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. For Pakistani applicants the balance is rarely the problem - the source of the money is. A big deposit that appears from nowhere just before you apply is the classic refusal trigger.
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 on the statement 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 |
Source of Funds - The Pakistan Refusal Trap
If a large amount lands in the account shortly before the 28-day window, UKVI may refuse on credibility unless you can prove where it came from. Be ready to evidence the source:
- Property or asset sale - sale deed and bank credit
- Salary or business income - payslips, salary slips, tax returns
- Gift from family - a gift declaration plus the giver's own source evidence
- Loan - sanction letter (note: education/maintenance loans must be from an approved financial institution to count)
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. If you've already paid tuition or a deposit, that reduces what you need to show - keep the receipt.
Using a Parent or Sponsor's Account
Allowed, and common. You'll need:
- Their stamped bank statement covering the 28 days.
- Proof of your relationship - birth certificate (B-Form / FRC from NADRA can help corroborate).
- A signed letter from them confirming they consent to you using the funds for your studies.
What Counts and What Doesn't
Accepted
- Regulated Pakistani banks (HBL, UBL, MCB, Meezan, Allied, Bank Alfalah, and similar)
- Current or savings accounts
- Official loan or scholarship letters (from approved institutions)
- A parent/sponsor account (with consent + relationship proof)
Not Accepted
- Unstamped print-outs or app screenshots
- Mobile wallets (JazzCash, Easypaisa)
- Overdrafts
- Shares, investment funds, prize bonds, crypto
- Cash deposits with no traceable source
Leave an Exchange-Rate Buffer
If your funds are in rupees, the pound value moves daily. Keep 5-10% above the minimum so a rate swing on application day doesn't push you below the threshold. UKVI converts using the OANDA rate on the day you apply.
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.
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.
No. Funds must sit in a regulated Pakistani bank with a statement stamped and signed by the bank. Mobile wallets (JazzCash, Easypaisa), unstamped print-outs and cash deposits with no traceable source are not accepted.
If a large sum lands just before your 28-day window, UKVI can refuse on credibility unless you prove where it came from - a property sale deed, salary or business income with tax returns, a documented family gift, or a loan sanction letter from an approved institution.
Last updated: July 2026. Always confirm requirements at gov.uk.