UK Visas: What changes are there to student and graduate visas?

At the appeal stage, the bank statement still only proved that sufficient funds were held for 27 days. A 2014 public decision by the UK Upper Tribunal, IA/01615/2014, recorded that a student applied for a visa extension, but the documents were one day short of the required 28 days. This was one of the reasons the application did not meet the requirements, and the case also involved issues regarding English language proof. The old case reminds us that the amount of money in the account and how long it was maintained need to be verified separately.

As of October 14, 2026, there is one published change point for student funding requirements and one for the duration of graduate permits.

When will the student visa funds be increased?

Starting from November 30, 2026. The revised HC 584 document published by Home Office clearly states the APP ST8 to ST10 and implementation arrangements: applications submitted previously will continue to be processed under the old rules. For general student applicants who need to meet the living expense fund requirements, the amounts are as follows.

According to the current "Immigration Rules" Appendix Student ST 12.3, the living expenses can be calculated for a maximum of 9 months. According to the new standards, it is £14,130 in London and £10,827 outside London, an increase of £369 and £288 compared to the old standards, respectively. The above is only for living expenses; the total funds must also include the unpaid tuition fees listed in CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance of Study); any paid tuition should be confirmed by CAS or the school receipt.

Whether to use which amount depends on the application date; CAS issued earlier does not mean it is fixed under the old standard.

Has the money arrived? Can I submit it now?

When using a regular bank deposit certificate to prove funds, the requirement of 28 consecutive days also applies. According to the UKVI "Guidance on Student Funds Proof," the end date of the latest proof submitted should be calculated backward, and the proof date should not exceed 31 days from the application date. If the previous balance only met the old threshold and the difference was added on the day of submission, it would not be possible to prove that the new amount has been held for 28 days. During verification, the minimum balance throughout the entire period needs to be checked, not just the number on the day the bank certificate was issued. For student loans or official funding that meets the requirements, there are separate methods of proof, and the deposit holding period does not need to be mechanically applied.

My judgment is: those whose submission time may cross November 30, 2026, should ensure sufficient funds are set aside from the start according to the new amount.

Another deduction that is easy to miss: ST 12.4 allows deduction of the deposit paid to the guaranteeing school for accommodation arranged by the school. HC 584 synchronously increased the deduction limit from £1,529 to £1,570. The deposit paid directly to a private landlord does not apply to this provision, and the school accommodation fees cannot be deducted without limits. Separating the payment records of tuition and accommodation fees will make the calculation much clearer.

Can I stay for two more years after graduation?

Sure, but there is an application deadline. The current "Immigration Rules" Appendix Graduate GR 8.1 has specified:

Applications for non-PhD candidates who submit before December 31, 2026, are eligible for a two-year period; applications submitted on or after January 1, 2027, will be eligible for 18 months. PhD or other doctoral-level qualifications remain three years. The eligibility level is determined by the date of the Graduate application. Obtaining a Student permit earlier or enrolling earlier will not automatically retain the two-year level. Approved two-year permits will not be automatically shortened solely due to this change.

Do I also need to save for another 28 days for the graduate transfer?

No need to copy the student deposit requirements. Home Office "Graduate Case Guidance" clearly states that this route does not have this financial threshold.

Graduates applying should verify the eligible program, the requirement of study in the UK, and whether the institution has already reported to Home Office that the course was successfully completed; applicants must be in the UK and submit the application before the student visa expires. After the institution completes the reporting, there is no need to wait for the graduation ceremony or to obtain a physical degree certificate before applying. In the preparation phase, request the institution for confirmation of the reporting, which is more relevant than using the previous student visa deposit list. The application fee and immigration health surcharge still need to be prepared separately; exemption from proof of living costs does not mean the application is free.

This document is for reference only. For specific issues, please consult a licensed attorney.

[Data source] Home Office HC 584; current Appendix for Student and Graduate in the Immigration Rules; UKVI Guidance on Student Financial Evidence and Graduate Case Handling. Case reference see case number at the beginning of the text.

1. Mark the expected application date, corresponding to the changes on November 30, 2026 and January 1, 2027.
2. When applying for a Student visa, calculate the unpaid tuition fees, applicable living expenses and accommodation deductions, then check the funds proof coverage period.
3. Confirm with the school the reporting status of completing the course, and verify the student license expiration date.

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