A rejected UK student visa over financial evidence is almost always avoidable — the money is usually there, but the bank statement does not satisfy the exact rule. That rule has also moved twice in under a year, so a figure a friend used last September may already be out of date. This guide sets out the current maintenance-fund amount confirmed directly on gov.uk, the 28-day holding rule, and how to build your evidence around the point your CAS is issued rather than scrambling for it the week before you apply.
The current figure, direct from gov.uk
As of the current standard published on the official Student visa: money you need page, the required amount depends on where your course is based:
- Greater London (including the City of London and all 32 London boroughs): £1,529 per month, for up to 9 months — a maximum of £13,761.
- Outside London: £1,171 per month, for up to 9 months — a maximum of £10,539.
The location that matters is your main campus, not where you plan to live. If your course is based in London but you plan to rent in a cheaper commuter town, you still need to meet the London figure.
The two increases behind that number
The current figure is the result of two separate Home Office increases inside roughly one year, according to UKCISA's official reporting:
- From 2 January 2025: London rose to £1,483/month, outside London to £1,136/month (up from the previous £1,334/£1,023).
- From 11 November 2025: London rose again to £1,529/month, outside London to £1,171/month — the figures currently in force.
Taken together, the London figure rose roughly 14.6% across the two increases. If you are relying on a number you saw before November 2025, assume it is out of date and check the current gov.uk page again before you gather your bank statements.
The 28-day rule — where most refusals actually happen
Having enough money is not the same as proving it correctly. The Home Office requires that the qualifying amount be held continuously for a 28-day period, and the end date of that 28-day window must fall within 31 days of the date you submit your application. In practice this means:
- Check your balance on the day you start the 28-day count, and do not let it dip below the required amount on any day within that window — a single day below the threshold can reset the clock.
- Your bank statement or official financial document must clearly show the 28-day period, the account holder's name, and the bank's name and logo.
- Count backward from your planned application date: if the 28-day window closes more than 31 days before you submit, the evidence is stale and you will need to run the 28-day hold again.
Timing your evidence around your CAS
The financial evidence window is one of the few parts of a UK student visa application you can plan for in advance, because it is entirely under your control once you know your submission date. A practical sequence:
- Once your CAS is issued, set your target application submission date — most students apply as soon as possible after CAS issuance, since visa processing has its own timeline.
- Work backward 31 days from that target date to find the latest point your 28-day holding period can end.
- Hold the required balance for 28 consecutive days, ending inside that window — starting the count as soon as you know your CAS date gives you buffer if a statement needs reprinting or a bank delay pushes your document by a few days.
- Download or request your statement close to submission, not weeks in advance, so the document date does not push your 28-day window outside the 31-day rule by the time you actually apply.
Common evidence mistakes
- Mixed-currency accounts without conversion clarity. If your statement is not in GBP, make sure the amount clearly converts to at or above the required threshold for every day of the 28-day window, not just on the day you check.
- Joint accounts without the right consent documentation. Funds held in a parent's or sponsor's account require the correct financial sponsor documents in addition to the statement itself — a bank statement alone in someone else's name is not sufficient evidence of your access to the funds.
- Screenshots instead of official statements. A banking-app screenshot is not the same as an official statement or letter carrying the bank's letterhead and stamp; use the export or request-a-letter function your bank provides for immigration purposes.
- Assuming last year's figure still applies. Given the two increases inside a year, always re-check the current London/non-London amount on gov.uk before you calculate how much you need to hold, rather than trusting a number from a forum post or an older guide.
How much money do I need for a UK student visa in 2026?
Under the current standard, you need £1,529 per month (up to 9 months, maximum £13,761) if your course is in Greater London, or £1,171 per month (up to 9 months, maximum £10,539) if it is outside London. Always confirm the live figure on gov.uk, since it has changed twice in the past year.
What is the 28-day rule?
You must hold the required amount continuously for 28 days, and that 28-day period must end within 31 days of the date you submit your visa application. Letting the balance dip even briefly during the 28 days can invalidate the evidence.
Can I use my parents' bank account?
Yes, but you need the correct financial sponsor documentation alongside the statement — typically a letter confirming the relationship and consent to use the funds — in addition to meeting the 28-day rule on that account.
Does the London figure apply if I live outside London but study in London?
Yes. The figure is determined by where your course/institution is based, not where you choose to live.
For the wider application-planning picture, see our guides on the Graduate Route's move to 18 months from 2027 and how QS and THE rankings compare for 2026.
Sources: - GOV.UK — Student visa: money you need - UKCISA — Increase to maintenance requirements for students from 2025
如果你希望用中文核对具体金额和28天规则怎么对上你的CAS时间线，可以联系我们的中文顾问团队，我们会按上述官方页面逐条帮你核实。