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

What the Statement Must Show

RequirementDetail
LetterheadOfficial bank letterhead with the bank's name and logo
NameYour name, or your parent/sponsor's name if using their account
Account numberShown clearly on the statement
DateRecent, covering the full 28-day period
BalanceDaily or running balance proving the threshold was met every day
AuthenticationEach 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)

LocationPer month9 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:

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.

Last updated: June 2026. Always confirm requirements at gov.uk.

Next Steps