UK student visa funds rise on 30 November to £1,570 a month in London and £1,203 elsewhere

Indian students applying for a UK Student visa from 30 November 2026 will need to show slightly more money for living costs. The change comes from Statement of Changes HC 584, which the Home Office laid before Parliament on 3 September 2026.

What changed

HC 584 amends paragraph ST 12 of Appendix Student, which sets the maintenance requirement:

• Courses in London: £1,570 a month, up from £1,529.
• Courses elsewhere in the UK: £1,203 a month, up from £1,171.
• Accommodation offset: the most that can be deducted for university accommodation fees already paid rises from £1,529 to £1,570.

The money is counted for each month of the course up to a maximum of nine months. That puts the full requirement at £14,130 for a London course of nine months or more, and £10,827 outside London.

The Home Office’s explanatory memorandum says the yearly uplift matches the maintenance loans available to UK home students for the 2026/2027 academic year. It was agreed as part of measures against misuse of the student route announced in May 2024.

Who it affects

Indian Student visa applicants, whether applying from India or from inside the UK. India is not on GOV.UK’s list of countries whose nationals are excused from proving these funds. The main exception, according to GOV.UK, is an applicant who has been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months on the date of application. GOV.UK defines London as the City of London and the 32 London boroughs.

HC 584 says applications made before 30 November 2026 will be decided under the rules in force on 29 November, so they use the old figures. UKCISA and the immigration barristers Richmond Chambers both flag this protection. HC 584 does not change the amounts for each dependant, £845 a month in London and £680 elsewhere.

What it means for you

GOV.UK says the money must have been held for at least 28 days in a row, and the 28-day period must end within 31 days of the date you apply. If you plan to apply on or after 30 November, build the 28-day balance at the new figure, not the old one. Richmond Chambers notes that Home Office guidance is normally updated only when a change takes effect, so the GOV.UK “money you need” page may show the old figures until then. If in doubt, ask your university’s international student team.