UK Student Visa Bank Balance from India (2026–27): Exact Amount in INR, 28-Day Rule, FD & Loan Rules

“Kitna paisa account mein dikhana hai?” is the question every Indian parent asks us first. Get this one part wrong — a few thousand rupees short, one day short of 28 days, or money in the wrong kind of account — and the UK visa is refused, even with a perfect offer letter. Here are the exact rules from the UK Home Office, converted to rupees, with the mistakes we see most often.

Quick answer in rupees: use our UK student visa funds calculator. It uses today’s GBP to INR rate and the new figures from 30 November 2026.

How much bank balance is required for a UK student visa?

You must show two things together: (1) living costs and (2) the course fee you still owe for the first year. “London” means the City of London and the 32 London boroughs — if your campus is anywhere else, the lower amount applies (GOV.UK).

Where you study	Per month	For 9 months	In INR (approx.)
London	£1,529	£13,761	≈ ₹17.43 lakh
Outside London	£1,171	£10,539	≈ ₹13.35 lakh

If your course is shorter than 9 months, you show living costs only for the course length (part-months are rounded up). If you have already paid part of the fee, it must show on your CAS or on a receipt from the university — then you only show the balance.

Worked example

• MSc outside London, unpaid fee after deposit £15,000 → £15,000 + £10,539 = £25,539 ≈ ₹32.35 lakh.
• MSc in London, unpaid fee after deposit £20,000 → £20,000 + £13,761 = £33,761 ≈ ₹42.77 lakh.

Change from 30 November 2026 — the amount is going up

The Home Office has confirmed an increase in the maintenance requirement from 30 November 2026 (Home Office caseworker guidance). The Statement of Changes HC 584 sets the new figures at £1,570/month in London (£14,130 for 9 months ≈ ₹17.90 lakh) and £1,203/month outside London (£10,827 ≈ ₹13.72 lakh), applying to visa applications made on or after 30 November 2026. The GOV.UK money page still shows the current amounts as of 27 October 2026, so we will update this table the day it changes. If you are applying for January 2027, plan with the higher figure.

The 28-day rule — where most Indian students fail

• The full amount must be in the account for 28 consecutive days. If the balance drops below the required amount even for one day, the 28 days restart.
• The 28 days are counted backwards from the closing balance date on your latest statement.
• That closing date must be within 31 days of the day you submit your visa application.
• Statement must show your (or your parent’s) name, the bank name, and the balance.

Simple plan: put the full amount in by day 1, don’t touch it for 28 days, get the statement on day 29, and apply within the next few days.

Can I show FD (fixed deposit) for a UK student visa?

Only if the money can be withdrawn immediately. The UK rules accept current, savings and deposit accounts where funds “can be accessed immediately”, and reject funds that cannot be withdrawn immediately “regardless of notice period” (Appendix Finance). Many Indian FDs allow premature withdrawal — but a locked or tax-saver FD will not count. Ask your bank for a letter or certificate confirming the deposit can be withdrawn at any time, and make sure the 28-day rule is still met.

Parents’ account, education loan and what is NOT accepted

• Parent’s account — allowed. You need proof of relationship (usually your birth certificate) and a signed consent letter from the parent agreeing that you can use the money. Account must be in the parent’s own name.
• Education loan — allowed with a sanction letter dated no more than 6 months before you apply. It must come from a government, government-sponsored or recognised education-loan scheme, be in your name, state the amount, have no conditions other than visa success, and be available before your course starts.
• Not accepted: overdraft, credit-card limits, crypto, shares/mutual funds, pension money, money with relatives other than parents, and accounts at institutions not regulated in their country or without electronic records.
• Other documents sometimes asked: the UK does not give India the reduced-document route, so keep all original financial documents ready even if the online form does not ask for them.

Who does NOT need to show funds?

If you have already been in the UK for 12 months or more on a valid visa when you apply, you don’t need to show living costs. A few nationalities also get reduced requirements — India is not on that list (Appendix Student ST 22).

6 mistakes that get UK visas refused on money

1. Balance dipped for one day during the 28 days (EMI, cheque or UPI debit) — the 28 days reset.
2. Statement older than 31 days on the application date.
3. Exact amount, no buffer — the rupee moves, and the Home Office uses the OANDA rate on your application date.
4. Locked FD or a deposit with a notice period.
5. Money in an uncle’s or sibling’s account — only your own or your parents’ money counts.
6. Loan letter missing a required line (no conditions, amount, your name, released before course start).

Frequently asked questions

Is a 3-month bank statement needed for a UK student visa?

No. The rule is 28 consecutive days with the statement no older than 31 days. A longer statement is fine as long as it covers those 28 days clearly.

Can I show money in my father’s or mother’s account?

Yes — with proof that they are your parent and a signed consent letter from them.

Can I show the money in rupees?

Yes. Your Indian account can be in INR — the Home Office converts it to pounds using the OANDA rate on the date you apply. That is why we advise a buffer of about 5%.

Does the education loan have to be disbursed before the visa?

No. A valid sanction letter (not older than 6 months, with the required wording) is enough; the money must be available before the course starts.

Related UK guides

• UK student visa requirements for Indian students
• UK visa fee update
• UCAS or direct application to a UK university
• Study gap explanation letter — sample
• Manchester MSc Data Science — full cost in INR
• UK Graduate Route visa after MSc