UK Student visa funds: what to show now and from 30 November 2026

Checked on 11 October 2026. A Student visa applicant normally needs funds for any unpaid course fee for the first academic year plus living costs. The exact amount depends on the application date and whether the institution is in London.

How much must be shown

These are living costs, not tuition. Any unpaid first-year course fee shown on the CAS is added. A course shorter than nine months is assessed for its actual length.

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The 28-day rule

The required total must remain in an acceptable account for 28 consecutive days. It must not fall below the threshold on any day. The final day of the period must be no more than 31 days before the visa application.

Foreign-currency funds are converted using OANDA on the application date. A buffer is therefore safer than holding the exact minimum.

What evidence can be used

• cash funds in your own account, or a parent's or legal partner's account with evidence of the relationship and permission;
• an official student loan;
• official financial sponsorship that meets UKVI rules.

Overdrafts, cryptocurrency, shares and other securities, pensions, or money held by an unregulated institution without verifiable electronic records do not count. UKVI may contact the bank; evidence it cannot verify may be rejected.

Who may not need to submit statements

Applicants who have lawfully lived in the UK for at least 12 months by the application date normally do not need to prove funds. Nationals covered by differential evidence may not have to upload the documents initially, but they must still meet the requirement and UKVI may request proof later.

Worked example

A student applies on 20 November for a nine-month London course, with £4,000 of unpaid tuition on the CAS. The minimum is £13,761 + £4,000 = £17,761. If the same applicant files on 30 November, it becomes £14,130 + £4,000 = £18,130.

Anyone applying close to the change is safer holding the new amount in advance. The ONLYWAY calendar now records 30 November with a direct link to the official rule.

Read next: UK study costs and fee status · UCAS applications and choosing a university