If I plan to go, do I need to maintain funds in my bank account in UK?
No, you generally do not need a UK bank account before you travel. For your student visa, you must instead show sufficient funds in your own bank statements, held consecutively for 28 days, to prove you can cover your course and living costs once you arrive in the UK.
If you are getting ready to apply for your UK student visa, you do not need to open a UK bank account beforehand. What you actually need is proof, through your own bank statements, that you hold enough money to support yourself, and UK Visas and Immigration wants to see that money sitting untouched for a specific period.
What You Must Show Before You Travel
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| UK bank account | Not required before you travel |
| Proof of funds | Personal bank statements from your home country or wherever your money sits |
| Holding period | Funds must stay in your account for a consecutive 28 day period |
If You Are Leaving The UK Instead
If your situation is the reverse and you are moving away from the UK, you can generally keep your existing UK bank account open. Check your specific bank's terms first, since some banks require a UK residential address and may ask you to update your profile or close the account once you register a foreign address.
My Advice
Start your 28 day fund-holding period well before you plan to submit your visa application, and keep the balance untouched during that window, since even a small dip below the required amount can force you to restart the clock. Save your statements the day the 28 days end so you have clean proof ready to upload.
Cash income, business income or no ITR?
See whether your funds and documents will pass the UK visa check.
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