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UK visa financial requirements are not one rule. Each route has its own test: a student must hold £1,529 a month for up to 9 months for a London course (£1,171 a month outside London) plus the first-year course fee, a visitor has no fixed sum but must be able to support the trip, a partner visa needs combined income of at least £29,000 a year, and a Skilled Worker normally needs a job paying at least £41,700 a year. These figures come from GOV.UK and can change, so check the official page for your route before you apply.
This guide compares the money rules route by route, shows how to work out your own figure, and explains how to prove your funds. It is written for applicants from Nigeria and other African countries, who are asked for financial evidence in almost every UK application.
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UK visa financial requirements at a glance
| Route | Money rule | Application fee | Usual decision time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student visa | £1,529 a month (London) or £1,171 a month (outside London), for up to 9 months, plus the first-year course fee | £558 from outside the UK | Check the official student page |
| Standard Visitor visa | No fixed sum. You must be able to support yourself and any dependants during the trip, or have funding from someone else | £135 for up to 6 months | Usually within 3 weeks |
| Family visa as a partner | Combined income of at least £29,000 a year in the standard case | Check the official fees table | Check the official family visa page |
| Skilled Worker visa | A job paying at least £41,700 a year or the going rate, whichever is higher, with lower minimums in listed cases | £819 up to 3 years, from outside the UK | About 3 weeks from outside the UK |
Fees in the table are the Home Office amounts that took effect on 8 April 2026. The Home Office reviews fees each year, so confirm the amount on the official fees table before you pay.
UK student visa: how much money you need
The GOV.UK student money page asks for two amounts: money for living costs, and money to pay your course fee for the first academic year, as shown on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. The living-costs amount is per month for up to 9 months.
| Where your course is | Per month | Total for 9 months |
|---|---|---|
| London | £1,529 | £13,761 |
| Outside London | £1,171 | £10,539 |
Add the first-year course fee shown on your CAS to get your total. Your course may be shorter than 9 months, in which case the number of months on your course is used. Extra money is required for family members who come with you, so read the official page on student visa partners and children for the current amounts.
The 28-day rule matters as much as the amount. You must hold the money for at least 28 days in a row, and the end date of that 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date you apply. A balance that reaches the amount only a week before you apply does not meet the rule.
If you are comparing countries, our guide to student visa proof of funds in six study destinations sets the UK amount against other options.
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UK visitor visa: there is no fixed amount
The Standard Visitor visa page does not give a minimum sum. It says you must be able to support yourself and your dependants during your trip, or have funding from someone else. Some websites quote a figure such as £1,500 to £2,500, but that number does not appear in the official guidance, so do not treat it as a rule.
The visa costs £135 for up to 6 months, you can apply up to 3 months before you travel, and a decision usually comes within 3 weeks. What decides the outcome is whether your evidence tells a believable story: what the trip costs, who pays, and why you will return home.
| Who pays for the trip | Evidence that usually helps |
|---|---|
| You | Recent bank statements showing regular income and a healthy balance, proof of employment or business, a trip budget |
| A family member or friend in the UK | A letter from the host, their proof of address and status in the UK, their bank statements, proof of your relationship |
| A family member or employer outside the UK | A letter stating what they will pay for, their bank statements, proof of the link between you |
For the application sequence, see our step-by-step guide to applying for a UK visa from overseas.
UK family visa: the partner income requirement
The GOV.UK page on proving income as a partner says you and your partner usually need combined income of at least £29,000 a year. A lower figure of £18,600, with extra amounts of £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each additional child, applies only to people who first applied as a partner before 11 April 2024 and are extending that visa.
Some websites say the family threshold will rise to £38,700. That figure does not appear on the official partner income page, so treat it as unconfirmed and check the page before you plan around any change. Income can be counted from several sources, and the official page lists which ones and what evidence is required.
UK Skilled Worker visa: salary, not savings
For work visas the main test is the salary on your certificate of sponsorship, not the money in your account. The general minimum is £41,700 a year or the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher, and listed cases such as applicants under 26, recent graduates and some PhD holders have lower minimums. Our full explainer, UK Skilled Worker visa salary: the £41,700 threshold explained, covers the reduced rates, English level and fees.
UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
An ETA is a digital permission for short visits. It costs £20 and allows travel to the UK for up to 6 months. It is mainly for travellers from countries whose citizens do not need a visa for a visit, such as many European countries, the USA, Australia and Canada. Whether you need an ETA or a visa depends on your nationality and your reason for travelling, so use the GOV.UK check tool before you book anything. People who hold a British or Irish passport, or who have permission to live, work or study in the UK, do not need one.
How to prove your money
- Work out your exact figure for your route from the official page, not from a social media post.
- Check which account types the route accepts and what format the statements must be in.
- Keep the full amount in the account for the required period without dipping below it.
- Make sure the name, account number and dates on every statement are clear and match your application.
- If a parent or sponsor is paying, include the proof of relationship and a signed letter that the route allows.
- Translate any document that is not in English, as our guide to certified translation for visa applications explains.
Money mistakes that lead to refusals
- Moving a large sum into the account shortly before applying, with no history to explain it.
- Letting the balance drop below the required amount during the 28-day period.
- Using a figure from an old article, then finding the official amount has changed.
- Submitting statements that do not match the income or employment details in the form.
- Borrowing money for a day to show a balance. Officers look at the account history, not just the closing figure.
Plan your total UK costs, not just the money rule
The amount the UK asks you to show is only part of what you will spend. Add up every cost before you commit, then check each amount on the official page for your route, because fees and surcharges change.
| Cost | Student | Visitor | Family | Skilled Worker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa application fee | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | Yes, check the current amount | No | Yes, check the current amount | Yes, usually for each year of stay |
| Money held as proof | Living costs plus first-year course fee | No fixed sum | Income test | Salary test, plus savings unless certified by the sponsor |
| English language evidence or test | Usually, depending on the course | No | Yes, in most cases | Yes, level B2 for most new applicants |
| Biometrics and document services | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Flights, first accommodation, travel insurance | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
A sensible planning timeline
- Three to four months before applying: confirm your route, read the money rule and check the current fee.
- At least 28 days before applying for a student visa: make sure the full amount is already in the account and stays there.
- Two months before travel: gather statements, letters and translations, and check names and dates match across documents.
- On the day you apply: pay the fee and surcharge, then book biometrics straight away.
- While you wait: avoid large unexplained movements in the account and keep your passport available if you may be asked to submit it.
If your funds come from someone else
Many African applicants are supported by a parent, relative or employer. Each route sets its own rules on whether money held by a third party counts, which accounts are accepted and what proof of relationship is needed. Do not assume that a letter alone is enough. Read the evidence section of the official page for your route, and have the sponsor keep their own statements ready for the whole period.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money do I need for a UK student visa?
Living costs of £1,529 a month for a London course or £1,171 a month outside London, for up to 9 months, plus the first-year course fee shown on your CAS. The money must be held for at least 28 days.
Is there a minimum bank balance for a UK visitor visa?
No. The official guidance sets no fixed amount. You must show you can support yourself during the trip, or that someone else will.
What income does a UK partner visa need?
Usually combined income of at least £29,000 a year. A different figure applies to people who first applied as a partner before 11 April 2024 and are extending that visa.
Do Nigerians need an ETA to visit the UK?
Check your nationality on the GOV.UK tool that tells you whether you need a visa or an ETA. An ETA is mainly for travellers from countries that do not need a visa for a visit.
How long must the money stay in my account?
For the student route, at least 28 days in a row, ending within 31 days of the date you apply. Other routes set their own evidence rules, so read the official page for yours.
Where to go next
- Visa financial requirements: how much money you need worldwide
- Applying for a UK visa from overseas, step by step
- Student dependant visas: UK restrictions and Australian rules
- UK visa refused in Nigeria: your options
- UK visa biometrics in Nigeria: centres and booking
Official starting points: Student visa money you need, Standard Visitor visa and partner visa income requirement.
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