How Much Bank Balance is Required For a UK Visit Visa?

There is no fixed minimum bank balance for UK tourist visa, but you must prove sufficient funds to cover every day of your trip. The Home Office caseworker checks that the money is genuinely available and matches your planned itinerary.

• Purpose: show you can pay for travel, accommodation, daily costs and the journey home without working or using public funds
• 28 Day Rule: the closing balance must stay the same for 28 consecutive days ending no more than 31 days before you apply
• 6 Month Statements: UK visitor visa requires a financial proof of official bank records covering at least six months so officers can see regular income and normal spending
• Sponsor Option: a friend or relative may pledge support, yet they must also show six months of their own statements and sign a letter promising to cover your costs
• Funds Warning: large unexplained credits close to the application date are treated as borrowed money and remain the top reason for refusal

Disclaimer: The information in this blog is accurate as of its publication date. Any updates after that date are not reflected here.

Before You Apply for UK Visit Visa

When applying for a UK Visit Visa, you will need to show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay. Before you apply, make sure you have all your supporting papers ready. You can go through our UK Visit Visa documents checklist to ensure you’ve included every mandatory document, from your bank statements to your travel history, before submission.

The problem is that UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) explain exactly how much is needed, leaving many Visit Visa applicants understandably confused. This article aims to clear up any confusion and will explain how much bank balance you will need to satisfy the Visit Visa requirements.

What are the UK Visit Visa Financial Requirements?

If you are about to make a Visit Visa application to come to the UK, you will need to show that you have enough money to cover your time here. This is one of the tests to verify that applicants are genuine visitors. You must provide proof of funds for UK tourist visa purposes to show that you can support yourself during your stay in the UK.

Sufficient funds must cover:

• Travel: return or onward tickets plus any internal transport
• Accommodation: hotel, guest house or private stay for every night
• Food: daily meals and drinks for you and anyone travelling with you
• Dependants: costs for spouse, partner or children listed on the application
• Planned activities: private medical treatment, pre-booked tours, conferences or events

Appendix V of the UK immigration rules states that applicants must satisfy the decision maker that they are genuine visitors, which means the applicant: “must have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to their visit without working or accessing public funds, including the cost of the return or onward journey, any costs relating to their dependants, and the cost of planned activities such as private medical treatment. The applicant must show that any funds they rely upon are held in a financial institution permitted under FIN 2.1 in Appendix Finance”. 

Understanding the UK Visitor Visa requirements is essential before you begin your application process.

How Much Bank Balance is Required for a UK Visit Visa? Explained

Unfortunately, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) does not specify the exact amount of money that you need to have in your bank account for a UK Visit Visa. What matters is that you can demonstrate that the amount you have is enough to cover all your expenses during your stay in the UK without relying on public funds. For applicants wondering about the minimum bank balance for UK tourist visa, the answer depends on your trip duration and planned activities. This includes:

This includes:

• Accommodation (e.g. hotel, B&B, Airbnb, apartment)
• Living costs (e.g. food)
• Travel expenses​ (flights, train, visa)

Sample Budget Guide:

While UKVI does not specify an amount that you must have to apply for a Visit Visa, we recommend that you have at least the following amounts:

When it comes to travel (e.g. train travel around the UK), make sure that you have researched the cost of your journey/s and that you have enough in your bank to cover them.

If you are applying from India, Pakistan or Nigeria, caseworkers see thousands of files every month. Showing a balance that matches the table above plus steady salary credits is the simplest way to pass the funds test. Indian applicants should note that the minimum bank balance for UK tourist visa from India should align with these recommended amounts to avoid refusal.

A general guideline is to have at least £1,800 to £3,600 available for each month you plan to stay in the UK. This will depend on your planned activities, accommodation costs, and personal spending habits​.

What is the 28-Day Rule for UK Visit Visa Bank Balance?

The 28-day rule means the money you rely on must sit in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before you apply. During this period, the balance must never drop below the amount you need for your trip, even for one day. The closing balance date on your most recent statement must be within 31 days of the online application date. 

Entry Clearance Officers count each day backwards from that closing balance to check the full 28-day history, so give yourself a clear buffer and apply as soon as the 28-day window is complete. This rule applies to all applicants checking the minimum bank balance for UK tourist visa requirements.

How much money is required for UK tourist visa from India, Pakistan or Nigeria in 2026?

UK Visas and Immigration does not publish a fixed rupee or naira figure, but experience from recent decisions in 2025 shows that officers look for roughly £100 per day plus the cost of your flight. The table below turns that guideline into local currency so you can judge the balance you should show.

Keep the money in your account for the full 28-day rule and add a stamped bank statement that shows regular salary credits. The minimum bank balance for UK tourist visa shown in the table above represents the baseline amount that Entry Clearance Officers expect to see. Applicants from India, Pakistan and Nigeria sit in the highest-volume caseload, so a clear balance that matches the table above is the simplest way to avoid a refusal.

If you’re applying from India, the steps, fees, and timelines can differ slightly. Follow our updated walkthrough on the UK Tourist Visa from India application process to understand how to apply, book your biometrics, and upload your documents correctly.

Can a Sponsor Cover My Bank Balance for a UK Visit Visa?

Yes, under the UK Immigration rules, someone (i.e. a sponsor) in the UK can provide your travel, maintenance or accommodation. Many people ask how much money do I need to sponsor a visitor to the UK, and the answer depends on the visitor’s trip length and planned expenses. To do so, you will need to provide evidence showing:

• What support is being provided to you, and whether it extends to a dependent family member (e.g. your partner or child)
• How this support is being provided
• The person sponsoring you has sufficient funds to adequately support themselves and their dependents
• The relationship between you and the sponsor (e.g. if they are your family member or your employer) and
• The person sponsoring you is legally in the UK (e.g. EUSS Settled Status, ILR document or British passport).

Sponsor Evidence Pack to Prepare

1. Funds

• Six months of original bank statements in the sponsor’s name
• Signed and dated letter that states the exact amount of money offered, what it will pay for (travel, accommodation, daily costs) and whether the gift is repayable

2. Relationship

• Birth or marriage certificate if family
• Employment contract or HR letter if the sponsor is your employer
• Simple signed note explaining how you met and how often you speak if the link is friendship

3. Legal Status in the UK

• British passport photocopy (photo page), or
• Current BRP front and back, or
• EUSS share code printed within 30 days, or
• ILR letter from the Home Office

When determining how much money do I need to sponsor a visitor to the UK, sponsors should demonstrate the same level of funds shown in the visitor’s budget guide, plus evidence of their own financial stability.

What Bank Statements Are Acceptable for a UK Visit Visa?

When submitting your visa application, you will need to provide bank statements covering at least the last 6 months. If your account is newly opened, you must still give 6 months of records from any previous account or provide a letter from the bank that confirms the opening date and balance history. Every page must be stamped by the bank or downloaded as a secure electronic statement that can be verified online.

Bank Statement Format for UK Visitor Visa

Statements can be printed on official bank letterhead or downloaded as certified PDF copies. Ensure all pages are legible and, if submitted digitally, are stamped or verified by your bank.

These statements should clearly show your income outgoings and demonstrate your overall financial stability. It is important to provide financial documents proving that you have sufficient funds available and that you have access to the funds. Knowing what constitutes an acceptable bank statement for UK visa purposes will help you prepare the right documentation.

Acceptable evidence may include:

• Bank statements showing where the money came from
• Building society books showing the origin of the funds held, and
• Proof of earnings (e.g. a letter from your employer confirming employment details, including your start date of employment, salary, role, and company contact details.

Bear in mind that the consistency and regularity of deposits into your account are as important as the balance itself. These will reflect your genuine financial situation and capability to support yourself during your visit to the UK. An acceptable bank statement for UK visa will show steady income, regular transactions, and sufficient funds maintained over the required period.

Rules for Financial Evidence

In addition to the above, there are certain rules on the dates of financial evidence that you must adhere to:

• The most recently dated piece of financial evidence must be dated within 31 days before the date of application.
• The length of time for which funds are held will be calculated by counting back from the date of the closing balance on the most recently dated piece of financial evidence.
• The financial evidence provided must cover the whole period of time for which the funds must be held.

Does the UK Embassy Verify Bank Statements?

Yes. Entry Clearance Officers (ECOs) run every statement through a three-step check:

• Bank contact: The Risk and Verification Unit emails or phones your branch to confirm the account exists, the balance is correct and the statement is genuine.
• Pattern analysis: Software scans for round-number deposits, sudden jumps or identical amounts that suggest the money was parked for the visa .
• Digital forensics: Fonts, spacing and PDF metadata are compared with the bank’s known templates. Any mismatch flags the document for manual review.

If the statement cannot be confirmed, or if tampering is found, the application is refused, and the applicant receives a 10-year ban for deception. The UK visit visa funds verification process applies to every bank statement for UK visa submission, regardless of the applicant’s country of origin. 

Proof of Sufficient Funds Beyond Bank Statements

Your visa file is stronger when you add evidence that backs up the balance you have shown. You can use:

• Payslips – the last three months, stamped by your employer
• Income-tax returns (ITR) – the last two years, with the acknowledgement sheet from the tax portal
• Fixed-deposit certificates – from a scheduled bank, showing the amount and maturity date
• Property valuation or title deed – to prove long-term savings and ties to your home country
• Sponsor pack – a signed letter, the sponsor’s six-month bank statements, proof of relationship and copy of their UK passport or residence permit

If you attach each document to the bank statements, you will give the Entry Clearance Officer a full picture of how the trip will be paid for. Understanding how much funds for UK Visitor Visa you need to show goes beyond just the bank balance—it includes all supporting financial documentation.

Avoid ‘Funds Parking’

The term ‘funds parking’ means temporarily placing a large sum of money into a bank account as a way of falsely demonstrating financial stability. UKVI are extremely alert to the use of funds parking as a way of securing a Visit Visa. For instance, if you suddenly deposit £5,000 into your account without clear proof of its origin, Entry Clearance Officers (ECOs) may treat it as funds parking. If you do have large deposits in your bank statements, you may need to provide evidence explaining their source, such as a property sale or a bonus from your employer.

Acceptable explanations and the documents you should attach:

• Bonus or back pay: latest payslip plus employer letter stating the amount and reason
• Property sale: completion statement from the solicitor and a copy of the signed sale contract
• Gift from family: signed gift letter giving the donor’s name, amount and relationship, plus the donor’s bank statement showing the money leaving their account
• Loan: a formal loan agreement and bank statements showing the funds arriving from the lender

Provide one of these documents, and the deposit will be accepted as genuine. Whether you’re determining the minimum bank balance for UK tourist visa, avoid funds parking to prevent automatic refusal.

Additional Visit Visa Financial Considerations

Here are some other key points to bear in mind to ensure you meet the financial requirements for a UK Visitor Visa:

• Printed online bank statements are perfectly fine as long as they include all necessary details, such as the bank’s name and address, your personal details, and your banking transactions.
• If you are applying from India, Pakistan or Nigeria, have your bank statements certified by your bank. These countries sit in the high-refusal bracket and a stamp removes any doubt.
• If applying from a country with high visa refusal rates, have your bank statements certified by your bank​.
• If you are self-employed, ensure that all your income is clearly shown in your bank statements. It is important to show a clear pattern of income and expenses.
• Joint bank account statements are also fine if both account holders are applying for UK Visitor Visas together. If only one account holder is applying, it must be clear that the applicant has full access to the funds.

Gathering the complete list of documents required for UK Visitor Visa includes not only bank statements but also proof of ties to your home country.

Self-Employed Checklist:

• Latest tax return or tax computation
• Six months of business bank statements
• Three recent customer invoices that match the credits in the statements

Pakistani applicants often ask how much bank statement for UK Visit Visa from Pakistan they need to submit, and the answer is 6 months of certified statements showing steady income.

The UK immigration rules require every applicant to prove they’re a genuine visitor. Our guide on how to prove you’re a genuine visitor under Appendix V explains what kind of evidence, from travel intent to financial stability, works best to strengthen your case.

Common Mistakes That Lead to UK Visit Visa Refusals

Even a strong bank balance can be ruined by a simple paperwork error. Below are the five fastest ways to invite a refusal, so you can steer clear of them.

Sudden deposits

A single large credit that appears a few days before you apply looks like borrowed money. If you cannot show a payslip, sale deed or gift letter to match the amount, the officer will treat it as funds parking and refuse.

Inconsistent balance

Your balance swings from £200 to £4,000 and back again. This pattern suggests the money is not genuinely yours or is only temporary. Keep the balance steady for the whole 28-day period.

Unsupported sponsorship

Relying on a friend or relative without their stamped bank statements, proof of legal status in the UK and a signed letter is a routine refusal point.

Cash-only savings

Showing a healthy balance but no salary credits, tax slips or business invoices makes it hard to prove the money came from lawful activity. Always add at least three months of payslips or your latest tax return. A proper bank statement for UK Visit Visa should clearly show the source of your funds through regular deposits.

Missing pages or wrong dates

Supplying only five months of statements, or a statement whose closing date sits outside the 31-day window, is classed as incomplete evidence and leads to an automatic reject. Meeting the UK Visitor Visa bank statement requirement means providing complete, dated documentation that covers the full six-month period.

Check each point before you press submit and you will present a file that is easy to approve instead of easy to refuse. Understanding the complete documents required for UK Visitor Visa and preparing them correctly will significantly improve your chances of approval.

Please Note: Visa refusals can often be avoided if you understand what the Home Office looks for. Check our detailed guide on UK Visitor Visa refusal reasons in 2025 to learn about the most common mistakes applicants make and how to avoid them.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the financial requirements for different types of UK Visitor Visas in 2025?

If you’re preparing your proof of funds for a UK visitor visa, the amount you need depends on your purpose of travel , whether it’s for tourism, family visits, or business meetings. While the Home Office doesn’t set a strict minimum, showing adequate and consistent funds strengthens your application.

Here’s a quick comparison of the financial requirements for UK visitor visas in 2025:

2. Can I use someone else’s account for my UK Visitor Visa proof of funds?

Yes, you can, but only if that person is acting as your official financial sponsor. This could be a parent, spouse, or close relative who is covering your travel and living costs in the UK. You’ll need to provide their bank statements for the last six months and a signed sponsorship letter explaining your relationship and confirming they will fund your trip. Without this documentation, the Home Office may not accept third-party bank statements.

3.  Can I show fixed deposits or mutual funds for a UK Visitor Visa?

Yes, you can show fixed deposits (FDs) or mutual funds as part of your proof of funds, provided they can be easily liquidated when needed. Make sure you include official certificates or bank letters that clearly mention your name, the bank or fund details, and the maturity dates. These documents help the Home Office verify that the money genuinely belongs to you and is readily available for your travel expenses.

4.  How do I prove financial ties to my home country for a UK Visit Visa?

To demonstrate strong financial and personal ties to your home country, which reassures the Home Office that you’ll return after your visit, include documents such as property ownership papers, income tax returns, or employment confirmation letters from your current employer. If you own a business, you can attach your business registration certificate or bank statements showing regular activity. The goal is to show that you have stable roots and commitments that make you likely to return home.

5. Can I show fixed deposit for UK visitor visa?

Yes, you can show a fixed deposit as proof of funds for a UK visitor visa, provided it is matured or can be liquidated on demand. The deposit should be in your name (or your sponsor’s name if applicable) and must be supported by an official bank letter confirming the amount, maturity date, and accessibility of funds. Fixed deposits that are locked or inaccessible during your stay may not be accepted as valid proof of funds.

Final Words

UKVI does not provide a minimum bank balance requirement for UK Visit Visa applicants. What matters is that you can show that you have enough money to cover your entire stay. Providing clear, consistent, and comprehensive financial evidence through your bank statements is crucial. Avoid any indication of funds parking and be prepared to provide detailed explanations for any large deposits. 

Every applicant’s financial situation is unique. Our immigration experts at A Y & J Solicitors have handled over 200 Visitor Visa cases and can help you prepare strong bank balance evidence and avoid refusal. We are proud to be ranked in the Legal 500 and offer friendly, clear advice tailored to your circumstances. If you have any questions about your trip to the UK, please speak to a member of our approachable team today.

A Y & J Solicitors is a specialist immigration law firm with extensive experience in all types of visa applications. We have an in-depth understanding of immigration law and are professional and results-focused. For assistance with your visa application or any other UK immigration law concerns, please contact us on +44 20 7404 7933 or contact us today. We’re here to help!