The UK government has announced several immigration rule changes that will affect international students and other people coming to the UK. The changes were published in Statement of Changes HC 584 on 3 September 2026, with different measures coming into effect from October to November.
For students, the main changes relate to financial requirements, Erasmus+ and visitor activities.
Student maintenance requirement to increase
International students applying for a UK Student visa will need to show more money for living costs from 30 November 2026.
The monthly maintenance amounts will increase to:
£1,570 per month for students studying in London
£1,203 per month for students studying outside London
Students may need to show funds for up to nine months, depending on their course.
Students planning to apply for a UK Student visa should check the financial requirement that applies on the date of their application and make sure they have enough funds for the required period.
Erasmus+ changes will support more study and training activities
The UK is set to associate with Erasmus+ from 2027, following an agreement between the UK and EU.
The updated immigration rules will support certain Erasmus+ activities in the UK, including:
Traineeships of up to 30 days
Job shadowing
Training
Courses
Sports coaching and training
Certain school-based activities
These changes are relevant to students and recent graduates taking part in eligible Erasmus+ opportunities in the UK.
Some visitor activities will have updated rules
The new rules also clarify activities that visitors can undertake in the UK. These include certain training and courses, as well as Erasmus+ activities.
Students planning a short-term visit for a course, training programme or other educational activity should check whether the activity is permitted under the relevant visitor rules before travelling.
Key dates for students
International students should keep these dates in mind:
8 October 2026: Most of the announced immigration rule changes take effect.
30 November 2026: New Student visa maintenance requirements take effect.
Students applying for a UK visa should check the latest Home Office guidance before submitting an application, as the rules and financial requirements can depend on the date and type of application.
Students planning to study in the UK in late 2026 or from 2027 should:
Check the Student visa financial requirements before applying.
Make sure they can show the required funds for the relevant period.
Check whether their course or activity falls under the updated Erasmus+ or visitor rules.
Check the latest UK immigration guidance before making travel or visa arrangements.
Allow enough time to prepare the required documents.
With 14+ years of experience supporting students with UK university applications, AHZ keeps you updated on important UK immigration and education changes. Follow AHZ for the latest updates, guidance and useful information to help you plan your UK study journey.