As a Travel Consultant, one common question I have to face from my clients is that how could they develop or prepare Bank Statement for the Visa Application of countries like the UK, Japan, Australia, or even for Thailand(as these days lots of good background people are rejected in Thai embassy too).

Let’s discuss the issues from my experiences of the last 14 years:

There are some countries where there is a set amount from the embassy which is mentioned in the visa checklist such as

For India Tourist Visa: “Proof of Financial soundness: International travel card like SBI Travelcard / updated bank statement (last 3 month) / endorsement* of foreign currency equivalent to US$150/- per applicant (Endorsement* should not be older than 1 (one) month at the time of submission), an international credit card with running year endorsement in the passport.”

On the other hand, for Thai Tourist Visa: “Evidence of adequate finance e.g. Current Bank Solvency and Bank Statement of the last 6 months with the satisfactory transaction (at least 20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family or 60,000 Taka per person and 120,000 Taka per family).”

In the Visa Market, it’s suggested that for Malaysia the amount may 80K to 1 lac, for China 2 Lac at the end balance of your savings account. The equation is simple at the end balance of your account should be this amount through it’s not guaranteed or ensure you will get a visa or not.

However, for most visas there is no set amount mentioned in the list of requirement such as the US, Canada, Australia, Schengen, UK, Japan, etc. and your bank statement/s in such cases serve few purposes, i.e. to prove your financial ability to visit the applied destinations as well as your socioeconomic status in your country of residence which is proved that you are well establish and have standard living so that even if they provide you visa You will come back in your country at the end of your Tour. (indirectly you are not in the intention of Migrating yourself)

Nowadays, in Bangladesh, Some agencies offer or advertise that if you have 5 countries or more visits and have 10 lac money in your account you will get a visa!! That is such a scam and misguides lines and a dirty hidden offer for a few knowledgeable people of this trade. This is just a misguidance nothing more than that. Some visa rejected people think they got refused because they don’t have 10lac or more than that in their account or even they can’t apply for those countries as they don’t have that amount!! This thought is totally wrong which is clear after a few minutes; let’s finish the study of this write-up.

Most Importantly, Your Bank Statement should reflect your monthly income and save at the end of the day. After these savings, whereas you can cover your next trip (this trip cost is varied with said travel such as if your trip is for 5 days it should differ from 10 days trip!! So the trip costing calculating such way!! Moreover, if you travel solo than the trip cost might be a little higher, and if you travel with a partner than your trip cost literally less as some cost may average such as Hotel, Transport, etc.)

For example, one of my Client who is working in a company(semi Government) get paid 90K per month, as a result, he gets paid around 12 lac including a bonus of 4 to 5 in a year. He has routine monthly expenses such as food, cloth, transport, etc. (no housing cost as he resides in his own flat) so at the end of six months if he has savings of 4 lac in his account that is sufficient for his travel of 8 days in Japan. And yes he got his Japan Tourist Visa after 5 working days.

Now the question is that, will you get a Japan visa after depositing 4lac in your account!! Then the calculation will come out what is your tier, status in Bangladesh. If all other terms and conditions fully fill and satisfied with the Visa Officer than you certainly get a visa.

Secondly, someone of us gets paid in Cash Salary, in that case, you have to prove that you get the amount of salary from your company which is authentic. For that, you have to prove by submitting your Tax Return as well as the company’s Bank Statement and Tax file. There are some other options which will discuss in upcoming days or you can personally knock me.

The most error we Bangladeshi people do in bank statement: Before applying visa application we depositing a big amount and apply for a visa!! This certainly creates doubt to the visa officer about your source of funds and are those funds come from an authentic way! Sometimes they might ask you supporting documents against this deposit if you hold a good social status and maximum time’s visa officer reject the application without further communications with the applicant.

I will suggest one to remember the following points before applying for a visa (especially to good countries):

1) Have consistent savings in your account and don’t put a big amount in cash

2) Your savings account should not that many high ups and downs transactions which is clearly not a general trend.

3) Salaried account is the best option for applicants though you can also submit your personal account for visa application purposes.

4) It’s suggested that your account has twice or more than that of the number of your tour expenses. In some countries, you need to mention the amount you are going to spend such as UK, Australia, and Canada. In that case, you can easily calculate the twice amount.

Hope this post is of some help to anyone applying for visas in the near future and for critical calculation as assessment with guidelines “Journey Adviser” always with you.