Tier 1 (Post-study work) - closed to new applicants
Maintenance (funds)
This page explains how you can score points for your available maintenance (funds) when you make an application under Tier 1 (Post-study work) of the points-based system.
On this page
Before you apply, you must read the Tier 1 (Post-study work) policy guidance, which you can find on the right side of this page. The policy guidance is based on Part 6A of the Immigration Rules.
What is maintenance?
You must show that you have enough money in personal savings to support yourself for the entire length of your stay in the UK 'without recourse to public funds'. You will not be able to claim most benefits paid by the state.
How to score points
You must score 10 points for maintenance (funds). To score 10 points, you must have:
- £2,800 in available funds if you are applying for a visa from abroad; or
- £800 in available funds if you are already in the UK and applying to switch.
These funds must be cash savings held in your bank account(s) and/or shared bank account(s). If they are held in a bank account overseas, we will convert the amount to pounds sterling using the exchange rate published on the OANDA website on the date of your application.
The funds must have been in your bank account(s) for at least 90 days before the date of your application. You must show that the required amount was in your account(s) at all times over this period.
You will not score points for any other accounts or financial instruments such as shares, bonds, pension funds or agreed overdraft facilities.
You must prove your maintenance (funds) by sending evidence to support your application. The most recent evidence must be dated no more than 1 month before the date of your application.
More information
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What is the date of your application if you are applying from outside the UK?
The date of your application is the date when your application fee is paid to us. This will be the date shown on your payment receipt, which depends on how you paid for your visa application - for example, at a visa application centre or online.
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What is the date of your application? (Applying by post or courier from inside the UK)
If you send your application form and application fee by post, the date of application is the date of posting. This is decided by the postmark. If the postmark is illegible or missing, the date of postage is taken as being at least 1 day before it is received by us.
If you send your application form and application fee by courier, the date of application is the date when it is delivered to our payment handling service.
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What is the date of your application? (Applying in person inside the UK)
If you are applying in person at one of our public enquiry offices, your application date will be the date when you attend the public enquiry office to make your application and pay your application fee.
Application forms
Tier 1 (Post-study work) guidance
- Tier 1 (Post-study work) policy guidancePDF 347KB opens in a new window