UK Student visa applications can be refused for reasons that feel frustratingly minor, especially when the applicant genuinely has the money available. The financial requirement itself is strict, but what catches many students out is the evidence: the dates, the format, the account details, and whether the balance meets the rules for every single day of the required period. Universities and advisers often see refusals where the funds were available, but the bank statement did not clearly prove it in the way UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) expects.
This matters at scale. In the year ending September 2025, the Home Office granted 439,924 sponsored study visas. Even a small error rate becomes a large number of disrupted study plans.
This guide focuses on the most common bank statement pitfalls and how to avoid them, with practical checks students can apply before submitting.
To explore broader Student route guidance, readers may also find these pages helpful:
Student visa
Uk student visa requirements
The key rules UKVI checks on bank statements
Before looking at mistakes, it helps to be clear on the core rules UKVI applies to financial evidence:
- Funds must be held for 28 consecutive days, and the 28-day period is calculated by counting back from the closing balance date shown on the most recent piece of evidence.
- The financial evidence must be dated no more than 31 days before the date of application.
- If the money is held in a foreign currency, UKVI will convert it into pounds sterling using the spot exchange rate on OANDA for the date of application.
- The amount required depends on course fees and living costs. For living costs, the current figures are £1,334 per month for courses in London and £1,023 per month for courses outside London (for up to 9 months).
For families studying together or applying under related routes, these pages are often relevant:
Child student visa
Parent of a child student
Short term study visa
The most common bank statement errors and how to fix them
1) The statement does not cover a full 28-day period
Some applicants provide a statement that shows the right balance on 2 dates, but does not cover the entire 28 consecutive days. UKVI needs to see the balance across the full period, and the balance must not drop below the required level at any point.
Practical fix:
- Use statements that show transactions and daily running balances, or ensure the statement period clearly spans at least 28 days.
2) The closing balance date is too old
A common timing issue is printing a statement early, then submitting the visa application later. If the closing balance date is more than 31 days before the application date, the evidence fails even if everything else is correct.
Practical fix:
- Plan backwards from the date the application will be submitted and paid for, and generate the statement close to that point.
3) The balance dips below the required amount for 1 day
Students sometimes calculate the required sum correctly but forget that the balance must stay at or above that figure every day during the 28-day period. One dip below the threshold can be enough for refusal.
Practical fix:
- Keep a buffer above the requirement to protect against small fees, exchange rate movements, or unexpected account charges.
4) The statement is missing required identifiers
UKVI expects the statement to show key identifiers such as the account holder’s name, the bank or building society name, and account information. If a download is missing a logo, account number, or the holder’s name, it may be treated as unreliable.
Practical fix:
- If using online statements, download the official PDF version that includes the bank’s branding and full account details. Avoid screenshots.
5) The account is not in an acceptable name, or the relationship evidence is missing
Many students use a parent’s account, which can be permitted, but only if the supporting relationship and consent evidence is included. Where this is missed, UKVI may treat the funds as not available to the applicant.
Practical fix:
- If relying on parents’ funds, prepare the supporting documents early and make sure names match across documents.
6) Large, unexplained deposits shortly before the 28-day period ends
UKVI’s focus is on whether the money is genuinely held and available, not simply “shown” at the last moment. Sudden deposits can lead to scrutiny, especially if the pattern suggests short-term borrowing.
Practical fix:
- Avoid last-minute transfers if possible. If a large deposit is unavoidable (for example, sale of an asset or a scholarship payment), prepare clear evidence showing the source and that the funds are genuinely available.
7) Using the wrong type of funds or the wrong account type
Maintenance funds usually need to be cash funds that are immediately accessible. Some products that restrict withdrawals or behave like investments may not work as intended.
Practical fix:
- Use a standard current or savings account with straightforward access and clear statements.
8) Currency conversion assumptions
Applicants sometimes assume the foreign-currency balance “will be enough in pounds”, but the exchange rate used on the application date can move. UKVI converts using OANDA’s spot rate on the date of application.
Practical fix:
- Build in a currency buffer. If close to the threshold in GBP terms, top up early enough to preserve the 28-day period.
9) Mismatched names, spelling differences, or inconsistent personal details
Small inconsistencies (for example, different spellings of a name across bank records and passport details) can cause delays or additional verification.
Practical fix:
- Ask the bank to update records to match the passport, or include a clear explanation with supporting evidence if a change cannot be made in time.
10) Submitting partial evidence, unclear scans, or low-quality uploads
Even correct evidence can fail if it is unreadable. Blurry scans, cut-off pages, or missing pages are more common than people realise.
Practical fix:
- Check every page before submission, confirm nothing is cropped, and ensure all pages are included in the correct order.
A simple pre-submission checklist
Before submitting the visa application, students can run through a quick final check:
- The statement shows at least 28 consecutive days.
- The balance never drops below the required figure during that period.
- The closing balance date is within 31 days of application.
- Name, bank name, and account details are clearly visible.
- The required funds are shown in £ terms (or a safe buffer exists if held in another currency).
- Supporting documents are included if using parents, loans, or sponsorship.
FAQs
Do students always need to submit bank statements?
UKVI’s rules allow different types of financial evidence (including bank statements, official loan letters, and sponsorship letters), and some applicants may not automatically need to upload financial evidence at the point of application. However, students must still meet the financial requirement and should be ready to provide evidence if UKVI requests it.
Can students use more than one bank account to meet the required amount?
This can be possible, but it increases the risk of missing dates or creating gaps. If multiple accounts are used, each must meet the relevant requirements and the overall evidence must remain clear and consistent.
What date matters most for the 28-day calculation?
The 28 days is calculated by counting back from the closing balance date on the most recent piece of evidence submitted.
What if the account is in a foreign currency?
UKVI converts to pounds sterling using OANDA’s spot exchange rate on the date of application, so applicants should leave a sensible buffer.
What are the current living cost figures students should work from?
For maintenance funds (living costs), the current monthly figures are £1,334 for courses in London and £1,023 for courses outside London, for up to 9 months.
If a Student visa application hinges on financial evidence, it is worth getting the paperwork checked before submission. Garth Coates Solicitors can review bank statements and supporting documents, highlight risks early, and help present evidence in a way that aligns with UKVI’s requirements.
Contact
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7799 1600
Email: [email protected]
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