“I am extending or switching inside the UK—do I need maintenance funds?”
The 12-month financial exemption for Student applications inside the UK
Short answer
If you apply for permission to stay and have been living in the UK with permission for 12 months or more on the application date, ST 12.1 says you meet the Student financial requirement and do not need to show funds.
This is an actual exemption
Unlike the differentiation arrangement for certain nationalities, ST 12.1 says an applicant meeting its conditions meets the financial requirement. It is not simply permission to omit evidence upfront.
The conditions are precise
- The application is for permission to stay, not entry clearance from abroad.
- The applicant has been living in the UK with permission for at least 12 months on the application date.
- The application is otherwise one that can validly be made inside the UK.
Other inside-UK rules still apply
This financial provision does not decide whether you can switch from your current route, whether your new course shows academic progress, or whether the course-start timing is valid. Those are separate Student-route requirements.
Where this answer stops
Official sources
Checked against the live sources on .
Twelve-month financial provision
ST 12.1 →Who does not provide financial evidence
Overview →