Botswana, Mauritius, and Tunisia have been listed among a group of nations whose citizens can apply for a UK Student visa without having to submit proof of funds upfront, under the UK’s differential evidence requirement. The arrangement means eligible students will not be required to provide documentary evidence of their finances when submitting their Student visa applications, an update by the government has said. However, applicants must still meet the UK’s financial requirements, and UKVI can request evidence during the application process if necessary. What they are saying
According to the UK Government, applicants covered by the differential evidence requirement may still be asked by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to provide evidence of their finances before a decision is made on their application. The UK Government’s current list covers dozens of countries and territories, including Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Mauritius, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. Unlike nationals of Botswana, Mauritius and Tunisia, Nigerian students applying for a UK Student visa are not covered by the differential evidence requirement and therefore generally need to be prepared to provide financial evidence if requested as part of their application. How much money do UK students normally need?
Students who are required to demonstrate their finances must show they have enough money to cover their course fees for one academic year, as stated on their Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), as well as their living expenses. For living costs, the requirement is:
£1,529 per month for students studying in London, for up to nine months. £1,171 per month for students studying outside London, for up to nine months. This amounts to a maximum maintenance requirement of £13,761 in London or £10,539 outside London, excluding tuition fees. The differential evidence arrangement is therefore best understood as a documentary exemption rather than a financial exemption.
Botswana, Mauritius and Tunisia nationals who qualify can apply without initially submitting evidence of their maintenance funds, but they must still be able to meet the financial requirement if UKVI asks for proof. The UK Government also states that applicants who have been living in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months before applying for a Student visa do not need to provide financial evidence. What you should know
Nairametrics recalled in 2024 that the UK increased the amount of money international students must demonstrate they have available for living expenses. The increase, which took effect from January 2, 2025, was the first adjustment to the financial requirement since 2020. Under the revised rules, international students applying for a UK Student visa must demonstrate sufficient funds to cover living expenses for up to nine months, with the amount depending on whether they will study in London or elsewhere in the UK. For students studying in London, the maintenance requirement was increased to £1,483 per month, while students studying outside London were required to demonstrate £1,136 per month, according to the figures applicable at the time.
