How much money should be in my bank statement for a UK visa?

It depends on the visa type. UK Visitor visa: enough to cover your entire trip (typically £100-150 per day plus return flight). UK Student visa: £1,334/month for London (9 months = £12,006) or £1,023/month outside London (9 months = £9,207), minus scholarships. UK Skilled Worker visa: £1,270 maintenance funds (or nothing if your sponsor certifies). All require the 28-day rule.

What is the UK visa 28-day rule?

For most UK visas requiring financial evidence (Student, Skilled Worker, Family), the required funds must have been held in the account for at least 28 consecutive days, ending no more than 31 days before the application. The ending balance on the last day of the 28-day period must not drop below the required amount. This is the single most common rejection reason for UK visas.

What format does the UK bank statement need to be in?

UKVI requires an official bank statement that shows: the applicant's name, account number, bank name and logo, statement period, and all transactions. Accepted formats: PDF printouts from online banking, stamped paper statements from a branch, or a letter from the bank. Mobile-app screenshots alone are NOT accepted. PDFs downloaded directly from the bank's online portal are the most common accepted format.

How many months of bank statements do I need for a UK visa?

Visitor visa: typically 6 months of statements. Student visa: the 28-day rule only requires 28 days, but most caseworkers expect 3 months for context. Skilled Worker: 90 days of statements if financial evidence is required. Family / Spouse visa: 6 months for most income-based applications, 3-6 months for savings-based. Always submit more than the minimum to avoid a Request for More Information (RMI).

Can I use Monzo, Starling, or Revolut statements for a UK visa?

Monzo and Starling — yes, both are FCA-regulated UK banks and their PDF statements are accepted. Revolut — generally yes for UK applications after Revolut's 2024 UK banking licence, but some caseworkers still question it; include an additional traditional bank statement as backup if possible.

Why was my UK visa bank statement rejected?

Top reasons: balance dropped below required amount during the 28-day window (caseworker checks EVERY day of the period, not just start and end); statement was older than 31 days before the application; large unexplained deposits immediately before the window started (looks like 'parking' funds to meet the requirement); mobile-app screenshot instead of official PDF; account in a relative's name without proper affidavit.

Can I use a joint account bank statement for a UK visa?

Yes for UK Student and Skilled Worker visas, provided the joint account holder is your parent, partner, or legal guardian AND you include their notarized consent letter. Partner consent works automatically if you're legally married. Close friends or unrelated roommates on joint accounts do NOT count.

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GuideApril 22, 2026·5 min read

Bank Statement for UK Visa: Amount, Format & Requirements

Bank statement prepared with visa checklist and passport

Quick answer

UKVI accepts PDF bank statements from any FCA-regulated UK or foreign bank showing your name, account details, and the full statement period. The 28-day rule applies to most visa types: the required funds must be held continuously for 28 days, ending no more than 31 days before applying. Amount varies by visa type.

Minimum funds by UK visa type

Visa type	Minimum funds	28-day rule?
Visitor visa (Standard)	£100-150/day × trip length + flights	Recommended, not strict
Student visa	£1,334/mo × 9 London / £1,023/mo × 9 outside London	Yes, strict
Skilled Worker	£1,270 (waived if sponsor certifies)	Yes, 90 days
Graduate visa	Usually none (completed in UK)	N/A if already in UK
Family / Spouse	£29,000/yr income OR £88,500 savings	Yes, 6 months
Global Talent	Usually none — sponsorship-based	N/A
Innovator Founder	£1,270 maintenance	Yes, 28 days

The 28-day rule (the biggest rejection cause)

Critical: UKVI caseworkers check EVERY day of the 28-day period — not just start and end. If your balance dipped below the required amount on even a single day, the application can be refused. Screenshot your account daily for the window, or use a savings pot you can't accidentally spend from.

What your UK visa bank statement must show

Your full name (matching passport exactly)
Account number and sort code
Bank name, logo, and registered address
Statement period covering the full required window
Every transaction during the window (not just balance snapshot)
Running balance after each transaction

Common rejection reasons

Balance dropped below threshold during the 28-day window
Statement older than 31 days before application submission
Large unexplained deposit right before the window started (looks like "parking")
Mobile-app screenshot instead of official PDF or printed statement
Joint account without notarized consent from other holder
Fixed-term deposit that can't be accessed within 28 days of the expected visa decision

Need to re-download your statement in the right format? See our UK bank statement download guide for every major UK bank's flow, or the general visa bank statement guide for multi-country requirements.

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Upload your PDF to check balance continuity across the 28-day window, confirm every required element is visible, and spot red flags before submission — all before you pay the visa fee.

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