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Immigration · UK & US
Bank statements for immigration applications
Immigration authorities use bank statements to verify income, savings, and financial stability. The exact requirements differ sharply by visa route — here is what each one demands and how to get it right.
UK immigration routes: bank statement requirements
Spouse / Partner Visa (UK)
6 monthsSponsor must meet the minimum income threshold — £29,000/year from April 2024 (rising to £38,700 by early 2025 for new applicants). Bank statements must show salary deposits matching payslips. Savings can supplement income: £16,000+ held for 6 months can top up a shortfall.
Statements must be from the most recent 6 months. Each page must be stamped by the bank if paper-based, or certified if printed online.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
6–12 monthsDemonstrates financial stability alongside the qualifying period. No specific income threshold for most ILR routes, but statements supporting your Life in the UK application and suitability assessment are expected. Self-employed applicants need business statements plus SA302.
Statements must be complete — no pages missing. All accounts must be disclosed if they form part of your financial evidence.
Skilled Worker / Points-Based Visa
3 monthsOnly required if you do not have a Certificate of Sponsorship that covers maintenance. If you need to demonstrate personal maintenance funds, UKVI requires £1,270 held in your account for a consecutive 28-day period ending no more than 31 days before the application date.
The 28-day holding period is strict. The balance must not drop below £1,270 on any single day during the period.
Student Visa (UK)
28-day holding periodMust show £1,334/month for London (£1,023 outside London) for up to 9 months of the course, held consecutively for 28 days. If your CAS covers maintenance, personal funds may not be needed.
Statements dated within 31 days of application. Online banking screenshots are not accepted — official statements only.
Family Visa (other dependants)
6 monthsSponsor must meet the financial requirement for the main applicant plus any additional dependants. Additional income or savings thresholds apply per dependant. Bank statements evidence the sponsor's income deposits.
All income sources must be declared. Undisclosed income or accounts can lead to refusal on credibility grounds.
For a general overview of bank statement requirements across all visa types, see our guide on bank statements for visa applications.
The 28-day rule explained
For Points-Based System (PBS) visas — Skilled Worker, Student, Graduate — UKVI applies the 28-day consecutive holding rule. This means:
The required maintenance funds must be present in your account every single day for 28 consecutive days
The 28-day period must end no more than 31 days before your application date
If your balance drops below the threshold even once, the clock resets
Official bank statements covering the full 28-day period are required — not screenshots
The funds must be in a personal account (not a business account) unless you are self-employed and specific rules apply
Common mistake: Applicants transfer funds in to meet the balance, then pay bills during the 28 days causing a dip. Set up the funds in a dedicated account and do not touch it until the application is submitted.
US immigration: bank statement requirements
Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support)
For family-based green cards, the US petitioner must demonstrate income at 125% of the Federal Poverty Level. Bank statements (typically 3–12 months) are submitted alongside tax returns as evidence of financial capacity.
Visa interview / consular processing
US consulates may request bank statements during immigrant visa interviews — particularly for applicants from high-scrutiny countries. The officer assesses whether the applicant has ties to their home country and is not likely to become a public charge.
Public charge rule
USCIS assesses whether an applicant is likely to become reliant on public benefits. Strong bank statements showing consistent savings and income are positive factors in the totality-of-circumstances test.
Before you submit: checklist
Statements are official — printed from bank portal or paper originals (not screenshots)
All pages are included — no gaps in the date range
Your name and account number match the application documents
For 28-day rule: balance never dropped below the threshold across the full period
For spouse visa savings: balance held continuously for the full 6 months
Statement date is within the required window (usually 31 days before application)
Paper statements are stamped or accompanied by a bank covering letter
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Common questions
How many months of bank statements do I need for a UK immigration application?
It depends on the route. Spouse and partner visas require 6 months. Skilled Worker and Student visas require statements covering a consecutive 28-day period. ILR applications typically require 6–12 months. Always check the specific appendix of the Immigration Rules for your route — UKVI guidance is precise about which period is required.
What is the 28-day bank statement rule for UK visas?
For Skilled Worker, Student, and some other PBS visas, UKVI requires that the required maintenance funds (e.g. £1,270 for Skilled Worker) are held continuously in your bank account for 28 consecutive days. The balance must not drop below the threshold on any single day. The 28-day period must end no more than 31 days before the date of application.
Can I use savings instead of income for a UK spouse visa?
Yes — savings can be used to top up a shortfall in the income requirement, or as the sole financial basis if certain conditions are met. The savings must be held for at least 6 months before the application and must total at least £16,000 (or a higher amount calculated based on the income shortfall). Bank statements for the full 6-month holding period are required.
Do bank statements need to be stamped for a UK visa?
Paper bank statements must be on official bank letterhead or stamped by the bank. Statements downloaded and printed from online banking are accepted only if they are accompanied by a covering letter from the bank confirming they are genuine — or if the printed statement clearly shows the bank's official branding and security features. UKVI has rejected applications where online-printed statements lacked authentication.
What if my bank statement shows a dip below the required balance?
Even a single day below the required threshold during the 28-day period will technically invalidate the evidence for PBS visa routes. UKVI applies this rule strictly. If your balance dipped, you will need to restart the 28-day counting period from the last date the full balance was restored and held. Apply only when you have a clean 28-day run.
Can I use a joint bank account for immigration evidence?
Yes — joint accounts are accepted, but only your share of the funds counts unless the joint holder is also an applicant or sponsor covered by the same application. For spouse visa applications, the sponsor's accounts (including joint accounts) can be used to evidence the income requirement.
What bank statements do I need for a US green card application?
For family-based green cards, the sponsoring petitioner submits Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) with supporting financial documents — typically the most recent tax returns, and optionally 3–12 months of bank statements to demonstrate current financial capacity. If income is below 125% of the Federal Poverty Level, more extensive documentation including savings and assets is required.