The UK government has updated financial requirements for individuals applying for student, tourist, or work visas in 2025.
With changes to the cost of living and inflation, these updates aim to ensure applicants can meet the financial demands of residing in the UK.
The adjustments affect students, tourists, workers, and families planning to live or visit the country in the upcoming year.
The financial guidelines for 2025 have been revised to reflect the country’s economic conditions, with significant changes in living cost requirements and visa application fees.
Applicants will need to plan accordingly to meet these updated financial conditions when applying for various visa categories, including student, work, and family visas.
Increased living costs for students
For 2025, the living cost requirements for UK student visas have increased, DAAD Scholarship informs. Applicants planning to study in London must show a minimum of £1,400 per month for living expenses, up from £1,334 in 2024.
Those studying outside London will need to demonstrate £1,100 per month, up from £1,023. These funds are required to cover living costs for up to nine months.
In addition to proving the ability to cover living costs, students must also show they have enough funds to pay for their first year’s course fees. This amount must be shown in a bank statement, which must cover a consecutive 28-day period and not be older than 31 days from the visa application date.
Higher visa application fees
Visa application fees for 2025 have seen a slight increase across several categories.
The fee for a standard student visa for those outside the UK has risen from £490 to £510, while the fee for a visit visa for stays of up to six months has increased from £115 to £120.
Longer-term visit visas have also experienced fee hikes, with the two-year visa now costing £420, up from £400 in 2024. Other categories, such as the priority visa service, now cost £550, an increase of £50.
Financial guidelines for tourist and work visas
For 2025, the UK government has set more detailed financial requirements for visitors applying for tourist visas. Although no fixed amount is required, applicants must demonstrate that they have enough funds to cover their trip, including accommodation, transport, and daily expenses.
- For extended stays, visa officials will scrutinize applicants’ financial documentation more thoroughly.
- For work visas, the requirements vary by visa type. Skilled Worker Visa applicants must show £1,270 to support themselves unless their employer provides certification of financial support.
Applicants for the Global Talent Visa do not have specific financial requirements but must prove they can cover initial living expenses. Health and Care Worker Visa applicants are exempt from minimum financial requirements if their employer provides sponsorship.
Family visa financial requirements
Family visas have also undergone revisions in 2025. Partners and spouses applying for a family visa must now demonstrate a combined annual income of at least £29,000.
- However, applicants may be exempt from this requirement if they or their partner receive certain disability or carer benefits. For children, the requirement is an additional £3,800 per year for the first child and £2,400 for each additional child.
- Applicants can also use savings to meet the financial threshold, provided they comply with specific documentation rules. Those who fail to meet the income requirement may still qualify for a visa under certain conditions, such as having a British or Irish child in the UK or if denying the application would breach human rights.
These changes reflect a continued focus on ensuring applicants can financially support their stay in the UK. As the cost of living rises, these financial adjustments are designed to provide clearer guidelines for visa applicants in 2025.