Almost every study-abroad visa requires you to prove you can afford to be there — but the amount, the format, and the timing rules are different enough by country that assuming one country’s rules apply to another is a real risk. Here’s how the major destinations compare.
Figures reflect general ranges based on current published guidance as of August 2026 and change periodically — confirm the current figure directly with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration authority before applying.
United Kingdom
The UK requires £1,529 per month for living costs (maintenance), for a maximum of 9 months, totaling £13,761. The distinctive part of the UK’s rule is the 28-day rule: your funds need to sit in your account, without dropping below the threshold, for 28 consecutive days before you apply — and you then need to apply within 31 days of that 28-day period ending. Timing the deposit wrong is one of the most common, entirely avoidable causes of delay or refusal. Full breakdown: UK Student Visa Financial Requirements.
Canada
Canada requires at least CAD $22,895 per year for a single applicant outside Quebec (as of applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025), on top of tuition and transportation costs — not including them. There’s no equivalent to the UK’s 28-day holding rule, but you do now also need a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) alongside your financial documentation. Full breakdown: Canada Study Permit.
Germany
Germany’s requirement is structured differently from the UK or Canada: rather than a bank statement showing a lump sum, most applicants use a blocked account (Sperrkonto) holding €11,904 for the year (about €992/month), from which you can only withdraw a capped monthly amount once you’re in Germany. This structure exists specifically to prevent the fund from being spent immediately after the visa is granted. Full breakdown: Germany Student Visa.
United States
The US doesn’t set one fixed nationwide figure — instead, each university calculates its own cost of attendance (tuition plus estimated living expenses) and issues an I-20 form stating the amount you need to demonstrate for the F-1 visa. This means the “proof of funds” number is genuinely different school to school, and even program to program at the same school. Sponsors (parents, relatives, or a scholarship) can cover this via a signed affidavit of support alongside their own financial documentation. See Studying in the USA for how aid can change the real number you need to show.
What generally counts as acceptable proof, across countries
Personal savings in your own name, a parent or legal guardian’s funds with a signed letter of consent, and confirmed scholarship or sponsorship award letters are broadly accepted. What tends to cause problems everywhere: informal loans without paper trails, funds from someone who isn’t a close family member without a clear explanation, and — especially for the UK’s 28-day rule — a large lump sum deposited right before applying, which reads as an attempt to game the timing rule rather than genuine savings.
The mistake that costs people the most
Waiting until you’re ready to submit your visa application to start organizing proof of funds. Blocked accounts take days to set up, the UK’s rule requires a mandatory 28-day wait, and sponsor documentation (translated, notarized, or apostilled, depending on the country) takes time to gather correctly. Start this in parallel with your university application, not after your offer arrives. See Common Application Mistakes for the other timing errors that cost applicants real delays.