Sometimes when crossing a boarder or applying for a Visa in person, they throw all the red tape they can at you if they don't like your "look". If they don't like the "looks" of you, one of the first things they will ask you to document is that you have a minimal amount of cash or financial resources to cover your stay for the length of the Visa.
Its always good to have the most time you can on a Visa that you can get even if you don't intend to stay in the country for the maximum period allowed. That way, you never run into legal hassles about your visitation status, and if you are traveling where several boarders are close together, you can easily reenter the country to say goodbye to friends, complete any unfinished business, pick up a lost item, etc.
Officials may ask to see financial documentation to cover the stay of your Visa if you are applying for the maximum time. Don't freak out. It is unlikely they are shaking you down for a bribe. They just want to make sure that you won't wind up panhandling in their country, or be in need of seeking illegal work in order to get back home. (makes sense right? besides, you don't want to be in that situation either....which is another reason why having a longer Visa is important....It helps to get repatriated at the US Embassy if ever the situation arises).
But how does one prove that you can support yourself for 3 months without a paycheck? One trick I have used is to borrow some money from a friend to document my debit card has the cash to back it. In the old days, when I crossed the boarder, I could repaid the money immediately with a postal money order or a travelers check. Now, online banking can be accessed, and I can make everything "Jake" that way.
Another method I prefer is to go 'Old School' and use travelers checks. This way, I don't have to hit up my friends for a favor. Often, travelers checks look the same regardless of the national currency they can be exchanged for. Since Japanese yen are over 100 to the dollar, I mix in a few travelers checks written for yen along with the travelers checks I normally use. This way, at a boarder crossing, I can flip through my travelers checks if the Boarder official asks proof of my financial stability. Its always fun to watch their eyes pop when they see a bunch of zeros.
The only time this did not work was when I forgot that there is a $10,000 dollar limit on bringing financial securities into a country, and they scrutinized my "Stash Flash" a little too closely....but that's another story....thankfully it ended well....After years of international travel....it turned out I had far more yen than I realized....I was not allowed to cross the boarder, but they had no problem sending me to Japan where I had no hassles crossing the boarder....by then of course, I could clean myself up a bit. And Japan is an AMAZING place....all in all, it was a far better traveling experience than anything I could have planned myself. (if you ever land in Japan, don't miss Kyoto, but if you can't get out of Tokyo....you have to check out Ueno Park on the week ends!)
It always helps to look your best at the boarder or when applying for a Visa. Even if you are traveling light, and going 'native', you can get a lot of mileage with a just a few well selected pieces in your traveling wardrobe. If you have been to as many airports as I have, you will notice that Brooks Brother's does a good trade in putting their shops at airport terminals for people who are in a tight spot. As a former boy scout myself, I know first hand that the motto "Be Prepared" can save you a lot of cash.
