 | £1,203 |
| Outside London, 9-month max | £10,539 | £10,827 |
That’s an extra £369 over nine months for London, and £288 outside London.
The Rule Most Students Miss
Here’s the part that actually matters for your planning: your application date decides which figures apply, not your decision date.
If you submit your application before 30 November 2026, it’s assessed under the lower, current amounts — even if UKVI decides it after that date. Submit on or after 30 November, and the new figures apply, regardless of when you started preparing.
This means a student who’s ready can genuinely save money by applying early, rather than waiting.
The 28-Day Rule You Still Need to Follow
Whichever figures apply to you, your funds must sit in your account, continuously, for at least 28 consecutive days before you apply. A single day dipping below the required amount resets the clock.
If you’re aiming to apply just before 30 November to lock in the current rate, this means your funds need to be in place by early November — not the last week.
Dependants: No Change Here
If you’re bringing a dependant, their maintenance requirement is unaffected by this update. It stays at £845 per month in London or £680 per month outside London, for each month of the visa, up to nine months.
Course Fees Are Still Separate
Maintenance funds are not your tuition. You’ll need to show outstanding eligible course fees on top of the living-cost figure above — the two are calculated and evidenced separately.
What to Do Now
- Check your intake date against 30 November 2026.
- If you’re close to ready, consider applying before the deadline — the saving is real, not symbolic.
- Start your 28-day funds window with margin, not right at the edge.
- Confirm whether your course is inside or outside London — the gap between the two figures is significant.
How Leobiss Helps With This
We track UKVI’s Statement of Changes directly and flag timing decisions like this one to every student in our UK pipeline — not just the headline numbers, but what they mean for when you should actually apply. If you’re weighing applying before or after 30 November, talk to us before you decide. For the full study-abroad picture, see our MBBS Abroad for Indian Students 2026 guide if medicine is also on your shortlist.
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