Tier 2 (General)
Maintenance (funds)
This page explains the points we award under the skilled worker category (Tier 2 General) of the points-based system for the maintenance (funds) you have available when you apply.
On this page
Full details of these requirements are in the immigration rules at paragraph 245ZB - 245ZH 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 is maintenance (funds)?
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;
- your certificate of sponsorship from an A-rated 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 until the end of the first month you are here.
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.
Automatic points for maintenance
You will automatically be awarded points for maintenance without giving evidence if:
- you have been given permission to stay in tier 2 before and are applying to extend your stay;
- you are switching from the post-study worker category of tier 1;
- a Jewish agency employee; or
- a member of the operational ground staff of overseas-owned airline; or
- a minister of religion, missionary, or member of a religious order,
- representative of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation; a work permit holder.
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.
How we assess maintenance evidence for online bank accounts
Accounts held with internet based banks
For the purpose of the points-based system an online bank account is one that operates over the internet only and sends your bank statements to you electronically (for example over the internet or through email).
If you wish to use electronic bank statements from an online bank account as evidence, these statements must always be accompanied by:
- a supporting letter from that bank, on their company headed paper, confirming the authenticity of the statements
Accounts held with other banks
If you have a bank account that does not operate exclusively online but you receive your bank statements electronically and you wish to use these statements as evidence of funds for maintenance, you should provide:
- electronic bank statements printed at the bank on their official stationary; or
- electronic statements printed by the applicant and bearing the official stamp of the bank in question. This stamp should appear on every page of the statements; or
- a supporting letter from the bank, on the banks company headed paper, confirming the authenticity of the statements.
All evidence must meet the requirements listed in the policy guidance which you can download from the right side of this page. Mini-statements from cash points are not acceptable as evidence.
Terms explained
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Home regulator
When used in the context of regulation of financial institutions, this is an official financial regulatory body, appropriate to the type of financial transaction, in the country where money is held in a financial institution.