UK Student Visa Living Cost Requirement for Nepali Students: What Changes from 30 November 2026?

Nepali students planning to study in the United Kingdom should be aware of an upcoming change to the UK Student visa financial requirement. From 30 November 2026, the amount that Student visa applicants may need to demonstrate for living costs will increase. This guide explains the new figures, how they apply to students from Nepal, the 28-day rule, and how to plan your finances — especially if you are aiming for the January 2027 intake or later.

From 30 November 2026, the amount that UK Student visa applicants may need to demonstrate for living costs will increase. This is an annual uplift by the UK Government, aligned with the maintenance loans available to home students for the 2026/27 academic year. The requirement depends on where you will study:

The requirement is capped at a maximum of nine months, so the totals you may need to show for living costs become:

These are the UKVI Student visa maintenance figures. They are separate from your tuition fees, and they should not be confused with the actual amount you will spend on living expenses.

No — and this is an important distinction for students and parents. The amounts of £14,130 for London and £10,827 outside London are the figures used for the Student visa financial requirement. They are not a guarantee that you will spend exactly this much. Your real living expenses depend on:

• Accommodation and rent
• Food and groceries
• Transport
• Utility bills
• Your city and lifestyle
• Personal expenses

Treat the UKVI figure as a minimum visa-planning amount, rather than a precise prediction of your personal monthly spending.

Yes. The Student visa financial requirement applies according to the UK Immigration Rules and your circumstances. There is one point that is particularly important for Nepali applicants.

Nepal is not currently on the UK Government’s list of nationalities that benefit from the Student route’s differential evidence requirement. The published list includes countries such as India, China, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the United States — but Nepal is not among them.

Where financial evidence is required, you generally need to show that the required funds have been held for at least 28 consecutive days. The end date of that 28-day period must normally fall within 31 days of your Student visa application date.

In practice, your bank statement must show the required closing balance, and the funds must have been maintained for the full consecutive period before you apply. Avoid arranging your finances at the last minute — a single dip below the required amount during those 28 days can undermine your application.

UKVI allows the required funds to come from a range of sources, provided the relevant requirements are met:

• Your own bank account
• A parent’s bank account (qualifying parental funds, with the correct consent and evidence)
• A qualifying partner’s funds
• An eligible student loan
• Official financial sponsorship

Acceptable evidence includes personal or parents’ bank statements, student loan documentation, and official sponsorship letters. However, UKVI does not normally accept:

• Overdrafts
• Cryptocurrency
• Stocks and shares
• Pensions
• Certain unregulated bank accounts

The account must also meet UKVI’s requirements for accessibility and record keeping.

The requirement differs by study location — £1,570/month (£14,130) for London and £1,203/month (£10,827) outside London. For UKVI purposes, “London” means the City of London and the 32 London boroughs.

That said, do not choose a university solely on the visa maintenance figure. Actual accommodation, transport and living costs vary significantly between cities, and a lower maintenance requirement does not always mean lower real-world costs.

A common misunderstanding is that the maintenance amount includes tuition fees. It does not. If your CAS shows outstanding tuition fees, you may need to demonstrate funds for those fees plus the applicable maintenance amount, subject to UKVI rules and any permitted deductions. The official GOV.UK Student visa guidance states that applicants need enough money to pay for their course and to support themselves in the UK.

Start your financial planning early. Work through these steps:

• Step 1 — Confirm your university and course. Check whether it is in London or outside London.
• Step 2 — Check your CAS. Review the tuition fee amount and any fee already paid.
• Step 3 — Calculate your maintenance requirement. From 30 November 2026: £14,130 (London) or £10,827 (outside London), maximum.
• Step 4 — Maintain the required bank balance. If evidence is required, meet the 28-day rule.
• Step 5 — Check the latest UKVI guidance. Rules can change; always confirm on GOV.UK before applying.

This is especially relevant if you are planning for the January 2027 intake or later, since applications under the new rules should be prepared against the higher figures.

Financial requirements are one of the most common reasons UK visa applications run into trouble — and they have just changed. As Nepal’s first AIRC-certified and ICEF-screened education consultancy, Edwise Foundation has guided Nepali students since 2005, helping you calculate the right maintenance amount, meet the 28-day rule, and prepare your CAS and bank evidence correctly as part of the wider UK student visa process. With a 96% acceptance rate and 7,000+ students placed, our team keeps your financial file compliant with the latest UKVI figures. For the full picture of studying in the UK, requirements and intakes, see our complete guide to study in the UK from Nepal.

• GOV.UK — Student visa: Money you need
• GOV.UK — Immigration Rules: Appendix Student
• GOV.UK — Financial evidence for Student and Child Student visa applicants
• GOV.UK — Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules HC 584 (3 September 2026)