UK Student Visa Financial Requirements 2026: Maintenance Funds, IHS Surcharge and What Indian Students Must Prepare

The UK Is Still Open — But the Financial Bar Is Higher

I want to start with some reassurance. The United Kingdom is still one of the best countries in the world for Indian students, and it is absolutely possible to get a student visa in 2026. But the financial requirements have changed significantly, and I am seeing families arrive at my office without a clear picture of what they actually need.

This blog is going to clear all of that up. I will walk you through exactly how much money you need to show, the rules around how long that money must sit in your bank account, and the extra costs that many families are not factoring in.

What Is the Maintenance Fund Requirement for 2026?

The UK Home Office requires you to show that you have enough money to cover your living costs while studying. This is called the “maintenance” requirement, and in 2026 the amounts are as follows:

If your university is in London: You must show £1,529 per month for up to 9 months. That works out to £13,761 in total — which is approximately ₹16.7 lakh at current exchange rates.

If your university is outside London: You must show £1,171 per month for up to 9 months. That works out to £10,539 in total — approximately ₹12.8 lakh.

And here is the important part: this maintenance amount is in addition to your first year’s tuition fees (minus any deposit you have already paid). So if your tuition is £18,000 and you have already paid a £2,000 deposit, you need to show the remaining £16,000 plus the maintenance amount together in your bank account.

Let me give you a real example. Suppose you are going to a university outside London and your tuition is £18,000 with a £2,000 deposit paid:

Remaining tuition: £16,000
Maintenance: £10,539
Total you must show: £26,539 (approximately ₹32.2 lakh)

This is a significant sum, and many families underestimate it.

The 28-Day Rule — This Is Where Many Applications Fail

This is the rule that trips up more Indian students than any other, and I want to be very direct about it.

The money — the full amount covering tuition balance and maintenance — must be sitting in your bank account (or your parents’ account) for at least 28 consecutive days before you apply for your visa.

Not 25 days. Not 20 days. 28 consecutive days, without interruption.

If your balance dips below the required amount on even one day during those 28 days, your application can be refused. Bank statements showing even a single day below the threshold have been used as grounds for rejection.

My advice: once you know you are going to apply, transfer the full amount into one account and leave it untouched for at least 30 to 32 days to give yourself a buffer. Do not pay bills from that account, do not withdraw cash from it, do not let any automatic deduction touch it during those 28 days.

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) — A Major New Increase

This is the cost that has shocked many families in 2026, and I think it deserves serious attention.

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a fee you pay upfront to access the UK National Health Service (NHS) while you are a student. It used to be £470 per year. As of April 2025, it increased to £776 per year.

That is a 65% increase.

For a 2-year postgraduate course, you will now pay £1,552 in IHS alone. For a 3-year undergraduate course, that is £2,328. This must be paid at the time of your visa application — you cannot defer it.

Combined with the visa application fee of £524 (increased from £490 in April 2025), the upfront non-refundable costs of just getting the visa are now substantial.

A quick summary of the visa-related costs you must budget:

Visa application fee: £524
IHS: £776 per year of your course
Tuberculosis (TB) test in India: approximately ₹3,000 to ₹5,000 (required for all applicants from India)
Document translation and attestation if applicable: varies

None of these costs are refunded if your visa is refused, so a strong application is not just about your dreams — it is about protecting your money too.

Do You Need to Show Funds in Your Name or Your Parents’ Name?

Many families ask me this. The answer is: both are acceptable.

If the funds are in your parents’ account, you can use their bank statements. However, you must submit a letter from your parents confirming they are financially sponsoring your studies, and the bank statements must clearly be in their names.

If the funds are spread across multiple accounts, you can combine them — but the combined total must meet the requirement, and the 28-day rule applies to all accounts simultaneously. Each account must maintain its portion of the funds for the full 28 days.

IELTS Score for Your UK Student Visa

Since I am already covering everything you need, let me add one more important point. Your UK student visa requires proof of English language ability. Most universities ask for an IELTS score of:

6.0 to 6.5 overall for undergraduate courses
6.5 to 7.0 overall for postgraduate courses
No individual band below 5.5 for the visa itself (though universities usually set higher band requirements)

Top universities like Oxford and Cambridge require 7.0 to 7.5 overall, with no individual band below 7.0.

Check your specific university’s requirements carefully. Do not assume that meeting the visa minimum is enough — the university’s academic requirement is often higher.

Timeline for Your 2026 Application

If you are targeting the September 2026 intake, here is the timeline I recommend:

Now (May 2026): Confirm your university offer letter (CAS — Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies)
By end of May: Transfer the required funds into one account and begin the 28-day clock
June 2026: Submit your visa application as soon as the 28 days are complete
July-August 2026: Attend your biometrics appointment and await decision

The UK typically processes most student visa applications within 3 weeks. But with high demand in the summer season, apply as early as you can.

My Final Advice

The UK remains one of my top recommendations for Indian students, especially for postgraduate studies. The 1 to 2 year duration, world-class universities, and strong post-study work visa (Graduate Route — 2 years for most graduates, 3 years for PhD) make it excellent value despite the higher upfront costs.

But go in prepared. Know your numbers. Have your funds in place well before you apply. And do not underestimate the IHS — I have seen too many families scramble to arrange that extra money at the last moment.

If you need help calculating the exact amount for your situation, or reviewing your financial documents before you submit, that is exactly the kind of thing I help with.

Not sure what to do next? Book a free consultation and I will create a personalised plan for you.