The short answer: Every country sets its own student-visa rules, but three numbers decide most applications — how much money you must show, how many hours you can work, and how long you can stay to work after you graduate. For 2026, proof-of-funds ranges from roughly €11,904 in Germany and CA$22,895 in Canada to AU$29,710 in Australia and £13,761 for London in the UK, while the US sets no fixed figure. This guide gives the current figure for each major destination, with a link to the official government page behind every number.
Last verified: August 2026, against official government sources (gov.uk, IRCC/canada.ca, US Federal Register & DHS, Germany's Federal Foreign Office & DAAD, Australia's Department of Home Affairs, Ireland's Immigration Service Delivery, and the Netherlands IND). Immigration rules change every cycle — always confirm the figure on the official page linked below before you apply.
Student visa requirements at a glance (2026)
The table below compares the seven most popular English-taught study destinations. "Proof of funds" is the living-cost amount you must show on top of tuition; work hours are during term time; post-study work is the visa that lets you stay and work after graduation.
Figures are the living-cost/maintenance amounts required for the student visa or residence permit; they do not include tuition. Every number is sourced in the country sections below.
What changed for 2026–2027
Four policy changes make this year different from the guides you may have read even a few months ago. If a page still shows the old rules, it is out of date:
- United States — fixed admission period. A final DHS rule (published 17 July 2026) replaces the open-ended "duration of status" for F-1 students with a fixed admission period — for academic students, up to the program end date, not to exceed four years — and shortens the post-program departure grace period from 60 days to 30. The rule's stated effective date is 15 September 2026, subject to congressional review, so confirm the current position on the Federal Register before you rely on it.
- United Kingdom — shorter Graduate Route. The post-study Graduate visa stays at 2 years for bachelor's and master's graduates who apply on or before 31 December 2026, but drops to 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027. PhD graduates keep 3 years. (gov.uk)
- Canada — no more SDS / GIC route. The Student Direct Stream and its GIC-based proof-of-funds shortcut were discontinued in November 2024. All study-permit applications now go through the regular stream, and the single-applicant proof of funds is CA$22,895. Most applicants also need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). (IRCC)
- TOEFL and UCAS. From 21 January 2026 the TOEFL iBT reports on a new 1–6 scale (the old 0–120 score is dual-reported during the transition), and from the 2026 entry cycle UCAS has replaced the free-text personal statement with three structured questions. Check your test and application format before you start. (ETS, UCAS)
United Kingdom
Proof of funds: you must show living costs of £1,529 per month in London or £1,171 per month outside London, for up to nine months — a maximum of £13,761 or £10,539 — held in your account for 28 consecutive days. (gov.uk — Student visa: Money)
Health surcharge: students pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year, upfront, for the full length of the visa. (gov.uk)
Working: degree-level students can work 20 hours per week during term time and full-time outside term. (Immigration Rules: Appendix Student)
After graduation: the Graduate visa gives 2 years of work rights (3 for PhDs) — reducing to 18 months for bachelor's/master's applications from 1 January 2027. Explore universities in the UK.
United States
Proof of funds: there is no fixed federal dollar figure. Your school's Designated School Official must confirm you can cover the cost of attendance shown on your Form I-20 before issuing it (8 CFR 214.3(k)). (eCFR — 8 CFR 214.3)
Working: F-1 students may work up to 20 hours per week on campus while school is in session, and full-time during breaks. Off-campus work is generally limited to authorized CPT or OPT. (DHS — Study in the States)
After graduation: Optional Practical Training gives 12 months of work authorization, with a 24-month STEM extension for eligible fields. Note the fixed-admission rule above. Explore universities in the USA.
Canada
Proof of funds: a single applicant (outside Quebec) must show CA$22,895 per year for living costs, on top of tuition and travel — rising with family size (CA$28,502 for two people, and so on). (IRCC — Proof of financial support)
Attestation letter: most study-permit applications now require a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL); Quebec uses the CAQ. (IRCC — PAL/TAL)
Working: up to 24 hours per week off campus during regular terms, and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks. (IRCC — Work off campus)
After graduation: the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is open to degree graduates; non-degree graduates must be in an eligible field of study. Explore universities in Canada.
Germany
Proof of funds: non-EU students typically show €11,904 for one year in a blocked account (Sperrkonto), which releases roughly one twelfth (about €992) per month. (study-in-germany.de (DAAD); the mechanism is confirmed by the Federal Foreign Office, which does not print a euro figure.)
Working: third-country students may work 140 full days or 280 half-days per year without needing Employment Agency approval. (Hamburg Welcome Center)
After graduation: graduates get an 18-month residence permit to look for qualified work (any job allowed meanwhile). The Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) is a separate job-search route. Germany also has no general tuition fees at public universities. Explore universities in Germany.
Australia
Proof of funds: the Subclass 500 student visa requires AU$29,710 in living costs for 12 months, plus travel and tuition (and more for a partner or child). (Department of Home Affairs — Subclass 500)
Working: 48 hours per fortnight when your course is in session, and unlimited hours when it is not; research-degree students can work more. (Home Affairs)
After graduation: the Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) gives 2 years for bachelor's and coursework master's graduates, and 3 years for research master's and doctoral graduates. Explore universities in Australia.
Ireland
Proof of funds: for a one-year course you need access to €10,000; non-visa nationals show this at registration for courses longer than eight months. Short courses use €833/month. (Immigration Service Delivery)
Registration fee: the immigration registration (IRP) fee is €300 per person. (ISD — FAQ for students)
Working: Stamp 2 students may work 20 hours per week during term and 40 hours per week during holidays. (ISD — FAQ)
After graduation: the Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G) gives 12 months for a Level 8 degree and up to 24 months for Level 9/10. Explore universities in Ireland.
Netherlands
Proof of funds: for 2026 the study norm is €1,130.77 per month (about €13,569 per year) for university/HBO study; you show 12 times the monthly norm, excluding tuition. The amount changes every 1 January. (IND — required amounts)
Working: non-EU students may work a maximum of 16 hours per week during the year, or full-time in June, July and August only — not both — and the employer usually needs a work permit (TWV). (Netherlands Labour Authority)
After graduation: the orientation year (zoekjaar) permit gives one year of free access to the labour market; apply within three years of graduating. Explore universities in the Netherlands.
How to prepare your proof of funds
- Confirm the current figure on the official page linked above — the amounts change every admissions cycle, and several countries updated theirs for 2026.
- Check the "held for" rule. Some countries (the UK, for example) require the money to sit in your account for a set number of days before you apply.
- Budget tuition separately. Proof-of-funds figures are living costs only; you also need to show or pay tuition.
- Look for funding. A scholarship can cover part of the tuition you would otherwise have to prove.
- Get your English test sorted early. Most visas follow an offer, and most offers require IELTS or TOEFL.
Choosing between these countries is rarely about the visa alone — it is about matching the cost, the work rights and the post-study route to your own plan. If you would like help building a shortlist and preparing an application that meets each country's requirements, our advisors can guide you step by step. Book a free consultation to get started.
