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Post-study workers

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Maintenance (funds)

This page explains what proof of maintenance you must send to support your application to the post study worker category (Tier 1 Post study work) under the points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.

Full details of these requirements are in the immigration rules at paragraphs 245V to 245ZA of part 6a which you can find on the right side of this page. You must read the policy guidance before you apply under this category. You can download the guidance and application form from the Applying section.

What the documents must show

If you are applying from within the United Kingdom, the balance must show that you have had at least £800 in your account at all times over the three-month period.

If you are applying from outside the United Kingdom, the balance must show that you have had at least £2,800 in your account at all times over the three-month period.

Evidence must be in the form of cash funds.  Other accounts or financial instruments for example, shares, bonds, pension funds, regardless of notice period, are not acceptable.

If you wish to rely on a joint account as evidence of available funds, you must be named on the account along with one or more other named individual(s).

For applications made either in the United Kingdom or overseas, all evidence must be dated no more than one month before the application is submitted.

The documents are:

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Personal bank or building society statements covering the three-month period immediately before the application

The personal bank or building society statements should clearly show:

  • your name;
  • the account number;
  • the date of the statement;
  • the financial institution's name and logo;
  • transactions covering the three-month period;
  • that there is enough funds present in the account; and
  • that there has been enough money present in the account for the past three months.

If you wish to send electronic bank statements from an online account these must contain all of the details listed above. In addition, you will need to send a supporting letter from your bank, on headed paper, confirming that the statements are genuine. Alternatively, electronic bank statements with the official stamp of the bank that issued the statements will be accepted. The stamp must appear on every page of the statement.

We will not accept statements which simply show the balance in the account on a particular day as these documents do not show that you hold enough funds for the full period required.

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Building society passbook covering the previous three-month period

The building society passbook should clearly show:

  • your name;
  • the account number;
  • the financial institution's name and logo;
  • transactions covering the three-month period;
  • that there has been enough money present in the account for the past three months.

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Letter from bank confirming funds and that they have been in bank for at least three months

The letter from a bank or building society should state:

  • your name;
  • the account number;
  • the date of the letter;
  • the financial institution's name and logo;
  • the funds held in your account; and
  • that enough funds have been in the bank for at least three months.

We will not accept letters which simply show the balance in the account on a particular day as these documents do not show that you hold enough funds for the full period required.

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Letter from financial institution regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) or the home regulator confirming funds

The letter from the financial institution regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) or home regulator should state:

  • your  name;
  • the account number;
  • the date of the letter;
  • the financial institution's name and logo;
  • the funds held in your account; and
  • that the funds have been in the bank for at least three months.

We will not accept letters which simply show the balance in the account on a particular day as these documents do not show that you hold enough funds for the full period required.

The home regulator is the official regulatory body for the country in which the institution operates and the funds are located.

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