The policy allows eligible applicants to submit their initial visa applications without documentary proof of funds. However, the arrangement does not exempt them from meeting the UK's financial requirements, as UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) may still request evidence of their finances before deciding on an application.
According to the UK government, the differential evidence requirement is a documentary exemption rather than a waiver of the financial rules.
“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 guidance states.
Countries currently covered by the policy include 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, among others.
Nigerian applicants, however, are not included in the differential evidence scheme. This means students applying from Nigeria are generally expected to be prepared to provide financial evidence as part of their Student visa application.
Despite the documentary exemption, eligible applicants must still demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to cover their tuition fees for one academic year, as stated on their Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), as well as their living expenses.
Under the current financial requirements, students studying in London must show that they have £1,529 per month for living costs for up to nine months. Those studying outside London are required to demonstrate access to £1,171 per month for the same period.
This amounts to a maximum maintenance requirement of £13,761 for students in London and £10,539 for those studying elsewhere in the UK, excluding tuition fees.
The UK government also states that international students who have lived in the UK with valid immigration permission for at least 12 months immediately before applying for a Student visa are not required to provide financial evidence.
The current financial thresholds followed an increase introduced on January 2, 2025, when the UK raised the amount international students are required to demonstrate they have available for living expenses. It was the first revision to the maintenance requirement since 2020.
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