Financial Proof for UK Student Visa: How Much Money Do You Really Need?

For many international students, financial proof is the most confusing part of a UK Student visa application. The rule is not simply “show a healthy bank balance”. You must calculate the correct amount, hold eligible funds for the required period and provide evidence that UK Visas and Immigration can verify.

This is especially important for students from Pakistan, applying this year.

The total has two parts: outstanding course fees and the money required for living costs.

Start with the course fee on your CAS

Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, or CAS, shows the tuition fee for one academic year and any payments your university has recorded. Check these figures because the outstanding amount forms part of your financial requirement.

Imagine your course fee is £18,000 and your CAS confirms that you have paid £5,000. Your remaining tuition requirement is £13,000. If a payment is missing, ask the university to correct the CAS before you apply.

Add the living-cost requirement

Under the current 2026 rules, students studying in London need £1,529 for each month of the course, up to nine months. The maximum is £13,761.

Students outside London need £1,171 per month for up to nine months, making the maximum £10,539. “London” means the City of London and the 32 London boroughs.

Using the £13,000 tuition example, a student in London may need £26,761 in total. The same student outside London may need £23,539. Your own figure depends on your CAS, course length and study location.

Understand the 28-day rule

When relying on personal or family money, the full balance must normally remain available for at least 28 consecutive days. The closing balance date on your evidence must be no more than 31 days before you submit the online visa application.

Falling below the required amount for even one day can break the qualifying period. Families should keep a sensible buffer for exchange-rate movements, bank charges or unexpected transactions.

If your funds are in Pakistan rupees or another foreign currency, UKVI converts them into pounds using the OANDA spot exchange rate on the application date. A balance that appears sufficient today could become insufficient if sterling strengthens.

What financial evidence is accepted?

You may use money in your own account, a parent’s account or, in certain circumstances, your partner’s account. Using a parent’s funds requires evidence of your relationship and written permission to use the money.

Current and savings accounts can be accepted if the money is legally acquired, held with a regulated financial institution and immediately accessible. Paper or electronic bank statements, building society passbooks, certificates of deposit and qualifying bank letters may be used.

Overdrafts, cryptocurrency, stocks and shares, inaccessible pensions, unregulated accounts and accounts without electronic record keeping are not acceptable.

A qualifying student loan or official financial sponsorship can also meet the requirement. The supporting letters must contain the information specified by UKVI, so an ordinary personal loan or informal promise from a relative may not qualify.

Do all students submit bank statements?

Some applicants do not need to provide financial evidence upfront because their nationality is covered by the differential evidence arrangement. They must still meet the requirement and may be asked for proof later.

Students who have lived in the UK with valid permission for at least 12 months before applying may also be exempt from proving course and maintenance funds. Check this against your circumstances rather than assuming it applies.

What about dependants?

Eligible students bringing a partner or child need additional funds for each dependant. The current amount is £845 per month in London or £680 per month outside London, for up to nine months, on top of the student’s requirement.

Because eligibility to bring dependants is restricted for most taught courses, families should confirm the rules before making financial plans.

How ASFE can help

Financial evidence errors can delay an application or lead to refusal even when the student genuinely has enough money. The safest approach is to calculate the requirement from your CAS, verify every document and complete the 28-day period before applying.

ASFE Consultants helps international students identify suitable UK universities, prepare applications, understand CAS information and plan the Student visa journey. ASFE does not make visa decisions or guarantee outcomes, but careful guidance can help you avoid preventable mistakes.

If you are planning to study in the UK, contact ASFE before submitting your application. Share your course, CAS figures, study location and funding arrangements so the team can help you understand what to check next.