When applying for a UK Visit Visa, you will need to show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay. 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.
Understanding the 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. 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”.
How much money do I need to visit the UK?
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. This includes:
- Accommodation (e.g. hotel, B&B, Airbnb, apartment)
- Living costs (e.g. food)
- Travel expenses (flights, train, visa)
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:
- Accommodation – £50 – 100 per night
- Food – £10 – £20 per meal
- Total = £60 – £120 per day
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.
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.
Can my Visit Visa travel costs be covered by a sponsor?
Yes, under the UK Immigration rules, someone (i.e. a sponsor) in the UK can provide your travel, maintenance or accommodation. 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).
Required bank statements
When submitting your visa application, you will need to provide bank statements covering at least the last six months. 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. 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.
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.
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. Entry Clearance Officers (ECOs) will be looking for any large, unexplained deposits in your statements. 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.
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 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.
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. If you have any questions about your trip to the UK, please speak to a member of our friendly and approachable expert immigration law team, who can advise you based on your unique circumstances.
A Y & J Solicitors is a specialist immigration law firm with extensive experience with 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!
