UK Student Visa: New Maintenance Amounts from 30 November and a Shorter Graduate Visa in 2027

5 MIN READ · UK

If you are planning to study in the UK, the next two months bring two important dates. From 30 November 2026, the monthly living-cost amount you need to show for a Student visa goes up. From 1 January 2027, Graduate visa applications will give you 18 months after graduation instead of two years. In this article we summarise what is changing, how much you need to show in your bank account and how you can adjust your plan, based on official sources.

What is changing?

The higher maintenance amounts come from Statement of Changes HC 584, published by the Home Office on 3 September 2026. The shorter Graduate visa was announced in HC 1333 in October 2025 and is now shown on the official Graduate visa page.

Under HC 584, applications made before 30 November 2026 are decided under the rules in force on 29 November 2026. So the day you apply decides which amount applies.

How much do you need in your bank account?

Student visa maintenance is calculated for each month of your course, up to a maximum of 9 months. On top of this, you also need funds for the first academic year's course fees shown on your CAS. The table below covers maintenance only.

The totals are our calculation (monthly amount multiplied by 9), not an official figure. If your course is shorter than 9 months, the number of course months is used.

The money must be held for at least 28 consecutive days, and the end of that 28-day period must fall within 31 days before your application date. If you plan to apply in early December, for example, prepare your bank statement for the new amount; if your balance drops below the threshold even for one day during the 28 days, it can cause a problem. Some applicants are exempt, such as those who have lived in the UK with permission for 12 months or more.

Note: as of 9 November 2026, the GOV.UK "Student visa: money" page still shows the old amounts. The new figures are set out in HC 584, and the page is expected to be updated close to the commencement date. Check the official page again right before you apply.

What changes when the Graduate visa drops to 18 months?

The Graduate visa lets you stay in the UK to work or look for work after successfully completing a bachelor's or master's degree there. You must apply from inside the UK and before your Student visa expires. According to the official page, applications made on or before 31 December 2026 get 2 years, applications made on or after 1 January 2027 get 18 months, and doctoral graduates get 3 years.

This matters especially if you started a one-year master's in September 2026 or plan to start in 2027: if your course ends in 2027, your Graduate application will most likely fall under the 18-month rule. The change is tied to the application date, not the course start date; the official text does not separately say whether having started your course in 2026 keeps you under the old rule. We look at the pros and cons of a one-year master's in our article Is a 1-Year UK Master's Degree Worth It?

The Graduate visa application fee is £937; in addition, the Immigration Health Surcharge is usually £1,035 for each year of your stay. With 18 months to take your next career step, it becomes more valuable to start talking to employers early and to build internship or project experience during your studies.

Other Student visa items that stay the same

What should you do now?

• Fix your application date: will you apply by 29 November, or on or after 30 November? Plan your bank statement accordingly.
• Check whether your campus is in London or outside London; the amount depends on where you study.
• Count the 28-day holding period backwards from your application date and keep your balance above the threshold.
• Put maintenance, the course fees on your CAS and any deposits you have paid into one overview.
• If you graduate in 2027, build your career plan around an 18-month Graduate visa.

Even small mistakes in your documents can slow things down; you can read about common issues in our article 7 Common Mistakes in Visa Applications.

Frequently asked questions

Conclusion

The increases are not large, but a timing mistake can put your application at risk. If you plan your application date, campus location and 28-day holding period together, you avoid surprises. If you want to plan everything from choosing a university and programme to your financial documents, take a look at our UK and universities pages, have your documents checked through our visa consulting service or get in touch with us.