What financial documents you can provide as a self-funded student

What you can provide if you are a self-funded student to pay for your tuition fees and living costs.

The account holder 

You must show you have cash funds (a savings account or current account) to prove you have enough money to pay for your tuition fees and living costs. The bank account can be:

  • in your name
  • in your parents' names or legal guardians' names
  • in your partner's name 
  • in joint names (you must be one of the named account holders if a joint account)

A bank account in your partner’s name 

If you are using funds in your partner’s name then your partner must: 

  • be applying for a visa at the same time 

or  

  • have been granted permission to reside in the UK 

Type of account 

The account must be a cash funds account (for example, current, savings or deposit account).  

You must be able to access the funds in the account immediately.

You cannot use:

  • overdrafts

  • cryptocurrency

  • stocks and shares

  • pensions

  • bank accounts that are not regulated by the financial regulatory body in the country in which the bank operates

  • bank accounts that do not use electronic record keeping

Find out about which funds are not accepted by UKVI

Holding period  

You must present a bank statement that shows the money has been in the account for 28 continuous days. The funds cannot go below the required amount at any time during this 28-day period. 

You must submit your visa application within 31 days of the date of this bank statement.  

This holding period applies to funds held in a bank account.  

Types of documents 

Translations of any documents that are not in English

Any documents that are not in English must be translated by a professional translator. You must submit a fully certified translation that includes:  

  • the date of the translation   

  • the full name of the translator   

  • the signature of the translator or an employee of the translation company   

  • the translator's contact details or the translation company's details  

  • a confirmation that the document is an accurate translation 

 

Extra evidence (parent, guardian or partner)

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