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UK, Canada or Australia: Student Visa Funds Compared

· By Little Launch

Three countries, three different ways of asking the same question: can you pay for this course and live on it?

The amounts below are from published guidance, and every one of them belongs to a specific cycle. Confirm the current figures on the official pages before you rely on any of them.

Quick answer

How much money do student visas require?

Each country sets its own financial evidence rules, and each changes over time. The UK requires money for course fees plus a monthly maintenance amount that depends on where you study, generally held for 28 consecutive days [1]. Canada requires proof of funds for tuition, living costs and transportation, usually alongside a provincial or territorial attestation letter [2]. Australia's subclass 500 requires financial capacity covering travel, 12 months of course fees, living costs and school costs for accompanying school-age children [3]. Confirm every figure on the official page, with its cycle and the date you checked.

Key takeaways

  • All three countries require financial evidence, and all three change the rules between cycles [1] [2] [3].
  • UK maintenance depends on study location, and funds generally must have been held for 28 consecutive days [1].
  • Canada usually needs a PAL or TAL as well as funds for tuition, living costs and transportation [2].
  • Australia's subclass 500 covers travel, 12 months of fees, living costs and dependants' school costs [3].
  • This is information, not immigration or legal advice — official authorities decide your case [1] [2] [3].

The three systems side by side

The UK figures below were read directly from the GOV.UK student visa money page on 14 October 2026. The Canadian and Australian requirements are described in general terms because those figures were not confirmed in the same check — open the official page and use the numbers you find there. All three change, so note the cycle and the date whenever you look.

  • UK Student visa — maintenance set at £1,529 per month for up to 9 months for courses in London, and £1,171 per month for up to 9 months for courses outside London, in addition to course fees. Funds must have been held for at least 28 days in a row, and the end of that 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date you apply [1]
  • Canada study permit — proof of funds for tuition, living expenses and transportation; a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL or TAL) is generally required and is usually obtained through your school after accepting an offer [2]
  • Australia subclass 500 — evidence of funds for travel, 12 months of course fees, living costs, and school costs for accompanying school-age children where relevant; applicants must show that studying in Australia is their primary reason for applying [3]

Why applications get refused

Most refusals are not about luck. They come from documents that do not add up, or from a study plan the officer cannot follow.

  • Financial documents that are inconsistent or unexplained
  • Funds that appear suddenly without a credible source
  • A course choice that does not match your academic or career history
  • Being unable to explain why you chose this programme
  • Missing or expired documents
  • Misunderstanding work or dependant rules
  • Applying too close to the intake date

Notice that almost all of these are about evidence and clarity, not about money being available in the abstract.

Staying inside the rules

Student visas often come with conditions — enrollment, course progression, address notification, health insurance and visa duration — and breaching them can affect later applications.

Always check the official page

Scholarship funding does not replace visa financial evidence. They are separate requirements from separate authorities.

Sources

  1. Student visa: financial requirements and proof of fundsOFFICIAL — UK Visas and Immigration (GOV.UK)https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/moneyLink checked 2026-10-14
  2. Study permit: proof of funds and provincial or territorial attestationOFFICIAL — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canadahttps://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit.html
  3. Student visa (subclass 500): genuine student requirement and financial capacityOFFICIAL — Australian Department of Home Affairshttps://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500Link checked 2026-10-14

Check your own country's official page this week, and write the date next to what you read.

Scholarship rules, deadlines, funding amounts and eligibility change every cycle and differ by country, university and programme. Every award must be confirmed on its own official call page before you spend money or time on it.

These articles are general information about finding and applying for funding. They are not legal, immigration or financial advice, they do not describe any award as open or available, and they cannot guarantee selection. Only the scholarship body can decide your eligibility.

This article has not been fact-checked against a scholarship body yet. Every rule, deadline and funding figure must be confirmed on the award's own official page before you rely on it.

AuthorLittle Launch

Editorial reviewNot yet checked against a scholarship body

Last updated

Published

Questions people ask

How much money do I need for a UK student visa?

The published GOV.UK guidance sets maintenance at £1,529 per month for up to 9 months for courses in London, and £1,171 per month for up to 9 months for courses outside London, in addition to course fees. We read that page on 14 October 2026 — check it again before you apply, because these amounts change [1].

What is a PAL or TAL for Canada?

A Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter confirms you have a space within that province's study permit allocation. In most cases it is obtained through your school after accepting an offer [2].

What does Australia ask for on a subclass 500?

Financial capacity for travel, 12 months of course fees, living costs and school costs for accompanying school-age children, plus evidence that studying in Australia is your primary reason for applying [3].

Which country has the easiest student visa?

No country has an easy one. Decisions depend on genuine study intent, complete documentation, sufficient funds, academic history and compliance with that country's immigration rules.

Does a scholarship cover my visa funds requirement?

They are separate requirements from separate bodies. A scholarship award does not normally satisfy a visa financial evidence rule, and only the official authority decides.

Is this immigration advice?

No. It summarises published information for general awareness. For your case, go to the official immigration authority or embassy.

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