Differentiation arrangement (low-risk nationals)
Last updated: 11/11/2025 15:01
Some students do not have to provide evidence of their academic qualifications or their maintenance money.
The Home Office refers to this as the 'differentiation arrangement', although you will sometimes hear the term 'low-risk national'.
Eligibility
Nationals from the following countries/territories who apply from the country/territory in which they are living or from the UK are eligible:
| Nationals from the EU, EEA and Switzerland | Macau SAR** |
Australia | Malaysia |
Bahrain | Mauritius |
Barbados | Mexico |
Botswana | New Zealand |
Brazil | Oman |
Brunei | Peru |
| Cambodia | Qatar |
| Canada | Serbia |
| Chile | Singapore |
| China | South Korea |
| The Dominican Republic | Taiwan (ROC)*** |
| Hong Kong (SAR) or BNO* | Thailand |
| Indonesia | Tunisia |
| Japan | United Arab Emirates |
| Kazakhstan | USA |
| Kuwait |
*Hong Kong SAR or British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders who apply in the UK or Hong Kong.
**Macau SAR passport holders who apply in the UK or Macau.
***Taiwan (ROC) passport holders with an identification number in their passport who apply in the UK or Taiwan.
The list of countries/territories eligible for the differentiation arrangements is reviewed each year. Check the Home Office website for an up-to-date list (under Appendix ST).
Applying
If you are a national of one of the countries/territories listed and you are applying in that country/territory, in another country/territory where you are living, or from the UK then you will be able to apply under the Home Office differentiation arrangements.
This means that you don’t have to provide documents about funds and qualifications.
However, students must always have the required funds for the necessary period and provide the right documentation. The Home Office can ask for financial and qualification documents at any time during the application. If you don't provide these documents when requested or submit the wrong ones, your visa application will be denied.
Make sure you follow our advice on money requirements for guidance on how much money you need to show and the documents used to evidence this.
Contact us
Our offices are open from 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday.