It is generally known that you need your bank statement to get a student visa. Now imagine finding out you can get a student visa without a bank statement. Amazing right? Normally, documents proving you have the necessary funds must be submitted as part of your visa application. Your proof of funds must meet certain criteria. If not, they will deny your visa application.
To obtain a student visa without a bank statement, you must first understand what the embassy is looking for when reviewing your visa application and learning the exceptions to it.
Have you been wondering if you can get a student visa without a bank statement? Have you been thinking of how to go about it and what steps you need to take? This article completely breaks down all you should know about getting a student visa without a bank statement. Let’s get started.
What is a Bank Statement?
A bank statement is an official document that summarizes your account activity over a specific period, usually one month. You’ll find records of all transactions, both incoming and outgoing, so you’ll know exactly what happened to your money during that period.
Bank statements are a valuable resource for account holders who want to keep track of their funds, review their spending habits, and identify fraudulent transactions or potential payment errors.
Your bank keeps a record of every transaction you make. They then assembled these records to form a bank statement. Statements typically cover one month and include your incoming salary or payments, any transfers or deposits, and cash withdrawals.
They also provide a starting and ending balance, so you can see where your finances stand at the end of the month in comparison to the beginning.
Why does a Student Visa need a Bank Statement?
Essentially, the purpose of your visit should be considered when providing a bank statement. A visa application for a study visa, for example, is expected to have a higher bank statement than a visa applicant on a tourist mission.
The purpose of bank statements for visa applications is to ensure that you have the financial capacity to travel abroad for any reason, and with a few pointers on how to go about it, your bank statement will not cause any concern to the embassy. You ought to to-
- Present a bank account with a consistent source of income.
- Manage your account wisely.
- Do not present a fictitious bank statement.
- Making Use of a Sponsor’s Account
The purpose of a bank statement for visa applications is to persuade the embassy that you are financially capable of traveling abroad. Having an amount in your account that does not correspond well may land you in hot water.
Your source of income has the power to grant or deny you a visa. However, if you are low on funds, you can keep reading to find out if you can get a student visa without a bank statement.
Can I get a Student Visa without a Bank Statement?
Absolutely. To get a student visa without a bank statement, all you would be required to do is to apply for a fully-funded scholarship. You can get a fully-funded scholarship from a university, other organization, or even a person.
Once you receive a scholarship from one of these organizations, you will not need to provide any additional proof of personal findings because these organizations will provide you with written details of your financial support for living expenses, tuition fees, and so on, which you can use as an alternative to a bank statement when applying for a visa.
How do I get a Student Visa without a Bank Statement?
If you are wondering how to go about getting your student visa without a bank statement, some of the processes you could consider are-
#1. Submit proof of your company’s existence or a certificate of employment.
Having a business or a job implies that they pay regularly you or that you have money coming in every month. You may not deposit it in a bank, but you may have other ways of saving it, such as piggy banks or other investments.
You may submit the following if you own a business or are self-employed:
- A copy of the SEC/Business DTI’s Registration
- A business permit or a mayor’s permit is required.
- Personal income tax return
If you are new, you can submit photocopies of your monthly or quarterly percentage tax payments (Form 1701 or 1701Q), which state your gross income, and the embassy will determine how much money you earn based on that.
If you own an online store, you can show a screenshot of your store as well as the number of transactions you have made per month. You may also submit remittances or other proof of earnings. You can use these to get a student visa without a bank statement.
Also, if you are an online freelancer, you can send a copy of the contract for your client or a certificate of employment, or if neither is available, a screenshot of your e-mails/conversations and PayPal transactions or remittances.
#2. Get a Sponsor
A sponsor is someone who will financially support your study. It is another way to get a student visa without a bank statement. It could be your significant other, parents, relatives, or friends.
If you have a sponsor, you may be required to provide a guarantee letter or a notarized “Affidavit of Support.” Make sure your sponsor has a bank account because you will be submitting your sponsor’s Bank Certificate or Bank Statement, as well as other proof of ownership, instead of yours.
If you are being sponsored, you must also provide proof of relationship, such as birth certificates or marriage certificates, if they are your parents or relatives.
Also, if you have a partner, you could include pictures to show that you have been together for a long time. However, the embassies may be picky about the type of proof they require, so be sure to check their website.
If your family members are going to support you, they can use a USCIS Form I-134 to show that they not only have the income and assets you’ve shown but that they’re willing to spend them on your studies and living expenses.
The employment status of family members who will support you, such as a letter from their employer on company letterhead (explaining the person’s job title, salary, and that it is a permanent position) or copies of their income tax statements.
If you have gone through this, you can also read this article to learn how to write a student visa sponsorship letter.
#3. Provide Evidence of Property Ownership
Another way to get a study visa without a bank statement is by providing evidence of property ownership. You can submit copies of properties you own as an asset, and the embassy can see that you have deep roots in your country.
You can show Land Titles, Condominium Unit Titles, Stock Investment, or Car Registration to show that the money you spent was not deposited in a bank but was properly invested.
If you are also a member of a Cooperative where you save, you can ask them if they can issue you a certificate stating that you are a member and have XX savings capitalized.
Property ownership can help you demonstrate not only your financial capacity but also your ties to the country.
#4. Display Additional Income Sources
If you have additional sources of income, you can include them as proof. For example, if you are renting out a portion of your home, you can file a Lease Contract.
If you work part-time, particularly online, you can provide proof of transactions and remittances. If you receive a monthly allowance from your partner, you can also submit 6-3 months’ worth of pay. It is another easy way to get a student visa without a bank statement.
As part of the visa application process, you will need to collect documents that prove the existence of these items. You could, for example, show proof of personal or family funds, such as bank statements or stock certificates. Combine this with a list of all of your cash assets
#5. Create A Cover Letter
A cover letter or a letter of explanation may be beneficial to your Visa application. You can include an explanation in that letter as to why your requirements are lacking, particularly bank accounts, why this specific person is sponsoring you, and why you want to visit this country.
Make sure your cover letter is written in English and is grammatically correct, and that the message you want to convey to the embassy is clear.
If they understand your point, you may be granted a visa; however, if they are perplexed, you may be denied. It is inconvenient to apply for a visa if you do not have a bank account. Having none, however, will not deprive you of the opportunity to have one.
#6. Get Scholarships.
Scholarships have a great way of opening financial doors. With scholarships, whether from the school, organization, or individual, you would not need to get a bank statement for your student visa at all because the body that has awarded you the scholarship entirely handled it.
Scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, grants, or loans from your school, the government, or the private sector.
Although these will be included on the Form I-20 you receive from the school that accepts you, you must provide independent confirmation of them. A copy of the notification letter you received is usually sufficient.
#7. Assets.
Any assets you or your family members own that are easily convertible to cash. The exchange must take place in a country whose currency they trade on the international market.
Real estate (land, for example) is a wonderful asset to display. The US immigration authorities will want to know whether the property is free and clear or if it is subject to any debt or lien, so attach a bank or other receipts demonstrating how much they have paid any loans or mortgages off.
If the ownership papers are unclear about the value, or if the value appears to be too low, you can hire a professional appraiser to prepare an estimate and report.
Also, you can read this to know: How Long Does a Student Visa Last & How can I Renew?
What Scholarships do I need to get a Student Visa without a Bank Statement?
As already stated above, you would require a scholarship. There are various types of scholarships you can use to get a student visa without a bank statement. The most popular are-
- Merit-based scholarship programs are given to students who have a strong academic or professional record. In this category, the applicant’s academic record and professional achievements are considered.
- Student-specific scholarships are for students who are eligible for specific scholarship programs based on their race, region, or community. However, academic records and professional achievements are also considered before granting a scholarship.
- They award Career Specific scholarships primarily for specific career options.
- College-based scholarships are awarded individually by colleges and universities and are always limited in number.
Frequently Asked Questions
A bank statement is one of the documents that must be provided when applying for a visa. A bank statement is a record that shows the financial transactions that took place during a specific period. To get a student visa without a bank statement, you must find another way to show you have a source of income.
Even though you must submit 6 months’ worth of bank statements that clearly show your monthly salary and financial obligations, you can also get a student visa without a bank statement if you get a full scholarship.
Yes. For every country you want to study in, to get a student visa, you must show your bank statement. However, if you go through any of the exceptions above, you can bye-pass it.
Nine months. The financial requirement is that you demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself while studying in the UK.
Typically, you’ll be required to show a set amount of money for each month of your course, up to a total of nine months.
Embassies confirm every piece of documentation you submit with your application, such as job applications, bank statements, and property listings, so be careful not to misinterpret the information you provide.
You can get the bank statement from your bank. You must keep this amount in your bank account for at least 28 days. You can also show a loan letter in your name from a bank for the same amount.
The bank statement for a visa or loan letter must be on the bank letterhead, signed and stamped by the bank’s competent authority.
Conclusion
Travelers are frequently required to present a bank statement as proof that the visa applicant can support himself/herself while abroad. If you do not have many funds, all you have to do is find a sponsor one way or another.
You can also find a way to show proof of your assets as listed above. We hope this article has been enlightening.
References
- birmingham.ac.uk– Bank account statement for international student
- visa-guru.com– How to study abroad without a bank statement.
- quora.com– How can I get a visa without a bank statement
- westminster.ac.uk– Student visa financial requirements
