Key Takeaways
• From January 1, 2024, taught master’s students cannot bring dependents, except for PhD and full-research degree candidates.
• Financial Requirements rise January 2, 2025: £13,050 for London or £10,125 elsewhere for nine months’ living costs.
• As of April 9, 2025, UK student visa application fees increased; short-term visit visas now cost £127.
Recent updates to the UK student visa process have brought about important changes for international students planning to study in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧. These changes affect who can bring dependents, how much money you need to show when applying, and the cost of visa fees. If you are considering studying in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 or are already planning your application, it is essential to know about these developments for 2025.
The Home Office has expanded rules that restrict most students from bringing family members (dependents) when they come for their studies. The largest group affected are those undertaking postgraduate taught courses – for example, most one-year master’s programs. Starting January 1, 2024, most new students on these courses are not able to bring their spouse, partner, or children on their UK student visa. There are only a few exceptions: those doing full-time research-based postgraduate degrees, such as PhDs, and students fully sponsored by a national government for courses longer than six months may still bring dependents.
This shift was brought in to help lower the total number of people migrating to the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 and to address public concerns there was misuse of student visas, as some applicants were using short academic courses as a way for their families to settle. The government wants to make sure that the visa system encourages genuine study while also balancing pressures on housing and public funds.
So, what does this mean? If you plan to study a master’s degree where classes are mostly taught, you’ll now have to prepare for life in the UK 🇬🇧 alone unless you fit one of the very limited exceptions. VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that only PhD students (or those in a similar long-term research-based program) still have the right to bring their family with them under the standard student route. This clarification has brought disappointment for many, especially among mature students and couples where both partners are seeking academic progression.
“As of January 1st 2024… only certain students such as those in PhD programs… can bring dependants.”
—SpouseVisaLawyers.co.uk
What fits as a research-based degree? According to the government, this means programs where most of your time is spent doing original research, rather than attending classes – this usually covers PhDs or similar “level 8” research doctorates. Most taught master’s programs do not count unless the university clearly says it’s research-focused.
The Dependents Ban has led many to rethink when and how to apply for UK student visas, pushing some students to either consider longer research degrees or to plan for time away from their family.
Another critical change concerns the Financial Requirements. Effective January 2, 2025, all new applicants must show higher proof of funds before their student visa will be approved. The Home Office has increased the “maintenance funds” you must demonstrate to prove you can support yourself without help from public funds in the UK 🇬🇧.
The new financial requirements are:
- If studying in London: £1,450 per month (up from £1,334) for at least nine months, totaling £13,050.
- If studying outside London: £1,125 per month (up from £1,023) for at least nine months, totaling £10,125.
Remember, this sum is for your living costs alone. You also need to show you can pay your tuition fees, and if you are one of the few categories still allowed to bring dependents, you must have extra money for each dependent. If you apply for a UK student visa on or after January 2, 2025, you must meet these new higher numbers.
This increase is meant to make sure students have enough resources to live comfortably and not face problems with the high cost of living in the country, especially in places like London. The government says it also brings international student standards up to the same expectations set for domestic students.
April 9, 2025, saw another important change: the cost of UK student visa application fees went up. As of that date, the fee for a short-term visit visa rose from £115 to £127, and fees for student visas also increased by a similar amount. This means students need to plan carefully and check the latest fees when preparing their application, as costs can add up. Fee amounts can change with little notice, so always check the official UK government website for details.
As these financial requirements and higher fees come into play, both new and repeat applicants must budget more before their travel and course start dates. The timing of your visa application also matters: if you apply before January 2, 2025, you can still use the old rates; after that, the new numbers apply.
It’s not all bad news, however. Some existing UK 🇬🇧 immigration routes have not changed, and these offer hope to students wanting to extend their stay or work after graduation. The Graduate Route remains open for students who complete a qualifying degree – giving them two years (or three years for PhDs) of post-study work without restrictions based on dependent status. This provides a pathway for students to gain valuable work experience or transition to a longer-term Skilled Worker visa if they meet job and salary requirements (from April 9, 2025, the minimum salary is set at £25,000 per year).
Applicants who entered the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 as dependents of students have limited options to switch into other work visas from within the country, unless they qualify in their own right (for example, through employment or another visa class). This prevents people from using dependent status as a “back door” into permanent work immigration routes, which was a concern raised by policymakers.
“The majority of UK postgraduate programmes are relatively short-term… Therefore… impact is comparatively limited compared…”
—British Council India
This reflects the fact that, while the Dependents Ban is strict, many master’s-level programs only last around a year, so the practical effect may be less heavy than some feared – though for Indian students and other nationalities where family ties are strong, the move is still challenging.
Despite the higher costs and tighter rules, the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 continues to welcome large numbers of international students each year. More than 133,000 study visas were granted to Indian nationals in the most recent reporting year, showing steady demand and the continued strength of the UK 🇬🇧 as a destination. Universities are still recruiting worldwide, and alternative immigration pathways, such as the Graduate Route and sponsored work options, remain open.
If you are planning to study in the UK 🇬🇧 but are worried about not qualifying to bring your family, you may still consider:
- Research or PhD programs (the main way to bring dependents now)
- Securing government scholarship or sponsorship, which may allow dependents if the program is over six months
- The Graduate Route, after your course, which offers time to work and settle
- For family hoping to join you later, they could look into their own job offers under the Skilled Worker program or come for very short visits (though not as long-term residents)
It’s important to check rules directly from the official UK Visas & Immigration updates, as regulations can change frequently.
Here are answers to some common questions that students and their families may have about the current policies:
Q: Can my spouse or children join me if I study a taught MSc or master’s degree in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧?
A: If your course is not a full-time doctoral or research-based program – or you are not a fully sponsored government student – your family cannot accompany you under the UK student visa rules in 2025.
Q: My family is already with me in the UK 🇬🇧 on a dependent visa. Will these new rules force them to leave?
A: No, these rules mostly affect new visa applications. If your family is already present lawfully and you seek to extend or switch status, you may be allowed to do so, but it’s very important to confirm for your specific case before taking action.
Q: What is the new minimum money I need for my application?
A: Starting January 2, 2025, you must show at least £13,050 if studying in London, or £10,125 elsewhere (for nine months), plus all tuition and, where allowed, extra funds for each dependent. This is to meet the updated Financial Requirements.
Q: Does the Dependents Ban stop international students from coming to the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 at all?
A: No, but it does mean many will come on their own and need to plan for time apart from loved ones, unless pursuing research-based degrees.
Q: What if I want my family to join me later under a different visa?
A: Family members may be able to apply separately, for example if they secure a Skilled Worker job. Visitor visas can allow short stays, but do not permit residency or frequent travel during your studies.
Looking ahead, while these changes create more rules and higher barriers for some, especially for those with spouses and children, the UK 🇬🇧 still offers a wide range of study and work opportunities to international students. Doctoral candidates and government-sponsored students retain more options, and those who graduate still have the chance to work through the Graduate Route. Universities continue to offer guidance, and it remains crucial to always refer to official immigration sources for the most current requirements.
For those affected by the increased Financial Requirements, careful planning—well before submitting your visa application—is vital. Make sure your bank funds meet or exceed the new thresholds. Consider that costs continue to rise both in tuition and living expenses, especially in London.
Some voices in the university sector argue that the changes could hurt enrollments from overseas, especially among students who are older or married. At the same time, the government points to the United Kingdom’s 🇬🇧 reputation for high-quality education and says that the overall demand remains strong, with continued high numbers of student visa grants, especially from India 🇮🇳 and other countries with keen interest in UK 🇬🇧 qualifications.
To sum up, foreign students planning studies in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 in 2025 must keep in mind:
- The Dependents Ban is firm for nearly all one-year master’s programs
- The Financial Requirements are higher than ever, with proof of substantial funds needed for your application
- Visa fees have increased, adding more cost to the process
- Graduate and Skilled Worker routes are still open, giving hope for staying and working post-study
- Always use the official UK Visas & Immigration website and trusted sources like VisaVerge.com for up-to-date information.
It’s wise to start preparing your documents and financial records early, carefully review your eligibility, and—where needed—consult a qualified immigration professional for personalized advice. Each student’s case is unique, and only precise, timely information can help you plan a successful move to the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 under the new student visa rules.
This article is not legal advice. Always consult with a professional if you have questions about your unique situation. Rules can change at any time, so check the latest updates on the government’s official site before making plans.
Learn Today
Dependents → Family members, such as spouses or children, who might accompany the primary applicant on a UK student visa.
Postgraduate Taught Course → A degree program, like most master’s degrees, focused mainly on classroom teaching rather than research.
Research-Based Degree → A university program, usually a PhD, where the majority of study involves original academic research.
Maintenance Funds → The minimum amount of money applicants must prove they have to support themselves in the UK.
Graduate Route → A post-study work visa in the UK allowing recent graduates to work for two or three years depending on their degree.
This Article in a Nutshell
UK student visa changes now restrict most taught master’s students from bringing dependents. From 2025, students must prove higher maintenance funds—£13,050 for London, £10,125 elsewhere. Visa application costs have also risen. The Graduate Route and work visa options remain open, but careful planning is more important than ever.
— By VisaVerge.com
