Money requirements for student visas

In order to come to the UK with a Tier 4 (General) student visa you will need to show that you have enough money to cover your course and can support yourself during your studies (maintenance).

The 28 day rule

Any money you use for maintenance and fees 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.

How much money do I need?

You will need to show that you have enough money for both:

  • the full tuition fee for the first year of your course - the amount will be be on your CAS statement 
  • an amount of maintenance money set by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) which is part of the Home Office

Maintenance money amounts

New to study in the UK

If you are new to study in the UK, you will need the following amount for your maintenance.

  • For courses lasting 9 months or longer: 

    £1,015 per month up to a maximum of 9 months - £9,135

  • For courses of less than 9 months: £1015 for each month of your course 

If you have already paid accommodation fees to the University (and this is indicated on your CAS) this amount can be deducted from the total maintenance required, up to a maximum of £1,265.

Recently studied in the UK

You will only be permitted to benefit from 'established presence' if you are applying for the Tier 4 Doctorate Extension Scheme. Here you are permitted to show that you have two months' worth of living costs in your bank account.

Here the total amount you will need to show has been held in your bank account for a consecutive 28 day period is £2,030

Note:  Tier 4 applications can  only benefit from 'established presence' if the application is for a Tier 4 (Doctorate Extension Scheme) visa. 

Tuition fees already paid to the University of Birmingham 

If you pay your tution fees as stated on the CAS, in full, before submitting your visa application, you will only need to show money for maintenance. If you are going for an appointment in person with the UKVI, you should make sure you pay the tuition fees at least 5 working days before your appointment.

Documents you need

As part of your visa application you will need to include documents that prove you have the required money.  Evidence of your money must meet specific requirements. If it does not, your visa application will be refused. It is important that you check your documents carefully, and note that the documents you need to provide with your application will be different depending on whether you are a sponsored student or whether you are self-funded.

Low-risk countries and documents to submit

If you are from a ‘low risk’ country you should still collect all the documents but you will not be required to submit this as evidence with your application, however the Home Office can ask for this evidence when processing your visa application. If you are asked for evidence and fail to provide the documents on time your visa application will be refused.

For a full list of low risk countries see Appendix H of the Immigration Rules

Sponsored students - documents

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 all of the following requirements:

  • on official letter-headed paper or stationery of the organisation with the official stamp of that organisation
  • with your name
  • 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 living costs.  If your sponsor is not covering all your fees and maintenance, you must be able to demonstrate that you have the rest of the money required.

If your sponsor is a government OR international scholarship agency or your sponsorship ended within the last 12 months of your application being made, you will need your sponsor's permission to stay in or re-enter the UK. You must provide your sponsor's unconditional consent in writing. Your sponsorship letter should specifically state that your sponsor consents to you continuing your studies in the UK

Self-funded or parent-funded students - documents

Documents list

If you do not have an official financial sponsor, you are only able to provide evidence of funding using your own bank account (including a joint account you hold with someone else) or your parents or legal guardian’s bank accounts. If the money is in someone else’s account, or in a business account that does not have your parent’s name on it, you will need to move it so that you can provide the correct documents. Maintenance must be in the form of cash funds, you cannot use an overdraft facility or credit card.

You must provide original bank statements meeting every one of the following requirements:

  • In your name or your parents' name - not a business name
  • Showing that the money has been in the account for a full 28 days, and that the amount of money has never gone below the required amount in this time
  • Dated no more than one month before the date of your application
  • Showing the account number, the bank's name and the bank's logo

If you use electronic statements then as well as including all the standard required information, they must also either be stamped on every page, or be accompanied by a supporting letter from the bank or building society confirming that the statement is authentic.

Appendix P of the Immigration Rules contains lists of financial institutions in Bangladesh, Cameroon, Ghana, India, Iran, Pakistan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka that verify financial documents to their satisfaction, and which can therefore be used in immigration applications. If you use bank statements from an unacceptable institution your visa application will be refused.

If you are using your parents' account you must also provide:

  • Your original birth certificate or a notarised copy, showing the names of your parents
  • A dated letter from your parents confirming that they are your parents and that they give permission for you to use their money in the UK

If you cannot provide these documents, you should read the Home Office guidance for other types of evidence that can be accepted.

Any documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

If you are outside the UK, the translation must comply with the following guidance:

The original translation must contain confirmation from the translator/translation company that it is an accurate translation of the original document, the date of the translation, the translator/an authorised official of the translation company’s full name and signature, and the translator/translation company’s contact details.

If you are inside the UK, the translation must comply with the following guidance:

The original must be accompanied by a fully certified translation by a professional translator/translation company. This translation must include:

details of the translator/translation company’s credentials; and

confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the original document; and the translator/translation company’s contact details.

It must also be dated and include the original signature of the translator or an authorised official of the translation company.