🇬🇧 UK Maintenance Funds & Financial Requirements 2026
Every UK visa route has its own financial requirement — student maintenance funds, the family visa income threshold, and visitor visa "sufficient funds" all work differently. Here's exactly what each route needs.
Student Visa: Maintenance Funds
You must show you can cover living costs for up to 9 months, on top of any tuition still owed after paying your deposit. The monthly rate depends on where you'll study:
| Location | Monthly Rate | 9-Month Total (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Inside London | £1,483/month | £13,347 |
| Outside London | £1,136/month | £10,224 |
Funds must be held for a consecutive 28-day period, and your bank statement must be dated no more than 31 days before you submit your application — miss either window and your application can be refused even if the balance itself is sufficient. Most students only need to show funds for the first year of a longer course, not the full duration.
Family Visa: The £29,000 Income Threshold
For spouse and partner visa applications made on or after 11 April 2024, the sponsoring partner needs to show income of at least £29,000/year — a flat threshold regardless of how many children are being sponsored (this replaced the old system where the threshold rose with each additional child). Applicants who applied under the pre-2024 rules remain on the older £18,600 threshold for extensions. Income can come from salary, self-employment, savings, rental income, or pension income, each with its own specific evidence requirements.
Visitor Visa: "Sufficient Funds," Not a Fixed Number
Unlike student or family visas, the Standard Visitor Visa has no published minimum bank balance — you must simply show you can cover your trip (travel, accommodation, living costs) without accessing public funds or working. Caseworkers specifically watch for "funds padding": a sudden large deposit shortly before applying, with no clear source, is a common reason for refusal even when the final balance looks sufficient.
Parent/Grandparent Visitor Visas
If a UK-based child is sponsoring a parent's visit, the standard is different again: "adequate maintenance and accommodation," typically shown through the sponsor's own bank statements rather than a fixed income figure for the visiting parent. Third-party financial support from other family members is generally accepted, provided the relationship is genuine.
Common Mistakes
- Bank statement dated too early. It must be no more than 31 days old at the time of application — a statement that was fine last month can invalidate your application today.
- Funds not held for the full 28 days. A dip below the required balance on any single day within that 28-day window can restart the clock entirely.
- Assuming the family visa threshold still scales with children. Since 11 April 2024, it's a flat £29,000 regardless of family size — using the old scaling formula understates what you actually qualify with.
- Large unexplained deposits before a visitor visa application. "Funds padding" is a specific red flag caseworkers are trained to look for — document the source of any large recent deposit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money do I need for a UK student visa?
Roughly £13,347 for a course in London or £10,224 outside London, covering 9 months of living costs at the government's set monthly rate, held for a consecutive 28 days before applying.
What is the UK family visa income requirement in 2026?
£29,000 per year for the sponsoring partner, a flat threshold that applies regardless of how many children are included in the application, for applications made on or after 11 April 2024.
Is there a fixed minimum bank balance for a UK visitor visa?
No — there's no published number. You need to show you can cover your trip costs without working or accessing public funds, and avoid large unexplained deposits shortly before applying.