Proof of funds

What proof of funds actually means

The financial requirement is the Home Office's way of checking that you can pay your own way once you arrive, so that you are not left destitute and do not need to claim benefits. On study and work routes it is usually a fixed amount of savings you must show in an account. On family routes it works differently and is based mainly on income rather than a lump sum of savings.

The evidence you provide has to be genuine, in your name (or, in some cases, a permitted family member's), and shown in an acceptable form such as a bank statement. Presenting money you do not really control, or that dips below the required level during the qualifying period, can lead to a refusal.

The 28-day continuous-holding rule

On the main savings-based routes, it is not enough simply to have the money on the day you apply. You must show that you held the required amount continuously for at least 28 days in a row.

For both the Student visa and the Skilled Worker visa, the Home Office requires the funds to have been available for at least 28 consecutive days, and the final day of that 28-day period must fall within 31 days of the date you submit your application. In practice this means the money cannot dip below the required level at any point during those 28 days, even briefly, or you may need to start the 28-day clock again.

• The money must sit at or above the required amount for 28 days in a row.
• Day 28 (the end of the period) must be within 31 days of your application date.
• A single drop below the threshold during the 28 days can reset the clock.

The amount depends on your route

There is no single "proof of funds" figure for the UK. Each route sets its own amount, and some routes do not require you to show personal savings at all if another condition is met. The examples below are current figures for three common routes, but they differ by route and you should always confirm the amount for the specific visa you are applying for.

• Student visa: you must show funds to cover your living costs, set at £1,529 per month if you are studying in London and £1,171 per month if you are studying outside London, for up to a maximum of 9 months. This is in addition to money for your course fees.
• Skilled Worker visa: you must have at least £1,270 in your account to show you can support yourself.
• UK Family visa (partner route): new applications are assessed against a minimum income requirement of at least £29,000 a year, not a fixed savings pot.

When you may not need to prove funds

Several routes let you skip the savings evidence if a specific condition is met. These are genuine exceptions, not universal rules, so check that your situation fits before relying on one.

• Student visa: you do not need to prove your money if you have been living in the UK with a visa for at least 12 months before you apply, if you are applying as a student union sabbatical officer, or if you are a national or citizen of certain listed countries or hold British National (Overseas) status. Note that people relying on the country-based exception may still be asked to provide the evidence before a decision is made.
• Skilled Worker visa: you do not need to show the £1,270 yourself if your employer certifies on your certificate of sponsorship that they will cover your costs for your first month in the UK, up to £1,270. This is done by completing the 'sponsor certifies maintenance' section of the certificate.

How the family route differs

The UK Family visa (partner route) is not a simple savings test. For new applications the couple must show a combined income of at least £29,000 a year. A lower threshold of £18,600 a year can still apply to some people extending a visa they first applied for before 11 April 2024.

It is possible to meet the requirement using cash savings instead of, or alongside, income, but the amount of savings needed and how it is calculated follow a specific formula set out in the Home Office's Appendix FM guidance rather than a single headline figure. If you are relying on savings for a family application, check that guidance carefully or take advice.

Getting it right

Because the amount, the evidence, and even whether proof is needed all change from route to route, the safest approach is to read the official guidance for your exact visa before you gather documents. Confirm the current figure, count your 28 days carefully, and make sure your evidence is in an acceptable format and covers the whole period. Amounts and thresholds are reviewed periodically, so always check the latest gov.uk page close to the time you apply.