UKVI Approved Banks in Bangladesh

One of the most important papers you will require to obtain a visa to study in the UK is your bank statement to prove your financial solvency. This bank statement will assure UKVI or the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration that you have the ability to support yourself during your academic journey in the UK.

Every student must remember that not all banks in Bangladesh are recognized by the UKVI. This means you must find a reliable and listed bank from which you can get your bank statement. This list includes several banks in Bangladesh, such as AB Bank, BRAC Bank, City Bank, Eastern Bank, First Security Islami Bank, and many more.

Here, we will provide you with the complete list of all the banks approved by UKVI and discuss all the necessary steps to obtain your bank statement. We will also discuss the common mistakes that can get your bank statement denied by UKVI so that you can complete filing your papers without any errors and ensure a problem-free application for studying in the UK.

What Is a UKVI Approved Bank?

UKVI, or United Kingdom Visas and Immigration, is the body of authority that ultimately decides whether an applicant can enter the United Kingdom for study or not. This organization also provides a list of approved banks from which you can obtain a bank statement. A bank statement details your financial situation, which will assure UKVI of your solvency and prove that you can bear the cost of tuition and living expenses in the UK during your stay. Bangladeshi students must have a minimum of BDT 26 to 30 Lac in one of these approved banks. Keep in mind that the amount can be subject to change depending on the institution and UKVI.

UKVI only accepts certain banks when it comes to bank statements because not all of the banks are completely transparent about the transactions and can falsify information. Some banks are also volatile and cannot provide liquidity when required, causing issues. UKVI provides the list of banks that they approve to avoid these problems while dealing with foreign students.

Updated UKVI Approved Bank List for Bangladesh

Here are the banks approved by UKVI. You can deposit your money in these banks and obtain a bank statement to show your solvency. Check the official UKVI website for any updates regarding the banks because sometimes they will blocklist certain banks.

• AB Bank Limited
• BRAC Bank Limited
• City Bank
• Commercial Bank of Ceylon Limited
• Dhaka Bank Limited
• Eastern Bank Limited
• First Security Islami Bank Limited
• Premier Bank Limited
• Standard Bank Limited
• IFIC Bank Limited
• Prime Bank Limited
• HSBC Bank
• Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited
• Mutual Trust Bank Limited
• National Credit and Commerce Bank Limited
• One Bank Limited
• Shahjalal Islami Bank Limited
• Trust Bank Limited
• Pubali Bank Limited
• Woori Bank Limited
• Bank Alfalah Limited
• Standard Chartered Bank
• State Bank of India

Why Is It Important to Use an Approved Bank?

The most important reason for using a UKVI-approved bank for your bank statement while filing for a UK Visa is to ensure that your visa is accepted. It also ensures that you show your solvency through a trusted bank. Overall, getting a bank statement from an approved bank will increase your chances of obtaining a Visa.

Ensures Smooth Visa Processing

Bank statements from approved banks ensure the entire visa process is smooth and hassle-free. When the authorities come across your bank statement to judge your financial solvency, they will look for banks that the UKVI trusts because other banks might have transparency issues. It is highly suggested that you go with a UKVI-approved bank for bank statements if you wish to get your visa approved.

Reduces the Risk of Visa Rejection

One of the most frequent reasons for Visa rejection is the bank statement. Your visa application might get rejected even if you show you have enough bank balance because UKVI might not trust the bank holding your deposit. This is why you should always choose an approved bank to reduce the risk of getting your visa rejected.

Meets UKVI’s Financial Requirements

UKVI has standards and requirements regarding banks to ensure they are trusted regarding bank balance, transparency, liquidity, access, and so on. This is why UKVI provides a list of banks from which you can get a bank statement, deposit your money, and use it for transactions.

How to Obtain a Bank Statement for UKVI?

Here, we will go through all of the steps for obtaining a bank statement for UKVI so that you can get your visa approved for study or work purposes when you visit the United Kingdom. So follow along carefully to open a UKVI-approved bank account in Bangladesh.

Step-By-Step Guide

Here are all the steps that you will need to complete to open and obtain a bank statement from a UKVI-approved bank.

1. Carefully choose a UKVI-approved bank from the list mentioned above. You can also check the official website of the UK government or the British High Commission to get the updated list of UKVI-approved banks. Choose a convenient bank, considering its proximity and other benefits.
2. Gather your documents, such as a valid passport, Bangladeshi National ID card, utility bills, rental agreements, passport-size pictures, nominee’s National ID card, and pictures. Speak to the bank employees about all the necessary papers that you might need to open an account.
3. Gather proof of income source such as salary certificate, tax return documents, etc.
4. Visit the bank to open an account with the documents you have gathered. Some banks might allow online registration, but we recommend opening an account in person.
5. Talk to the bank employee about opening an account to apply for a UK student visa. These accounts are a bit different from regular accounts, as you will not be making deposits or withdrawals like a common account.
6. Fill out the applications provided by the bank and be as careful as possible to avoid making any mistakes. Check the application multiple times to ensure you have not made any typos regarding any information. This is important because a small error while filling out these forms can result in catastrophic failures.
7. Submit your application along with the necessary documents to the bank employee so that they can open your bank account.
8. Wait for the bank to approve your request to open an account. This might take a few days as the bank will review and verify your documents and application.
9. The next step is to receive your bank details, such as your account number, account details, sort code, routing number, and so on. Depending on the bank, you might also receive a chequebook or a debit card.
10. Activate your bank account and deposit money. You can do it via bank transfer or by visiting a bank and depositing cash. Bank transfer is highly recommended as it is easier and more transparent.
11. Register your account with UKVI by providing them with your account details. You should also get a bank statement showing the balance and transactions of your bank account, as you might need it to apply for a Visa and for other purposes.

These are the steps through which you can open an account in a UKVI approved bank in Bangladesh to use this account’s bank statement for visa purposes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Some common mistakes can cause problems down the line when you obtain a bank statement from a UKVI-approved bank. These mistakes can result in your visa being rejected by the UKVI authority. So make sure to avoid these issues.

Blocklisted Banks: Some banks, such as South East Bank, are blocklisted by UKVI regarding bank statements. Make sure to double-check that the bank you choose to get a bank statement from is on the list of approved banks.

Typo or Other Errors: This is one of the most common reasons UKVI denies applications. Ensure that all of your information on the documents and applications contains no typos regarding numbers, dates, names, etc. Your visa might be rejected if the UKVI authority finds mismatches in your applications or documents.

Insufficient Funds: International students from Bangladesh usually require a minimum of BDT 26 to 30 lac in their accounts to prove financial solvency to the UKVI authority, but different universities have different requirements. So make sure your bank account has a sufficient balance when you provide the bank statement; otherwise, your visa application might be rejected.

Tips for Students Using UKVI Approved Banks

Here, we will provide some tips to ensure your visa gets approved by UKVI. Sometimes, even after choosing the right banks, your visa can get rejected because of some unintentional mistakes. Make sure to follow these tips to stay ahead of the curve when applying for a UK visa.

Maintain Required Funds for at Least 28 Days

You should maintain the required funds for at least 28 days because frequent transactions will flag the account as volatile. UKVI needs to be convinced that you can remain financially solvent even without the amount transferred to the account that you provide. Otherwise, the authorities might reject your visa.

Ensure Bank Statements Include the Right Details

The devil is in the details. Double-check the bank statements to find any unwanted transactions or issues. Also, make sure that all the documents regarding the bank statement are free of typos or misprints, as these can cause your visa to be rejected.

Cross-Check With UKVI’s Latest Guidelines

UKVI’s latest guidelines are published on their official website at https://www.gov.uk/student-visa, where you can get all the latest information regarding your student visa. Make sure to stay updated with all of the requirements for a student visa to fix your application if any changes occur in the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

One of the most frequent reasons for visa applications getting rejected by UKVI authorities is the bank statements provided by students, which are often not from UKVI approved banks or do not meet the requirements set by UKVI. So, verify the bank with your visa consultant to find the right bank for you that will help you secure your to help you pursue your academic career in the United Kingdom. Follow all the tips and tricks mentioned in the above passages to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to applying for a student visa to study abroad in the UK.