African countries not required to show proof of funds for UK student visa: Full list

• Botswana, Mauritius and Tunisia are the only African countries on the exemption list.

• Exemption means no upfront financial evidence unless UKVI requests it.

• Nigerian applicants are still required to meet financial proof rules.

• Students must still meet tuition and living cost requirements.

Three African countries are among nations whose citizens applying for a UK Student Visa are not required to submit proof of funds at the point of application.

According to updated guidance from the United Kingdom government, nationals of Botswana, Mauritius and Tunisia can apply for a Student Visa without providing financial evidence upfront, although UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) may still request proof during the application process.

The exemption only applies to submitting evidence at the application stage. Applicants must still meet the UK’s financial requirements for studying in the country. (GOV.UK)

Nigerian applicants are not included among the exempt countries and may still be required to provide evidence showing they have enough money to cover tuition fees and living expenses. 

The African countries currently listed are:

• Botswana

• Mauritius

• Tunisia

The exemption list also includes countries from other continents, including:

• 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

• Barbados

• Brazil

• Canada

• Chile

• Dominican Republic

• Mexico

• Peru

• United States

• Bahrain

• Brunei

• Cambodia

• China

• Indonesia

• Japan

• Kazakhstan

Kuwait

• Malaysia

• Oman

• Qatar

• Singapore

• South Korea

• Thailand

• United Arab Emirates

• Australia

• New Zealand

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Applicants who are required to provide financial evidence must show they have enough money to cover:

• Tuition fees for their course

• Living expenses while studying in the UK

• Additional costs for dependants, where applicable 

The required living funds depend on where the student will study:

• London: £1,529 per month for up to nine months

• Outside London: £1,171 per month for up to nine months

Applicants generally need to show the required funds have been held for at least 28 consecutive days, with evidence dated within 31 days of the visa application. 

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Apart from financial evidence, applicants must typically 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 said the exemption is based on nationality and does not remove the requirement for students to genuinely meet the financial conditions of the Student Visa route.