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What can I use as Proof of Employment or Financial Means?
What can I use as Proof of Employment or Financial Means?

Everything you need to know about the acceptable documents, regardless of your employment situation!

Updated over 6 months ago

When you apply for a bank account, you’ll need to provide proof of income.

This could be a signed work contract, an income statement, recent payslips (issued within the last six months).

The document should meet the following specifications:

  • Your full name (all given names + surname) should exactly match the one on your passport.

  • All four corners of the document must be visible.

  • All text should be clear and legible.

  • There should be no shadows or glare.

  • None of the details should be obscured (salary, account balances, etc).

  • If the document isn’t in English, Portuguese, Spanish or French, please attach a certified English translation.

To demonstrate your financial stability, provide as many supporting documents as possible. This will reduce the likelihood of the bank requesting additional documents later.

See the list of required documents based on your employment status:

If You Are Employed

(either of the following will be acceptable):

  1. Recent Paystub/Slips:

    • Issued within the past 6 months

    • No information should be blacked out

  2. Company letter/employment contract with the following information:

    • Issued by the company on official company letterhead

    • Issued within the past 6 months

    • Must include:

      • Company name

      • Your occupation/role

      • Salary details

      • Hiring date

      • Date of issue

    • Must be signed by authorized company personnel (HR, Manager, Founders)

Can I use a job offer letter as proof of employment?

No, a job offer letter won’t suffice. But, a letter from your company, stating your employment from a specific date, would be acceptable.

If you are Self-Employed

(either of the following will be acceptable):

  1. Most Recent Tax Return

  2. Letter from Business Partner/Client/Accountant indicating your ownership, including:

  • Dated and signed (issued within the last 6 months)

  • Contains your complete name as seen on your passport

  • Includes your company name (not necessary if you’re a freelancer)

  • Specifies your income earned

  • Written on your accountant, client or business partner’s official company letterhead

  • States the commencement date of your work (i.e., when you began working with the client/business partner or when you launched your business)

If you are an Investor or Property Owner

(either of the following will be acceptable):

  • Latest Income Tax Statement (account number can be blacked out, except for the last 4 digits)

  • Bank Statement (issued within the last 6 months)

  • Signed Rental Agreement(s) + proof of security deposit, or

  • Financial Statements with Investments (issued within the last 6 months)

Note For D7 Visa Applicants: Bank Statements must have a minimum balance of 9,000€ (account number can be blacked out, except for the last 4 digits)

If You Are Retired:

(either of the following will be acceptable):

  • Most Recent Tax Return

  • Pension Statement, or

  • Bank Statement (issued within the last 6 months), or

  • Government Retirement Verification Letter

Note For D7 Visa Applicants: Bank Statements must have a minimum balance of 9,000€ (account number can be blacked out, except for the last 4 digits)

If You Are Unemployed:

(either of the following will be acceptable):

  • Most Recent Tax Return

  • Bank Statement (issued within the last 6 months)

Note For D7 Visa Applicants: Bank Statements must have a minimum balance of 9,000€ (account number can be blacked out, except for the last 4 digits)

If you are a Housewife / Househusband or Live off Assets:

(either of the following will be acceptable):

  • Most Recent Tax Return

  • Bank Statement (issued within the last 6 months)

Note For D7 Visa Applicants: Bank Statements must have a minimum balance of 9,000€ (account number can be blacked out, except for the last 4 digits)

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