It is about the trip, not a fixed number
A two-week trip to a high-cost country needs a very different balance than a long weekend nearby. Estimate a realistic daily spend, multiply by your trip length, and add a buffer for flights and emergencies.
Stability beats a single big deposit
Officers are wary of accounts that jump from near-empty to flush days before an application. A steady history of salary deposits and savings reads as genuine; a sudden injection reads as borrowed.
- Provide three to six months of statements, not a single snapshot.
- Be ready to explain any large or unusual deposits.
- Match your declared income to your visible lifestyle and spending.
When someone else is paying
If a sponsor covers your trip, their finances become part of your story. Include a sponsorship letter, proof of your relationship, and the sponsor's own statements.