How Much Bank Balance Is Required for a UK Student Visa in 2026?
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How Much Bank Balance Is Required for a UK Student Visa in 2026?
Quick answer: For a UK Student Visa in 2026 you must show your first-year tuition fee (minus any deposit already paid) plus GBP 1,529 per month for up to 9 months in London (max GBP 13,761) or GBP 1,171 per month for up to 9 months outside London (max GBP 10,539). The money must sit in an accepted account for 28 consecutive days, and the closing balance must be within 31 days of submitting your visa application.
At a glance:
Worked Examples (2026 Numbers)
| Course location | Tuition (Year 1) | Deposit paid | Living funds (9 mo) | Total to show |
|---|
|---|---|---|---|---|
> Always confirm the exact figure listed on your CAS - UKVI checks against the CAS, not your own calculation.
The 28-Day Rule Explained
This is the single biggest reason for UK Student Visa refusal.
Accepted Accounts and Documents
Accepted:
Not accepted:
Country-Specific Notes
How to Avoid a Funds Refusal
Related Reading
*Sources: gov.uk Student Route Maintenance funds 2026, UKVI Appendix Finance, Home Office caseworker guidance 2026.*
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much bank balance is required for a UK Student Visa in 2026?+
You must show tuition fees for the first year (minus any deposit already paid) plus living costs of GBP 1,529 per month for up to 9 months in London (GBP 13,761 maximum) or GBP 1,171 per month for up to 9 months outside London (GBP 10,539 maximum). The total is typically GBP 25,000 to GBP 45,000 depending on city and course fees.
How long does money need to be in the account for a UK Student Visa?+
Funds must be held for 28 consecutive days with no dip below the required amount on any day. The closing balance date must be within 31 days of your visa application submission.
Whose bank account can I use for UK Student Visa funds?+
Your own account, your parents' or legal guardians' account (with a signed sponsor letter and your birth certificate), a Government loan letter or an official scholarship letter. Friends, siblings, uncles and aunts do not count.
Can I show cash, crypto or shares for the UK Student Visa?+
No. Cash in hand, cryptocurrency, mutual funds, shares, pension funds, business accounts and credit-card limits are all not accepted. Only personal current or savings accounts, official loan letters and scholarship letters qualify.
Do I need a bank statement or a bank letter for the UK Student Visa?+
Either works. Bank statements must be on bank letterhead or printed and stamped by the bank. A bank letter must include account holder, account number, sort code/IBAN, currency, opening date, balance for the last 28 days and the bank's stamp.
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