Bank Statement vs. Bank Certificate: What’s the Difference?

When applying for a visa or residence permit, one of the important requirements for non-EU citizens is to provide proof of funds. There are several ways to show this:

1. Bank Certificate/Letter: You’ll need a bank certificate showing a balance of at least 165,000 CZK (about 8,000 USD) for a one-year stay in the Czech Republic, depending on the purpose of your stay.

2. University Scholarship Confirmation: If you are applying for a student visa (types 23 or 24), you can provide proof of a scholarship from your university.

3. Salary Proof: If you are working, you can show your salary, which needs to meet the minimum wage requirement in the Czech Republic.

For the second and third options, you will need to contact your university or employer directly.

A common confusion is between a bank certificate and a bank statement. Here's what sets them apart:

• Bank Statement: A bank statement is a multi-page document that shows your transactions and balance over a period of time. You can usually download it online.

• Bank Certificate: A bank certificate is a one-page document from your bank that simply confirms your current balance. It needs to be requested from the bank in person and should have bank manager's stamp and signature.

If you're using a bank certificate for your Czech visa application:

• Your bank statement or certificate should show at least 165,000 CZK (or the equivalent in your currency).

• The document doesn’t need to show all of your transactions—just a simple confirmation with a

  signature and stamp from the bank is enough.

• Joint bank accounts: If you share an account with someone, like a family member, the balance should be doubled. For example, if the account balance is 165,000 CZK, it won’t be enough for one person. You’ll need

  330,000 CZK (around 16,000 USD).

• You must also have a debit/credit card linked to your account with your name on it.

• If you are applying from outside the US, an official Czech translation of your bank statement or certificate will be required.