Documents list
You can receive official financial sponsorship from a government, the British Council or any international organisation, an international company, a university or an Independent School.
You must provide an original letter that meets the following requirements:
- on official letter-headed paper or stationery of the organisation with the official stamp of that organisation
- with your name and the names of each of your dependants
- with the name and contact details of your official financial sponsor
- with the date of the letter
- with the length of your sponsorship
- with the amount of money the sponsor is giving to you or a statement that the official financial sponsor will cover all of your fees and all of your living costs.
Low-risk countries and documents to submit
If you are from a low-risk country you should still collect all the evidence listed above. However, you won't need to submit academic qualifications or financial evidence with your application. Instead, the UKVI can ask for it when it is processing your visa application. If you have an appointment booked with the UKVI you should take all the documents with you.
If you are asked for this evidence while your application is being processed, you will be given a deadline by which to provide it. If you fail to provide the documents when they are asked for, your visa application will be refused.
Which countries are low-risk?
The low risk countries are Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Botswana, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Oman, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates and the United States of America. The same rules will apply to you if you are a British National Overseas.
The 28 day rule
Any money you use for maintenance needs to be in your account for a full 28 days. The most recent balance on the statement must be within one month of submitting your application.