As we discussed previously, given the repercussions of a refusal for an applicant and their dependant(s), applying for a UK visa can be a daunting process.
One of the most common reasons for refusals, especially with regards to those applications made from outside of the UK, or what are referred to as Entry Clearance applications, is not proving your ability to finance your and your dependant(s) lives to The Home Office’s satisfaction i.e. that you have enough funds to support you the applicant(s) in the UK until their next application if necessary.
Some points to consider in order to avoid this are outlined below.
Understand the Financial Requirement
The UKVI requires applicants to demonstrate they have enough funds to cover their stay without working or accessing public funds. For entry clearance family applications, specifically partners, this means that you are required to show that you have access to £29,000 per year. There are a variety of ways you can show this, either through your current employment or self-employment; by way of savings or non-employment income such as money received via renting of a property or from a private or state pension
Provide Clear and Consistent Financial Documentation
Ensure you provide recent bank statements, proof of income, and any other relevant documents that verify your financial stability. Make sure the documents are consistent and cover the entire period of time which the Home Office states to be necessary. When I refer to consistent, this means that if you have a specific source of income which you are relying upon to meet the requirement then deposits into your everyday bank account that you rely upon should be consistent with the source. Large amounts of money which appear and are not evidenced are a common cause of refusal as the documentation you are supplying does not corroborate the facts you gave.
Include Sponsorship Details
The application, even though concerning mainly details of the applicant themselves, also needs to be fully detailed and evidenced when referring to the ‘sponsor’. In partner applications at Entry Clearance, evidence re the sponsor (read partner) must be thorough and conclusive, so that The Home Office are left in no doubt as to the genuineness of the relationship. This of course applies even more so to the financial requirement as the sponsor is often the only person who is eligible to meet the stipulations, as they already have a right to work in the UK, through being either a ‘settled’ person or a British citizen. Their financial evidence must cover the correct time period, depending on the source you have chosen to meet the financial requirement with, and be aware that the financial documents are time-sensitive and therefore need to be as up to date as possible at the time the application is submitted.
Details and additional evidence
Before submitting your application, check and double-check all details for accuracy and consistency, so as to avoid any holdups when it comes to decision-making or worse still, a refusal. Ensure that the data you have provided on the form itself is matched by the evidence e.g. that there are no discrepancies between your stated income and your bank statements. If you are able to, include any additional documents that support the basis behind your application above and beyond what is specified by the application and resulting document checklist.
In Summary
When applying for a UK visa, demonstrating sufficient funds is crucial to avoiding refusal. UKVI has very specific financial requirements for different visa categories, so make sure that you are referring to the correct ones for your visa route and personal circumstances; common mistakes like outdated or unverified documents can and do lead to refusals as UKVI do not always ask for clarification or alternative/additional evidence when something has been overlooked or is inaccurate. The importance of providing acceptable and accurate documentation is why many applicants turn to professional help as a greater depth of understanding the requirements and applying them correctly vastly improves the chances of an application’s timely and positive outcome.
