Approved Financial Institutions for UK VISA – 2026

Studying abroad is a dream that needs extensive planning, various steps of application, and long, meticulous documentation. Ranging from collecting the transcripts, writing, and submitting a statement of purpose and letter of recommendation to the long application forms. This process does not stop here, and with admissions, a very different set of paperwork begins for your student visa. A very important component of the identity is that of the financial documents.

A financial institution whose records are expressly recognized by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to be reliable proof of an applicant’s available finances, notably for the Student Visa route, is known as a UKVI-approved bank.
Even if an institution is technically regulated, it may be denied if it has a record for non-compliance or trouble with verification, so this is because the UKVI must be able to perform sufficient verification checks of the papers with the bank, and that is why students need to work with approved and accepted financial institutions for the UK Visa.
The term “UKVI-approved bank” is most commonly used by nations like Bangladesh, India, Ghana, and Nigeria, where financial verification has historically been the main basis of denial, because they meet the requirements and reduce the possibility of verification problems.

The financial requirement is one of the most critical aspects of your application, whether you are applying for a Student Visa (Tier 4), Work Visa, or UK visitor visa. The UK government (UKVI) needs assurance that you can cover your course fees (if applicable) and your living costs without relying on public funds. This is known as the UK visa financial requirement, or showing proof of funds.

Funds to cover your first year’s tuition (minus any deposits paid) and maintenance funds must be shown.

Maintenance Funds: £1,529 per month for up to nine months (Inside London); £1,171 per month (for up to 9 months) for up to nine months (Outside London).

Visitor Visa: The financial requirements for a UK visitor visa are more flexible but require demonstrating that you have sufficient money for your trip, return travel, and accommodation without working or seeking public funds.

The 28-Day Rule: This is the most crucial rule for both Student and Work visas. You must hold the required amount of money for a consecutive period of 28 days (ending no more than 31 days before the date of your visa application). It can be used as a free 28-day rule UK visa calculator online to determine the required end date for your statement.

Sponsorship: If your sponsor is an official financial sponsor (like a government or university) covering all fees and living costs, you may not need to show your own bank statement. However, suppose your sponsor is a parent or legal guardian. In that case, you still need to provide their acceptable bank statement for a UK visa, along with a letter of consent and proof of relationship.

The primary reason to prioritise banks that have historically been on the UKVI Approved Bank List in Bangladesh is verification and credibility.

Reduced Scrutiny:
Statements from institutions that have a long history of compliance and easy verification processes with the UKVI often face less scrutiny from case officers. This helps expedite the application process and reduces the risk of refusal due to unverified funds.

Smooth visa processing:
Getting the bank statements done from an approved bank ensures the entire visa process is smooth and hassle-free. When the authorities look for the bank statement to judge the financial condition and solvency, they will look for UKVI-trusted banks because other banks might have transparency issues; the authorities need to double-check the bank as well, so it is highly suggested to go with a UKVI-approved bank for Bank statements if you wish to get a smooth visa processing.

Standard Financial approval:
UKVI has a standard regarding banks to ensure they are trusted regarding bank balance, transparency, liquidity, access, and so on; that is why UKVI has the bank list from which you can get a bank statement and proceed further.

Trust and Reliability:
Using a historically approved bank, as listed below, provides stronger assurance that your UK visa financial documents meet the financial instructions for the guidance of Bangladesh missions abroad.

Avoiding Mistakes:
Historically, certain banks were blacklisted due to issues with fund verification. Although the policy has been updated, ensuring your funds are held in a reliable and well-established bank minimizes the risk of facing administrative complications during the assessment of your UK visa checklist for Bangladeshi documents.

[Note: The Number of Locations mentioned above often refers to the count of full-service branches, but many banks also operate sub-branches, SME Centers, and a vast network of Agent Banking Outlets or ATMs, which significantly increases their total physical presence. The numbers provided are based on the latest available general figures and may fluctuate. Additionally, you can also review the official website of the UK government or the British High Commission to obtain the revised and updated list of UKVI-approved banks.]

Obtaining an acceptable bank statement for uk visa is straightforward, but the format and details are critical for compliance with the UK visa financial documents requirements.

Account Type

The funds must be in a personal bank account (Current, Deposit, or Savings) in the student’s Name, or a Joint Account, or the name of the student’s parent/legal guardian (if sponsored).

Compliance

Ensure the account has met the 28-day rule before requesting the statement.

Statement Format

The statement must be:

• Printed on the bank’s official letterhead.
• Issued by an approved bank (from the list above).
• Contain the bank’s logo, stamp, and signature.
• Show the name of the account holder(s), the account number, the date of issue, and the running balance throughout the 28 days.
• Your documents should be dated no more than 31 days before the submission of your online visa application.

This A-Z financial guide for UK visa ensures you meet all the financial guidance UKVI requirements:

Here are some pro tips for smooth financial transactions with a UKVI-approved bank in Bangladesh:

The Financial Requirement:

1. Maintain the Minimum Balance for 28 Consecutive Days (The 28-Day Rule)

• The required funds (tuition fees minus any deposits paid, plus the 9 months of living costs) must not drop below the required amount for 28 consecutive days.
• This period must end on the closing balance date of your statement.

[NOTE: If the balance drops even for a single day, the 28-day count is reset.]

2. Ensure Your Statement is Recent (The 31-Day Rule)

• The closing balance date on your bank statement must not be more than 31 days old on the date you submit your online visa application.

3. Calculate the Correct Total Funds

• Tuition Fees: The amount for the first year, as stated on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
• Living Costs (Maintenance):
  • London: The latest figure, currently £1,529 per month for up to 9 months.
  • Outside London: The latest figure, currently £1,171 per month for up to 9 months.

• The total must cover: Tuition + Total Living Costs.

4. Use “Available” Funds Only

• The money must be liquid and immediately accessible (cash).
• Unacceptable funds include: Overdrafts, credit cards, stocks, shares, cryptocurrency, bonds, and property valuation.

Required Documents

5. Check the Bank is UKVI-Approved

• If you are applying from a country outside the “differential evidence arrangement” list, your bank must be a regulated financial institution that uses electronic record-keeping.
• For some countries, for example, Bangladesh, UKVI holds a list of distinctive authorized banks, and always reviews the latest UKVI direction for your country to ensure the bank is not on the blocklist or a non-approved institution.

6. Ensure the Statement is Official and Complete

The document (bank statement or letter) must include all of the following:

• Your Name (or the name of your parent/legal guardian).
• The Account Number.
• The Date of Issue (or the closing balance date).
• The Bank’s Official Name, Logo, and Contact Details (address or branch code).
• The Currency and the final Amount of Money Available.
• The document must be printed or electronic (not handwritten).

7. Certify Electronic/Online Statements

• If you use an online or electronic statement, you must have it stamped, signed, and certified by a bank official or have it accompanied by an official letter from the bank confirming its authenticity.

8. Convert Foreign Currency

• If your money is not in GBP, you must use the official exchange rate on the OANDA website on the date of your application to prove you meet the GBP requirement.

9. Provide Consent and Relationship Proof

If the student is using their parent’s or legal guardian’s account, they must include two additional documents:

• Proof of Relationship: It is the most important one, through showing the actual Birth Certificate (or other legal document), both the student’s name and the parent’s name.
• Letter of Consent: A signed and dated letter from the parent/guardian confirming:

• • Their relationship to you.
  • Their consent for you to use the funds for your UK studies.

Avoiding the following common errors seen in most applicants’ histories is key to a successful visa application:

• Documents Processing Delayed/Paused/Slow: Banks frequently face uncertainties due to high demand or insufficient documentation, so it is crucial to prompt processing as early as feasible to avoid the last-minute rushes and requests, and it is also important to proofread and double-check the documents for accuracy and following up regularly with the bank to track progress is a must.
• Violating the 28-Day Rule: The most common mistake. Funds must be held for 28 consecutive days. A drop in the balance on day 27 will reset the clock.
• Late Submission: Submitting the application more than 31 days after the bank statement date makes the statement invalid.
• Using Non-Liquid Assets: Funds must be readily accessible cash. Fixed deposits (FDRs) or property valuation certificates are not acceptable bank statements for UK visa proof unless they can be immediately withdrawn.
• Incorrect Document Format: Failing to get the statement on official bank stationery, without the necessary stamps, or lacking the applicant/sponsor name will lead to refusal.
• Communication Barriers: Language issues or unclear documentation can complicate and lengthen the process, so students must communicate clearly and ask for written confirmation of requirements and, if needed, seek assistance from a bank representative.
• Typo or Other Writing Errors: This is one of the most common reasons UKVI denies applications, so it is important to ensure that all of the information on the documents and applications contains no typos regarding numbers, dates, names, etc. Many visas get rejected if the UKVI authority finds mismatches in your applications or documents.
• Insufficient Funds: Showing an amount slightly less than the required maintenance funds (even by BDT 1) will lead to an automatic refusal. Always budget for contingency.
• Missing Sponsor Documents: For sponsored applicants, forgetting the signed declaration/letter of consent from the parent or the proof of relationship is a critical mistake.
• Blocklisted Banks: UKVI blocklisted some banks regarding bank statements, so it is mandatory to double-check that the bank you choose to get a bank statement from is on the list of approved banks.

These are the common mistakes to avoid, and after avoiding you can ensure your UK visa application proceeds smoothly.

The financial documentation section of the UK visa application is where the smallest error can cause a major setback; thus, by carefully calculating the proof of funds, providing strict compliance with the 28-day rule, and selecting a trusted institution from the UKVI Approved Bank List in Bangladesh, you can confidently fulfill the UK visa financial requirement.
Thorough preparation is the most effective way to secure your visa and begin your journey in the United Kingdom.