UK Visa Financial Requirements by Route Explained

Skilled Worker maintenance and salary

Skilled Worker applicants must show maintenance funds available for themselves and any dependants, or have an approved sponsor certify maintenance on the Certificate of Sponsorship. Funds must have been held for 28 consecutive days ending within 31 days of application. The required amount is set out in the Immigration Rules.

Salary is assessed against the general threshold and the going rate for the occupation. Both must be met unless tradeable points apply (PhD relevant to job, Shortage Occupation, new entrant). Salary is calculated by reference to gross pay, basic salary only, with allowances excluded except for narrowly defined accommodation allowances.

Family route minimum income and savings

The family route minimum income requirement, set out in Appendix FM, must be met by the UK sponsor (and overseas applicant's income for in-country extensions) or by cash savings. The required figure has been adjusted by Home Office policy in recent years; check the rule in force at the date of application.

Cash savings must be held for at least six months before the application and accessible to the applicant or sponsor. Combined income and savings calculations are possible up to defined limits. Self-employment income uses different evidence under Category F or G in Appendix FM-SE.

Student maintenance

Student visa applicants must show course fees for the first year plus living costs for nine months at the standard rate (different amounts for inside and outside London). Funds must be held for 28 consecutive days ending within 31 days of application.

Funds can be held by the applicant or their parent/guardian (with consent) or be from an official financial sponsor's certified bursary or scholarship. Bank statements must show the closing balance for each day of the 28-day period in evidence.

Global Talent, HPI and Innovator Founder

Global Talent has no separate maintenance requirement at the visa application stage. High Potential Individual requires maintenance funds at the standard level for the Skilled Worker route. Innovator Founder requires evidence of access to investment funds at the level set in the rule plus standard maintenance.

Endorsement bodies for Global Talent and Innovator Founder may require additional financial evidence at the endorsement stage; this is separate from the visa application maintenance test.

Frequent pitfalls

Funds dipping below the threshold even once during the 28-day window invalidates the maintenance evidence. Bank account names not matching the applicant's name require additional explanatory documentation. Joint accounts are accepted only where the applicant or sponsor is named.

For family route applicants, mixed sources of income require careful documentation. Self-employment income depends on whether the applicant uses Category F (last full financial year) or Category G (average of last two financial years). Inconsistent figures across HMRC submissions and supporting documents are a common refusal trigger.

Skilled Worker maintenance in detail

Skilled Worker maintenance funds must be held for 28 consecutive days ending no more than 31 days before the date of application. The required amount is set out in Appendix Finance and is held in addition to the visa application fee and IHS. For applicants applying alongside dependants, additional amounts are required for each dependant; the dependants must show their own separate maintenance funds unless the main applicant's funds cover them.

The 28-day rule means the closing balance on every day of the 28-day window must be at or above the threshold. A dip below the threshold for even one day invalidates the maintenance evidence. Bank statements showing the closing balance daily are the standard evidence. Where balances fluctuate around the threshold, a higher buffer is often held to avoid technical failures.

Funds can be held in current accounts, savings accounts, ISAs, fixed-term deposits (provided the funds are accessible to the applicant), or building society accounts. Investment accounts (shares, mutual funds, ETFs) are not normally counted unless they can be readily liquidated to cash. Pension accounts are not counted. The bank must be regulated by the FCA or its equivalent in the country where the account is held.

Sponsor-certified maintenance: where the sponsor certifies on the Certificate of Sponsorship that they will maintain and accommodate the worker for the first month of UK employment (up to a defined amount), the worker is exempt from the maintenance requirement. This is widely used by major employers with established sponsor compliance practices.

Family route MIR: meeting it through each category

Category A applies where the sponsor has been in the same employment for at least 6 months at the date of application, earning at or above the MIR. Evidence: 6 months of payslips, corresponding bank statements showing payment, employer letter on letterhead confirming the role, length of employment, salary, and any pay arrangements. The salary used is the gross annual basic.

Category B applies where the sponsor has been employed for less than 6 months in the current role, or has variable income. The test combines the projected annual salary at the current rate (the higher annualised figure) with the actual earnings from all qualifying employment over the past 12 months (the lower 12-month total). Both must meet the MIR. Evidence covers both current employment and the previous year's income.

Category C covers non-employment income: property rental, dividends from investments, interest, maintenance payments from former partners, royalties. Evidence depends on the source: tax returns, dividend vouchers, bank statements showing receipt, rental agreements. The qualifying period is typically 12 months.

Category D is cash savings, held for at least 6 months before the application and accessible to the sponsor or applicant. The required amount uses a formula: a base amount plus the MIR shortfall multiplied by 2.5 (covering the 30-month initial visa). For combined savings and income, the formula adjusts.

Category E covers pension income from any pension where the sponsor (or applicant in-country) receives regular payments. Evidence: pension statement, bank statements showing receipt. Overseas pensions are accepted with appropriate documentation. The pension must be continuing.

Categories F and G are self-employment income, with F using the last full financial year and G averaging the last two. Sole traders use SA302 forms from HMRC self-assessment, the relevant tax returns, and bank statements showing income flows. Limited company directors use a combination of salary, dividends, and company accounts certified by a qualified accountant; the evidence is more extensive than for employees.

Combinations and edge cases

Income types can be combined: employment income (A or B) plus cash savings (D), employment plus self-employment (impossible to mix A/B with F/G in the same calculation; the sponsor uses one or the other), pension plus other non-employment income. The combination formulae in Appendix FM-SE specify the exact rules. Specialist immigration advice is common for combined-income applications.

Mixed-source applications often fail on technical grounds rather than on substance. The Home Office's view is that the rule is precise; meeting the rule in spirit but not in form (e.g. holding savings for 5 months 28 days when 6 months is required) results in refusal. Carefully constructed applications hold all elements to a clear margin above the requirement.

Overseas income for the family route is generally considered for sponsors who are returning UK residents whose UK residence will resume after the visa is granted. Where the sponsor lives abroad with the applicant before the visa, special rules apply: the qualifying employment must continue in the UK after the visa is granted, with confirmation from the employer.

Self-employment evidence requirements are the most demanding category. Limited company directors face particular complexity because the income comes from a combination of salary, dividends and company profits, each with separate evidence. Accountants who specialise in immigration applications are often used. The Home Office's evidence flexibility is limited; missing or inconsistent documents are difficult to remedy after the application.

Student maintenance and the inside-/outside-London distinction

Student maintenance is calculated as: course fees for the first year (or the year of the application if mid-course) plus living costs for up to 9 months at the rate set out in Appendix Finance. The living cost figure differs between inside London (higher) and outside London. Inside-London study covers boroughs designated by the Home Office; outside London is everything else.

The funds must be held for 28 consecutive days ending no more than 31 days before the application, the same rule as Skilled Worker maintenance. The closing balance on every day must be at or above the required total. Bank statements showing daily balances are the standard evidence.

Funds can be held by the applicant, by the applicant's parent or legal guardian (with consent letter), or by an official financial sponsor providing certified bursary or scholarship support. Funds held by other family members (siblings, grandparents) are not accepted. The Chevening Scholarship and similar schemes have specific certification arrangements that satisfy the maintenance test without standard bank statement evidence.

Where the CAS certifies that the institution holds the course fees, the student does not need to demonstrate fees separately; only the living costs for up to 9 months are then required. Many universities offer this for scholarship students or those who have already paid fees in advance.

Specific evidence requirements and common refusal causes

Bank statement formatting: statements must be issued by the bank (printouts from online banking are accepted by most banks but should be on bank letterhead or stamped). The statement must show: account holder's name (matching the applicant or sponsor), account number, the opening and closing dates of the statement period, all transactions in the period, and the closing balance on the final day.

Translation requirements: all non-English documents must be accompanied by certified translations. The translator's certification must include name, signature, contact details, date, and a statement that the translation is accurate. Self-translation is not accepted. Professional translation services charge per page; certified translations from established providers typically meet UKVI requirements.

Document age: bank statements must be from the 28-day window ending no more than 31 days before application. Employment letters are typically dated within 28 days of application. English language test certificates must be within their validity period (typically 2 years). TB test certificates are valid for 6 months from the test date.

Common refusal causes: funds dipping below threshold for a single day in the 28-day window; bank statements not covering every day in the period; employment letter not on official letterhead; self-employment evidence inconsistent between HMRC documents and bank statements; combination calculations made incorrectly; documents in foreign language without certified translation.

Pre-application document review by an OISC-regulated adviser is common for complex cases. The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner regulates adviser conduct; the Solicitors Regulation Authority regulates solicitors handling immigration work. Both provide registers of authorised advisers.

Records, evidence and the path to settlement

Document organisation: a structured folder system (physical or digital) for immigration documents reduces friction across the years of the visa. Categories: identity (passports, BRPs, eVisa records), employment (CoS, payslips, employer letters), finances (bank statements, tax returns), relationships (where applicable), education (where applicable), travel (boarding passes, hotel receipts).

Digital preservation: scan and back up all documents to secure cloud storage. Multiple backups (separate cloud, USB drive, family member's copy) protect against loss. Encryption is sensible for sensitive documents (tax records, financial statements).

Long-term retention: documents from the visa period are needed at extension, ILR, and potentially naturalisation. Keep documents for at least 6 years after the visa period; immigration records are often referenced years later.

Records during the qualifying period: from day one of the initial visa, track UK presence and absences for the eventual settlement calculation. Travel logs, employer travel records, and supporting evidence all build the documentary picture.

Long-term planning across the immigration journey

Long-term planning across the visa lifecycle: the journey from initial visa to ILR to British citizenship spans 6-8 years typically. Building the documentary record, maintaining lawful status, planning extensions and switches, and the eventual settlement application all benefit from a long-term view.

Career and family planning around immigration: visa requirements interact with career progression, education choices, family timing, and other life decisions. Where significant life events are planned, considering the immigration position is part of the planning.

Risk management: keep documents, maintain contact with UKVI through changes of address, comply with visa conditions, build a clean record. Issues that arise during the visa years are easier to address proactively than at the settlement application.

Backup routes: where the primary route encounters difficulties, alternative routes provide options. Skilled Worker holders can consider Global Talent, family route, Innovator Founder depending on circumstances. Long Residence (10 years) provides a backup settlement path.

Future return scenarios: where the applicant may return to the country of origin or move elsewhere, planning preserves options. Maintaining country-of-origin ties, financial records, and qualifications supports future flexibility.

Disclaimer

This article provides general information about UK immigration, tax and consumer matters and is not legal, financial or tax advice. Rules, fees and thresholds change. Always check GOV.UK and the relevant UK regulator before acting, and consider taking professional advice tailored to individual circumstances.

Frequently asked questions

How much money do I need in my bank account for a UK visa?

The required amount depends on the route, the number of dependants, and (for students) whether the institution is inside or outside London. Skilled Worker maintenance is the lower amount for the main applicant with additional amounts per dependant; Student is course fees plus 9 months of living costs at the published rate. The figures are set in the Immigration Rules and updated periodically. The principle is the same across routes: funds held for 28 consecutive days, ending within 31 days of application, with the closing balance at or above the threshold every day.

Can I use my parents' bank account for the Student visa?

Yes, with conditions. Parents (or legal guardians) can hold the funds provided written consent is supplied with the application and the applicant provides evidence of the parent-child relationship (birth certificate or equivalent). The parent's bank statements then satisfy the maintenance test, with the consent letter authorising release of funds to the applicant. Other family members (siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles) generally cannot fund the application even with consent letters.

How is salary assessed for the Skilled Worker visa?

Gross annual salary at the level of basic pay only. Allowances are generally excluded except for limited accommodation allowances (typically capped at 30% of the going rate). Bonus, commission, overtime, sign-on bonuses, performance pay and most other variable components are not counted. Both the general threshold and the going rate for the SOC occupation code must be met unless tradeable points apply (PhD, Immigration Salary List role, new entrant status). The salary on the Certificate of Sponsorship is what UKVI assesses; the actual pay must match.

Can I combine savings and income for the family visa?

Yes. Combinations are permitted under Appendix FM-SE up to defined limits with specific formulae. A common pattern is sponsor income just below the MIR supplemented by cash savings above the required threshold. The formula for combinations: the cash savings amount is calculated as if the sponsor's income shortfall extended over 30 months, with a base amount added. The specific calculation is in Appendix FM-SE Annex 3 and 4. Specialist immigration advice is often used to confirm the calculation.

What if my salary just misses the going rate?

If the role is on the Immigration Salary List (the successor to the Shortage Occupation List from April 2024), lower salary thresholds may apply, typically 80% of the standard going rate subject to floors. Tradeable points for PhD relevant to the role, STEM PhD relevant, or new entrant status can also reduce the requirement. Without these tradeable concessions, the application would not meet the rule at the missed threshold. The Migration Advisory Committee's recommendations and the Immigration Rules updates set the specific tradeable values.

Frequently asked questions

How much money do I need in my bank account for a UK visa?

The required amount depends on the route, the number of dependants, and (for students) whether the institution is inside or outside London. Skilled Worker maintenance is the lower amount for the main applicant with additional amounts per dependant; Student is course fees plus 9 months of living costs at the published rate. The figures are set in the Immigration Rules and updated periodically. The principle is the same across routes: funds held for 28 consecutive days, ending within 31 days of application, with the closing balance at or above the threshold every day.

Can I use my parents' bank account for the Student visa?

Yes, with conditions. Parents (or legal guardians) can hold the funds provided written consent is supplied with the application and the applicant provides evidence of the parent-child relationship (birth certificate or equivalent). The parent's bank statements then satisfy the maintenance test, with the consent letter authorising release of funds to the applicant. Other family members (siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles) generally cannot fund the application even with consent letters.

How is salary assessed for the Skilled Worker visa?

Gross annual salary at the level of basic pay only. Allowances are generally excluded except for limited accommodation allowances (typically capped at 30% of the going rate). Bonus, commission, overtime, sign-on bonuses, performance pay and most other variable components are not counted. Both the general threshold and the going rate for the SOC occupation code must be met unless tradeable points apply (PhD, Immigration Salary List role, new entrant status). The salary on the Certificate of Sponsorship is what UKVI assesses; the actual pay must match.

Can I combine savings and income for the family visa?

Yes. Combinations are permitted under Appendix FM-SE up to defined limits with specific formulae. A common pattern is sponsor income just below the MIR supplemented by cash savings above the required threshold. The formula for combinations: the cash savings amount is calculated as if the sponsor's income shortfall extended over 30 months, with a base amount added. The specific calculation is in Appendix FM-SE Annex 3 and 4. Specialist immigration advice is often used to confirm the calculation.

What if my salary just misses the going rate?

If the role is on the Immigration Salary List (the successor to the Shortage Occupation List from April 2024), lower salary thresholds may apply, typically 80% of the standard going rate subject to floors. Tradeable points for PhD relevant to the role, STEM PhD relevant, or new entrant status can also reduce the requirement. Without these tradeable concessions, the application would not meet the rule at the missed threshold. The Migration Advisory Committee's recommendations and the Immigration Rules updates set the specific tradeable values.