Proof of funds, explained without the jargon

Most student visa refusals we see are not academic. They are financial — the right amount of money held in the wrong way, or documented in a form the visa officer cannot verify.

Every country sets two numbers: tuition for the first year, and living costs for a fixed period. You must show both, minus anything you have already paid.

The holding period matters as much as the amount. The UK requires 28 consecutive days. Canada expects a GIC plus first-year tuition. Australia looks at the credibility of the funds' origin, not only the balance.

Sponsor letters need to be specific: who the sponsor is, their relationship to you, the exact amount they commit, and evidence of their income. A one-line letter from an uncle is not evidence.

Large sudden deposits invite questions. If a property sale or cooperative payout funded the account, include the documentation that explains it.

Fixed deposits, mutual funds and pension accounts are often rejected because they are not immediately accessible. Read the specific rules for your destination before moving anything.

We build a financial plan with every family before an application goes out, so the money is in place, in the right form, on the right date.