You must show your unpaid first-year tuition plus 9 months of living costs (£1,529/month in London, £1,171/month outside), held for 28 consecutive days. Many Nepali students fund this with an education loan - that's allowed, but it must be documented correctly, and any large deposit needs a clear source.
The 28-Day Rule
- Funds must sit in the account for 28 consecutive days without dropping below the required amount on any single day.
- The closing balance must be dated no more than 31 days before you submit your online application.
- The money can sit untouched - no transactions are required during the 28 days.
What the Statement Must Show
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Letterhead | Official bank letterhead with the bank's name and logo |
| Name | Your name, or your parent/sponsor's name if using their account |
| Account number | Shown clearly on the statement |
| Date | Recent, covering the full 28-day period |
| Balance | Daily or running balance proving the threshold was met every day |
| Authentication | Each page stamped and signed by the bank, or a covering letter confirming the statement is genuine |
Using an Education Loan
A loan from a recognised Nepali bank or financial institution counts as funds if it's an academic/education loan paid to you (or held in your name) without further conditions. Provide the loan sanction/approval letter on bank letterhead. The same loan documents support your NOC and fee remittance.
Evidence the Source of Large Deposits
A big amount that appears just before the 28-day window can trigger a credibility refusal unless you can show where it came from - property/land sale deed, salary or business income, a documented family gift, or a sanctioned loan. Season and document the money.
Maintenance Amounts (2026)
| Location | Per month | 9 months |
|---|---|---|
| London | £1,529 | £13,761 |
| Outside London | £1,171 | £10,539 |
Add any unpaid tuition shown on your CAS. Tuition you've already paid reduces what you need to show - keep the receipt.
Using a Parent or Sponsor's Account
- Their stamped bank statement covering the 28 days.
- Proof of your relationship - birth certificate / relationship certificate.
- A signed letter from them confirming they consent to you using the funds for your studies.
What Counts and What Doesn't
Accepted
- Regulated Nepali banks (Nabil, Global IME, NIC Asia, Standard Chartered Nepal, and similar)
- Current or savings accounts
- Education loan sanction letters (recognised institutions)
- A parent/sponsor account (with consent + relationship proof)
Not Accepted
- Unstamped print-outs or app screenshots
- Mobile wallets (eSewa, Khalti)
- Overdrafts
- Shares, investments, crypto
- Cash deposits with no traceable source
Leave an Exchange-Rate Buffer
If your funds are in rupees, the pound value moves. Keep 5-10% above the minimum so a rate swing on application day doesn't push you below the threshold (NRB now even allows an extra 5% to be remitted for this reason). UKVI converts using the OANDA rate on the day you apply.
Rising on 30 November 2026
From 30 November 2026 the monthly maintenance amounts go up to £1,570 in London and £1,203 outside London (9-month totals £14,130 and £10,827). The maximum accommodation payment you can offset also rises to £1,570. If you apply on or after that date, show the new amounts. Dependant amounts are not changed by this update. Source: Statement of Changes HC 584 (3 September 2026), paragraphs APP ST8–ST10.
Frequently Asked Questions
You must show living costs of £1,529 per month for a course in London, or £1,171 per month outside London, for up to 9 months (up to £13,761 or £10,539), plus any unpaid tuition shown on your CAS. From 30 November 2026 the amounts rise to £1,570 (London) and £1,203 (outside London) per month, so £14,130 or £10,827 for 9 months.
The funds must sit for 28 consecutive days without the balance ever dipping below the required amount, and the statement's 28-day period must end no more than 31 days before you apply.
Yes. Use their stamped bank statement covering the same 28 days, your birth certificate showing your relationship, and a signed letter from them consenting to you using the funds for your studies.
Yes. An academic or education loan from a recognised Nepali bank counts if it is paid to you or held in your name without further conditions. Provide the loan sanction letter on bank letterhead - the same documents support your NOC and NRB fee remittance.
No. Funds must sit in a regulated Nepali bank with a stamped statement. Mobile wallets (eSewa, Khalti), unstamped screenshots and untraceable cash deposits are not accepted.
Last updated: October 2026. Always confirm requirements at gov.uk.