Imagine this: you have finally received your UK admission, your family has gathered the proof-of-funds money, and your bank statement is almost ready. Then you discover that the amount required changed just before you planned to submit your visa application. That small date on the calendar can create a very expensive problem.
From 30 November 2026, the UK is increasing the Student visa maintenance requirement. Nigerian applicants studying in London will need to show £1,529 for each month of their course, up to nine months. Those studying outside London will need £1,171 per month, also for up to nine months.
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The new figures affect applications made on or after the implementation date. They sit on top of any outstanding tuition fees shown on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, so this is not the full cost of studying in the UK. Here is how to calculate it correctly and avoid a preventable refusal.
New UK Student visa proof-of-funds figures
- Studying in London: £1,529 per month for up to nine months
- Maximum London maintenance: £13,761
- Studying outside London: £1,171 per month for up to nine months
- Maximum outside-London maintenance: £10,539
- Effective date: applications made on or after 30 November 2026
You must usually add the relevant living-cost figure to any unpaid first-year course fees stated on your CAS. Check the current rules on the official UK Student visa money page.
How much has the requirement increased?
The previous monthly amounts were £1,483 in London and £1,136 outside London. The new rule adds £46 per month for London students and £35 per month for students elsewhere.
Across the maximum nine-month calculation, that is an extra £414 for London and £315 outside London. When converted to naira, the difference can be substantial. Exchange rates move daily, so do not build your application around a social-media conversion from last month. Use the pound figure as the legal target and leave a safety margin in your account.
London versus outside London
For Student visa purposes, “London” means the City of London and the 32 London boroughs. The calculation follows your main study site, not simply where you hope to rent a room. If your university is outside Greater London, you normally use the lower figure even if the town is within commuting distance.
Do not guess from the university’s name. Check the address attached to your course and CAS. If your course operates across sites, ask the university’s international student team which maintenance figure applies.
How to calculate your total proof of funds
Use this simple formula:
Outstanding first-year tuition on your CAS + required monthly maintenance = minimum funds to show.
Suppose your first-year tuition is £18,000 and you have paid a £5,000 deposit. Your CAS confirms the payment, leaving £13,000 outstanding.
- London: £13,000 + £13,761 = £26,761
- Outside London: £13,000 + £10,539 = £23,539
If your course lasts fewer than nine months, multiply the monthly rate by the course length. A partial month is rounded up to a full month. The figures above are examples, not a personal financial assessment.
The 28-day bank statement rule
The required balance must normally remain available for at least 28 consecutive days. The closing balance date must fall within 31 days before the date you submit and pay for the online visa application.
This is where applicants get caught. If your balance falls below the required amount for even one day, the 28-day count may need to restart. A large deposit on day 20 does not repair the previous 19 days. Plan with a buffer for bank charges and exchange-rate movement.
Read our detailed UK Student visa proof-of-funds and bank-statement guide for acceptable accounts, currencies and evidence.
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Country-by-country requirements, updated regularly.
Whose bank account can you use?
You may generally rely on money held in your own account, your parent’s account or your partner’s account where the immigration rules allow it. If using a parent’s funds, you normally need evidence of the relationship and written permission to use the money. The account and financial institution must meet UKVI requirements.
Some forms of money do not count in the same way as accessible cash. Cryptocurrency, overdrafts, shares and unverified arrangements are not substitutes for compliant funds. Official student loans and qualifying financial sponsorship can be used when documented correctly.
Can accommodation payments reduce the amount?
If you have paid a deposit for accommodation arranged by your Student sponsor, a limited amount may be offset against the maintenance requirement when correctly recorded. Under the updated rule, the maximum accommodation offset is £1,529.
Payment to a private landlord usually does not produce the same visa offset. Confirm that the university has recorded any eligible payment on your CAS or can issue appropriate evidence before subtracting it yourself.
What Nigerian applicants should do now
- Check your planned application date. An application made on or after 30 November 2026 must meet the new figure.
- Read your CAS carefully. Confirm tuition, payments already credited, course dates and main study location.
- Convert with a safety margin. Do not fund only the exact naira equivalent on one particular morning.
- Start the 28-day period early. Avoid unexplained last-minute deposits and do not touch the protected balance.
- Match every name and number. Bank letters, statements, receipts, passport and CAS details should be consistent.
- Check the evidence again before submission. The relevant date is the visa application date, not the day you opened the account.
Our UK Student visa document checklist can help you organise the rest of the application.
What about dependants?
Only certain Student visa holders can bring dependants under current rules. Where a dependant qualifies, the maintenance requirement is £845 per month in London and £680 per month outside London, normally for up to nine months per eligible dependant.
That money is additional to the student’s tuition and maintenance funds. Do not assume a spouse’s salary plan after arrival replaces the financial evidence required at application.
Common proof-of-funds mistakes
- Using the old figure for an application submitted after the rule changes
- Showing living costs but forgetting unpaid tuition on the CAS
- Allowing the balance to fall below the minimum during the 28 days
- Using an outdated bank statement whose closing date is too far from the application date
- Subtracting private accommodation payments incorrectly
- Using a parent’s account without relationship evidence and consent
- Converting naira without allowing for exchange-rate movement
- Uploading cropped, unclear or incomplete statements
Frequently asked questions
When do the new UK Student visa funds begin?
The annual uplift takes effect on 30 November 2026. Check the official rule that applies on the date you submit your application.
How much do I need outside London?
The maintenance figure is £1,171 per month for up to nine months, giving a maximum of £10,539, plus unpaid tuition fees shown on the CAS.
How much do I need in London?
The rate is £1,529 per month for up to nine months, giving a maximum of £13,761, plus outstanding tuition.
Must the money be in pounds?
No, compliant funds may be held in another currency, including naira. UKVI converts foreign currency using its accepted method, so keep a sensible buffer.
Can I spend the money after 28 days?
Do not rush to withdraw it. Caseworkers may consider whether funds remain genuinely available, and you will need the money for tuition and living expenses. Keep the balance stable until a decision and travel planning are secure.
Summary
From 30 November 2026, a UK Student visa applicant will normally need up to £13,761 for maintenance in London or £10,539 outside London, plus outstanding tuition. The money must generally be held for 28 consecutive days, with the evidence dated correctly.
Verify the latest position through the UK government, then use JapaMap Tools to plan your budget. For a structured do-it-yourself application roadmap, see the No-Agent Japa Blueprint.
