A common reason for student visa refusals is the failure to properly evidence maintenance requirements. This guide will help you minimize the risk of refusal for your Student Visa application.
Essential Preparations for Your Financial Documents:
Ensure Adequate Funds:
- Verify that you hold the correct amount of money as required. The necessary amount is detailed in the Guide to Entry Clearance, available online.
- You need to show that you have enough money to cover your course fees for the first year and your living costs for up to 9 months. The exact amount required for living costs depends on where you will be studying.
- For example, if you are studying in London, you must show £1,334 per month for up to 9 months, while outside London, the requirement is £1,023 per month.
- Keep in mind any scholarships or financial aid you have received and ensure they are documented properly in your application.
Maintain Funds for 28 Days:
- Your funds must be available to you for at least 28 days before your application date. This means that the amount required must be in your account and not fall below the required level for 28 consecutive days.
- The end date of the 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date you apply for your visa.
- Regularly monitor your account to ensure that the balance does not drop below the required amount at any point during this period. Any discrepancies could result in a refusal.
Use Correct Financial Documents:
- Ensure that your financial documents meet Student Visa Route requirements. These documents must be original and no more than one month old at the time of application. Detailed guidelines are available in the Document Guidelines for Tier 4 Applications.
Choose a Reputable Financial Institution:
- Your financial documents should be from a reputable financial institution. Not all banks are accepted by UK Visas and Immigration, so it is essential to check that your bank is on the approved list.
- Reputable financial institutions typically include large national banks, well-known international banks, and major regional banks. Avoid using local or lesser-known banks as they may not be recognized by the Home Office.
- Ensure your bank statements are printed on official bank stationery or are electronic statements bearing the bank’s official stamp and signature. Online printouts without proper verification are often not accepted.
Use Parental Financial Documents Correctly:
- If using your parents’ bank statements, include your birth certificate (or another official document confirming your relationship) and a letter from them confirming their support. Documents from other family members or friends will not be accepted.
Restrictions on Company Financial Documents:
- Generally, you cannot use a company’s financial documents unless they are from a large multinational sponsoring you as an employee (e.g., Shell Oil). Family-owned company documents are not accepted.
Loan Restrictions:
- Loans are only accepted if provided by the national or regional government, a government-sponsored student loan company, or as part of an academic or educational loan scheme.
Check Currency Conversion Rates:
- If your funds are not in British Pounds (GBP), use a currency converter like Oanda to ensure that your funds meet the required amount. UK Visas and Immigration will use the exchange rate on the date you applied, and your visa will be refused if the funds converted to GBP do not meet the required amount during the 28-day period.
Additional Resources:
- Read the information on the Home Office website, particularly the Student and Child Student Guidance.
- Apply for your visa up to 6 months before your course start date in the UK, and do so as early as possible within this period.
By following these guidelines and ensuring that your financial documents are in order, you can significantly reduce the risk of your Student Visa application being refused.
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