Bank of Ceylon documentation for visa applications — statements, balance confirmation letters, fixed deposits and source of funds, prepared in the format embassies accept.
Bank of Ceylon is Sri Lanka's largest state-owned commercial bank and the one most applicants already hold an account with. Its documentation is widely recognised by embassies and high commissions, and its branch network reaches further into rural Sri Lanka than any other bank. We arrange show money through BOC and prepare the accompanying letters so they arrive in the format the mission expects the first time.
Branch network: BOC operates the largest branch network in Sri Lanka, including in areas where other commercial banks have no presence. For applicants outside the Western Province this often makes BOC the only practical option, and it is why we handle a high volume of BOC cases from the North, East and rural districts.
These are the four documents that make up a complete financial file. Most refusals we see involve a missing or incorrectly formatted one of these — not an inadequate balance.
The core document in almost every visa file. Embassies read it for balance, stability and the pattern of deposits — not just the closing figure. Must be bank-certified, stamped and signed; a printed internet-banking PDF is usually rejected on its own.
Typical turnaround: Same day to 2 working daysA letter on bank letterhead confirming your account balance on a stated date. Most embassies want this alongside the statement rather than instead of it. Wording and format matter — some missions reject letters that omit the account holder's full name or the account opening date.
Typical turnaround: 1–3 working daysEvidence of funds held on deposit for a fixed term. Stronger than a current-account balance for most missions because it demonstrates the money is genuinely held rather than passing through.
Typical turnaround: Same day on placementExplains where the money came from. This is the document that decides borderline cases — a healthy balance with no explained origin is the single most common reason a financially adequate application still gets refused.
Typical turnaround: 2–5 working daysBranch charges for letters and certificates vary and change without notice — confirm current fees with your branch. We do not mark up bank charges.
BOC branches vary considerably in how familiar they are with visa-specific letter formats — a Colombo city branch issues them routinely, while a smaller rural branch may not have done one recently. We contact the branch directly and specify the exact wording required, which avoids the common cycle of being issued a generic letter, having it rejected, and starting again.
As a state bank, BOC documentation carries good weight with most missions, and its verification process is well understood by embassy staff. Embassies do call banks directly to verify balances, and BOC branches will confirm a genuine deposit — which is precisely why the funds must actually be held rather than simulated.
Usually not on its own. Most embassies require a bank-certified statement — stamped and signed at the branch. A downloaded PDF is generally accepted only as a supplement to a certified copy, and some missions reject it outright.
Typically one to three working days, though a branch where you are a known customer can sometimes do it faster. Charges vary by branch and change from time to time — confirm the current fee with your branch directly.
It helps slightly. State-bank documentation is familiar to embassy staff and its verification route is well established. That said, no mission approves an application because of which bank issued the paperwork — the balance, its history and its documented source are what decide it.
This is common outside Colombo. We deal with the branch directly and provide the exact required wording, so you are not sent away with a letter the embassy will not accept.
We arrange show money through any licensed commercial bank in Sri Lanka — including whichever one you already hold an account with.
Still deciding which bank to use? Read BOC, Sampath or Commercial Bank — which is best for show money.
Tell us your destination, visa type and required amount. We will confirm what BOC needs to issue, coordinate with your branch, and prepare the documentation in the format your embassy accepts. All inquiries are 100% confidential.