Proving funds for Tier 4 Visa App

Hey everyone-

So I am getting ready to apply for my visa and am getting all the paperwork ready that I need to support the application. I was under the impression from what I've read that you have to have the funds in your bank account for 28 days prior to your application. But I was just on the UKBA website and found a section that says if you apply before Oct 1st you only have to show you have the money at the time of application. Does anyone know if this is true or am I reading this wrong? Here is the paragraph and the link to the site:


Transitional arrangements
Close As you have never had to show money before, we recognise that you may be unable to show us that you have held the money needed for the 28 days, at the start of Tier 4. If you apply before 1 October you will only need to show proof that you have the money needed, on the day that you apply. You must still provide the correct documents to support your application.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/adult-students/money/what-money-do-i-need/

Also, does anyone know if the bank account has to be in your name? My father is providing these funds and thus the bank account is in his name.

Thanks!

You are reading it right about the funds not being in the account for 28 days if you apply before October 1st. A few weeks ago the date was June 1st for this to come into affect, but it seems that UKBA have pushed the date back to October 1st instead, so if you apply before October, you only need to show that the money is available on the day you apply.

This is also stated in the Tier 4 guidance on the UK visa site (the site where the online application form is located) - http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf29pbsstudent#18779033:

"Important for (General) Students and (Child) Students aged 16 or 17 years living independently

All applicants will need to produce a Visa Letter.  It is important that this contains all of the mandatory information described in paragraph 87 of the Tier 4 Guidance. You should personally check that all of the required information has been completed by your education provider - otherwise your application will be refused!

To qualify for Tier 4 of the Points Based System you must be able to demonstrate that you have the tuition fees and funds to support yourself and any dependants. The maintenance amount for the main applicant is calculated at £800 per month if you intend to study in the Inner London Boroughs (see below), and £600 per month if you intend studying elsewhere. For courses of up to 9 months duration you will be required to show that you have the full tuition fee plus the appropriate monthly amount for each month you intend to be in the UK. On a course of more than 9 months you will be required to show that you have the first year of the tuition fees plus either £7200 or £5400 depending on whether you intend to study inside or outside of the Inner London Boroughs (see below). These amounts must be held in your personal bank account for a minimum period of 28 days. The end of that 28 day period must not be more than one month before the date of your application, for which you must show bank statements/other evidence.

If you apply before 1 October 2009 you will only need to show proof that you have the money needed, on the day that you apply. You must still provide the correct documents to support your application."

Oh perfect. I printed out a copy of the guidelines in April and they must have changed.


Thanks!

Also, does anyone know if the bank account has to be in your name? My father is providing these funds and thus the bank account is in his name.

Yes it does have to be in your name.  Your father will need to give you the funds upfront.  You cannot use his bank statements, only your own.

The above rule has now been amended, and is clarified in the Tier 4 guidance.

The following link has some relevant information - http://www.britishcouncil.org/usa-education-visas-entry-clearance [nofollow] .  I would also confirm with the school what you need because I studies abroad and didn't need a visa because I was not abroad for a long enough period of time and I was not working.  Hope this helps!

Yes, you are correct. Funds only need to be available at the time of the application. You do need to show that you have the full fund, or the visa application will automatically be refused.