On this page
Visa financial evidence combines the applicable course-fee requirement with maintenance funds and evidence conditions. The 28-day rule is about qualifying evidence; it is different from an everyday living-cost budget.
Check the financial components
At the review date, GOV.UK gives maintenance amounts of £1,529 per month for London or £1,171 outside London, for up to nine months where the requirement applies. Course-fee evidence is based on the relevant amount on the CAS. Individual circumstances can change what must be demonstrated.
These figures are immigration evidence requirements. They do not promise that accommodation and daily life will fit within that sum. Build an independent personal budget for the whole course, including months beyond the maintenance calculation.
| Study location | Monthly maintenance figure | Nine-month illustration |
|---|---|---|
| London | £1,529 | £13,761 |
| Outside London | £1,171 | £10,539 |
Understand the holding period and evidence date
For money subject to the cash-funds holding rule, the required balance must be held for at least 28 consecutive days. The end of that period must fall within 31 days before the visa application date. Check the detailed guidance for the evidence type you will actually use.
Plan the evidence period before committing to a submission date. A statement issued recently can still be unsuitable if its covered dates or balance history do not demonstrate the required period. Keep a calendar of the qualifying period and ask the university to review your interpretation when uncertain.
Match the evidence to the funding arrangement
Cash funds, qualifying student loans and official financial sponsorship have different documentary conditions. Do not assume that every letter labelled education loan satisfies the immigration requirements, or that the cash-funds holding rule applies identically to every form of funding. Read the financial evidence guidance for control of funds and required documents.
If you intend to rely on a parent account, a loan, sponsorship or amounts already paid to the university, verify the applicable evidence and any permitted deductions. Save receipts and check that recognized payments are correctly reflected in the relevant university records.
Review currency and changes before submission
Keep the requirement in GBP as the reference amount. A convenient NPR planning conversion is not a substitute for the currency conversion rules applied to visa evidence. Allow a practical buffer for exchange movements and transfer charges without describing that buffer as an official requirement.
Recalculate when the CAS, study location, fees, payments or applicant circumstances change. Do not infer compliance from a calculator total alone: amount, evidence type, ownership and timing all matter. Cases involving dependants or an exemption need their own assessment against the current rules.
Common questions
Is the UK visa maintenance amount my total study budget?
No. It is one part of an immigration evidence calculation. Tuition, actual living costs, travel and other expenses must be budgeted separately.
Does every education loan need a 28-day bank balance?
The evidence rules depend on the funding type. A qualifying student loan is assessed under its own conditions; verify the loan evidence against the official guidance.
Can I use a screenshot of my balance?
Use a form of financial evidence accepted by the current official guidance. A balance screenshot by itself should not be assumed to demonstrate ownership, the required period or all required information.
Sources you can check
Open the original information and confirm the course, date and conditions that apply to you.
- GOV.UK Student visa money requirements www.gov.uk
- GOV.UK Financial evidence for Student applicants www.gov.uk
Source-check date: 25 October 2026. Published information can change. Course offers, individual circumstances and official rules take priority over general examples. Read our research standards.