Updated 28 October 2026
Proof of funds for student visa applications from Kenya means showing the visa office that you can pay your first year’s tuition and living costs without working. For 2026 the official minimums are £1,529 a month (London) or £1,171 a month (elsewhere) for the UK, CAD 23,448 a year for Canada (applications from 1 September 2026) and €992 a month for Germany. The money must sit in an account you can document, usually for a set period.
Updated October 2026. Official sources: GOV.UK Student visa: money; IRCC proof of financial support; German Federal Foreign Office consular portal. KSh figures use CBK indicative rates of 27 October 2026 (GBP 1 = KSh 173.26, EUR 1 = KSh 145.10, USD 1 = KSh 129.96).
In this guide
- Proof of funds for student visa: the 2026 amounts by country
- UK student visa: the 28-day rule Kenyans must meet
- Canada study permit: what IRCC accepts as proof
- Germany: blocked account or declaration of commitment
- USA: the I-20 figure
- How to prepare proof of funds from a Kenyan bank
- Getting help with applications and housing
- Proof of funds for student visa: frequently asked questions
Proof of funds for student visa: the 2026 amounts by country
The table shows the living-cost amount each country asks for on top of tuition. Tuition is extra in every case, and the amount owed is the figure on your admission or acceptance document.
| Country | Living costs you must show | Approx. KSh | Approx. USD | How long the money must be held |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK (London) | £1,529 a month for up to 9 months (£13,761) | KSh 2,384,231 | about USD 18,346 | 28 days in a row, ending within 31 days of applying |
| UK (outside London) | £1,171 a month for up to 9 months (£10,539) | KSh 1,825,987 | about USD 14,050 | 28 days in a row, ending within 31 days of applying |
| Canada (outside Quebec) | CAD 23,448 a year for one applicant (from 1 Sept 2026) | Convert at your bank’s rate | Convert at your bank’s rate | Bank statements for the past 6 months, showing the source of funds |
| Germany | €992 a month (€11,904 a year) to study; €1,091 a month to look for a university place | KSh 1,727,270 a year | about USD 13,291 a year | Usually shown through a blocked account, a declaration of commitment or a scholarship |
CBK’s daily table did not show a Canadian dollar rate when we checked, so we have not converted the Canada figure. Use your bank’s selling rate on the day you transfer.
UK student visa: the 28-day rule Kenyans must meet
Kenya is not on the UK’s “differential evidence” list, so Kenyan applicants must prove the money. GOV.UK says you need your course fees for one academic year (the amount on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, or CAS) plus the monthly living amount above. If you bring family members, you need extra money for each of them.
- The money must be in the account for at least 28 consecutive days.
- The last day of that 28-day period must fall within 31 days of your application date. GOV.UK’s example: apply on 1 January and the funds must cover the 28 days ending on 1 December.
- A student loan or official sponsorship counts, with a letter from the lender or sponsor.
- The visa application fee from outside the UK is £558 (about KSh 96,679), and a decision usually takes 3 weeks.
Our UK student visa guide for Kenyans covers the CAS, health surcharge and appointment steps.
Canada study permit: what IRCC accepts as proof
IRCC wants proof that you can pay tuition, living expenses and travel to and from Canada without working there. For applications made on or after 1 September 2026, a single applicant outside Quebec must show CAD 23,448 a year for living costs; two people need CAD 29,192 and three need CAD 35,888. Applications made between 1 January 2025 and 31 August 2026 used the older CAD 22,895 figure.
Documents IRCC lists include:
- A receipt showing you paid first-year tuition and housing to your institution.
- A student or education loan letter from a bank, or a scholarship letter.
- Your bank statements for the past 6 months, including the month you apply or the month before, with the source of the money shown (salary, savings transfers and so on).
- A letter from the person paying for you, with their job, relationship to you, number of dependants and the amount, plus their ID.
- Proof of rental income or pension income where relevant.
For programmes longer than a year, you must also explain how you will pay for the remaining years. See our Canada student visa guide for the full checklist.
Germany: blocked account or declaration of commitment
Germany’s consular portal says students must show at least €992 a month (€1,091 a month if you are going to look for a university place). Proof can be a blocked account (Sperrkonto), a formal declaration of commitment from a sponsor in Germany, or a scholarship. If your university charges tuition on top of the semester fee, you must prove that too. A student residence permit lets you work up to 140 days a year. Kenyans weighing a work route instead can read our Germany Opportunity Card guide.
USA: the I-20 figure
US universities print estimated costs on the Form I-20 they send you, and that is the figure your bank letters and statements should cover when you attend the F-1 visa interview. There is no single national amount, so check your own I-20.
How to prepare proof of funds from a Kenyan bank
- Start early. For the UK, move the money in at least six weeks before you apply so the 28-day window is clean.
- Use one account if you can. Several small accounts are harder for an officer to follow.
- Get an official bank letter and stamped statements. Ask your branch for statements on letterhead showing your name, account number, dates and closing balances.
- Explain large deposits. A sudden lump sum with no source (a “parked” deposit) is a common refusal reason. Keep sale agreements, Sacco loan letters or payslips that explain it.
- Do not borrow statements. Agents who offer to “show funds” for a fee are a red flag. Read how to verify a study abroad agent before you pay anyone.
Getting help with applications and housing
If you are still choosing a course, a licensed counsellor can help you match your budget to a country. Edvoy (affiliate link) offers free application support with partner universities. Once you have an offer, you can compare student rooms on University Living (affiliate link). Most offers also need an English test; see our IELTS fees and test centres guide.
Proof of funds for student visa: frequently asked questions
How much proof of funds do I need for a UK student visa from Kenya?
Your first-year tuition (as shown on your CAS) plus £1,529 a month for up to 9 months in London or £1,171 a month outside London, held for 28 days in a row.
Can my parents’ account be used as proof of funds?
Yes for the UK, Canada and the USA, if you add proof of the relationship (such as a birth certificate) and a consent or support letter. Check each embassy’s rules on the exact documents.
Does a Sacco or bank loan count as proof of funds?
A formal education loan from a bank counts for Canada and the UK when you provide the lender’s letter. A personal loan deposited into your account still needs to show a clear source and must meet the holding period.
What is the Canada proof of funds amount in 2026?
CAD 23,448 a year for one applicant outside Quebec, for applications made on or after 1 September 2026, plus tuition and travel costs.
How much is the German blocked account in 2026?
At least €992 a month, which is €11,904 for 12 months, according to the German consular portal.
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