What Are The Bank Statements For Your Schengen Visa Application?
A bank statement is a document (also known as an account statement) that contains the summary of your financial transactions (bank balance, deposits, charges, withdrawals, interests earned on the account, etc.) that occurred at a certain bank during a month (most of the time it is one month, but it could be one quarter in some cases).
A bank statement is a document that provides a full overview of your account for a specific period.
Some banks can record your statements on file for at least five years, sometimes longer. A one-month statement doesn’t necessarily last from the first to last day of a calendar month.
Some banks can also track your account from the fifth day of a month to the fourth day of the following month.
Submitting the bank statements as proof of financial means is a mandatory requirement when applying for a Schengen Visa, no matter your employment status or your purpose of entry into the Area.
Some Embassies/Consulates require the statements of the last 3 months while some others require the statements of the last 6 months. Whether you are going to cover all the expenses yourself or someone else is going to pay for your trip to the Schengen Area, you have to submit the statements related to your account. Therefore, do not forget the following rules:
- If you are going to cover all the expenses by yourself you must submit the last 6 months of your bank statements
- If you have a sponsor, you will have to provide both your bank statements and the ones of your sponsor (all of them for the last 6 months) – together with your sponsorship letter and other mandatory requirements.
The main purpose of these documents is to prove that you have enough funds to support all of the expenses during your stay within Europe. They are a key element during your Schengen Visa application process.
Please note that providing bank statements from only yourself or yourself and your sponsor that cumulatively show that you do not have enough funds on your account can cost you the approval of the Schengen Visa.
These documents will show the Schengen Visa officers not only the type of transactions that occurred within your account, but also the details of those transactions (for example, the name of the person or the institution that transferred money into your account).
This is the main reason why we do not recommend you borrow money from your parents, relatives, or friends so that you can have a higher amount of “show money” (the colloquial term used to indicate the funds that you must have when you travel in order to get a Visa).
The Schengen Visa officers are experts at spotting irregularities and this can lead to the rejection of your Schengen Visa. They will also check on your account the opening date because a new account may raise suspicions.
Note: You can submit the statements corresponding to more bank accounts.
For example, you can submit the statements corresponding to your both current and savings account. Or, you can submit the statements corresponding to accounts opened in different countries (e.g., you are a Filipino citizen resident in India and submit bank statements corresponding to the accounts you hold in India and the Philippines).
You can also submit the bank statements related to a joint account (whether you opened the joint account together with a relative or a business partner).
Important: If you are self-employed, you must also submit a company bank statement for the last 6 months and a copy of your business license. This is a mandatory requirement for applicants who are running their own businesses.
Thus, there are two categories of bank statements you must submit if you’re self-employed: personal and company bank statements. Both of them are important as part of the Schengen Visa application process.
The Importance Of The Bank Statements For Your Schengen Visa
You may ask yourself why it is so important to the Embassies/Consulates that you submit the bank statements together with the rest of your documents. Below you will find the answers:
- Your bank balance (as well as the one of your sponsor – if you have one) will show the Visa officers you have enough funds to cover your basic travel expenses and other needs.
In case you are still asking yourself ”Why do I need to prove that I have enough money to spend during my trip?” the answer is: ”The Schengen Visa officers want to ensure that you won’t be a burden for the countries within the Schengen Region and you have enough financial means to support yourself in an emergency”.
- They provide strong evidence of your intentions to return to your country of residence, by showing you have current living expenses and salary operating out of your account – Bear in mind that most of the rejected Schengen Visa applicants were not able to prove that they intend to go back to their country of residence after their journey in the Schengen Region.
How To Get A Bank Statement For Your Schengen Visa Application?
There are two ways you can get the bank statements of the latest 6 months:
1. Getting the bank statements online
The online mode refers to the electronic version of your bank statements that you can get in a PDF format once you login to your account through the bank’s net banking portal or mobile banking app.
After you download the PDF file (not a screenshot), you can print it off and submit it to the Embassy/Consulate together with your other documents.
Here are the steps you should follow:
- Log into your bank account – You can do it directly from your computer or using a mobile banking app.
- Select “Statements” (“Bank Statement” or “E-Statements”) – Although every bank is different and the Internet banking portals are not identical, you should easily find the option that allows you to download your statements.
- Select the appropriate account (in case you have more than one account at the same bank) and the statement period (you can also submit statements from multiple accounts, but each one must have a 6 months minimum of statements).
- The bank should send the list of statements for the selected period on the email address corresponding to your account – or you can download it directly as a PDF if your bank Internet portal allows you to do that.
- Print off the statement (colour printing is preferred).
Remember that most of the banks allow you to access a one-month bank statement meaning that you will have to download and print off six different statements (of the latest 6 months).
2. Getting the bank statements offline
There are a few banks that do not provide the option to download or print the statements via net banking portal or mobile banking app. If your bank is one of them, you have two options:
- Send a letter or email or call to your bank and ask for your statements of the last 6 months (you should receive them by email) – this step does require a lot of verification as it is virtual.
- Visit your bank branch and request the statements you need over the counter.
Remember that you also have two options when submitting the bank statements together with all the rest of the documents for your Schengen Visa application:
- Submit the account statements you got after following one of the methods mentioned above.
- Submit the bank statements with the authorised signature of the bank (you can ask one of the representatives of your bank to sign and stamp each one of them).
Providing bank statements that have the evidence and proof of the bank with authorised signature is NOT mandatory and no Embassy/Consulate mentions that specifically.
Nevertheless, you can do that if you would like to provide additional proof to the Schengen Visa officers. This choice can also depend on the type of statements provided by your bank. On some of them it can be written on one of the top corners that the statement is “valid without the signature and the stamps of the bank” (in this case, it would be completely useless to submit them with the signature and the stamp of the bank, even when you want to bring additional proof the the Schengen Visa officers).
What Are The Key Elements Of A Bank Statement For The Schengen Visa Application?
It is easy to understand a bank statement as it contains only basic information about you and your account. The most important elements of a bank statement that you submit for your Schengen Visa application are:
● Your bank balance
In case you are asking yourself how much money you should have on your account, the answer is “it depends on your destination country”.
However, most Embassies/Consulates mention a specific amount of money that you must have in your account so that your Schengen Visa can be approved. As a general rule, we do not encourage you to show the Visa officers that you intend to travel with less than 60 EUR a day, for each day that you are going to spend within the Schengen Area. (e.g., if you are travelling for 10 days, we recommend you to have at least 600 EUR in your account, no matter your destination(s) within Europe).
For further information concerning the minimum amount of money that you must have in your account for each Schengen Country, you can check our Financial Means Test.
● The correspondence between the details on your bank statements and the ones on your other documents
If you are going to cover all of the expenses for your trip within the Schengen Area, you must provide information about you as an employee – for example, you should provide a Certificate of Employment/Employment letter and a No Objection Letter (NOC) from your employer.
If on these documents it is written that your salary is 500 EUR per month and your statements show a deposit of 2000 EUR each month, this might raise some suspicion, unless justified in your cover letter.
● The date when the account was open
If you opened your account just a few months before applying for a Schengen Visa, this can raise some red flags too.
The Schengen Visa officers can think that you opened the account just for your application process. A newly opened account will not necessarily lead to the rejection of your Visa, but can reduce your chances of approval.
We would recommend you show to the Schengen Visa officers the statements related to an account opened at least one year before applying for the Visa.
● The regularity of the transactions
The transactions on your account should be regular.
For example, if you show the Schengen Visa officers your bank statements of the last 6 months and they prove you didn’t make any transactions (such as ATM withdrawals or payments) they might think you opened the account with the purpose of having some “show money” and getting the Schengen Visa.
The statements should prove that you use your account regularly.
● The type of transactions
If someone deposits a high amount of money on your account (whether it was once or multiple times), the Schengen Visa officers could think that you borrowed money just for your Schengen Visa application process.
They need to understand clearly where your money is coming from, who is the person (or the institution) that deposits into your account and the reasons why you receive it.
Most of the time, this will just be your salary (which is covered by your employment contract and Employer NOC Letter) but other times it could be your sponsor (if the sponsor is depositing money into your account, please outline that in the Cover Letter).
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Submitting The Bank Statements For The Schengen Visa Application
● Submitting the printed screenshots of your bank statements
The Schengen Visa officers won’t accept them. You must download and print (or print directly from your account) the PDF files that contain the statements related to the transactions you made within the last 6 months.
● Submitting a bank certificate instead of a bank statement
A bank certificate is usually a one-page document that certifies that you have an account with that branch. It does not contain a summary of your financial transactions – and your transactions are exactly the details that the Schengen Visa officers are interested in.
● Submitting bank statements that prove you do not have enough funds to travel
This might be the worst mistake a Schengen Visa applicant can make. Showing to the Schengen Visa officers that you have less than 60 EUR a day to spend in the Schengen Area can lead to the rejection of your Visa (for some Embassies/Consulates also 60 EUR a day could be enough.
Also, we do not encourage you to take the risk and show them you can afford to spend only 60 EUR a day – just remember: more is better).
● Submitting your income summary account
The income summary account is a one-page document that shows only the total bank balance on your account (remember that an account statement must show the history of all your financial transactions such as deposits, charges, withdrawals, interests earned on the account, etc.).
● Submitting the bank statements in your native language
You should submit the bank statements in a language that the Schengen Visa officers know.
For example, if your bank provides statements in Arabic, the Schengen Visa officers might not understand it. Contact your bank and ask if they can provide you with the account statements in English. Otherwise, you should make a certified translation of the statements.
● Submitting bank statements that do not show the details of your transactions
For the Schengen Visa officers it is not enough to see that you made a payment or someone made a deposit into your account, but they also need to understand the details of the transactions (e.g., where or to whom you paid money, or who deposited money into your account).
● Submitting bank statements that do not prove you get the salary mentioned on your employment documents
If you pay for the trip with your own money and need to show the Schengen Visa officers that you are an employee, your bank statements must prove you receive once a month the salary mentioned on your certificate of employment, NOC letter from your employer, or your employment contract.
● Submitting only the first page of a one-month bank statement
Of course, if your bank statement has only one page, submit it as such.
But, for example, if every bank statement you download has 3 pages and you must submit 6 bank statements it means that you will have to show to the Embassy/Consulate officers a total of 18 pages (an easy way to validate is to check the ‘page count’ located at the bottom right corner of each page to ensure you have included every single one).
● Submitting bank statements that do not show consistency with your other documents
Your bank balance must show consistency with your other documents.
For example, if you submit bank statements that show you can afford to spend only 60EUR per day and your hotel reservations show you booked a 5-star hotel class with expensive amenities, this may raise some red flags.
The hotel type you choose must fit your bank balance and budget.
Also, your bank statements and Personal Income Tax Return (ITR) should show consistency and prove you pay income taxes.
FAQs
How do I show proof of sufficient funds for visa? ›
Travelers visiting the United States from a foreign country must be able to prove to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer that they have sufficient funds, i.e., credit card, cash, travelers' checks, money order to cover travel, lodging, entertainment, meals, etc. to be admitted into the United States.
What is the requirement bank statement for Schengen visa? ›Proof of sufficient means of subsistence for the intended journey, recent bank account statements during the last three months (Bank statements must show the name and address of the owner). We cannot accept Travel Money Cards or cash as proof of sufficient funds.
What is proof of sufficient funds for travel France? ›What are means of subsitence? We need to provide an acceptable proof of funds that shows your financial ability to travel and bear expenditures during your stay in the Schengen area (personal bank statements for the last 3 months, last 3 pay slips, credit/debit cards statements, travelers cheques etc.).
What is proof of sufficient funds for travel to Italy? ›You can provide proof that you have sufficient financial resources to fund a trip to Italy in one of the following ways: Bank statements. You must provide an original copy of your bank statements issued within the past month. The bank statement must be stamped and signed by an authorized bank official.
What is acceptable proof of sufficient financial means? ›Generally, there are several recognized ways to prove your financial sufficiency: A personal bank statement indicating your financial movements (for at least 3 last months) Credit card. Cash. Traveller's cheques.
How do you explain proof of funds? ›Proof of funds refers to a document that demonstrates the ability of an individual or entity to pay for a specific transaction. A bank statement, security statement, or custody statement usually qualify as proof of funds. Proof of funds is typically required for a large transaction, such as the purchase of a house.
How do you calculate 28 days bank statement? ›28 days will be counted back from the closing balance and the closing balance cannot be more than 31 days old on the date of application. If your finances are confirmed in a letter then the letter and the closing balance cannot be more than 31 days old on the date of application.
What is proof of funds for Schengen visa in Italy? ›You can provide proof that you have sufficient financial resources to fund a trip to Italy in one of the following ways: Bank statements. You must provide an original copy of your bank statements issued within the past month. The bank statement must be stamped and signed by an authorized bank official.
How much is a bank statement for Schengen? ›You must show evidence that you will be able to financially maintain yourself during your stay in the Schengen territory. You should be able to prove that through a bank statement of the past three months, which must not be older than three days.
How do you show sufficient funds for travel? ›How do I prove that I have enough money to travel? It's simple: Get a bank certificate or bank statement or both. A bank certificate is usually a one-page document that certifies that you have an account with that branch. Often, the latest available balance is indicated.
How do I prove I have enough money for Spain? ›
Economic means may be accredited by presenting cash, traveller's cheques, a credit card accompanied by a bank account statement, an up-to-date bank book, or any other resource that accredits the amount available, such as a credit statement regarding the card or bank account.
How much bank balance is required for France long stay visa? ›The Long Stay Visa France Financial Requirement is 120 euros per day.
What is the minimum bank balance for Italy visa? ›The bank statement must indicate a minimum bank balance for Schengen visa of 2 lakh 44 thousand 482 rupees only for the last six months.
What is proof of financial means for visa Spain? ›You will usually be required to show official bank statements from the previous 3-6 months to prove you have the necessary funds in your personal account. For this reason, it's a good idea to try and have the full amount required in your account well ahead of your visa appointment.
What is an example of proof of sufficient funds? ›An official bank statement, either printed at a branch or as an online statement. The balance of total funds in your accounts. The balance of funds in your checking or savings account. The signature of an authorized bank employee or notary.
What is acceptable proof of source of funds and wealth? ›How do you prove Source of Wealth? Customers have to provide some form of evidence that proves how they acquired their wealth. Usually, customers present financial statements, evidence of gifts, loan agreements, or some other documents, which should be up to date.
What is an example of proof of financial capacity? ›Evidence of financial ability includes but is not limited to: Family bank statements. Documentation from a sponsor. Financial aid letters.
Which of the following does not qualify as a funding proof? ›Furnishing proof of funds document
Investments — including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, life insurance, or untapped equity — do not qualify to be included as proof of funds.
You may be able to submit bank statements in lieu of a proof of funds letter. Ask your lender. If bank statements are permitted, submit both your checking and savings account statements.
What is an example of a source of funds document? ›Business income/profits: copies of recent financial statements, bank statements or tax returns document not older than 12 months reflecting income and profits. Salary/bonus/income: a salary/bonus/income slip not older than three months or a letter from the client's employer confirming the payment.
How much of my bank statement do I need to show? ›
Two months' worth of bank statements is the norm because any credit or deposit accounts older than that should have shown up on your credit report.
Does immigration check bank accounts? ›Does immigration check your bank account? Your bank accounts or bank statements are not checked by immigration agents. If immigration officers want to make sure you have the financial means to maintain yourself while in the nation, they may inquire for the quantity of money you have with you.
What is a full months bank statement? ›A bank statement is an official document that summarizes your account activity over a certain period of time—typically one month. You'll find records of all transactions—both incoming and outgoing—so you know exactly what was going on with your funds during that period.
How much is sufficient funds for Schengen visa? ›Therefore, the amount of money your bank statement of the last 6 months must show varies by country. As a general rule, you should have at least 50-60 Euros in your account for each day you spend within the Schengen Area.
How much sufficient funds to cover stay in the Schengen area? ›- €269.60 fixed sum for stays up to 5 days (€212.81 per person for groups of two and more);
- 6–10 days: €44.93 per day (€26.33 per person for groups of two and more);
- 11–20 days: €51.64 fixed sum + €36.67 per day (€25.82 + €22.21);
This costs a one-time fee of 50-150 euros. As soon as your account is ready, you have to deposit at least 11.208 euros into it. Once you've arrived in Germany, you should make an appointment in a branch office of your bank.
How much is multiple entries for Schengen visa? ›How much does the multiple-entry Schengen Visa cost? The fee for a multiple-entry visa is the same as an ordinary short-stay one (€80 or $90), even though it allows you to take multiple trips lasting fewer than 90 days for as long as the visa is valid (usually one, three, or five years).
Which country gives the longest Schengen visa? ›If you want to go to a one-day conference in the Netherlands and a two-day conference in France, your purpose of travel is the same for both countries. Apply for a visa for France, because you will be staying there the longest.
What is the difference between bank statement and bank certificate? ›Bank Certificate is merely a letter from the bank that states the amount the account holder has on a particular date for which the certificate is requested. However, the Bank Statement is the detailed transaction history of the account holder since a specific date to another specific date.
How much should I put in my travel fund? ›Some people like to establish an amount of their paycheck to siphon off into travel savings. Perhaps it's 5% of your take-home pay, or an amount like $50. Once it hits a certain figure ($500 or $1,000), you can then dig in and start your specific planning. For many, though, building a budget makes the dream real.
How do you travel with limited funds? ›
- Choose One Luxury And Stop Spending Money On It. Every week, we spend money on luxuries. ...
- Put Some Money Away Every Day/Week. ...
- Direct Deposit Into A Vacation Account. ...
- Explore Your Own Backyard. ...
- Consider A Day Trip. ...
- Weekend Getaway. ...
- Invite Your Friends. ...
- Stay Away From Tourist Traps.
International travelers entering the United States must declare if they are carrying currency or monetary instruments in a combined amount over $10,000 on their Customs Declaration Form (CBP Form 6059B) and then file a FinCEN Form 105.
Do you need to prove you have 85 € for Spain? ›Yes! Due to leaving the European Union, Brits no longer have freedom of movement in the EU and so we have to go through more checks. These include: Showing you have enough money for your stay.
How do you prove you have 85 a day in Spain? ›show you have enough money for your stay. show proof of accommodation for your stay, for example, a hotel booking confirmation, proof of address if visiting your own property (e.g. second home), or an invitation from your host or proof of their address if staying with a third party, friends or family.
How much money do you need in the bank for a non-lucrative visa in Spain? ›The minimum amount of money you must have to get this residence permit. In the case of the non-lucrative visa, you must prove that you have 400% of the IPREM annually in your bank account. For this year 2023, the IPREM is 600€ for one month.
How long must I keep bank statements in France? ›Documents relating to the annual account (balance sheet, income statement, appendix, etc.) must be kept for ten years.
How much bank balance is required for Ireland tourist visa? ›Please note that there is no set amount of funds that will result in the approval or refusal of an application. The Visa Officer will decide whether your have enough funds based on your individual circumstances. Your 3 most recent payslips.
How much bank balance is required for Finland tourist visa? ›The applicant must have proof of sufficient financial means to cover the duration and purpose of the stay and the cost of living in the country. In Finland a minimum of EUR 30 a day is required.
Can an American have a bank account in Italy? ›You can open a bank account in Italy regardless of your citizenship or visa status.
What is the minimum account balance for USA visa? ›Although there isn't a predetermined minimum balance needed, an F-1 visa requires a minimum balance of 10,000 USD.
Do I need a certain amount of money to enter Italy? ›
There's no limit to the amount of foreign currency you can bring into the Italy or the eurozone. However, you're going to have to declare your cash if you're planning to enter or leave the country with more than €10,000.
What is proof of sufficient financial resources for the visit Schengen? ›Proof of sufficient means of subsistence for the intended journey, recent bank account statements during the last three months (Bank statements must show the name and address of the owner). We cannot accept Travel Money Cards or cash as proof of sufficient funds.
What is proof of sufficient funds for visa France? ›What are means of subsitence? We need to provide an acceptable proof of funds that shows your financial ability to travel and bear expenditures during your stay in the Schengen area (personal bank statements for the last 3 months, last 3 pay slips, credit/debit cards statements, travelers cheques etc.).
What is proof of sufficient financial means? ›Generally, there are several recognized ways to prove your financial sufficiency: A personal bank statement indicating your financial movements (for at least 3 last months) Credit card. Cash.
How much is considered sufficient fund for US visa? ›There is no fixed minimum bank balance for US student visa, but one should have 10,000 USD and above to get F-1 visa. Suggested: How Much Funds to Show for an F-1 Student Visa?
How do I show proof of funds for US b2 visa? ›You should also get financial proof such as bank statements (monthly), FD (fixed deposits) slips, etc. If you are a working adult, then you should get a letter from the employer and your recent 3 months' pay slips. If you are visiting a relative in the US, you should get a copy of your relative's status proof.
What is the statement of financial support for visa? ›An Affidavit of Support, also called the Form I-864, is a document an individual signs to accept financial responsibility for the applicant who is coming to live in the United States. The person who signs the Affidavit of Support is also called the “sponsor.”
What is the minimum bank balance for b2 visa? ›There is no minimum balance requirement for your bank account, however, based on the experience of others we recommend anywhere between $5,000 to $10,000 will be sufficient.
What is proof of funds bank statement? ›Proof of funds usually comes in the form of a bank security or custody statement. These can be procured from your bank or the financial institution that holds your money. Bank statements are the most common document to use as POF and can typically be found online or at a bank branch.
What is sufficient funds for travel? ›Basically, it means that you need to provide the border control, embassy, or whomever with proof that you have enough money in your bank account to last you for the duration of your trip.
What is financial proof for US tourist visa? ›
How do I prove that I have enough money to travel? It's simple: Get a bank certificate or bank statement or both. A bank certificate is usually a one-page document that certifies that you have an account with that branch. Often, the latest available balance is indicated.
How do visa officers check bank statements? ›Does immigration check your bank account? Your bank accounts or bank statements are not checked by immigration agents. If immigration officers want to make sure you have the financial means to maintain yourself while in the nation, they may inquire for the quantity of money you have with you.
How much bank balance is required for U.S. tourist visa? ›How much money do I need to show for US Tourist Visa? Officially, there is no limit for the money to be shown for the US Tourist Visa. Any amount that can validate the overall expenses for your US trip must be adequate. This includes to and fro air tickets, medical insurance, boarding, lodging, shopping, etc.
Can a US citizen sponsor a friend for a tourist visa? ›Can a U.S. citizen sponsor a non-family member for immigration? Unfortunately, no, you can't petition for a foreign national's visa or green card if they aren't a family member.
What is an example of proof of financial support? ›Proof of funds usually includes bank statements and/or scholarship letters. Organizations and/or companies providing scholarships or paid study leave for you should provide an award letter outlining the details of the award in U.S. dollar amounts. The letter must contain: The name of the student being given the award.
What is an example of financial support? ›The financial assistance may be in the form of guarantees, loans, cost-sharing arrangements, subsidies, or welfare payments. Tax allowances, grants, and government bailouts of struggling companies are also examples of financial assistance.
What are financial statement supporting documents? ›- Profit and loss (P&L) statement.
- Cash flow statement.
- Balance sheet.
- Tax returns.
- Accounts receivable/accounts payable.
- Use your small business financial documents to drive your success.
Ally Bank, Axos Bank, Capital One, Discover, E-Trade, FNBO Direct and Varo are all banks that offer free checking accounts with no minimum balance requirement.
Is there a minimum balance that you have to keep at a bank? ›Most traditional banks require you to maintain a minimum account balance to avoid monthly service charges. These typically range from $100 to $2,500, though most are much closer to the lower end.
Is there a minimum balance for a bank account? ›While some traditional savings accounts have no minimum balance requirements, most of them do. Major national banks typically require a minimum balance of around $300 to $500 or more to avoid monthly service fees ranging from $5 to $12 or more.