Hello everyone.

[Graham H]

My name is Graham from Grimsby. I have just returned to the UK having just married the love of my life in Davao Phils.

We met each other on Filippina hearts dating site in 2007. I have been to Davao on many occasions and we got engaged in 2009.

We got a visit visa in 2010 and she stayed with me for 4 months. We got married on the same day as Prince William and Kate.

The only problem we now have is that we got ripped off big time in Davao by the person who susposed to be helping us with the marrage arrangments. To actualy get the marrage cirtificate cost well over £1,000 alone. Then there was the cost of the reception and everything else on top.

Therefore my bank account has had a serious knock and I am not sure how much money I need to show the B.Embassy I have in my account for the spouse visa that we are now in the process of applying for.

Does anyone know if it will have an adverce effect on the application if I show 3months bank statements instead of the recondmended 6 months.

Many thanks.
Graham..

[bornatbirth]

hello there

im sorry to hear about the problems you have faced

[Graham H]

Hello 2u2
Thanks

[grahamw48]

The marriage cert cost me £2....maybe a tenner now.

Hell, you could have someone 'disappear' in the Phils for a lot less than £1000.

[bornatbirth]

how much money do you have saved up?, if you have any saving put them in your bank account and try to get a loan to bump up your saving, there are many ways to improve your bank statements

[Graham H]

Well , my parents gave me £6,000. but the problem is that when I get my bank statement there will be a massisive dip in my account in april due to the scams. but it will look healthy in May. this is when I put the 6k in.

[Tawi2]

Droves of scammers of one type or another in Pinas mate,my old gran used to say never trust someone who smiles constantly and some of those pinoys have a 24/7 grin on their faces Which part of dabaw is your lady from?

[joebloggs]

Well , my parents gave me £6,000. but the problem is that when I get my bank statement there will be a massisive dip in my account in april due to the scams. but it will look healthy in May. this is when I put the 6k in.

beware If there are disproportionate deposits and withdrawals in the bank statements, they should be explained in the sponsor's letter, sending the bankstatement showing £6k going in your bank might cause problems..

some people have sent only 3 months bank statements and got their visa, but you could increase your risks of refusal by only sending 3 months.

[Graham H]

Thanks for the advice Joe. I will be honest with the visa people and tell them it is a wedding gift from my parents.

[joebloggs]

Depositing of large amounts of money just before applying for a visa, is one of the main reasons for refusal. Whilst I accept your reasons might be valid, the ECO might not look at it that way.

I mean had you won the lottery for example and can prove it , or had you cashed in some bonds, shares etc and could provide evidence, then that's fine, but a wedding gift can not be verified, and that could raise doubts in the mind of the ECO, that once you have the visa you will pay back the money..

might be wiser to wait for at least 3 bankstatements showing the £6k your bank, but dont send the one showing the money going in, i know its hard waiting but you want to minimise the risks of refusal .

[Terpe]

Graham,
Do not rely on 3 months bank statements. It will not cut the mustard
Wait now until you can send 6 months with no show of a sudden significant deposit.

[Farmerg]

[Graham H]

She is pregnant though, her due date is mid August .

[worthingmale]

hello

[Arthur Little]

Graham ... ! I'm sorry to read the story of your encounter with the "rip off merchants" in Davao. There sure are some unscrupulous people around; they seem to be everywhere these days. However, you CAN rely on the helpful advice freely offered by knowledgeable regular members of this friendly filipino/uk forum. I see you've already had a response from our other Graham.

Congratulations on your marriage to a lady from the same part of the world to which my own wife belongs.

[Graham H]

Thanks Aurthur for you kind words and to everyone that has popped in to say hello.

I wonder if it might help my case if I scaned and coppied my parents savings book at the page where the £6K was withdrawn and deposited into my current account as evidence. I also have the original receipt. It will prove to them that it is from my family and not from a loan company. I could send this information with the rest of the documents to my wife to take to VFS global along with her documents when she goes to Manila.

Any thoughts on this please.

Graham.

[Terpe]

Graham,
I think it will all depend on how the ECO views it. However you suddenly got that money and whatever evidence you provide may or may not convince the ECO that you will not have it once the visa is granted.
I would not get so excited about that. Just be honest and explain.
Savings are not the key. There is nothing in the requirements absolutely stipulates savings anyway.

As I've always maintained however (some may not agree) savings are not the only financial issue. The ECO is checking the overall financial viability against the possibility that you may well be living beyond your means. The ECO needs to be convinced that you can manage with another consumer in the household.
In principle you need to clearly demonstrate a minimum disposable income of £106 per week.
Your actual cash flow situation and ability to evidence positives for disposable income is MUCH more important that any snapshot of your savings account.
If that £6k will be in the account, it will be there. Just explain why it's there. The real key is OVERALL finances, cash flow and secure disposable income.
After all that £6k may well be used for flights etc directly after visa approval.

Hope that helps

[Graham H]

Thanks for the info Terpe.
I will do just that. Honesty is the best policy, I am sure that everything else is in order. I will send them as much relivent info as possible.

[Tom999]

Hello to everyone. I am Tom and new here...