The difference
| Bank statement | Solvency certificate | |
|---|---|---|
| Shows | All transactions over a period | Balance and solvency on a specific date |
| Length | Several pages | Usually one page |
| Purpose | The money's history and source | The bank's formal assurance |
| Who wants it | Almost every country | Italy and several others; many universities |
Get both. Submitting one instead of the other leaves the file incomplete, and having both makes it visibly stronger.
How to obtain one
- 1Go to the branch where the account is held (the sponsor must go, if it is their account)
- 2Complete the request form — say "for an overseas study visa, in English"
- 3Provide NID or passport copy
- 4Pay the nominal fee
- 5Collect it, sealed and signed, usually within one to three working days
The sentence that makes it go smoothly: "I need a bank solvency certificate in English for an overseas study visa, stating the account balance in figures and in words and the equivalent in euro or US dollars." Many branches will not add the last part unless asked, and it is the part the consulate finds most useful.
What it should state
- The account holder's full name, matching the passport exactly
- Account number and type
- Date the account was opened (an older account helps)
- Current balance, in figures and words
- Where possible, the foreign-currency equivalent
- The bank's statement that the customer is solvent
- Issue date, branch seal, authorised signature and designation
Common mistakes
⚠️ Getting it issued in Bengali — ask for English from the outset, or you add translation and attestation time.
⚠️ Obtaining it too early. A solvency certificate is a snapshot of one date. Issued within one to four weeks of submission is best; three months old looks weak.
⚠️ Only one copy. Take at least two originals — one for the consulate, one for the university.
⚠️ Inconsistency with the statement. The balance on the certificate and the closing balance on the statement must agree. A mismatch is the first thing questioned.
When it matters most
- Italy — solvency evidence is central to the visa file
- When the sponsor is a business owner — certificates for both personal and business accounts strengthen the file
- When funds sit in several accounts — get a certificate for each so the total is clear
- At the admission stage — many universities ask for evidence of financial capacity before issuing an offer
Official sources — check for yourself
Rules and figures change. We review these articles periodically and show the date above, but always confirm the current requirement with the official source before you act on it.
Common questions
Is a solvency certificate the same as a bank statement?+
No. A statement lists all transactions over a period; a solvency certificate is a one-page formal declaration of the balance on a specific date and that the customer is solvent. Italy and several other countries want both.
How long does it take to get one?+
Usually one to three working days from the branch where the account is held, for a nominal fee. Ask for it in English from the outset, with the balance in figures, in words, and with the foreign-currency equivalent.
How recent does it need to be?+
Issued within one to four weeks of submission is best, since it is a snapshot of a single date. A three-month-old certificate looks weak.
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