Plenty of applicants think a job offer is enough. It is not. For a proof of funds skilled visa check, several countries want to see real savings in your account before they say yes, and the amount swings hard from one destination to the next. Get it wrong and a strong application stalls over a bank statement. This pillar guide, current as of 2026, lays out what the UK, Canada and Australia expect, why the numbers catch people out, and how to show your money the right way.
By the Travel Explore editorial desk. Last updated 15 July 2026.
What each destination expects
| Destination | Typical proof of funds | Key condition |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (Skilled Worker) | About £1,270 | Held for 28 consecutive days, unless your sponsor certifies maintenance |
| Canada (Express Entry, FSW/FST) | Around CAD 15,000 for one person | Not needed if you have a valid job offer or apply under the Canadian Experience Class |
| Australia (Skilled/State nomination) | Often AUD 20,000 or more | No single federal figure; many state streams ask for settlement funds |
These figures move each year. Cash rules matter.
Why proof of funds trips skilled visa applicants up
The catch is rarely the amount. It is the conditions. The UK wants the money “held for 28 consecutive days,” per gov.uk, so a large deposit that landed last week fails the test. Canada asks for funds that are available and unborrowed, as set out by IRCC. Consider a Nigerian doctor with plenty of savings who moved the balance between accounts days before applying. The total looked right, the history did not, and the file drew questions. Currency swings add another layer, since your local balance must clear the destination threshold on the day.
Not sure which route even fits you yet? Start with our free visa eligibility checker.
How to show funds the right way
Season the money early. Let the required balance sit for the full holding period, and avoid last-minute transfers that break the paper trail. Gather statements that show your name, the account number, the balance, and the dates. Where a sponsor can certify maintenance, use it to remove the personal-funds test entirely. Australia’s settlement-funds expectations are published by the Department of Home Affairs and vary by state. Plan ahead. For documents that often sit alongside proof of funds, see our credential evaluation and ECA checklist.
The short version
- Proof of funds requirements differ sharply between the UK, Canada and Australia.
- The UK usually wants about £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days.
- Canada asks around CAD 15,000 for one person, waived with a job offer or CEC.
- Season your balance early and keep a clean paper trail to avoid refusals.
Quick answers
What is proof of funds for a skilled visa?
It is evidence that you hold enough available money to support yourself, and sometimes dependants, when you arrive, shown through bank statements.
How much money does the UK Skilled Worker visa require?
Usually about 1,270 pounds held for 28 consecutive days, unless your sponsor certifies maintenance on your certificate of sponsorship.
Does Canada always require proof of funds?
No. Proof of funds is waived if you have a valid job offer or apply under the Canadian Experience Class, but required for most other streams.
Can borrowed money count as proof of funds?
Generally no. Most destinations expect funds that are your own, available, and not borrowed, with a clear account history.
Related reads
- The credential evaluation and ECA checklist for skilled visas
- Canada versus Australia for skilled worker visas
Get your money story right before you apply
Travel Explore helps skilled applicants worldwide prepare funds, documents, and timing so a bank statement never sinks a strong case. Explore our guides, tools, and consultancy channels here: https://linktr.ee/travelexpore
Share this story
- A job offer is not always enough. See the cash each country wants.
- The 28-day rule quietly sinks strong UK applications. Avoid it.
- UK, Canada, Australia: how much you must show, side by side.
Sources
- gov.uk, Skilled Worker visa money requirement (T0 official)
- IRCC, Express Entry proof of funds (T0 official)
- Australian Department of Home Affairs (T0 official)