Students applying for UK visa need funds 28 days in advance

Students applying for Tier 4 visa to study in Britain will now have to show that they have the required funds in their personal or their parents'/legal guardians' bank account for a minimum period of 28 days in advance, according to new rules effective from October 1.

Students applying for Tier 4 visa to study in Britain will now have to show that they have the required funds in their personal or their parents'/legal guardians' bank account for a minimum period of 28 days in advance, according to new rules effective from October 1.

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"With effect from 1 October 2009, all applicants who are making a Tier 4 student visa application must hold the required funds in their personal or their parents'/legal guardians' bank account for a minimum period of 28 days prior to making their visa application," according to the UK Border Agency.

The end of that 28 day period must not be more than one month before the date of the visa application. Applicants must show bank statements or other evidence specified in the official Tier 4 guidance, the agency said.

The transitional arrangements that were in place allowing funds to be held on the date of application only will no longer apply to applications made overseas on or after October 1.

The transitional arrangements for funds have been in place since the points based system for student visas (Tier 4) was introduced on 31 March 2009. The intention to reinstate the rule requiring funding to be held for 28 days in advance has been advertised on the UK Visa Services' website (www.ukvisas.gov.uk) since the concession was introduced.

This change brings the maintenance requirements for Tier 4 into line with other tiers of the points based system.