The United Kingdom has exempted students from Botswana, Mauritius and Tunisia from submitting proof of funds upfront when applying for a UK Student visa under its differential evidence requirement.

Under the arrangement, eligible applicants are not required to provide financial documents with their visa applications, although they must still meet the UK’s financial requirements. The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) may request evidence of funds before making a decision.

The exemption applies to nationals of several countries, including Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Singapore, the United States and the three African nations.

Nigerian applicants are not covered by the policy and are required to provide evidence of sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses.

Current financial requirements stipulate that international students must show £1,529 per month for living costs in London or £1,171 per month outside London, for up to nine months, in addition to their tuition fees. Applicants who have legally lived in the UK for at least 12 months before applying for a Student visa are also exempt from providing financial evidence.