UKVI-Approved Banks Nepal for UK Student Visa — Complete 2026 Guide
Only 12 banks in Nepal are approved by UKVI for the Student Visa 28-day bank balance requirement. Using the wrong bank means automatic refusal. This is the complete, verified list — updated May 2026.
Last Updated: 08 Jun 2026 | Verified against UKVI requirements for 2026 applications
Critical: Using the Wrong Bank Causes Automatic Visa Refusal
UKVI will refuse your UK Student Visa application if your 28-day bank statement is from a bank not on the approved list — regardless of whether the balance amount is correct. There are no exceptions. This is one of the most common — and entirely preventable — causes of visa refusal for Nepali students. Always verify your bank is on this list before starting the 28-day holding period.
How Much Do You Need? — 2026 Figures
The 28-Day Rule — Exactly How It Works
The full required balance must be present in your account on every single day of a 28-consecutive-day period. The period must end no more than 31 days before your visa application date. Any withdrawal that drops the balance below the threshold — even for one day — resets the entire 28-day count. Do not make any withdrawals or transfers during this period.
Official UKVI List
All 12 UKVI-Approved Banks in Nepal
Every bank on this list is verified for use with UK Student Visa applications from Nepal in 2026.
Rastriya Banijya Bank Ltd.
State-owned — widely accessible across all 7 provinces
RBBNepal Bangladesh Bank Ltd.
Joint venture bank with strong Kathmandu presence
NBBStandard Chartered Bank Nepal Ltd.
International bank — recognised globally by UKVI
SCBNLGlobal IME Bank Ltd.
Largest private bank in Nepal with broad branch network
GIMESunrise Bank Ltd.
Commercial bank operating across Nepal
SBLNMB Bank Ltd.
Listed commercial bank — strong digital banking
NMBNIC ASIA Bank Ltd.
One of Nepal's largest private commercial banks
NICASanima Bank Ltd.
Commercial bank with growing national branch presence
SNMACivil Bank Ltd.
Commercial bank serving retail and corporate clients
CBLNepal Credit and Commerce Bank Ltd.
Commercial bank — NCC Bank — serving all provinces
NCCBank of Kathmandu Lumbini Ltd.
Merged entity — strong presence in Kathmandu Valley
BOKPrabhu Bank Ltd.
Listed commercial bank with nationwide remittance services
PRBHUNo bank found. Please check the spelling or browse the full list above.
Step-by-Step Process
How to Use a UKVI-Approved Bank for Your UK Student Visa
Follow these five steps precisely. Errors at any stage — especially steps 2 and 3 — are the most common cause of preventable visa refusals.
Confirm your bank is on the approved list
Cross-reference your bank against the 12 approved institutions above. If your current savings are in a non-approved bank, transfer them to an approved account before starting the 28-day period. Allow 2–3 working days for inter-bank transfers to clear in Nepal.
Deposit the full required balance in one account
Deposit the complete required amount into a single account at one UKVI-approved bank — either £10,539 (outside London) or £13,761 (London). UKVI does not accept split balances across two accounts. Ensure the NPR equivalent covers exchange rate movements: deposit a small buffer above the requirement if possible.
Hold the balance continuously for 28 days
Do not make any withdrawals, transfers, or payments from this account during the 28-day period. Set calendar reminders. If any transaction drops the balance below the threshold — even for a single day — the 28-day clock resets to zero. Plan your 28-day window to end no more than 31 days before your visa application date.
Obtain the official certified bank statement
After the 28-day period completes, visit your bank branch and request a certified bank statement showing every transaction and daily balance across the full 28-day period. The statement must be on bank letterhead, signed and stamped by the bank, and dated within 31 days of your visa application. HOA reviews bank statements for free before submission — contact us to check yours. See the full bank balance guide.
Upload the statement with your visa application
Your certified bank statement is a mandatory document in your UK Student Visa application. Upload the PDF scan alongside your CAS number, passport, tuberculosis test result, and other supporting documents. HOA provides free visa document review and application checking before you submit.
Common Mistakes
5 Bank Balance Mistakes Nepali Students Make
These mistakes cause preventable visa refusals every intake cycle. Read each one before submitting your application.
Using a bank not on the UKVI list
Many popular Nepali banks — including Nabil Bank, Everest Bank, and Agriculture Development Bank — are not on the UKVI-approved list. Using any of these, regardless of balance amount, causes automatic refusal. Always check this list first.
Making any transaction during the 28 days
Even a small payment — ATM withdrawal, mobile transfer, utility payment — that drops the balance below the threshold for a single day restarts the entire 28-day count. Keep the account completely untouched for the full 28-day period.
Splitting balance across two accounts
UKVI requires the full required balance in a single account at one institution. Students cannot combine £5,000 in RBB with £5,539 in NIC ASIA. The entire amount must be in one account, in one bank, for the full 28 days.
Using an internet banking screenshot instead of certified statement
UKVI requires an official bank statement issued by the bank — not a screenshot or PDF downloaded from online banking. The statement must be on bank letterhead, dated, signed, and stamped. Visit the branch to obtain the correct document.
Starting the 28 days too early
The 28-day period must end no more than 31 days before your visa application date. If you complete the 28 days in April but apply in June, the statement is out of the valid window. Time your 28-day period precisely against your planned visa application date.
Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked Questions — UKVI-Approved Banks Nepal
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