[Merged]: Assorted ilak Questions

3 Months Bank Statements is not essential part of application from what I was told by NY Consulate. They told me bank account statements arent a must (especially since we dont have savings) but my husband HAS to prove income if theres no statements part of my application.

This is what I was advised anyways, although I know having savings can make the application that much stronger........ thanks for the help

I'm not sure why the consulate told you that really, since it's a pretty standard part of the application. It is by far the easiest way to prove finances, and when you have a bank account you need 3 months, and when you have a job you need 3 months payslips or a detailed letter from the employer outlining salary (you need a letter from them *anyway*). Three months is bare minimum, and many people try for 6 months statements because it's helpful to show a sustainable income. How else do you prove money is coming into the house if you don't have a basic bank account to prove it? If it's all in cash, how do you prove you have the cash you say you do? How do you prove that your husband is paying the bills that he's paying without a bank account?

That is what the consulate told me. Actually the lady that answered told me bank account is a must, but then when I told her I have been being told otherwise, she told me to hold on for a few minutes. I was on hold for a good 6-7 minutes, which is when she came back to tell me if we cannot provide the bank account statements, then that is fine AS LONG AS my husband can show income proof. She said that it the main factor they look at. That he IS earning income and has a steady job.

My husband has a card for electric and water which they sent him that he can use to pay bills through any bank. He pays his bills and they give him a statement in the mail a few days later which shows bills been paid, (like a reciept). And rent he pays thru his landlords bank account. Money just has to go in on his rent payment day and bank gives him a reciept showing rents been payed.

We have rent reciepts and payed bills statements to show whats being payed. Its just another way of doing it if its not through your own account.

To answer your other query, I can provide his payslips and employee letter. This won't be a problem.

Is his name on all those receipts you have? If they do, then it might pass, but if they just showed that X amount was paid on Y date, there might be an issue since you need to prove that *he* paid them and not someone else.

But really, I hate to sound like a broken record, but a bank statement would be far easier, and more solid than a whole bunch of receipts. One bank statement per month can do what all those receipts can, and it's not really difficult to open up a basic checking account in the UK. If you include a load of receipts, the ECO has to try and tally everything up and see if it goes with the budget and such. With receipts, you might have a lot of explaining to do as where a simple bank statement every month would speak for you and your husband.

If you have bank statements you need to provide them. Plain and simple...it's in the official guidance. Especially if there are funds in those accounts that you intend to use to support yourself.

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf4husbandswivespartners#Q15

*Recent bank statements or savings books for your sponsor and evidence of your sponsor's employment in the UK, which could include payslips to show what financial support you have.

and

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/ecg/maintenanceaccommodation#17693600

Maintenance may be provided by either:


*The applicant with their own funds or with funds available to them; or
*The sponsor; or
*A combination of applicant and sponsor funds.

and

MAA5 What evidence of maintenance is required?

For applicant's and / or sponsor's funds:
*Statements covering at least 3 months
*Are there regular transactions?
*Are the funds immediately available?
Large deposits with no evidence of normal transactions need careful examination.
The extent of the evidence required will depend on the circumstances of the case, with some applicants required to produce more detailed evidence of funds available

This is what the ECO will be looking at when deciding on your application. I would be wary of taking advice from a nameless person on the phone. Call centres and speaking with a switchboard operator at a Consulate should be taken with a grain of salt. They are notorious for giving bad information.

I would consider the guidance and official printed information over anything received over the phone. But it's your application and do what you wish.

Hi Webyj...

I have a Uk Bank account but I it was recently opened. I can show proof if it being actively opened in February 2009. This account is only in my name but I will be adding my husbands as well when I am in Uk as it will be a joint account. I havent recieved any statements from this account. I had that complaint with Barclays. I never recieved any statements like they said I would once a month... I have no savings to show in it either. Although I will be providing the documents which I recieved when the account was opened up.

Also when my father passed away, I had recieved $1000 from his life benefits. This was back in February and was used by me for personal spending. At the moment there is nothing in my account as I was not allowed to work during my stay in UK. I had nothing to save.

http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/ApplyNow.aspx

This is the application website...the fee is $936 you pay when you complete the online application...your biometrics appointment is scheduled after you pay. When you do your bios you have 14 calendar days to get your docs to the Consulate either by premium mail (FedEx UPS etc) or by visa expeditor/courier.

Like I said before, it's your decision weather or not to supply the statements. I'm just giving you the OFFICIAL information on the subject. You decide what to do with it.

Hi Webyj...

I have a Uk Bank account but I it was recently opened. I can show proof if it being actively opened in February 2009. This account is only in my name but I will be adding my husbands as well when I am in Uk as it will be a joint account. I havent recieved any statements from this account. I had that complaint with Barclays. I never recieved any statements like they said I would once a month... I have no savings to show in it either. Although I will be providing the documents which I recieved when the account was opened up.

Also when my father passed away, I had recieved $1000 from his life benefits. This was back in February and was used by me for personal spending. At the moment there is nothing in my account as I was not allowed to work during my stay in UK. I had nothing to save.

For your application the ECO will want to see your US bank account if you were to work and put anything into it, and they'd want to see your husband's bank account to see his income and outgoing. Like Vicky said, disclose the UK bank account, but use the US one to show whatever funds you'd be bringing over.

Right that is the site where I am applying. It opens up through www.ukvisas.gov.uk. I follow into it through there...


Just 936? Thought it was 1082! Guess I heard wrong... anyways thanks for the answers.

My husband does not have a UK Bank account. I have on in the UK. I opened it up when I was there in February. I will provide those documents showing I have one active there. But its not under my husbands name. I dont think this should matter anyways. We're legally married. As long as theres some kinda account there right??

I dont plan on opening an account here or working for so long.

I will work on getting my husbands income to meet the requirement. thanks for all the help.

My husband does not have a UK Bank account. I have on in the UK. I opened it up when I was there in February. I will provide those documents showing I have one active there. But its not under my husbands name. I dont think this should matter anyways. We're legally married. As long as theres some kinda account there right??

I dont plan on opening an account here or working for so long.

I will work on getting my husbands income to meet the requirement. thanks for all the help.

It will matter since his name isn't on the UK bank account anyway--he can't use it any way, it doesn't matter if you're married or not. Hence why he should get his own checking account on his own, and then you can worry about putting his name on yours when you get over there. It would make life much easier overall, let alone simplify the application a little in terms of what documents you're providing. It really doesn't take a lot to do and the benefits outweigh whatever inconvenience there would be in going down and setting one up.  Then it's much easier to pay bills, keep track of finances, and to have a record of those finances, not only for a spousal visa, but for future visa applications as well as you move towards citizenship.

Fair enough if you don't want to get your own here in the states--again, it would help your application to have them, and to build up some money here to try and strengthen your budget a little. Yeah, you'll be apart for a few months, but is it worth doing fast or is it worth doing well to the tune of 936 USD? But, ultimately it's your choice on how easy or difficult you want to make it this whole process on yourself.

From WorldBridge:

These fees are effective for all visa applications made from 20 May 2009.
Category: Settlement  ($)/(£)
 
Spouse/civil partner of a settled person: 936/585

I really dont understand why bank account is such an issue. Sorry kittenfish I am not having a go at you at all. I am just frustrated with places like the Consulate and immigration advisors telling me it helps but is not essential with the application as long as my husband can show proof of employement and income.

I thought places where I went to seek advice were the places you trust, but theres different answers everywhere.

I dont know  Guess I will have to pray for the best.

Thank you for all your time and help. You been great.

Ok kool thanks. Alittle less then I thought won't hurt will it. 

I thought places where I went to seek advice were the places you trust, but theres different answers everywhere.

Exactly why the only solid information is from the printed guidance which I gave you. You're an adult, you have do decide what to do with the information. You've also asked for peoples opinion and Kittenfish has given hers. Maybe you should stop asking for opinion and just take the guidance to heart. You have the links, have a good read through and then if you have questions as to what the guidance says, ask. But if you keep asking for opinion you're going to get nowhere.