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Tier 2 (General)

Maintenance

This page explains what proof of maintenance you must send to support your application to the skilled worker category (Tier 2 General) of the points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.

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 the documents must show

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

This is unless you are applying in the four months after the tier launches. See maintenance (funds) in points assessment for more information.

The documents must be original, on the official letter-headed paper or stationery of the organisation and have the official stamp of that organisation. They must have been issued by an authorised official of that organisation.

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 individuals.

The documents are:

Letter from the your sponsor

If your A-rated sponsor says they will maintain and accomodate you (and your dependants)until the end of the first month of the your employment in the United Kingdom, you must send a letter from them which confirms this.

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Personal bank or building society statements covering the three months before you apply

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 are enough funds present in the account.

The most recent statement must be dated within one month.

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.

The balance must show that you have had at least £800 in your account at all times over the three-month period, and we will not accept a document that shows the funds on one day only.

This is unless you are applying in the four months after the tier launches. See maintenance (funds) in points assessment for more information.

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Building society pass-book covering the previous three months before you apply

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 (£800) present in the account for the past three months.

The balance must show that you have had at least £800 in your account at all times over the three-month period, and we will not accept a document that shows the funds on one day only.

This is unless you are applying in the four months after the tier launches. See maintenance (funds) in points assessment for more information.

Letter from bank confirming funds and that they have been in your account 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 (£800) have been in the bank for at least three months.

The balance must show that you have had at least £800 in your account at all times over the three-month period, and we will not accept a document that shows the funds on one day only.
This is unless you are applying in the four months after the tier launches. See maintenance (funds) in points assessment for more information.

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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 (£800) have been in the bank for at least three months.

The balance must show that you have had at least £800 in your account at all times over the three-month period, and we will not accept a document that shows the funds on one day only.

This is unless you are applying in the four months after the tier launches. See maintenance (funds) in points assessment for more information.

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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If your sponsor is confirming your maintenance

Your A-rated sponsor must send a letter by post of fax on the official letter-headed paper of their organisation, with the official stamp showing:

  • your name;
  • your certificate of sponsorship number;
  • their name and logo;
  • that they have confirmed your maintenance.

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See also

Do it online

Terms explained

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