“How much money do I need for a visa?” has two different answers. For many study routes the rule is a fixed amount held for a fixed time. For visits there is often no official figure, and the officer judges whether your funds are realistic for the trip. This guide separates the two, gives the current official figures for the main study destinations and shows how to prove your money in a way officers can trust.
Study Visas: Fixed Amounts
| Destination | Living-cost funds to show | Also required |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 a month elsewhere, for up to 9 months | The course fee shown on your CAS. Funds must be held for 28 consecutive days, ending within 31 days of your application |
| Canada | CAD 23,448 a year for a single applicant outside Quebec, for applications from 1 September 2026. The figure was CAD 22,895 from 1 January 2025 to 31 August 2026 | First-year tuition, housing and travel to and from Canada. Quebec sets its own costs |
| Germany | €11,904 a year, or €992 a month, usually in a blocked account | Tuition where the university charges it |
| New Zealand | NZD 20,000 a year for courses of a year or longer | Tuition for one year or the programme, and a paid ticket out of New Zealand or enough extra money to buy one |
| Norway | NOK 166,859 for a full academic year (2025/2026 figure) | Tuition, or evidence it is paid |
| Australia | AUD 29,710 a year for living costs, as widely reported for applications since October 2025 | Tuition, travel and the amounts for any family members |
These figures are reviewed regularly, and universities and embassies publish the exact amount that applies to your application date. Our guide to proof of funds for six study destinations compares them in more detail.
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A Worked Example
This is an illustration, not a real case. A student has an offer for a one-year master’s course in Manchester with a tuition fee of £14,000 on the CAS. Manchester is outside London, so the living-cost rule is £1,171 × 9 months = £10,539. The funds she must show are £10,539 + £14,000 = £24,539. If she has already paid a deposit to the university and the CAS shows it, the amount still due is what counts. The money must sit in the account for 28 consecutive days, and the last of those days must fall within 31 days before she applies.
Visit Visas: No Single Figure
The UK Standard Visitor guidance asks for your estimated trip cost and travel details but does not set a minimum balance. Each Schengen country decides what it expects for daily costs, and the US sets no fixed amount at all. For visits, the officer asks three questions: can you afford this trip, is your income regular, and does the money have a clear source? Build the file around those questions, and read the embassy checklist for the destination.
Work Visas
Employer-sponsored routes usually rely on the sponsor’s documents. Some, such as the UK Skilled Worker route, can also ask you to show personal funds unless the employer certifies that it will cover your costs. Check the funds rule and the 28-day rule on GOV.UK for your exact route.
How to Prove Your Money
- Bank statements showing the full period, with your name, account number and bank details. Many embassies ask for three to six months.
- Payslips and tax records if you are employed.
- Business registration and statements if you are self-employed.
- Sponsor documents: a signed letter, proof of the relationship, their ID and their own bank statements.
- Scholarship or loan letters that name the amount and what it covers.
Any large or recent deposit needs a documented explanation, such as a sale agreement or a gift letter. Never use altered statements: the UK applies a 10-year refusal period for deception, and Canada can bar an applicant for at least 5 years.
Questions Officers Ask About Money
- Who is paying for the trip or course?
- What do you earn, and where does it come from?
- Where did this deposit come from?
- How much will your living costs be?
Your answers must match your documents. Our guide on preparing for a visa interview shows how to answer clearly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I borrow money to meet the requirement?
Borrowed funds are risky. Where a loan is allowed, such as an education loan paid under an agreement between you, the lender and the school, the rules usually require clear documentation. Money placed in your account only to pass the check is likely to be questioned.
Do I need the money after I get the visa?
Yes. The purpose is to show you can support yourself in the destination, and some countries may check again at extension.
Does a sponsor’s money count?
Often yes, if you show the relationship and the sponsor’s own documents. Rules differ by route.
Is the amount the same for dependants?
No. Most routes add an amount per family member, so check the official table.
For help preparing your proof of funds, see our documents checklist or contact KP Visas & Travels.
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