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Highly skilled workers

A highly skilled migrant reviewing their application

Maintenance (funds)

This page explains what proof of maintenance you must send to support your application to the highly skilled worker category (Tier 1 General) under the points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.

Full details of these requirements are in the immigration rules at paragraph 245A-F of part 6a which you can find on the right side of this page. You must read the policy guidance before you apply under this category. You can download the guidance and application form from the Applying section.

What the documents must show

If you are applying from within the United Kingdom, the balance must show that you have had at least £800 in your account at all times over the three-month period.

If you are applying from outside the United Kingdom, the balance must show that you have had at least £2,800 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 and pension funds, regardless of notice are not acceptable.

If you wish to rely on a joint account as evidence of available funds, you must be named on the account along with one or more other named individual.

For applications submitted outside of the United Kingdom, all evidence must be dated no more than seven days before the application is submitted.

For applications submitted in the United Kingdom, all evidence must be dated no more than one month before the application is submitted.

The documents are:

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Personal bank or building society statements covering the three-month period immediately before the application

The personal bank or building society statements should clearly show:

  • your name;
  • the account number;
  • the date of the statement;
  • the financial institution's name and logo;
  • transactions covering the three-month period;
  • that there is enough funds present in the account; and
  • that there has been enough money present in the account for the past three months.

If you wish to send electronic bank statements from an online account these must contain all of the details listed above. In addition, you will need to send a supporting letter from your bank, on company headed paper, confirming the authenticity of the statements sent.

We will not accept statements which simply show the balance in the account on a particular day as these documents do not show that you hold enough funds for the full period required.

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Building society pass-book covering the previous three-month period

The building society pass-book should clearly show:

  • your name;
  • the account number;
  • the financial institution's name and logo;
  • transactions covering the three-month period;
  • that there has been enough money present in the account for the past three months.

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Letter from bank confirming funds and that they have been in bank for at least three months

The letter from a bank or building society should state:

  • your name;
  • the account number;
  • the date of the letter;
  • the financial institution's name and logo;
  • the funds held in your account; and
  • that enough funds have been in the bank for at least three months.

We will not accept letters which simply show the balance in the account on a particular day as these documents do not show that you hold enough funds for the full period required.

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Letter from financial institution regulated by either the Financial Services Authority or the home regulator confirming funds

The letter from the financial institution regulated by the Financial Services Authority or the home regulator should state:

  • your  name;
  • the account number;
  • the date of the letter;
  • the financial institution's name and logo;
  • the funds held in your account; and
  • that the funds have been in the bank for at least three months.

We will not accept letters which simply show the balance in the account on a particular day as these documents do not show that you hold enough funds for the full period required.

The home regulator is the official regulatory body for the country in which the institution operates and the funds are located.

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