You must show that you have enough funds in personal savings and are able to support yourself for the entire length of your stay in the United Kingdom. Otherwise you may face financial difficulties, as you do not have access to most state benefits (public funds).

You should assess the potential costs of living in the United Kingdom. If you do not expect to receive any income from your employment in the United Kingdom after the first month, you should make sure that you have enough funds to support yourself and any dependants you have.

The points awarded for maintenance (funds)

You must score 10 points for maintenance (funds). These will be awarded if you are applying for permission to stay in the United Kingdom (known as 'leave to remain') and have:

• £800 in available funds that you have had in your bank account for three months before the date you apply; or
• your certificate of sponsorship from an A-rated your sponsor confirms that you will not claim benefits while in the United Kingdom. Your sponsor should send a letter saying they will maintain and accommodate you during the first month you are here. (Your sponsor can not maintain your dependants.)

You must prove your maintenance (funds) by sending evidence to support your application, or your application will be refused.

Any dependants who want to join you must also give evidence that they have enough funds. See Applications by dependants for more information.

How we assess maintenance (funds)

Maintenance (funds) can include:

• cash savings in your account that have been in your account for at least three months before your application; 
• cash savings in a joint account that have been in your joint account for at least three months before your application; 
• cash savings in a account overseas (we convert the amount to pounds sterling using the rate which appears on the OANDA website, which you can finds on the right of this page, and the date on your bank statement), that have been in your account for at least three months before your application;
• a letter from a financial institution regulated by the Financial Services Authority or home regulator confirming funds.

The balance must show that you have had at least £800 in your account at all times over the three-month period.

Evidence must be in the form of cash funds.  Other accounts or financial instruments for example, shares, bonds, pension funds or agreed overdraft facilities are not acceptable as evidence of your maintenance (funds).

You must have the minimum level of maintenance (funds) available and score 10 points in this section, or your application will be refused.