I wanted to get some advice on my situation with financial proof and sponsorship for a Japan student visa/COE. If I apply as a self-sponsor, I have enough savings, but I do not have formal documentation showing how that money was earned. Over the years, most of my funds came from family giving me money as gifts and from small “freelance” or informal jobs (like chores and cash-in-hand work), so I don’t have contracts, invoices, tax returns, or salary slips to back it up—only my bank statements and current balance. In this case, would bank statements and balance alone usually be acceptable for schools/immigration, or is documentation of the money’s origin strictly required, and what alternatives exist for someone without formal employment history?
I’m also thinking about family sponsorship, but my options are complicated. Only my father and my sister currently work, and they both have different legal names/last names from what’s on my birth certificate and from mine. I’m not even sure yet if they can or will sponsor me, but before I ask them, I’d like to know: would those name differences typically cause problems when proving family relationship, and what specific documents (birth certificates, affidavits, etc.) are usually needed to show both the relationship and their ability to sponsor? Any detailed guidance on whether self-sponsorship or family sponsorship is more realistic in this situation, and what exact documents are normally required, would be really helpful. I would really like to self sponsor if anyone knows what I can do.
by DeviousJunez