UK Student Visa Financial Requirements 2026: Fees and New Rules

Updated 2 November 2026 · Based on GOV.UK, UKVI and UKCISA guidance

The United Kingdom remains one of the most popular study destinations for Indian students. Its universities are respected worldwide, many master's degrees finish in a single year, and graduates can stay on to look for work. Before any of that, you need a UK student visa, and money is where most applications succeed or fail.

The question students ask us most often is simple: how much money do I really need to show, and what are the fees for UK visa applications this year?

This guide explains the latest financial requirements, every cost you will pay from India, the new rules introduced this year, and a step-by-step application plan, so your funds and documents are right the first time.

UK Student Visa in 2026: What Has Changed This Year

The UK Student visa has seen more changes in 2026 than in any recent year. Some affect what you pay, some affect how much money you must show, and some affect how strictly universities screen you before issuing a CAS. The table below compares the old position with the rules now in force.

The maintenance increase was confirmed in a Statement of Changes (HC 854) laid before Parliament on 3 September 2026. The Home Office now reviews this figure every year, so expect it to keep moving with UK living costs.

UK Student Visa Financial Requirements Explained

For the Student visa, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) wants proof that you can pay for two things: your course and your living costs. Together these are called the financial requirement.

1. Course Fees Shown on Your CAS

Your university issues a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). It shows your first-year tuition fee and any deposit you have already paid. You must show the unpaid balance of your first-year fees, or the full fee if the course is shorter than a year. Any amount already paid and recorded on the CAS is deducted.

2. Maintenance Funds (Living Costs)

On top of fees, you must show a monthly amount for living costs, for up to nine months. If your course is shorter than nine months, you show the amount for the actual number of months, with part months rounded up.

If you have paid the university for its own accommodation, you can deduct that payment from the maintenance amount, up to one month's maintenance. It must appear on your CAS or in a receipt from the university.

3. What Counts as "London"

The higher London rate applies if your course is in the City of London or any of the 32 London boroughs. A university with a head office in London but a campus elsewhere uses the rate for the campus where you will actually study. Many students choose the wrong rate here, so check your CAS address carefully.

New UK Student Visa Maintenance Rates from 30 November 2026

The key date for the January 2027 intake is 30 November 2026. The rule that applies depends on the date you submit your online application, not the date your course starts.

Rupee figures use an indicative rate of about ₹125 per pound. Exchange rates change daily, so keep a buffer of at least 5% above the required amount in your account.

Which Rate Applies to You?

• If your 28-day funds period and your application both fall before 30 November 2026, the old rates apply.
• If you apply on or after 30 November 2026, show the new rates, even if your bank statement was prepared earlier.
• Most January 2027 applicants will apply in December, so plan for the higher figure from the start.

Fees for UK Visa: Full UK Student Visa Cost from India in 2026

The financial requirement is money you must hold. The fees for UK visa processing are money you actually pay. Students often mix these up, so here is the full picture for a typical one-year master's student applying from India.

UK Student Visa Fee

The UK student visa fee rose from £524 to £558 for applications submitted on or after 8 April 2026. The same fee applies whether you apply from India or switch inside the UK.

Immigration Health Surcharge

The IHS gives you access to the NHS during your stay. For students it remains £776 per year. It is paid upfront with your application, so it often costs more than the visa fee itself. For a three-year undergraduate degree, the IHS alone is usually around £2,716.

Other Costs to Budget For

Plan separately for the TB certificate, the English test, document translations, flights, and optional appointment services at the visa centre. None of these count towards your proof of funds.

Worked Example: How Much Money to Show for a UK Study Visa

Let us take a common case. Riya has an offer for a one-year master's in Manchester (outside London). Her tuition fee is £18,000 and she has paid a £5,000 deposit, which shows on her CAS. She applies in December 2026.

• Unpaid first-year tuition: £18,000 − £5,000 = £13,000
• Maintenance (new outside-London rate): £1,203 × 9 = £10,827
• Total to hold for 28 days: £23,827 (about ₹29.8 lakh)

She will also pay the £558 visa fee and about £1,164 IHS when she applies. These payments are separate and do not reduce the amount she must show in her account.

If Riya's course were in London, her maintenance amount would rise to £14,130, and her total would become £27,130.

The 28-Day Rule and Acceptable Proof of Funds

The single most common reason for a financial refusal is the 28-day rule. You must hold the full required amount for 28 consecutive days, and the end of that period must fall within 31 days of the date you submit your application. If the balance drops below the required figure even for one day, the evidence fails.

Funds That Are Accepted

• Savings or current accounts in your own name
• Accounts in your parents' or legal guardian's name, with your birth certificate and a parental consent letter
• Fixed deposits that you can access immediately
• An education loan from a regulated financial institution, with a sanction letter in your name
• Official financial sponsorship from a government, university or international scholarship body

Funds That Are Not Accepted

• Shares, mutual funds, bonds or gold
• Provident fund, pension or other locked-in savings
• Money held by relatives other than parents, such as uncles or grandparents
• Overdraft or credit limits

Bank Statement Tips for Indian Students

Your statement should show your name (or your parent's), the account number, the bank's name and logo, the closing balance, and the dates covering the full 28 days. Bank-stamped statements or a letter from the bank on letterhead work best. Avoid moving large sums in at the last minute, as unexplained deposits can trigger credibility questions.

UK Student Visa Requirements: Documents Checklist

Beyond money, a complete UK student visa application needs the following documents. UKVI may not ask for every item at submission, but you must have them ready.

• A valid passport
• Your CAS reference number from a licensed student sponsor
• Proof of funds meeting the 28-day rule
• Proof of English, either a Secure English Language Test or, for degree courses, the university's own assessment shown on the CAS
• Academic certificates and transcripts used to get your offer
• TB test certificate from a UKVI-approved clinic in India
• ATAS certificate, if your subject requires it (some science and engineering courses)
• Parental consent, if you are under 18

Your university must be on the official register of licensed student sponsors. Always confirm this before paying a deposit. Our guide on studying abroad from India covers how to shortlist universities safely.

Dependant Visa UK Rules for Students in 2026

Since January 2024, most students can no longer bring family members. A dependant visa UK application is only possible if you are studying a postgraduate research course, such as a PhD or research master's, or you hold a qualifying government-sponsored scholarship of more than six months.

Where dependants are allowed, each one needs extra maintenance funds of £845 per month in London or £680 per month outside London, for up to nine months. Each dependant also pays the £558 visa fee and the full IHS. Check GOV.UK for any update to dependant amounts after 30 November 2026.

UK Student Visa Processing Time and Priority Options

For applications from outside the UK, UKVI usually decides within three weeks of your biometric appointment. Busy months such as August and early September can be slower. The table below shows the options available to most Indian applicants.

Priority services buy a faster decision, not a better one. Slots are limited and timelines are targets, not guarantees.

How to Apply for a UK Student Visa from India: Step by Step

A well-timed plan avoids last-minute stress. Follow these steps in order.

1. Get an unconditional offer. Meet all academic and English conditions set by your university.
2. Pay the tuition deposit. Many universities need this before issuing a CAS, and it reduces the funds you must show.
3. Receive your CAS. Check your name, passport number, course dates, fees and campus address for errors.
4. Arrange funds and start the 28-day clock. Use the correct London or outside-London rate for your application date.
5. Take your TB test. Book early with a UKVI-approved clinic.
6. Apply online on GOV.UK. Complete the form and pay the visa fee and IHS. You can apply up to 6 months before your course starts.
7. Book biometrics. Visit the visa application centre to give fingerprints and a photo, and upload or submit documents.
8. Attend a credibility interview if invited. Be ready to explain your course choice, university, funding and career plans.
9. Get your decision and eVisa. The UK now uses digital eVisas instead of physical BRP cards.
10. Travel and enrol. Carry your CAS, financial documents and TB certificate in your hand luggage.

UK Student Visa Check and Login

After you apply, you track your application through the email updates from UKVI and the visa centre. Once approved, you log in to your UKVI account to view your eVisa and use the "view and prove" service to share your status with airlines, landlords and employers.

Working and Staying On: Graduate Route Changes from January 2027

During term time, degree-level students can usually work up to 20 hours a week, and full time during official vacations. This helps with living costs, but you cannot count future part-time income as proof of funds.

After graduating, most students switch to the Graduate Route. For applications made on or before 31 December 2026, it gives two years of post-study work. For applications made from 1 January 2027, bachelor's and master's graduates will get 18 months. PhD graduates keep three years. If you are comparing post-study options, our pages on working in the UK and UK immigration pathways explain the next steps.

The government has also proposed an international student levy on universities, reported at £925 per international student per year from the 2028/29 academic year. It is charged to universities, not students, but it may influence future tuition fees.

Common Mistakes That Lead to UK Study Visa Refusal

Funds Dipping Below the Required Amount

Even a single day below the threshold during the 28-day period is enough for refusal. Do not use the account for other payments during this time.

Using the Old Maintenance Figure

Applying on or after 30 November 2026 with funds calculated at £1,171 or £1,529 per month will leave you short. Recalculate before you apply.

Bank Statements That Are Too Old

The 28-day period must end no more than 31 days before your application date. A statement prepared too early loses its value.

Relatives' Accounts

Only your own or your parents' funds count. Money from siblings, uncles or family friends must first be legitimately transferred to your or your parents' account and then held for 28 days.

Weak Credibility Answers

With universities now held to a 5% refusal limit, many run strict pre-CAS interviews. Know your course modules, why you chose the university, and how the degree fits your career in India.

Errors on the CAS

A wrong fee, date or campus on the CAS can create a mismatch with your funds. Ask the university to correct it before you apply.

How to Choose the Best Consultant for a UK Study Visa

Students often search for the best consultancy for the UK in India, or a list of the top 10 overseas education consultants. Rankings change and are rarely independent, so judge any consultant on a few clear points instead.

• Do they check your finances and the 28-day rule before you pay the university deposit?
• Do they explain the full UK student visa cost, including IHS, in writing?
• Do they prepare you for credibility interviews, not just fill in forms?
• Are their fees transparent, with no promise of guaranteed visas?
• Can you meet the team in person and see their track record?

At GIEC Global, our team offers UK study visa assistance from university shortlisting to arrival, from our office in South Extension, New Delhi, and online for students across India. We help you calculate funds at the correct rate, prepare bank and loan documents, check your CAS, and practise for interviews. Learn more about our approach as overseas education consultants working with students in every major Indian city.

Conclusion: Planning Your UK Student Visa Finances in 2026

A UK student visa in 2026 costs more than it did a year ago, and the rules are stricter. The visa fee is now £558, the IHS stays at £776 per year, and from 30 November 2026 you must show £1,570 per month in London or £1,203 per month elsewhere, for up to nine months, plus your unpaid first-year tuition.

None of this is difficult if you plan early. Use the right rate for your application date, keep your funds untouched for 28 days, budget separately for the fees for UK visa processing and health surcharge, and prepare honestly for credibility checks. Book a free profile review with GIEC Global and get a clear funds plan before you pay your deposit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a UK student visa cost?

From 8 April 2026, the UK student visa application fee is £558, about ₹69,750. You also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge at £776 per year of your visa. For a typical one-year master's, the total of visa fee and IHS is around £1,722, or roughly ₹2.15 lakh, before optional priority services, the TB test and travel.

What are the requirements for a UK student visa?

You need an unconditional offer and a CAS from a licensed student sponsor, a valid passport, proof of funds for unpaid first-year fees plus living costs, English language evidence, a TB test certificate if you live in India, academic documents, and an ATAS certificate for certain subjects. Applicants under 18 also need parental consent.

What are the new rules for UK visa for students?

The main 2026 changes are a higher visa fee of £558, higher maintenance funds from 30 November 2026, stricter university compliance rules with a 5% refusal limit, and a visa brake on four nationalities. From 1 January 2027, the Graduate Route for bachelor's and master's graduates is reduced from two years to 18 months.

How much does an UK visa cost?

It depends on the visa type. In 2026, the Student visa costs £558, a standard visitor visa for up to six months costs £135, and the Graduate Route costs £937. Most long-term visas also require the Immigration Health Surcharge. Always confirm current figures on the official GOV.UK fees page before paying.

Can I get an UK visa in 2 days?

Possibly, using the super priority service. For an extra £1,000, UKVI aims to decide by the end of the next working day after your biometric appointment. Priority service costs £500 with a five-working-day target. Slots are limited, availability varies by centre, and faster processing never guarantees approval, so apply early whenever you can.

How much is the UK visa fee in 2026?

For students, the UK visa fee in 2026 is £558, up from £524 on 8 April 2026. The same fee applies to each eligible dependant. The Immigration Health Surcharge stays at £776 per year for students. Visitor visas rose to £135 and the Graduate visa to £937 under the same April update.

Which consultancy is best for the UK from India?

No single consultancy is best for everyone. Choose one that checks your finances before you pay a deposit, explains the full cost in writing, prepares you for credibility interviews, charges transparent fees and never guarantees a visa. GIEC Global offers free profile reviews in Delhi and online so you can judge our approach before committing.

Who are the top 10 educational consultants in India?

There is no official ranking of education consultants in India, and most online top-10 lists are paid or self-published. Instead, compare consultants on transparency, experience with UK universities, visa refusal handling, interview preparation and honest advice about costs. Meeting the team in person and speaking to past students is the most reliable test.

Which is better, Leapscholar or IDP?

Both are well-known study abroad services with different styles. IDP has a large network of physical offices and co-owns IELTS, while LeapScholar works mainly through digital counselling. The better choice depends on whether you prefer in-person or app-based guidance, the universities they work with, and how clearly they explain your visa finances.

Which is the best consultancy for the UK?

The best consultancy for the UK is one that gives honest, personalised advice. Look for accurate fund calculations under the latest rules, careful CAS checks, interview practice and support after arrival. Avoid anyone promising guaranteed visas. With universities now screening students strictly, quality guidance matters more than a big brand name.

What is the UK student visa processing time from India?

For applications from India, UKVI usually decides within about three weeks of your biometric appointment. Peak months such as August can take longer. You can pay £500 for priority service with a five-working-day target, or £1,000 for super priority with a next-working-day target. Apply as early as six months before your course.

How much bank balance is required for a UK student visa?

You need your unpaid first-year tuition plus living costs for up to nine months. From 30 November 2026, living costs are £1,570 per month in London or £1,203 per month outside London, which is £14,130 or £10,827 for nine months. The full amount must stay in the account for 28 consecutive days.

How much is the UK visa fee for 2 years?

The visa application fee is a flat £558 regardless of course length. What changes is the IHS. For a two-year course, your visa usually runs two years plus a few extra months, so the IHS is about £1,940. Together with the visa fee, that is roughly £2,498, or about ₹3.1 lakh.

Can my parents' bank account be used for a UK student visa?

Yes. Funds in your parents' or legal guardian's name are accepted. You must provide your birth certificate or another document proving the relationship, plus a signed letter from your parents confirming you can use the money for your studies. Funds from other relatives are not accepted unless first transferred and held for 28 days.

Is an education loan accepted for a UK student visa?

Yes, an education loan is acceptable proof of funds if it comes from a regulated financial institution or a government scheme. The sanction letter should be in your name, show the loan amount, and confirm the money will be available before or on arrival. It must not be conditional on anything other than a successful visa application.

Can I bring my spouse on a UK student visa?

Only in limited cases. Since January 2024, you can bring dependants only if you study a postgraduate research course, such as a PhD, or hold a qualifying government-sponsored scholarship lasting more than six months. Taught master's students generally cannot bring a spouse. Eligible dependants need their own maintenance funds, visa fee and IHS.

What is a CAS and why does it matter for sponsorship?

A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies is a unique reference issued by a licensed UK student sponsor once you accept an unconditional offer. It records your course, dates, fees and deposit paid. UKVI uses it to confirm your sponsorship and calculate the funds you must show, so any error on it should be corrected before you apply.

Is the TB test mandatory for Indian students?

Yes. If you live in India and plan to stay in the UK for more than six months, you must submit a tuberculosis test certificate from a clinic approved by the UK Home Office. The certificate is generally valid for six months, so time your test so it remains valid on the date you apply.

Can I work in the UK on a student visa?

Most students on degree-level courses can work up to 20 hours a week during term time and full time during official vacations. Students below degree level usually get 10 hours a week. You cannot be self-employed or work as a professional sportsperson. Part-time income cannot be counted towards the funds you must show for your visa.

Does the visa brake affect Indian students?

No. The visa brake that started on 26 March 2026 applies only to Student visa applications made from outside the UK by nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan. Indian students are not affected. However, stricter university compliance rules mean every applicant now faces closer checks on finances and genuine study intentions.

This guide is for general information and reflects official UK government guidance available on 2 November 2026. Fees, fund amounts and processing times change, so confirm them on GOV.UK before you apply.