How much money do I need to show for a UK student visa, and what is the 28-day rule?
You show your first year’s unpaid course fees plus living costs. Outside London the living amount is currently £10,539 (about ₹13.4 lakh) for nine months, and London is higher. The money must sit in the account for 28 days in a row, and that period must end within 31 days of your application. Check GOV.UK before you apply.
"What if one small dip in the balance ruins the whole visa?"
The rule is clear and published. Once you know it, keeping the money steady for 28 days is very manageable.
- 1Add it upUnpaid fees plus living costs
- 2Park the moneyIn one account, untouched
- 3Hold 28 daysNever below the total
- 4Apply in timeWithin 31 days of the last day
What usually works
- Keep the full amount in the account a little above the total, not exactly at it.
- If the account is in a parent’s name, keep a birth certificate and their consent letter ready.
- An education loan letter from a regulated lender can be used instead of a balance.
- Count fees you have already paid only if the university shows them on your confirmation (CAS).
Good to know
- London and outside London have different monthly amounts.
- The rules can change. Read GOV.UK on the day you start the 28 days.
UK funds checklist
Common mistakes
- Letting the balance dip below the total for even one day.
- Applying more than 31 days after the 28-day period ends.
- Forgetting the higher London amount.
Questions families ask
Can my parents’ account be used?
Yes, with proof of relationship and their consent, as GOV.UK explains. Check the current list of documents.
Does an education loan count?
An official loan letter from a regulated lender is accepted. Confirm the details on GOV.UK.
Sources
Rules change. Always confirm on the official page before you act.
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