Planning to study, visit, or work in the UK in 2026? You’ve come to the right place. The financial requirements for UK visas continue to be a make-or-break part of most applications, and the UK has updated several key figures to better reflect real living costs and the current fee structure. Whether you’re a student budgeting for London, a tourist preparing a short trip, or a professional moving on a sponsored job, understanding these numbers (and how UKVI checks them) is critical for a smooth application.
Some of the most important updates now relevant for 2026 include higher monthly living-cost funds for Student visas (now £1,529/month in London and £1,171/month outside London), updated standard visitor visa fees, and clearer wording around work-route maintenance funds (including the familiar £1,270 maintenance amount and dependent add-ons in sponsored/endorsed routes).
This article will walk you through:
Funds requirements for UK Student Visa – including living costs and tuition funds.
Funds requirements for UK Visit/Tourist Visa – focusing on how to demonstrate financial stability for travel.
Funds requirements for UK Work Visa – covering major categories like Skilled Worker, Global Talent, and Health and Care Worker visas.
We’ll also highlight key visa fees for 2026 and break down the financial requirements for UK family visas, so you’re fully prepared before you apply.
Financial Requirements: for UK Study, Visit, Work Visa in 2026
Following 3 sections will provide you complete insight on financial requirement to apply for British student, tourist, or work visas in 2026:
1# Funds Requirement for UK Student Visa for 2026
For 2026, the financial requirements for a UK Student Visa reflect updated UKVI maintenance levels. If you’ll be studying in London, you must now show £1,529 per month (for up to 9 months). If you’ll be studying outside London, you must show £1,171 per month (for up to 9 months). These funds are designed to prove you can cover your living expenses during your stay in the UK.
In addition to living costs, applicants must also demonstrate total funds that include the first year’s course fees (as shown on your CAS) combined with the living-cost funds for up to 9 months. This ensures you’re financially prepared for both tuition and daily expenses.
To meet the bank statement requirement, you must show the required funds were maintained for a consecutive 28-day period, and the end date of that 28-day period must be within 31 days of your visa application date. This is one of the most commonly rejected areas, so it’s worth double-checking your statement dates before submission.
2# Funds Requirement for UK Visit/Tourist Visa for 2026
No Fixed Amount: UKVI still does not publish one universal “minimum bank balance” for Standard Visitor visas. Instead, applicants must show they can realistically afford their trip, including flights, accommodation, transport, and day-to-day expenses, without relying on public funds or suspicious last-minute deposits.
For 2026, the practical expectation remains the same: your documents should prove financial stability and match your travel plan (trip length, hotel cost, itinerary, and ties back home). Also note: depending on nationality, you may need a visa, an ETA, or neither—so always check what applies before preparing your fee and documents.
3# Funds Requirement for UK Work Visa for 2026
Skilled Worker Visa: In most cases, applicants need to show £1,270 to support themselves—unless they’re exempt (for example, they’ve already been in the UK for 12+ months with valid permission) or their sponsor certifies maintenance/support. If dependants are applying, the typical additional maintenance amounts are £285 for a partner, £315 for the first child, and £200 for each additional child (on top of the main applicant funds).
Global Talent Visa: There is no single fixed “maintenance amount” presented in the same way as many sponsored work routes. Practically, you should still be prepared to demonstrate you can cover initial costs such as rent, transport, and living expenses after arrival, especially if your situation requires extra scrutiny.
Health and Care Worker Visa: Applicants generally must have £1,270 in their bank account for at least 28 days, with day 28 falling within 31 days of applying—unless exempt (for example, the employer certifies support or the applicant has already been in the UK for 12 months on a valid visa).
Changes Made for 2026 in Comparison to 2025
Here is a side-by-side comparison of the changes in UK visa financial requirements for 2026 vs. 2025 presented in an organized table:
| CATEGORY OF EXPENSES | 2025 | 2026 | CHANGE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Visa – Living Costs | |||
| London (per month) | £1,400 | £1,529 | +£129 |
| Outside London (per month) | £1,100 | £1,171 | +£71 |
| Visa Application Fees | |||
| Student Visa (Outside UK) | £510 | £524 | +£14 |
| Visit Visa (Up to 6 months) | £120 | £127 | +£7 |
| Long-term Visit Visa (2 years) | £420 | £475 | +£55 |
| Long-term Visit Visa (5 years) | £810 | £848 | +£38 |
| Long-term Visit Visa (10 years) | £990 | £1,059 | +£69 |
| Optional Premium Services | |||
| Priority Visa Service | £550 | £500 | -£50 |
| Super Priority Visa Service | Up to £1,050 | £1,000 | -£50 |
| Dependents’ Financial Requirements | Less defined | Clearer guidance (maintenance add-ons widely published) | Improved clarity |
| Digital Submission | Limited | Enhanced online systems (varies by route/nationality) | More streamlined process |
UK Visa Visa Application Processing Fee Charges in 2026
The British visa application fees shown below are example USD amounts generated through the official Home Office fee calculator for UAE (USD totals can differ by country due to exchange rate policy):
| CATEGORY OF UK VISA | VISA TYPE (LONG, SHORT, MED, ETC) | FEE (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Visit | Short-term (6 months, single or multiple entry) | $178 |
| Longer-term (up to 2 years) | $665 | |
| Longer-term (up to 5 years) | $1,186 | |
| Longer-term (up to 10 years) | $1,482 | |
| Visiting academic (6–12 months) | $308 | |
| Marriage visitor visa | $178 | |
| Private medical treatment (6–11 months) | $308 | |
| Chinese tour group visit | $178 | |
| Study | Short-term English study (6–11 months) | $299 |
| Student (main applicant and dependants) | $733 | |
| Child Student | $733 | |
| Transit | Direct Airside Transit (DATV) | $55 |
| Visitor in Transit visa | $98 | |
| Crew member joining ship or aircraft | $98 | |
| Parent of Student Child Visa | Parent of a Student child (up to 12 months) | $954 |
| Child Visitor | Short-term (6 months, single or multiple entry) | $178 |
| Longer-term (up to 2 years) | $665 | |
| Longer-term (up to 5 years) | $1,186 | |
| Longer-term (up to 10 years) | $1,482 |
Financial Requirements for UK Family Visas in 2026
Family visas allow individuals to join their loved ones in the UK, offering pathways to apply, extend, or switch their visa depending on circumstances. A critical part of the family visa application process is meeting the financial requirement, which varies depending on your route, whether you’re extending under transitional rules, and whether exemptions apply. Here’s a clear breakdown for 2026:
| CATEGORY OF EXPENSE (2026) | DETAILS OF EXPENSES |
|---|---|
| Minimum Income Requirement | Applicants applying as a partner or spouse usually must show a combined annual income of £29,000. |
| Exemptions to Minimum Income | You may not need to meet the minimum income requirement if your partner receives certain disability or carer benefits, or if you’re extending under transitional rules from a first partner application before 11 April 2024. |
| Disability or Carer Benefits Exempting Income Requirements | Examples include: Disability Living Allowance, Severe Disablement Allowance, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Armed Forces Independence Payment/Guaranteed Income Payment, Police Injury Pension, and related equivalents listed in guidance. |
| Additional Income for Children | This applies when you must show extra money for children under transitional rules: £3,800/year for the first child and £2,400/year for each additional child after the first. |
| Income Cap for Children | If the total income you’d need because of children would exceed £29,000, you only need to prove you meet the £29,000 cap. |
| Excluded Children from Income Requirements | You do not need to show extra money for children who are British or Irish citizens, have pre-settled status, or are permanently settled in the UK (and some EU/EEA situations may be treated differently depending on the route). |
| Using Savings to Meet Financial Requirements | Applicants may be able to use savings instead of income in some cases—documentation must match the evidence rules. |
| Failing to Meet Financial Requirements | Applicants may still qualify in limited circumstances (for example, if refusal would breach human rights, or there is a child in the UK meeting specific conditions). If financial requirements cannot be met, the earliest settlement route may be after 10 years. |
| Required Evidence and Documentation | Typical evidence includes bank statements/savings evidence, employer letters/proof of income, and documents proving dependents’ status (birth certificates, status evidence, etc.) |
References
- https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/money
- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/financial-evidence-for-student-and-child-student-route-applicants
- https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/apply-standard-visitor-visa
- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/financial-evidence-for-sponsored-or-endorsed-work-routes
- https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-partner-and-children