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Showing the money is enough, and that it has been held long enough
Last updated Oct 28, 2026
Educational only — not legal advice.
Enough money for the first year of course fees (up to 9 months, as shown on the CAS) and for living costs of £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 a month elsewhere, for up to 9 months, held for at least 28 days in a row ending within 31 days of the application.
A Student visa applicant must show enough money to pay for one academic year (up to 9 months) of course fees, which is the amount on the CAS, and to support themselves. Living costs are £1,529 a month for up to 9 months for a course in London (the City of London and the 32 London boroughs) and £1,171 a month for up to 9 months outside London. A residential independent school's boarding fees on the CAS replace living costs.
Each partner or child joining the student needs £845 a month in London or £680 a month elsewhere, for up to 9 months.
An applicant who has been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months does not need to prove money for fees or living costs.
The money must have been held for at least 28 days in a row, and the end of that 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date of application. The 28 days are counted back from the closing balance date on the most recent evidence, and the evidence must be from no more than 31 days before the application. A balance that dipped below the required amount at any point in the 28 days does not meet the rule. Foreign currency is converted at the OANDA spot rate on the date of application.
Money can be the applicant's own, a parent's, or a partner's if the partner is in the UK or applying at the same time. It must be held in a personal bank or building society account (current or savings) with immediate access. A parent must give a letter agreeing to the student using the money. A government or government-sponsored student loan and official financial sponsorship (for example by a national government or the university) also count.
Evidence can be bank statements, building society passbooks, certificates of deposit, or a bank letter showing the account holder's name, the bank's name and the balance. A student loan letter must be dated no more than 6 months before the application and confirm the amount, that it is for the applicant, and that it is available before the course starts.
Overdrafts, cryptocurrency, stocks and shares, pensions, and accounts not regulated in the bank's country do not count. UKVI may verify the evidence with the bank, and the money must be legally acquired.
Applicants with a passport from certain countries and territories need not submit evidence of money with the application, though UKVI may ask for it before deciding, so the evidence must still exist. Partners and children from these countries applying at the same time also need not submit money evidence. GOV.UK publishes the full list.
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Typical uploads: bank or building society statements covering the 28 days, a bank letter, a parent's letter agreeing to the money's use, a government student loan letter, and an official financial sponsor letter or sponsorship recorded on the CAS.