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One avoidable mistake sinks more visa applications than almost anything else: not proving you can pay your own way. Officers want to see that you can support yourself before you arrive, and the bar is different in every country. This is the 2026 guide to visa proof of funds for five of the world’s most popular work and study destinations, with the exact figures, the rules behind them, and the traps that catch people out.
By the Travel Explore editorial desk. Last updated 27 June 2026. We review this guide each time a destination updates its thresholds.
What this guide covers
- The 2026 figures at a glance
- The rules that decide if your money counts
- Where applicants slip up
- Proof of funds, answered
The 2026 figures at a glance
Amounts below are the headline requirement for the main applicant. Family members, tuition and city of residence can push the number higher.
| Destination & visa | Proof of funds (2026) | Key condition |
|---|---|---|
| UK Skilled Worker | £1,270 (main applicant) | Held 28 consecutive days; +£285 partner, +£315 first child |
| Canada Express Entry (PR) | CA$14,690 single, up to CA$38,771 (family of 7+) | Updated yearly; Canadian Experience Class is exempt |
| Australia Student (subclass 500) | AU$29,710 living costs (12 months) | Plus tuition and travel; funds must be genuine and sourced |
| Germany Student (blocked account) | €11,904 per year (€992/month) | Deposited in a Sperrkonto, released monthly after arrival |
| Ireland Student (Stamp 2) | €10,000 living costs | Plus €6,000 tuition paid before the visa is granted |
The rules that decide if your money counts
Having the cash is only half the test. Most refusals come from how the money is held and shown. Three rules matter most. First, the holding period: the UK and Ireland both want the balance sitting in the account for 28 days before you apply, so a last-minute transfer fails. Second, the source: Australia and Canada expect funds to be genuine and legally yours, not a loan parked overnight to game the figure. Third, accessibility: Germany only accepts money locked in a blocked account that releases a fixed sum each month, and Ireland now wants tuition actually paid, with the receipt shown on your acceptance letter, before it will grant the visa.
Where applicants slip up
Consider a Vietnamese student accepted into a Dublin master’s. She has the €10,000 in savings, but she assumes tuition can wait until she lands. Under the rule in force since mid-2025, Ireland will not grant her visa until at least €6,000 of tuition is paid and documented. A perfectly fundable student gets refused on timing alone. The lesson repeats across every country on this list. Read the holding period, prove the source, and pay what must be paid up front. Money in the wrong form, or shown at the wrong time, counts for nothing.
Want a personalised funds checklist for your destination? Build one at https://wa.link/i9l1ec.
Keep this straight
- UK Skilled Worker: £1,270, held for 28 days before applying.
- Canada Express Entry: from CA$14,690, rising with family size; CEC applicants are exempt.
- Australia student: AU$29,710 in living costs, on top of tuition and travel.
- Germany: €11,904 in a blocked account; Ireland: €10,000 plus €6,000 tuition prepaid.
Proof of funds, answered
Why do visas ask for proof of funds at all?
To confirm you can support yourself without illegal work or public funds during your stay. It is one of the most common refusal grounds when missing or wrongly evidenced.
Can I use a loan or a sponsor’s money?
It depends on the country. Some accept a named sponsor or education loan with documentation; others require genuine personal savings. Always check the specific route’s rules before relying on borrowed funds.
How long must the money sit in my account?
Often 28 days. The UK and Ireland both require the qualifying balance to be held for 28 consecutive days, with a recent closing statement.
Do permanent residence and student visas use the same figures?
No. Work and PR routes like the UK Skilled Worker or Canada Express Entry use different benchmarks from student visas, which are based on a year of living costs plus tuition.
Related reads
- Australia’s Skilled Independent places, explained
- Germany’s job-seeker Opportunity Card
- How Canada’s category-based Express Entry works
Save this for later
- The number one reason visas get refused is not money. It is how you prove it.
- UK wants £1,270. Canada wants CA$14,690. Here is every top visa’s proof-of-funds figure for 2026.
- Have the savings but still get refused? Holding period and timing are usually why.
Get your funds in order before you apply
The applicants who clear proof of funds are the ones who plan the figure, the form and the timing months ahead. Get the full destination checklists at https://wa.link/i9l1ec.
Sources
- GOV.UK — Skilled Worker visa, money you need: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/money (T0)
- Government of Canada — Proof of funds for Express Entry: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/proof-funds.html (T0)
- Australian Department of Home Affairs — Student visa (subclass 500): https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500 (T0)
- Irish Immigration Service — Coming to study in Ireland: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-study-in-ireland/ (T0)
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