POF: Are bank statements from the last six months sufficient proof?

[mcybr]

Hello all!

I am currently completing my PR application and was wondering: are copies of my bank statements from the last six months sufficient proof of funds? I live abroad from where my bank is located, and so cannot walk in and ask them to give me a letter directly. However, I do have online bank statements i can print out. Also, last time i had to submit proof of funds for a university application, the bank couldn't give me a letter, but instead suggested I submit my bank statements.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[crescent_jam]

Hello all!

I am currently completing my PR application and was wondering: are copies of my bank statements from the last six months sufficient proof of funds? I live abroad from where my bank is located, and so cannot walk in and ask them to give me a letter directly. However, I do have online bank statements i can print out. Also, last time i had to submit proof of funds for a university application, the bank couldn't give me a letter, but instead suggested I submit my bank statements.

Thanks in advance for your help!

I'm pretty sure your bank statements alone won't suffice, especially if you print them from online.

A few people have had to submit bank statements in lieu of the actual official letter CIC actually wants because their banks wouldn't give them anything else but, in these cases, the applicants usually had to attach evidence (e.g. print outs of their communications with the bank showing the bank's refusal) to substantiate the claims that the bank statements were really and truly all they could get. Other persons got their bank statements stamped and signed by an authority figure in a bank branch to authenticate them. I don't think I would rely on your experience with submitting proof of funds for a university application - PR and university applications are two different processes with probably very different requirements.

CIC is VERY clear about what constitutes sufficient proof of funds:

For proof, you must get official letters from any banks or financial institutions where you are keeping money. Letter(s) must:

• be printed on the financial institution’s letterhead
• include their contact information (address, telephone number and email address)
• include your name
• list outstanding debts such as credit card debts and loans
• include, for each current bank and investment account:
  • account numbers
  • the date each account was opened
  • the current balance of each account
  • the average balance for the past six months

In short, if CIC were to accept printed out online statements, EVERYONE would go this route instead of getting the official letters that CIC actually wants (waaaay easier!). I don't think this will work unless, like I said, you have solid documentation that you have no other choice.

Even if you live abroad, can you not reach out to your bank via phone, email or fax to request the letter? That's how I got my letter from one of my banks that's in a different country from the one in which I live...

 

[superspecial90]

It must be "From the bank" not printed by you.
As to be under six months, don't worry.
By the time they will go through the POF it will be another 2/3 months, so it will be matured well inside 6 months.

 

[mcybr]

I'm pretty sure your bank statements alone won't suffice, especially if you print them from online.

A few people have had to submit bank statements in lieu of the actual official letter CIC actually wants because their banks wouldn't give them anything else but, in these cases, the applicants usually had to attach evidence (e.g. print outs of their communications with the bank showing the bank's refusal) to substantiate the claims that the bank statements were really and truly all they could get. Other persons got their bank statements stamped and signed by an authority figure in a bank branch to authenticate them. I don't think I would rely on your experience with submitting proof of funds for a university application - PR and university applications are two different processes with probably very different requirements.

CIC is VERY clear about what constitutes sufficient proof of funds:

For proof, you must get official letters from any banks or financial institutions where you are keeping money. Letter(s) must:

• be printed on the financial institution’s letterhead
• include their contact information (address, telephone number and email address)
• include your name
• list outstanding debts such as credit card debts and loans
• include, for each current bank and investment account:
  • account numbers
  • the date each account was opened
  • the current balance of each account
  • the average balance for the past six months

In short, if CIC were to accept printed out online statements, EVERYONE would go this route instead of getting the official letters that CIC actually wants (waaaay easier!). I don't think this will work unless, like I said, you have solid documentation that you have no other choice.

Even if you live abroad, can you not reach out to your bank via phone, email or fax to request the letter? That's how I got my letter from one of my banks that's in a different country from the one in which I live...

Thanks for this information! I will reach out to the bank and hopefully they will provide the required letter and mail it to me...