International students hoping to start courses in the United Kingdom face a higher financial hurdle from next week. A notice published by King’s College London on 6 November 2025 confirms that, from 11 November, the Home Office is lifting the required personal maintenance funds for a Student-route visa to £1,529 per month (up from £1,334) for up to nine months. Applicants on longer courses will therefore need to show bank evidence of at least £13,761, in addition to any outstanding tuition fees.
The increase, tied to annual inflation in London living-cost data, affects all new applications made outside or inside the UK. Students who have already submitted applications or whose biometric appointments take place before 11 November are not affected. Universities have been advised to update offer-letters, CAS statements and pre-departure briefings immediately.
![UK raises Student-visa maintenance funds and shortens Graduate Route]()
At the same time, the government confirmed that the popular Graduate Route will be cut from two years to 18 months (except for PhD graduates, who keep three years) for applications made on or after 1 January 2027. Officials argue that most graduates secure skilled employment or leave the UK within 18 months, but employers in fintech, creative industries and advanced research warn that the shorter window will make it harder to convert interns to Skilled Worker sponsorship in time.
For corporate mobility managers, the higher proof-of-funds requirement will raise the cost of sponsoring interns and sandwich-placement students, while the shorter Graduate Route will compress recruitment timetables and increase demand for Skilled Worker Certificates of Sponsorship in 2026. Firms are urged to audit budgets for Tier 4 dependants, refresh induction materials and encourage early pipeline planning for high-potential hires.
International students already in the UK do not need to top-up funds retrospectively, but those extending visas—for example to add a work placement year—will face the higher level. Universities have begun targeted webinars and hardship-fund signposting to mitigate last-minute refusals.
The increase, tied to annual inflation in London living-cost data, affects all new applications made outside or inside the UK. Students who have already submitted applications or whose biometric appointments take place before 11 November are not affected. Universities have been advised to update offer-letters, CAS statements and pre-departure briefings immediately.
At the same time, the government confirmed that the popular Graduate Route will be cut from two years to 18 months (except for PhD graduates, who keep three years) for applications made on or after 1 January 2027. Officials argue that most graduates secure skilled employment or leave the UK within 18 months, but employers in fintech, creative industries and advanced research warn that the shorter window will make it harder to convert interns to Skilled Worker sponsorship in time.
For corporate mobility managers, the higher proof-of-funds requirement will raise the cost of sponsoring interns and sandwich-placement students, while the shorter Graduate Route will compress recruitment timetables and increase demand for Skilled Worker Certificates of Sponsorship in 2026. Firms are urged to audit budgets for Tier 4 dependants, refresh induction materials and encourage early pipeline planning for high-potential hires.
International students already in the UK do not need to top-up funds retrospectively, but those extending visas—for example to add a work placement year—will face the higher level. Universities have begun targeted webinars and hardship-fund signposting to mitigate last-minute refusals.
