Acceptable funding sources for Student visa

Yes, you can use several of these sources, but there are specific rules for each and important restrictions. The financial requirement for the Student route is set out in Appendix Student to the Immigration Rules and the Home Office guidance “Financial evidence for Student and Child Student route applicants”. Here is how each source is treated.

Your parents’ money

You can rely on money held by your parent or parents. There are two conditions.

First, the funds must be held in a personal bank or building society account that your parent controls (a current or savings account that allows immediate access to the money), and the money must have been held for a continuous 28-day period ending no more than 31 days before the date of your application. The lowest balance across that whole 28-day period must not fall below the required amount, so a single top-up on one day is not enough.

Second, your parent must provide a letter confirming that they consent to you using their funds for your application, and you must provide evidence of your relationship to them, such as your birth certificate showing their names or a household registration document. Without the consent letter the funds cannot be counted.

Your partner’s money

You can use your partner’s money, but only in limited circumstances: your partner must either already be in the UK or be applying for a visa at the same time as you (for example as your dependant). The same rules apply about the account being one your partner controls, the 28-day holding period, and the money being immediately accessible. If your partner is not coming with you and is not already in the UK, you generally cannot rely on their funds.

Student loans

A student loan can be used if it is from a government, a government-sponsored loan company, or a regulated student loan scheme. A crucial point is that the loan must be provided to you, the applicant. A loan made to your parent, parents or legal guardian cannot be used, even if the purpose of that loan is to fund your studies. You will normally need a loan letter confirming the amount, that the loan is to you, that funds will be available before you travel or that they will be paid to your account, and that any conditions have no bearing on the availability of the money.

Scholarships and official financial sponsorship

An official financial sponsorship, for example from a national government, an international scholarship agency, a university or another approved body, can be used. You will need a letter from the sponsor confirming the arrangement and stating what it covers.

There are two additional points worth knowing. If your sponsorship or scholarship covers both your course fees and your living costs, you may not need to show separate maintenance funds at all, but you will need the sponsor’s letter. Separately, if you have had an official financial sponsor at any point in the 12 months before your application, and that sponsorship covered your fees and living costs, you must provide a letter of consent from that sponsor confirming they agree to your new application or course. Missing this consent letter is a common reason for refusal.

What you cannot use

Some sources do not count. You cannot rely on a promise or a letter from a relative simply confirming that they will pay your fees and living costs, and you cannot rely on the future amount of money someone intends to give you. Money in an account you do not control (other than a qualifying parent or partner account with the correct evidence) will not be accepted. Certain financial instruments such as shares, bonds, pension funds, credit cards and overdraft facilities are not acceptable. The money must also have been acquired legally.

Key practical points

The core mechanics that trip people up are the 28-day rule and the evidence rules, so it is worth focusing on these.

1. Make sure the required amount stays in the account for the full 28 consecutive days, with the lowest point of the balance still above the threshold, and that your closing balance on the statement is dated no more than 31 days before you apply.

2. If using your parent’s or partner’s account, obtain the consent letter and the relationship evidence before you apply, as these are mandatory and cannot easily be corrected after refusal.

3. Check whether your institution is a Student sponsor that can certify maintenance. Some applicants are exempt from proving maintenance funds if they have been in the UK with valid permission for 12 months or more at the date of application, so confirm whether that exemption applies to you.

4. Confirm the exact amounts required for your situation, since the maintenance figure differs depending on whether your course is in London or outside London and how many months of study remain, plus additional sums for any dependants.

Missing information that affects the answer

The precise position depends on facts you have not given: whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK, whether your course is in London, how long your course is, whether you are bringing dependants, and whether you have held prior sponsorship in the last 12 months. If you tell me these details I can set out the exact amount you need to show and the specific documents for your chosen funding source.