Proof of Funds for UK Student Visa
The number of Nigerians studying in the UK rises yearly and currently sits at over 44,000. These students all need to get a UK Student visa to gain the right to access the UK university system. However, they must first show financial evidence that they can support themselves while they are in the UK.
You might require assistance when you need to show that you have enough money to support yourself. Our expert lawyers and immigration advisors at the Immigration Advice Service can help you with any application stage. Call our Lagos office at +2342013438882, our UK team at +44 (0)333 414 9244 or chat with us online, to find out how we can help.
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We have successfully helped numerous Nigerian students in securing their UK student visas. If you need guidance on eligibility requirements and proof of funds, reach out to us for expert support. Our team of lawyers is here to address any questions you may have regarding your visa application.
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Proof of Funds for UK Student Visa for Nigerians
When you come to study in the UK, you must pay your course fees, specified on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). If your course is in London, you must also achieve the financial requirement of £1,334 per month for up to 9 months. Studying in the UK outside of London is slightly cheaper, with the required amount of money your visa application needs being £1,023 a month for nine months.
You need to have this money for at least a consecutive 28 days within the 31 day period before you apply for your visa.
Read this article to learn more about how to prove you have this money in your visa application and the cases where these requirements are different or do not apply.

Proving your Funds for a UK Student Visa Application
There are several different ways that you can prove you have enough money to support yourself. The key financial evidence you can supply includes the following:
- Recent bank statements display your name, account number, bank logo, and transactions. The amount of money in your account must be high enough to meet the financial requirements
- A consent letter from a parent or guardian stating that they will support you during your studies and their bank statements to prove they have enough money
- Documentation relating to official scholarships
- Loan letters specifying the loan amount, terms, and duration.
Ensure you prepare relevant documents from this selection to prove you can support yourself for a UK student visa.
Cases when the Usual Financial Requirements Don’t Apply
The standard financial requirements do not apply in certain cases. Some circumstances for a student from Nigeria will make the requirement lower or higher, and these are explained in the section below.
Circumstances Increasing the Required Amount of Money
The main reason that you might require more than the standard amount is if you are bringing dependents with you when you study in the UK. A dependent is a partner or child who is not independent. Therefore, it is your responsibility to support them financially while they are in the UK.
For each dependent you bring, you will need to have £845 a month if your course is in London. Meanwhile, if it is outside of London, you will require £680 a month.
This requirement does not apply if your dependent has been living in the UK on a valid visa for 12 months or longer. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will need to see evidence of this status as part of your application.
Circumstances Eliminating the Financial Requirements
There are further cases that will mean that you don’t need to show that you have enough money to pay for your upkeep each month. These include the following:
- You have had a valid UK visa for at least the past 12 months and are currently in the UK
- You are a student union sabbatical officer. These positions are usually paid
- You are applying for a visa as a postgraduate doctor or dentist funded by a recognised foundation program
- Your country is listed under “differential evidence requirement.” However, this does not apply to Nigerian citizens
If these circumstances apply to you, you must prove them in your visa application.
How Can IAS Help?
IAS has helped many Nigerian applicants to get a UK student visa. Proving that you meet the financial requirements can be a challenging part of the application, and our expert lawyers can help you to compile all the necessary documentation for your visa application. Once you have successfully submitted your visa application, we keep in touch with the Home Office to help you understand the ongoing progress of your application.
If you want to enlist our help, please call our Lagos office at +2342013438882 or our UK team at +44 (0)333 414 9244 to learn more. Alternatively, get in touch today via the online chat option.
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Table of Contents will appear here.Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Immigration Advice Service before making any decisions based on the content provided.
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Frequently Asked Questions
On top of proving you can afford to study in the UK, you must also pay for your application.
If you are applying outside the UK, you must pay £490. Extending your Student visa in the UK or switching from another visa will also cost £490.
The standard processing time for a UK Student visa application is three weeks. This processing time starts after your documents are submitted, and you attend an appointment at your local visa centre and ends when you have received an answer.
If you prove that you can support yourself properly, your application should be processed quickly.
