New maintenance fund thresholds take effect for applications made on or after November 30 — here's what changes, and why timing matters for the January 2027 intake
The UK Home Office has confirmed new financial maintenance requirements for Student visa applicants, effective for applications made on or after November 30, 2026. The change, presented to Parliament on September 3, 2026, aligns the living-cost amount international students must show with the maintenance loan levels available to UK domestic students for the 2026–27 academic year.
Key Facts at a Glance
- London, monthly: £1,570, up from £1,529
- London, maximum (9 months): £14,130, up from £13,761
- Outside London, monthly: £1,203, up from £1,171
- Outside London, maximum (9 months): £10,827, up from £10,539
- Effective date: Applications submitted on or after November 30, 2026 are assessed under the new figures; applications submitted before that date follow the current requirement
- Which threshold applies to you: Based on your course's main study location, not simply where you choose to live
- Fund-holding rule: Funds generally must be held for a consecutive 28-day period, ending no more than 31 days before your application date — having the amount only on the day you apply is usually not sufficient
- Separate from tuition: This maintenance requirement covers living costs only; outstanding tuition fees shown on your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) must be accounted for separately
What this means for January 2027 intake applicants
Because the new thresholds depend on your application submission date, not your course start date, students who submit their visa application before November 30, 2026 are assessed under the current, lower figures—even if their course begins in January 2027. This makes timing a genuinely practical consideration: applying earlier, once your CAS and documentation are ready, can mean a lower financial threshold to meet.
For anyone applying on or after November 30, the increase is modest (roughly £40/month for London, £30/month for outside London) but still worth building into your budget and documentation planning well in advance.
What you can do
- If you're targeting the January 2027 intake, aim to have your CAS and financial documents ready to apply before November 30, 2026, to be assessed under the current threshold.
- Plan your fund-holding period carefully — remember the 28-consecutive-day rule, and don't leave this until the last moment.
- Budget for the maintenance requirement separately from tuition fees, the visa application fee (£558), and the Immigration Health Surcharge (£776 annually).
IRS Study Abroad, Kottayam, helps January 2027 intake applicants plan their UK visa timeline and financial documentation carefully — including whether applying before or after November 30 works better for your specific situation.
