Bank Statement - new FM-SE requirement

[freyter]

I am now in the Philippines and am waiting with my wife to submit her visa application in two days' time - hooray!

I thought I would give all the documents one last check, and noticed that under the new FM-SE appendix rules they ask for 6-months' worth of bank statements...I had three months' worth ready...

As I have my account online I ordered a paper statement well in time for my journey to see my wife...but it didn't arrive...So we are submitting the paper statements I already have (three-months recent from this year, and from the end of last year too, so we kind of have the start and end of year 3-month statements. Plus screen dumps of all my online statements covering all this last year...

Do you think I've got it covered?! I know I won't know till the UKBA lets us know, but just thought I'd see what people think.

Many thanks.

[Terpe]

Do you think I've got it covered?! I know I won't know till the UKBA lets us know, but just thought I'd see what people think.

Many thanks.

No.
The absolute key to the application is the Financial Requirement.

You MUST comply or the application will fall for refusal.

If you have been employed by the same employer for the past 6 months or more, then you need to submit the 6 months payslips and bank statements immediately prior to the submission of the application.

You also need to submit a statement from your employer confirming your employment details and current level of pay.

Don't submit the application without the stipulated documents.

[grahamw48]

One reason why I arranged for my dad to have 'power of attorney' over my affairs back in the UK, so such emergencies could be attended to immediately.

I don't think I have ever seen this option mentioned on the forum.

Well worth considering when you're wandering abroad and may need access to important documents or have bills to pay etc. I think I paid my Solicitor £75 for the paperwork, but quite a few years ago.

[andy222]

The problem is they are very strict now ie no excuses. But I wish you all the best.

[freyter]

Thanks for all your comments -

From what you say I suspect a refusal and then an appeal are on their way, although I would hope (maybe naively) that they would look at the immigration rules that state if they feel a visa can be approved but that certain documents (like bank statements in a series) are missing then they should request these before refusal....Here's hoping.....

If anyone out there's had a refusal on the grounds of a missing document, how hard is it to submit an appeal and be granted it if you can provide the documents within a suitable timeframe??

Many thanks to you all.

[Terpe]

You asked a honest question and got honest answers.
Of course we all wish you the best of luck, and also hope the caseworker/ECO will give you a chance to rectify your mistake.

We have seen a couple of cases here where missing documents have been requested and subsequently supplied on time and accepted.
The missing documents in both cases turned out to be the Employer letter of confirmation.

Personally, I would not advise applicants to take the same approach.
Visa applications are just too important and costly to mess with and to take unecessary risks, and that's apart from the emotional roller coaster ride.

I think you should begin preparations to secure and supply any and all missing documents as normally the time allowed to submit is often quite short.

By the way your interpretation of the allowable discretion is not quite accurate.

You've said:-

...... that they would look at the immigration rules that state if they feel a visa can be approved but that certain documents (like bank statements in a series) are missing then they should request these before refusal....Here's hoping.....

The Financial Requirement actually states:-

...Caseworkers have discretion to rectify minor errors in an otherwise compliant application, e.g. where the applicant has made a simple arithmetical error in adding up properly evidenced figures in the application form, or where the application would meet the financial requirement except that a piece of specified evidence is missing (e.g. one bank statement in a series) and contact with the applicant establishes that this can be submitted quickly. If the applicant fails to send the specified document(s) within the requested time period, the application will fall for refusal.

Semantics I know, but UKBA are known to work in that way.

Hopefully not in your case

Good luck