Proof of Funds: Japan vs Korea Student Visa (2026)
TL;DR
What proof of funds do you need for a Japan or Korea student visa? Bank balance requirements, accepted documents, and a preparation checklist so Singapore families can start early.
21 Jan 2026, 00:00 Z
Reviewed by
Marcus Pang·Managing Director (Maths)
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Q: What does “proof of funds” actually mean for Japan/Korea student routes - and when do Singapore families get asked for it?
A: Think of it as “financial evidence that supports your route”. It can appear at different steps (school paperwork, immigration/visa paperwork, scholarship paperwork), and the exact documents vary. The best move is to prepare a clean proof-of-funds folder early, then verify requirements on the official pages and your school’s checklist.
TL;DR (90 seconds) - Japan: use these two official anchors: - overall process context: https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/immigration-procedures/ - Singapore visa documents checklist: https://www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/visa_documents.html - Korea: use these two official anchors: - visa & stay overview: https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/ko/plan/visaAndStay.do - Visa Navigator (case-specific): https://www.visa.go.kr/openPage.do?MENU_ID=10101 - Don’t start with “how much money do I need?”. Start with “what documents do they accept, and how recent must they be?”
Status: Last reviewed 2026-01-21. This is a planning guide, not legal advice. Always verify current requirements on official pages and your school’s instructions.
If you’re still deciding between Japan vs Korea overall (degree vs language-first), start here:
1) Why proof-of-funds exists (in plain English)
Proof-of-funds usually exists to answer one simple question:
- “Can the student realistically pay for the study route they’re applying for?”
Where it can appear:
- School paperwork (e.g., when your school prepares immigration-related documents)
- Visa paperwork (requirements differ by country and route)
- Scholarship paperwork (if you’re showing scholarship coverage or sponsors)
The key point:
- the right documents depend on your route and your school - you should verify on official sources, not forum threads.
