The United Kingdom has increased the minimum financial requirement for international students applying for study visas, raising the amount applicants must demonstrate to cover living expenses during their stay.

The revised requirements, announced by the UK Home Office, will take effect on November 30, 2026, and affect prospective students from Nigeria and other countries.

Under the new rules, students attending institutions in London will be required to show access to £1,570 monthly, up from £1,529. For a course lasting nine months or longer, the maximum maintenance funds will rise from £13,761 to £14,130.

Students studying outside London will be required to demonstrate access to £1,203 monthly, compared with the previous £1,171. The maximum amount for nine months will consequently increase from £10,539 to £10,827.

The maintenance funds are separate from tuition fees, visa application charges and the Immigration Health Surcharge. Applicants must also demonstrate that they can cover any outstanding tuition fees for the relevant academic year.

The required funds must generally be held for at least 28 consecutive days before the visa application, with the final day of that period falling within 31 days of the application date.

The money may be held in the applicant’s account, a parent’s account with the required supporting documents, or provided through an eligible student loan or official financial sponsorship.

The increase comes amid rising accommodation and general living expenses in the UK, adding to the financial demands on international students and families financing overseas education.

At an estimated exchange rate of N1,825 to the pound, the revised nine-month requirement for students in London translates to approximately N25.8 million, while those studying outside London would need about N19.8 million. These estimates exclude tuition fees and other visa-related expenses.

International students remain a significant part of the UK’s higher education sector. Figures for the 2024/2025 academic year indicate that about 685,565 international students were enrolled in British universities, representing approximately 24 per cent of the total student population.

The latest adjustment follows previous increases in the financial thresholds, as the British government continues to review its immigration system and requirements for international students.

The revised amounts will apply to student visa applications submitted on or after November 30, 2026. Applicants intending to apply before that date will remain subject to the existing thresholds.