This is a million dollar question that has bothered a lot of visa applicants and some travel agents for so many years.

The answers you find from various sites or other people may contradict significantly. some give answers based on mere conjecture or emotions.

If you are reading this, please NOTE: Embassies have all the right to check, and YES they check…every DETAIL !!! :

Don’t even argue whether they have the right to check or not…its your statement, and you took it there, so YES, they have the right to check…

READ ALSO : DO I NEED AN INVITATION LETTER BEFORE I APPLY FOR VISA ?

1. Whether the statement you provided is genuine and its from the Bank
2. If the various transactions on the statement tally with what you provided
3. WHETHER YOU HAVE SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO TRAVEL AT THE MOMENT…!!!

READ ALSO : IS A TOUR PACKAGE NECESSARY FOR VISA APPLICATION ?

YES… they would send a mail to check how much you have left currently…So if you made deposits, printed your statement, applied for the visa and withdrew the money, you are in for trouble…!!!….you may get the refusal based on “insufficient funds…”

Any seasoned travel agent would counsel you to at least let the funds remain in the account for a considerable amount of time. For instance, with embassies that make a decision on visa applications within 2 or 3 weeks, its safer to let the money stay at least for 2 weeks.

READ ALSO : CHECKLIST OF DOCUMENTS FOR SCHENGEN VISA

You do not need so much money in the account though, but a reasonable amount that can take care of the entire travel and some surplus may suffice.

Yes, even if its a business account : of course the office knows the money won’t sit in the account and be smiling at nothing, but there should always be that amount to take care of your travel. The funds are not meant only for the visa, it is also meant for the supposed travel : that is how the consulate officer will see it.