Dreaming of exploring the world? Your first step is proving you can afford the adventure! A Bank Certificate or Bank Statement is often the golden ticket to securing your visa, but how do you get one without the hassle?
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know – step-by-step instructions, insider tips to boost your chances, and even a BPI Bank Certificate sample to demystify the process. This quick read will help you ace the financial requirements and get closer to your travel goals.
If you would like to look at more samples, I have one for a No Objection Letter and another for comparison for Income Tax Rates in the Philippines should you need them!
And if you’re looking for more than just visa tips, grab our exclusive eBook: ” The A-Z on How to Become a Digital Nomad!” It’s your ultimate guide to transitioning into a remote work lifestyle, covering everything from visas and budgeting to travel insurance and connectivity.
When I applied for a Japan Tourist Visa a few years ago, a Bank Certificate was only needed. For the South Korea Tourist Visa the next year, Bank Statement and Certificates were requirements. This is an essential document for your application – it may get you approved or denied. To find out more about how to get one and some tips for your applications, you may read this guide.
Bank Certificate vs Bank Statement (plus tips)
If you don’t know the difference between a Bank Certificate and a Bank Statement, here are some pointers:
Bank Certificate
- Confirmation from a manager or officer of the bank that you do have an account opened in their bank
- Account Number, Type, Bank Opening Date, Bank Balance, and Average Daily Balance may be shown in the Bank Certificate
- ADB and the opening date isn’t shown in the Bank Statement
- Having a savings account that has been opened for quite a while is an advantage rather than having opened a new one (Some consuls may think you just opened it for visa purposes, and you may have borrowed money)
- ADB may show your activity for the whole year – it’s better if you have an ADB that’s more than half of your latest balance. A small ADB will mean that you have deposited a large amount of money before getting you Bank Certificate and this may make the visa officer curious
Having travel insurance is also recommended when applying for your visa, as it offers a safety net in case of emergencies.
Bank Statement
- Shows transactions in your account for an identified period
- Debits (DR) on your account will usually be withdrawals, bill payments, service charge, or taxes
- Credits (CR) on your accounts are deposits, interests
- Often, there will be no signature needed by a bank manager or officer
- You can access a Bank Statement through online banking
- Having an active bank account even though you have small amount is a plus rather than having an inactive one
- It will depend on the country you are applying if how many months of Bank Statement you will need, usually it’s three, but sometimes it can go to six or a year
To ensure you have all your bases covered, consider using platforms like Klook to plan activities and itineraries in advance. Use my code: TWOMONKEYSTRAVEL!
Additional Tips:
- On your application, double-check if you will need a Bank Statement or Bank Certificate, giving the wrong requirement may lead to a refusal of your visa
- Not sure what to pass? Pass both. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
- Some Embassies will require a minimum amount that’s needed in your Visa Application, some will not, but it’s better to research ahead as you may be denied if you don’t have enough money (e.g., having only PHP 50,000 but you are planning a three month trip in the Schengen Area)
- Some embassies will also send a notification for additional documents. Be prepared to provide details like your date of birth, passport, and driver’s license.
- If you are planning to apply for a visa, it’s better to deposit money little by little (doing it for a year) rather than saving it somewhere (e.g., a piggybank) then depositing it one time – it may seem suspicious.
- For those traveling abroad and needing connectivity, apps like Yesim are reliable eSIM options for staying connected wherever you are. Use my code: KATRIN8414!
If you’re heading to colder climates, make sure to pack durable shoes and grab a winter jacket.
Getting a Bank Certificate
Documents or Information you may need:
- Valid ID
- Account Name and Account Number
- Fee (depends on the bank)
- Authorization Letter or SPA with IDs (if applying via an authorized representative)
- Folder or Envelope – so that it won’t get crumpled
- Details such as loan account number (if applicable)
Steps you may need to do:
1. Go to a branch of your bank near you. Many banks can access your account even though you opened it in another one. Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), for example, I tried getting from 2 different branches. Some cases may require visiting the head office or the original branch where the account was created.
2. Ask the guard where you can get a Bank Certificate. You may be given enrollment forms to fill up and a queue number.
3. Fill-up the form. You may need to answer the following:
- The document you want (Bank Certificate)
- Account Name
- Account Number
- Purpose of the document: Visa (specify the country)
- What you want to be shown: Opening Date, Type, ADB (Average Daily Balance)
- How you will be charged for the certification fee – it’s either through Cash Payment or Charged to your account
4. Double-check then hand over. Make sure you have all the important info and wait for your turn. When it comes, give your form and ID to the bank officer.
5. Wait for your Bank Certificate to be printed. You can get it within a few minutes or the next day, depending on the signatory. As for my personal experience, I only waited less than an hour to get my Bank Certificate.
Getting a Bank Statement
Documents or Information You may need:
- Valid ID
- Account Name and Account Number
- Fee (depends on the Bank)
- Authorization Letter or SPA with IDs (if applying via a third party)
- Folder or Envelope – so that it won’t get crumpled
Steps you may need to do:
1. Go to a branch of your bank near you.
2. Ask the guard where you can get a Bank Statement. You may be given a form to fill up and a queue number.
3. Fill-up the Form. You may need to answer the following:
- The document you want (Bank Statement)
- Account Name
- Account Number
- Purpose of the document: Visa (specify the country)
- Transaction Dates (e.g., 3 months – January to March 2019)
- How you will be charged for the certification fee – it’s either through Cash Payment or Charge to your account. Mostly, you will get charged per month.
4. Double-check the form (and the embassy requirement) and wait for your turn.
5. During your turn, give your form and ID to the bank officer.
6. Wait for your Bank Statements to be printed. You can get it within a few minutes.
Extra Tips on getting Bank Certificate and/or Bank Statement
- You can get both a bank statement and a bank certificate
- Fees may be different, sometimes the Bank Certificate is more expensive (PHP 200) but for Bank Statement you may be charged per month (PHP 100 x 3)
- Should you be out of the country, contact your bank so that you can know how to get an authenticated Bank Certificate or Statement.
- For secure storage, consider placing these documents in safety deposit boxes.
Having the exact visa requirements is a step in getting your visa approved. I hope you know now the difference between a Bank Certificate and Bank Statement and getting it for your visa applications. I highly suggest having a bank account so that you don’t have to worry about this requirement. In case you don’t have one, we have tips on how to get a visa without a bank account. If you need better services, contact your bank directly. Good luck!
FAQ
To request a bank certificate, you may go to any BPI branch. Please bring a valid ID. You will need to fill out a bank certificate request form (asking for the purpose of the request, the addressee, etc.). There is a PHP 300.00 processing fee for a bank certificate.
Bank statements and bank certificates serve different purposes. Bank statements are monthly records that show all your transactions, helping you track your money. They automatically come to you each month. Bank certificates, however, are one-time documents that prove how much money you have at a certain moment.
The most common is to simply provide a statement from your bank. This should be an official document that shows your name, account balance, and date of statement. If you do not have a recent statement, you may be able to get a letter from your bank confirming that you have an account and providing your current balance.
About the Writer
Hey, I’m Lyza! I once was a person who just imagined going to places “one day” but decided to pursue my dreams. My first travel abroad was in Japan, solo, last 2018, and fell in love with the journey since. I’m aiming to visit 10 countries before turning 30 and 2 new places in the Philippines every year. Besides traveling, I love organizing trips, photography, reading, and making new friends. Follow my adventures through my Instagram.