🇺🇸 Proof of funds for a United States Business Visa (B-1)
How much you need to show, how long it has to sit there, and the bank-statement mistakes that quietly sink otherwise strong applications.
Calculate my exact figureThe figure for this route
Per month of stay
$1,500
Statements required
12 months
Funds held for
90 days
Worked example
A 12-month trip at $1,500 per month = $18,000. Show a comfortable margin above it — a balance that lands exactly on the minimum reads as coached. Add $500 per month for each dependant.
Consular officers assess total funds for tuition plus living costs on the I-20, and want to see the money is genuinely yours.
Last reviewed 12/08/2026 · Source: US Department of State. Always confirm against the official United States guidance before you submit.
Why financial evidence gets rejected
- A lump sum deposited inside the 90-day window with no explanation of where it came from.
- Screenshots or edited PDFs instead of a bank-issued statement with the bank's own header on each page.
- The name on the statement not matching the passport exactly, including middle names and initials.
- A closing balance dated more than 30 days before the appointment.
- A sponsor's funds shown with no sponsorship letter, relationship proof or their own income evidence.
Frequently asked questions
How much bank balance is needed for a United States Business Visa (B-1)?
Plan for at least $18,000 covering 12 months, plus about $500 per month for each dependant travelling with you. Caseworkers look at the closing balance and how stable it was, not just the highest figure.
How long must the money sit in my account for a United States Business Visa (B-1)?
The funds should be held for at least 90 days before you submit. A large deposit landing days before the appointment is one of the most common reasons financial evidence is dismissed.
How many months of bank statements do I need?
12 months of continuous statements, stamped or downloaded directly from the bank, with your name and account number visible on every page.
More for United States — Business Visa (B-1)
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