UK Student Visa 2026: How Much Money Kenyan Students Need to Prove
Kenyan students applying for UK student visas must show they have enough money to cover their tuition fees and living costs, with specific financial requirements applying to applicants from Kenya.
The amount required for tuition is stated on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) issued by the student’s institution. Applicants must also show they can cover their living expenses for up to nine months.
Students studying in London must demonstrate funds of £1,529 a month, or £13,761 for nine months. Those studying outside London must show £1,171 a month, totalling £10,539 over the same period. These amounts are separate from tuition fees.
Students travelling with dependants must show additional funds for each family member. Boarding students at independent schools are subject to a different calculation, with the required amount stated on their CAS.
The funds must have been held continuously for at least 28 days. The final day of that 28-day period must be within 31 days of the visa application. This means applicants cannot rely on a last-minute deposit to meet the financial requirement.
Some applicants are exempt from providing financial evidence with their initial application. These include students who have held a UK visa for at least 12 months, student union sabbatical officers, British Nationals (Overseas), and citizens of countries covered by the UK’s differential evidence requirement.
Kenya is not included in the list of countries covered by the differential evidence requirement. Kenyan students must therefore be prepared to provide financial documents as part of their visa applications. Even applicants who qualify for an exemption may later be asked to provide evidence, so keeping the relevant documents available is advisable.
Loans and official sponsorships can be used to meet the financial requirement in place of personal bank statements, provided they meet the applicable rules. Applicants must ensure that their evidence clearly demonstrates that the required funds are available.
Meeting the financial requirement does not guarantee that a visa will be approved. However, failing to provide the required evidence can result in an otherwise eligible application being refused.
