Citizens of Botswana, Mauritius and Tunisia can apply under the UK student visa funds exemption, allowing them to initially omit financial documents from their applications.
According to Vanguard, the United Kingdom government confirmed the three African countries among those covered by its differential evidence requirement for Student visa applicants.
The arrangement does not remove the financial requirement itself. Eligible applicants must still have enough money to pay their tuition fees and living expenses throughout the required period.
UK Visas and Immigration may also request bank statements or other financial documents before reaching a decision. Applicants must therefore keep the required evidence available even when they do not submit it initially.
The UK government described the policy as a documentary exemption rather than a complete waiver of the financial rules.
“Applicants covered by the differential evidence requirement may still be asked by UK Visas and Immigration to provide evidence of their finances before a decision is made on their application,” the guidance stated.
African countries covered by the exemption
Botswana, Mauritius and Tunisia are the African countries listed under the differential evidence arrangement.
Other eligible countries include Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
Applicants from these countries can usually complete their Student visa applications without uploading financial evidence at the initial stage.
However, UKVI can request the documents when conducting additional checks. Failure to provide satisfactory evidence after such a request could affect the application.
Nigeria excluded from UK student visa funds scheme
Nigeria does not appear on the list of countries covered by the differential evidence requirement.
Nigerian students must therefore prepare the required financial documents when applying for a UK Student visa. They should also ensure that the funds meet the applicable holding period and account requirements.
The exclusion does not prevent Nigerians from obtaining Student visas. It simply means that they do not receive the same documentary concession available to applicants from Botswana, Mauritius and Tunisia.
Applicants must show that they can pay any outstanding tuition fees for one academic year. The amount usually appears on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies issued by the educational institution.
They must also satisfy the maintenance requirement covering their living expenses in the United Kingdom.
Financial requirements remain in place
Students attending institutions in London must demonstrate access to £1,529 per month for up to nine months.
This places the maximum maintenance requirement for London-based students at £13,761, excluding tuition fees.
Those studying outside London must show £1,171 per month for the same nine-month period. Their maximum maintenance requirement is therefore £10,539, excluding tuition.
These amounts represent the money applicants need for accommodation, food, transportation and other essential living costs while studying.
Even applicants covered by the UK student visa funds exemption must meet these thresholds. The policy only allows them to avoid submitting the evidence unless UKVI later asks for it.
Some applicants exempt after 12 months in UK
International students who have lived legally in the United Kingdom for at least 12 months before submitting a new Student visa application may not need to provide financial evidence.
The concession applies regardless of nationality, provided the applicant meets the residence and immigration conditions stated in the guidance.
The current maintenance figures took effect on January 2, 2025. The adjustment marked the first increase in the required living-cost amounts since 2020.
Prospective students have been advised to review the latest official guidance before applying, as financial thresholds and documentary requirements can change.
