UK student visa: you now need up to £14,130 to show from 30 November
Nigerians applying to study in the UK will have to show more money for living costs from 30 November 2026, after the Home Office raised its maintenance requirements, Nairametrics reported.
Students on courses of nine months or longer in London will need to show £14,130, up from £13,761. Outside London, the figure rises to £10,827, from £10,539.
The new amounts
| Where you study | Per month (old) | Per month (new) | 9 months or more (new) |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | £1,529 | £1,570 | £14,130 |
| Rest of the UK | £1,171 | £1,203 | £10,827 |
These amounts cover living costs only. Tuition fees, the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge are all paid on top.
What this means for Nigerian applicants
The increase is £369 for London and £288 for the rest of the UK. At current exchange rates, that is several hundred thousand naira more that families need to have in the bank before applying.
Nigeria is one of the UK’s largest sources of international students: Nigerians received 26,060 study visas as main applicants in the year ending June 2026, according to Vanguard.
What to do
- Applying before 30 November? The old amounts should still apply, but check the date rules on GOV.UK carefully.
- Applying after? Plan for the new figures, and make sure the money has been in the account for the required period before you apply.
- Always check the official rules on the GOV.UK Student visa page before applying, and be wary of agents who offer to “arrange” bank statements: false documents can lead to a ban.
