The UK 28-day rule, explained — how to evidence maintenance funds
More UK Student visa refusals trace back to the 28-day maintenance rule than to any other single requirement. The rule itself is mechanical — which is good news, because mechanical rules can be satisfied exactly. Here is what the Home Office actually checks, with the traps that catch applicants who have enough money but present it wrongly.
Updated 2026-07-02
How much you must show
The maintenance requirement is a fixed monthly amount for up to nine months, plus any first-year tuition you have not already paid. Since 11 November 2025 the published rates are £1,529 per month for study in London and £1,171 per month outside London — so a one-year London Master's means showing £13,761 plus outstanding fees. Always confirm the current rate on GOV.UK before you rely on it; the Home Office revises these figures periodically.
Money already paid to the university (fees or a housing deposit up to the permitted cap) counts against the total, provided your CAS records it. Getting your CAS updated before you apply is far easier than arguing about it after a refusal.
What the 28-day rule actually requires
The full required amount must sit in an acceptable account for 28 consecutive days, and the closing balance of your evidence must date no more than 31 days before your visa application. If the balance dips below the threshold for even one day inside that window — by a single pound — the application falls to be refused on maintenance.
The safest pattern is simple: move the entire amount into one account, leave it completely untouched for a clear month, then apply promptly once your statement shows the 28-day history. Do not pay any bills from that account during the window.
Whose money it can be, and in what form
Funds can be yours, your parents' (with a consent letter and proof of relationship), or your legal guardian's. Cash in a bank or building society account is the standard evidence; shares, property, cryptocurrency and business accounts do not count. If the account is in another currency, the conversion is done at the official rate on the date of application — leave a margin for exchange-rate movement, or a small currency dip can silently push you under the threshold.
If money must cross borders — from a sponsor at home to your account, or to the university — the transfer route matters for both cost and evidence. A traceable transfer with a clear sender creates exactly the paper trail a caseworker wants to see; informal channels create exactly the doubts that lead to credibility questions.
The exemptions people miss
You do not need to show maintenance at all if you have held a UK visa for 12 months or more at the point of application, or if you are applying from inside the UK in certain categories, or if you are a national of (or applying in) a country on the differential evidence list — though the Home Office can still request the evidence, so you should hold it anyway.
Fully funded scholarship holders evidence their funding with the sponsor's letter instead of bank statements. The letter must confirm the sponsorship covers fees and living costs, and its dates must span your course.
Send proof-of-funds or tuition to Germany at the real exchange rate instead of losing money to bank markups.
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Competitive transfers for tuition and living funds, with first-transfer offers.
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Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need for a UK student visa in 2026?
Since 11 November 2025: £1,529 per month for London study or £1,171 per month outside London, for up to 9 months, plus any unpaid first-year tuition. Confirm the current figure on GOV.UK — it is revised periodically.
What happens if my balance drops below the requirement for one day?
The 28-day rule fails and the application falls to be refused on maintenance, regardless of how much money you have on the other 27 days. Keep the account untouched for the whole window.
Can I use my parents' bank account for the UK 28-day rule?
Yes — with a letter of consent from them, proof of the relationship (e.g. birth certificate), and the same 28-day history on their account.
Does money paid to the university count towards maintenance?
Yes. Tuition already paid, and accommodation payments to the sponsor up to the permitted cap, are deducted from what you must show — provided the CAS records the payment.
See the full Study in the UK guide with visa requirements by nationality, costs and scholarships.