Three African countries—Botswana, Mauritius, and Tunisia—are exempt from submitting proof of funds when applying for a UK Student Visa, according to updated guidance from the United Kingdom government. Nationals of these countries can apply without providing financial evidence upfront, although UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) may still request proof during the application process. The exemption only applies to the submission of evidence at the application stage; applicants must still meet the UK’s financial requirements for studying in the country.
Exempt African Countries
The African nations currently listed as exempt from upfront proof of funds are:
- Botswana
- Mauritius
- Tunisia
No other African countries are included. Nigerian applicants, for example, must continue to provide evidence showing they have enough money to cover tuition fees and living expenses.
Full List of Exempt Countries Worldwide
In addition to the three African nations, the UK government exempts many other countries from submitting financial evidence upfront. The complete list includes:
Europe
- Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
Americas
- Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Peru, United States
Asia and Middle East
- Bahrain, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, United Arab Emirates
Oceania
- Australia, New Zealand
Financial Requirements for Non-Exempt Applicants
Applicants who are not exempt (including those from most African countries) must provide evidence of sufficient funds to cover:
- Tuition fees for their course
- Living expenses while studying in the UK
- Additional costs for dependants, where applicable
The required living funds are set at £1,529 per month for up to nine months for students studying in London, and £1,171 per month for up to nine months for those studying outside London. Applicants must typically show that the required funds have been held for at least 28 consecutive days, with evidence dated within 31 days of the visa application.
Other UK Student Visa Conditions
Beyond financial evidence, all Student Visa applicants must provide:
- A valid passport or travel document
- A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed UK education provider
- Proof of English language ability where required
- Evidence of academic qualifications
- Tuberculosis test results, if applicable
- A visa application fee and immigration health surcharge payment
The UK government emphasises that the exemption based on nationality does not remove the requirement for students to genuinely meet the financial conditions of the Student Visa route. All applicants, regardless of exemption status, must ensure they can support themselves and pay for their studies throughout their stay in the UK.
