UK Student route financial evidence is stricter than a tourist file: you must show course fees (unpaid amount on your CAS) plus maintenance, held for 28 consecutive days, with evidence ending within 31 days of application.
Official source: gov.uk/student-visa/money and financial evidence guidance. For visitors, see UK visitor bank statements.
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Maintenance rates (2026)
| Application date | London (per month, max 9) | Outside London (per month, max 9) |
|---|---|---|
| Before 30 Nov 2026 | £1,529 | £1,171 |
| On/after 30 Nov 2026 | £1,570 | £1,203 |
London means the City of London and the 32 London boroughs.
Also add any unpaid tuition shown on your CAS (unless an exception on gov.uk applies, e.g. certain long prior UK stays).
Example (pre-30 Nov 2026, London, 9 months): maintenance £13,761 + unpaid fees on CAS = total you must usually hold.
Always re-check gov.uk before you start the 28-day clock — rates and exceptions change.
The 28-day rule (step by step)
- Calculate the exact GBP total for your intended application date (use the higher rate if you might apply on/after 30 Nov 2026).
- Hold at least that amount every day for 28 days in a row.
- The end date of that 28-day period must be within 31 days of when you submit the visa application.
- If the balance drops below the required total on any day, restart the 28 days.
Cash, unavailable investments, and overdraft “headroom” do not replace cleared funds in a qualifying account.
Not sure if your statement will raise questions? Run a free risk check first — no account required. Then format an officer-readable companion PDF if you need one.
Visa Pack $4.99 unlocks the clean PDF, letters, and credits after you see your flags.
What your bank statements must show
Per UKVI guidance, evidence typically needs:
- Your name (or qualifying parent/partner account details)
- Bank/building society name
- Account balances across the period
- Enough information to prove the 28 consecutive days
Accepted forms can include bank statements (paper or electronic), passbooks, certificates of deposit, or bank letters — follow the latest gov.uk list.
Practical tips
- Prefer statements with daily running balance
- End date inside the 31-day window
- Document large deposits before the holding period
- Convert foreign currency carefully; UKVI uses OANDA on the application date
Difference vs Standard Visitor
| Student | Standard Visitor | |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed monthly maintenance | Yes (table above) | No single fixed tourist minimum |
| 28 consecutive days | Usually required | Not the student maintenance rule |
| CAS / unpaid fees | Yes | No |
Format for UKVI
- A4 PDF, clear running balances
- Cover summary with GBP equivalent and rate date if funds are not in sterling
- Use UK visa bank statement or visa format — StatementsCraft does not invent balances or hide dips
Checklist
- Confirm London vs outside London + application-date rate
- Add unpaid CAS fees
- Complete uninterrupted 28-day hold
- Evidence closing date ≤ 31 days before apply
- Parental consent pack if using parents’ money
- FX buffer if not GBP
Related guides
Not sure if your statement will raise questions? Run a free risk check first — no account required. Then format an officer-readable companion PDF if you need one.
Visa Pack $4.99 unlocks the clean PDF, letters, and credits after you see your flags.