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Maintenance (funds)

This page explains the points we award under the entrepreneur category (Tier 1 Entrepreneur) of the points-based system for the maintenance (funds) you have available.

Full details of all requirements are in the immigration rules at paragraphs 245H-N of part 6a and Appendix C which you can find on the right 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 be able to support yourself for the entire length of your stay in the United Kingdom without needing to rely on public money. If you cannot you could face financial hardship as you do not have access to most state benefits.

You must show that you have enough money in personal savings to support yourself.

You may not use any money included in your £200,000 money as evidence of maintenance (funds).

You should also assess the potential costs of living in the United Kingdom. If you are applying for permission to stay (known as 'leave to remain'), this will be based on past living expenses. 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.

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Transitional arrangements

Normally, when applying from inside the United Kingdom, you will have to show that you have enough funds, by sending documentation showing you have had savings of at least £800 for at least three months before applying.

Because this is a new requirement and it may be difficult to prove this immediately, we have put transitional arrangements in place for you and your family members submitting your applications within the United Kingdom up to and including 31 October 2008.

Up to 31 October 2008, you do not have to show you have had the funds for at least three months before your application. You must only show you have the required funds at the time you apply. Until 31 October 2008, your supporting evidence does not need to cover the three-month period, but the documents must be dated no more than a month before your application.

For example, if you apply under the highly skilled worker category on 12 July, a single bank statement with a closing balance of £800 dated between 12 June and 12 July will meet the maintenance requirements. A bank statement dated before 12 June will not be acceptable.

For applications submitted within the United Kingdom on or after 1 November 2008, and for applications submitted in countries overseas, you will have to meet the requirements below.

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The points awarded for maintenance (funds) if you are already in the United Kingdom

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 money.

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The points awarded for maintenance (funds) if you are applying from outside the United Kingdom

You must score 10 points for maintenance (funds). These will be awarded if you are applying to a British overseas entry clearance post for permission to come to the United Kingdom (known as 'entry clearance') and have £2,800 in available money.

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

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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 held in a joint account that have been in your joint account for at least three months before your application; 
  • cash savings held in an account overseas (we convert the amount to pounds sterling using the rate which appears on the OANDA website which you can find on the right of this page, and the date  your account statement is issued), that have been in your account for at least three months before your application.

The balance must show that you have had at least £800 in your account at all times over the three month period for applications submitted within the United Kingdom, and £2,800 for applications submitted outside the United Kingdom.

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).

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

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

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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. 

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