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Proof of funds is the part of a student visa application that worries most people. The amount depends on the country, the length of your course and whether tuition is counted separately. This guide compares eight popular destinations using their published figures, shows how to add up your total and explains how to present the money so it is accepted.
The Eight Destinations Compared
| Destination | Living-cost funds | Tuition and other costs |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 a month elsewhere, for up to 9 months, for applications made before 30 November 2026 | One academic year of course fees from your CAS, less any deposit already paid |
| United States | No single national figure. Your school sets the amount on your I-20 form | The I-20 estimate usually covers tuition, fees, living costs and health insurance for one year |
| Canada | CAD 23,448 a year for a single applicant outside Quebec, for applications from 1 September 2026 | First-year tuition and travel costs. Quebec sets its own, higher living-cost figure |
| Australia | AUD 29,710 a year for the student | First-year tuition from your Confirmation of Enrolment, plus extra for family members |
| Germany | €11,904 a year (€992 a month), usually held in a blocked account | Tuition depends on the university. Check its fee page |
| New Zealand | NZD 20,000 a year for courses of 36 weeks or longer, or NZD 1,667 for each month of study on shorter courses | Tuition is handled separately. Check current Immigration New Zealand instructions |
| Norway | NOK 170,386 for the 2026/2027 academic year (NOK 166,859 was the 2025/2026 figure) | Many students from outside the EU and EEA also pay tuition, so you must show money for it or proof that it is paid |
| South Korea | US$20,000 a year in the Seoul area or US$18,000 elsewhere, for associate degree level or above | Tuition payment or a scholarship certificate where applicable |
These figures change as costs and rules are reviewed. The amounts above are the ones published for the dates stated, so confirm the figure that applies on the day you apply.
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Country Notes
United Kingdom
The rate that applies depends on the date you submit your application, not on your course start date or the date of your bank statement. Applications made on or after 30 November 2026 use £1,570 a month in London and £1,203 a month elsewhere, so the nine-month totals rise by £369 and £288. Your money must stay in the account for 28 consecutive days, and the statement must close within 31 days before you apply. Dependants can be brought only by students on a government-funded scholarship or in a postgraduate research programme, and each adds a monthly amount to the total.
United States
The US does not publish one funds figure for every student. Each school works out an estimate of one year of costs and writes it on your I-20, and you must show at least that amount. The estimates vary a great deal. For example, one large California public university lists about US$47,000 for an undergraduate’s first year in 2025/2026 and adds US$5,000 for each dependant. Schools usually accept bank letters, scholarship letters and approved loan letters, and many want bank documents issued within the last six months. Ask your school’s international office which documents it accepts.
Canada
The living-cost figure was CAD 22,895 for applications from 1 January 2025 to 31 August 2026 and rose to CAD 23,448 for applications received on or after 1 September 2026. The amount rises with family size. Quebec sets its own figure, which was CAD 24,617 for a single applicant at its last update on 1 January 2026. Tuition can be shown with a receipt from the designated learning institution, a student loan or a scholarship letter.
Australia
Australia asks you to show genuine access to funds. The student amount is AUD 29,710 a year, with AUD 10,394 for a partner, AUD 4,449 for each dependent child and AUD 13,502 a year for each school-age child’s schooling. Large recent deposits must be explained, loans need documents showing the security and terms, and funds from another person need evidence of your relationship and of their own finances. An education loan paid out under an agreement between you, the bank and the education provider is strong evidence.
Germany
Most applicants deposit the required amount in a blocked account, from which they can withdraw only a set monthly amount after arrival. A German embassy or consulate may ask for a different amount depending on your visa type or scholarship funding, so check with the mission that handles your application. Leave time for the university admission, the blocked account and the visa appointment, in that order.
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New Zealand
The living-cost rule has two bands: a yearly figure for courses of 36 weeks or longer and a monthly figure for shorter ones. Evidence for a short programme may be checked after approval in principle, but confirm the current instructions for your course length before you rely on that.
Norway
The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration sets the yearly amount, and universities repeat it in their admission guidance. Some universities ask you to transfer the money into a university-run account before the permit is issued, so read your admission letter early. Tuition for non-EEA students is separate, and one Norwegian business school lists first-year tuition of NOK 142,000 for a bachelor’s and NOK 204,000 for a master’s for the 2026 intake, so costs differ widely by institution.
South Korea
The Ministry of Justice requires financial capacity sufficient for tuition, living costs and related expenses. Many universities state the proof they will accept for the D-2 visa, such as a bank balance certificate or scholarship confirmation. Financial capacity can be reviewed again when you extend your stay, so keep your records in order after arrival.
Worked Examples
These are illustrations, not real cases.
UK master’s degree outside London
A student has a one-year master’s offer at a university outside London. The course fee on the CAS is £18,000 and a £3,000 deposit has already been paid. The remaining fee is £15,000. Living costs are 9 months at £1,171, which is £10,539. The total to show is £25,539 for an application made before 30 November 2026. On or after that date the living costs become 9 months at £1,203, which is £10,827, and the total is £25,827.
| Item | Before 30 Nov 2026 | On or after 30 Nov 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Remaining course fee | £15,000 | £15,000 |
| Living costs (9 months) | £10,539 | £10,827 |
| Total to show for 28 days | £25,539 | £25,827 |
New Zealand one-year course
A student has a place on a one-year course with tuition of NZD 28,000. She needs NZD 20,000 for living costs and NZD 28,000 for tuition, which together come to NZD 48,000. If her university scholarship covers NZD 10,000 of the tuition and the award letter says so, she shows NZD 18,000 for tuition and NZD 20,000 for living, or NZD 38,000 in total.
How to Present Your Funds
- Use original bank statements with your name and the account details clearly shown.
- Keep the money in the account for as long as the destination requires. The UK needs 28 consecutive days.
- Explain any large deposit with a document, such as a sale agreement or a gift letter.
- For a sponsor, supply a signed letter, proof of relationship, their ID and their statements.
- For a scholarship, supply the award letter, which names the amount and what it covers.
- Check that every document is in English or comes with a certified translation.
Never use altered statements or borrowed money placed in your account only to pass the check. False documents can lead to refusal and to long bans from applying to the UK, Canada and other countries.
Money you expect to earn from part-time work usually cannot be counted as funds at the application stage. Our guide to student work rules by country explains how many hours you can work once you arrive, and our guide to visa financial requirements covers other visa types.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country asks for the least money?
It depends on exchange rates, tuition and the length of your course. Compare the total you must show, not only the living-cost line.
Can a scholarship replace my own money?
Often it can cover part or all of the requirement, if the award letter states the amount and what it pays for.
Do dependants need extra funds?
Yes. Most routes add an amount per family member, and some, such as the UK, allow dependants only for certain students.
Which date decides the UK amount?
The date you submit your online application decides the monthly rate, not the date on your CAS, your course start or your bank statement.
Does the US have a fixed amount?
No. The amount on your I-20 comes from your school’s own estimate, so it differs from school to school and from year to year.
When should I start gathering funds?
Several months before you apply, because some routes require funds to be held for a set period and bank letters take time to arrange.
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