Financial Requirement for Visa Application

A good point oss to counter the lower savings or income list what you already have in place. Ie winter or uk style clothes my wife found she did need to change some of her standard clothes to feel more comfortable in the uk not for weather reasons but more style fashion. For older people this may not be so important for younger people espeically ladies it maybe quite important. We all know how important it is to fit in and feel part of the community your in .
Also listing you already have rice cooker and all the uensils a typical phill might use could show you are prepared and there should be far less need for emgency money.
I would if any doubts you think ith your application write up in detail any evidence you have to put the ECO mind at ease and so they can do what a typical human wants to do and that is do the easy thing and pass the applicatiion in this case. No woRries about appeals or reviews of their actions in the process no having to explain themsleves!

I personaly dougbt that the eco will be thinking of rice cookers or winter clothing lol Dennie another way to approach it if another visit is going to happen is to get married in the Fils its always going to be less money and one less visa and the application is for spouse not fiance which does clearly demonstrate your relationship ,just food for thought

There's a great deal of logic in what Keith is saying. Financials are relatively easy to demonstrate compliance with, unless your 'cash flow' is borderline. Accomodation is also clearly specified and easy to comply with.
An example of one of the issues that seems to receiving more scrutiny, and so demanding more compelling evidence is that of "Intervening Devotion"

Here's a definition:-
If the applicant and sponsor have been separated for a lengthy period of time before the application is submitted (for example, longer than 3 or 4 months), then evidence of intervening devotion should be included. This would normally take the form of telephone records or other forms of electronic communication. If the couple have lived separately for a longer period, travel receipts can be used to show that contact has been continual and proportionate.

If a prolonged separation is the result of mobility issues (which would include military duties or other foreign assignments), this would take the form of assignment letters or similar documentation.

When submitting email or instant messenger logs, it is important to bear in mind that intervening devotion means evidence of contact and not an exhaustive transcript of each on-line session.

Just further 'food for thought' and potential areas to work on and be prepared.

dennie...

Have you considered looking for a job before you come to the UK? In this internet age, it is possible to get work in the UK without any formal interview and without ever having to meet anyone from the company you work for. In all probability, you would become self-employed.

I am self-employed but practically all my work is for just one company; I applied for the work on-line and got accepted within one week. In the 5+ years I have been working for the company, I have NEVER met anyone else from the company; my work is conducted on the internet and telephone. My fiancee will apply to work for the same company, just before she makes her visa application.

I found out about the company I work for on moneysavingexpert.com. They have a dedicated page where much of the work discussed is internet based:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=145

Of course, you cannot work in the UK on a fiancee visa but there is nothing to stop you applying for work in the UK whilst you are in the Philippines and, as long as you are NOT an employee, there is nothing to stop you training whilst in the UK on a Fiance Visa. If you got married in the Philippines, you could work as soon as you arrived in the UK.

Remember, the ECO will not only consider the income/savings of your spouse, he will also look at any savings you may have and your prospects of work in the UK. With a work offer, you will considerably increase your chances of getting that visa.

Just one small point, you may have to use a bit of deception in order to get accepted for work in the UK - you will have to give your boyfriend's address in the UK - and not your address in the Philippines!

One thing I would disagree with is that your joint financial status is the most important factor when applying for a visa. Remember, you are applying to come to the UK to get married, so foremost in the mind of the ECO is whether your relationship is genuine. In order to convince the ECO of that I think your boyfriend needs to stay with you in the Philippines for as long as he can; you could use the time to prepare for your visa application.

dennie...

One thing I forgot to mention is a point that florgew touched upon. Be wary about your boyfriend having large sums of money go into his bank account that are not part of his normal income; this can make the ECO's very suspicious that the money has been put there (by a friend or relative) just to make the visa application succeed but will disappear immediately afterwards.

There is nothing to stop your boyfriend seeking a co-sponsor (a friend or relative) to assist your visa application. The guidance notes issued by the UKBA to ECO's allow consideration for this.

I doubt putting we have a rice cooker and clothes alone will make them print out the visa.

But if in a detailed cover letter you mention how likely it is Dennie can find work, what costs you may have the 2000 pounds ish savings is to ensure that you dont become a burden on the state. If you were a few hundred short but earning more than your spending at the time of application mention in a cover letter that many of the intial costs on arrival have already been paid for...

Show you have it all figured out that the money from his earnings is more than covering costs. That you should have no major outlay as already provided for.
If for example I dont know you great uncle Albert decided to pay your rent for six months mention it as its one less cost on the outgoings.

Maybe worth highlighting if major costs have already been pre paid for example Council tax/TV license/ Broadband. You may have less in savings but major costs are minimised.

Moving a person to the Uk who does not have large savings or an income from day one is expensive so be careful I would honestly say from mine and others experience if a couple of months will mean you have that little bit more savings then wait. From years of reading and hearing of others experience money Issues just like any relationship are a big source of relationship issues.

For example Heating, Communication costs (I found that they were far higher for my Wife than when I was calling/speaking to her), Foods which are not common British Staples, Equiping the Kitchen, Buying a new wardrobe of clothes, transport costs, increase in food bill the Wife was trying different things to see what she liked and disliked that were similiar to what she knew.
The cost of mistakes which a new commer makes like leaving the heating on fall all day or ringing at full price Phill or other countries where friends are, making mistakes buying items due to misunderstandings, having to pay extra fares or even taxi fares as got a little lost. Buying DVDs to watch (get a lovefilm type of account it will be very useful)

The cost of Education (unless lucky you will have to pay full price for it seems untill ILR) The cost of job Hunting Printing CV's, letters, and travel plus interview clothes.

ECO's im sure like many people want an easy life if you in a detailed but concise manner ensure they have no doubts to you being able as a couple to support your selfs for the next six months or so then they have far less reasons to deny an application.

I know the Wifes application was processed very quickly and im sure part of that was down to ensuring there were no questions regarding the applcation we left unanswered. So what was the point of interviewing her (Interviews were en vogue with UK spouse Visas at the time my Wife even had a date for her Interview but in the end they simply proccessed the Visa and sent the passport and evidence back)...



The ECO is looking for

No burden to the state

That the relationship is genuine

That you have met in person and for a decent amount of times and I would second the meeting on more than one trip if its possible.

Also that accomdation is adequate Ie at least one room for the two of you which is not a Bathroom or a kitchen which you both have permission to stay in.

I guess although for most not such a worry that your not a previous Visa overstayer, wanted for crimes (im guessing they check due to NBI clearance being a good thing to submit as part of application ) or have committed mass Genocide which seems to appear on every form the wife has filled in.

The ECO is a cvill servant who needs to meet quotas, follow rules and ensure they dont upset their bosses or have to many issues with customers and hopefully they get promoted. Give them a case which follows all the rules, meets all the required points and answers any doubts job is done easy life and they are off home with out having to write a long report on why they have denied the Visa or having to prepare notes for an Interview then possibly then being dealt with more paperwork if an appeal is put in. Then having all their actions and work being scruntised with possibly MP's getting involved which is not good news for promotion typically.

ukay ukay is alive and well in the uk and free cycle is an endless stream of what you lack from rice cookers to romantic dvds lol

I doubt that would have much sway with the ECO - much better for Uncle Albert to co-sponsor the visa application.

Oh my gosh I was surprise to see all your replies my dear friends! hahaha thank you for all the help we will take this all into consideration and hmmm i will have to discuss this to my bf...well, should I ask him to join the forum? as sometimes he doesnt want to believe what i am telling him LMAO

Sir Howerd,

Well I am looking into getting a job there in UK if we pursue on spouse visa. But the problem is im still here in the Philippines and Im certain that to get a job there I should be living there already! Could you enlighten and probably help me with this matter? Thank you sir Howerd!

Hello Dennie...

I sent you a PM

Sorry I should have suggested if Uncle Albert paid six months of your rent up in advance rather than promised to pay in the future. would look better than a mysterious x amount of grand floating into your bank account just before.

They do take outgoings into account ie if your a border line case if the outgoings are not there then it might help make your case stronger..

I know it has made the difference in actual cases where the sponsor in the Uk was on a low income or had a lot of outgoings which meant they did not appear to have large savings or have spare each month after all outgoings an amount greater than the figure for income support.


If a realtive also wanted to simply help it would be a better way. To help by assiting you by paying outgoings in advance for you so your spare money each money is increased.

I know one young person on a low income who was helped simply by their family with their visa helping them move from prepaid electic meter to electricty meter and monthly direct debit. Plus helping them Fund changing suppliers of broadband and other utlities. I think from memory the person saved 40 pounds or so a month all together. Sometimes its not as simple as to simply change to save if they have got stuck on contracts or need to cough up outstanding bills or admin fees etc.. The amounts paid out by the family im sure was quite a bit but made more sense for the application to have more spare income a month..

Small fry to some on here im sure but it made a couple happy.

From experience it is very expensive to settle a person from abroad especially if you have them fly over literally with 20 kg of personal effects. Again maybe those who have extra funds or family who can help can help by assiting with excess fee charges or sending a parcel over from Phill to UK.

Yes Dennie he should Join the Forum it will help you both a great deal

I agree with you, Globe, about finding ways to save money and to reduce the outgoings from your bank account. I recently paid off a sum of money to my solicitor so that money would not be seen to be coming out of my account on a regular basis - by the time visa application time arrives, that lump sum paid off will not show in my last 3/6 months bank statements.

I also try to save money on my shopping - there is a LIDL and Tesco in our town and Tesco is actually cheaper if you stick to their own brand value range. I buy value bread, value yoghurt, value cereal, value malt loaf, value eggs etc etc. I always use my reward card and try to spend my rewards in the best possible way. I cut my own hair, wash my hair with a bar of value soap. I got a free gas boiler via a government incentive (fully maintained for free for 2 years) and they insulated my house for free as well. I am now looking at solar PV panels - another government incentive!!

Being disabled adds to my income - I get DLA mobility component and the disability element on top of WTC (Working Tax Credit). I expect many people were like me - not knowing that WTC is actually an income-related benefit. Fewer people probably know that they can still claim WTC when they bring a spouse/partner to the UK; in fact you can actually get a rise in WTC even if your partner is subject to immigration control! Personally, I do not claim Council Tax benefit but it is possible (in theory) to still claim this benefit even when your Filipina arrives in the UK.

Another way to limit spending (at least in the eyes of the ECO) is to use a 0% credit card in the few months leading up to the visa application - but just be aware of the danger that you could be storing up debt that you cannot pay back later.

To boost 'income' I have also 'switched on' income from some investment bonds of £150/month and now often work on Saturdays as well as longer hours Monday-Friday. I will also claim minimal expenses in my self-employment for the last year when I submit my tax return.

Luckily I do have savings - more than enough to support my loved one when she arrives on a six-month fiancée visa. Hopefully, she will get an offer of self-employed work from the company I work for, before she arrives on these shores.

As my work involves making phone calls (up to 200 per day) and using the internet, I had to find cheap landline and mobile phone providers. With TalkTalk as my landline/broadband provider and a cashback deal from e2save for my Orange mobile, I pay less than £25/month for landline/internet/mobile and that includes all my calls!

I keep my house relatively cool (18C-19C) and all the lighting has been fluorescent or low energy bulbs for years. I have a stash of around 30 low energy bulbs that I have got for free from numerous sources over the past 10 years!

I even found a way to save money on my water bill as the properties here all have soakaways - that saves about £35/year on drainage costs.

To save money on house insurance I find that it is cheaper to stay with my current insurer - not by automatically renewing but signing up again on-line is if I was a new customer. And don't forget to use cashback sites such as Quidco or Greasy Palm when signing up for any new service, be it insurance, gas, electric or whatever. Sometimes you can even switch tariff with an existing electric/gas supplier and still get cashback via such sites!

For ways to save money, I would recommend that anyone should look at www.moneysavingexpert.com - that is where I have learned most of my money-saving tricks.

You need bank statements ......YES...... but you DO not need a specified sum in the bank. I can assure you that the bank statements and notification that you are working are the most important items that Immigration will be looking at.

I have known cpls who live the nomadic lifestyle with no cash or banks between them....no job...nothing...living in a caravan in the hills of Wales, yet still the filipino wife was given ILR within three weeks of applying.

There would need to be some serious non-compliances to be refused ILR