Quick Answers
- What does UKVI need? Tuition plus maintenance funds held continuously for at least 28 days ending within 31 days of the visa application.
- How much maintenance? GBP 1,529 per month inside London and GBP 1,171 per month outside London, for up to 9 months, from 11 November 2025.
- Where does the CA certificate fit? It supplements bank statements by certifying the sponsor's overall net worth and source of funds.
- Who issues it? A practising CA registered with ICAI, with UDIN on every certificate.
- How long is it valid? Typically 3 to 6 months; pair it with up-to-date bank statements that satisfy the 28-day rule.
A UK visa application is one of the strictest in terms of money trail. UKVI looks for funds held continuously for 28 days, in a recognised financial institution, in the right account holder's name. A net worth certificate for a UK visa does not replace this rule, but it adds depth, showing the family's overall financial position and confirming the source of funds. Last Updated: 05 June 2026.
What is a net worth certificate for a UK visa?
A net worth certificate for a UK visa is a CA-certified document showing the sponsor's total assets minus total liabilities on a specific date. It supports a Student route, Visitor or Skilled Worker dependant application by demonstrating that the funds shown in bank statements come from a verifiable financial base.
The CA computes Net Worth = Total Assets minus Total Liabilities, with assets covering bank accounts, FDs, mutual funds, shares, property, gold and vehicles, and liabilities covering loans and dues. The certificate is signed by an ICAI-registered CA and tagged with an 18-digit UDIN for online verification.
Key UKVI terms in one line each
- Student route: the main UK study visa for international students enrolled with a licensed sponsor.
- CAS: Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, issued by the UK university, mandatory before applying.
- Maintenance funds: monthly living cost amount UKVI expects you to hold, separate from tuition.
- 28-day rule: funds must remain in the account for 28 consecutive days ending within 31 days of application.
- Established presence: a small relaxation where students already in the UK on a valid visa show only 2 months of funds.
- UDIN: the 18-digit number that authenticates every CA-issued certificate under ICAI rules.
UKVI maintenance benchmarks from 11 November 2025
| Location | Maintenance per month | Maximum months |
|---|---|---|
| Inside London | GBP 1,529 | 9 months |
| Outside London | GBP 1,171 | 9 months |
| Short courses up to 6 months | Same monthly amount | Full course length |
| Dependants (each) | GBP 845 inside London, GBP 680 outside | Up to 9 months |
The applicant must show tuition for the first year plus the relevant monthly maintenance for up to 9 months. Funds can be in the applicant's own account, the parent's account with a written consent letter, or in an officially recognised loan or scholarship.
Where the net worth certificate adds value
- It confirms the sponsor can sustain funds beyond the 28-day window, which addresses ECO concerns on genuineness.
- It supports a clean explanation of any large credits in the bank statement, linking them to a wider asset base.
- It demonstrates strong ties to India through immovable property, business interests and long-term holdings.
- It helps in CAS interviews and credibility checks at the airport where ties and intent are tested.
Documents the CA typically needs
- PAN, Aadhaar and passport copies of sponsor and applicant.
- Latest 2 to 3 years of ITRs and computation for the sponsor.
- Salary slips, Form 16 or audited financial statements for business sponsors.
- Bank statements for at least 6 months across all accounts.
- FD receipts, mutual fund and demat statements, PPF/EPF balances.
- Property documents with fair value or registered value evidence.
- Loan sanction and outstanding balance certificates for liabilities.
- CAS letter for Student route, or itinerary and invitation for Visitor visa.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Depositing large lump sums just before the 28-day window without explanation; this triggers credibility checks.
- Submitting a certificate without UDIN.
- Ignoring liabilities, which makes the certificate look inflated.
- Using a certificate older than 3 months relative to the application date.
- Showing funds only in the sponsor's account without a parental consent letter for Student route applicants.
FAQs
Is a net worth certificate mandatory for a UK visa? No, but it is a widely accepted supporting document for Student route, Visitor and dependant visa cases.
Does the certificate count for the 28-day rule? No. The 28-day rule applies to liquid funds in a recognised bank account; the certificate adds context, not compliance.
Whose name should it be in? The sponsor's name where parents fund the studies, or the applicant's name where they hold the funds personally.
Should the values be in GBP? A dual INR-GBP format using a reasonable reference rate is preferred for clarity.
Can I use the same certificate for both Student and Visitor visas? Yes, if it is recent and shows the relevant financial picture for the application.
What if my sponsor is self-employed? Audited financials, ITRs, business bank statements and proof of regular cash flows are used by the CA.
What if scholarship covers tuition? Show the scholarship letter; the CA certificate can still cover the maintenance side of the funds requirement.
Is UDIN really checked by UKVI? UKVI does not always verify UDIN, but its presence proves authenticity and is standard ICAI practice; absence weakens the certificate.
How recent should the certificate be? Issue it within 3 months of the visa application to align with current bank balances.
About the author
CA Sundaram Gupta
Chartered Accountant at Regikart. Want to discuss this in the context of your business?
