Proving income for UK visit Visa

[bpj87]

Hi, I'm unsure how to go about showing adequate finances for my gf's visit visa to the UK.

 

She owns a bar and makes her income from that. She keeps detailed accounts using excel, but all money is in cash so she cannot provide meaningful bank statements. Would the accounts alone suffice? She could deposit an acceptable amount in order to show she has adequate finances available but the general advice seems to avoid doing this.

 

I could sponsor her, however I too cannot prove income. My last 6 months bank statements won't show anything that would prove income, but again, I could deposit money to show proof of funds if that would be acceptable?

 

Many Thanks

 

James

[CharlieH]

Sufficient funds to finance her trip and duration of stay is what is required.

 

How long is she "visiting" for ?

[bpj87]

Only 17 days. She has the sufficient funds, but only in cash. But how does she prove it? Can she simply deposit the money into her bank account and show this? The advice on the pinned thread, advised against this as it looks suspicious.

Edited November 2, 2018 by bpj87

[CharlieH]

Yes it can, does she have a Credit card with a good available amount ( or you have? ) 

A covering letter from you stating you are providing food and accomadation, and she needs to show travel expenses and pocket money for day to day etc for duration so for 17 days its doesnt need to be a huge amount.

 

[bpj87]

Unfortunately no credit cards. I can provide a covering letter, stating that food and accommodation will be provided. 

 

She can provide a contract of her ownership of the bar (after getting it translated into English), together with the accounts. Of course this doesn't 'prove' income but surely this should be enough? Along with a cash deposit into her bank to show she has enough money to support her for 17 days.

[Jip99]

4 minutes ago, bpj87 said:

Unfortunately no credit cards. I can provide a covering letter, stating that food and accommodation will be provided. 

 

She can provide a contract of her ownership of the bar (after getting it translated into English), together with the accounts. Of course this doesn't 'prove' income but surely this should be enough? Along with a cash deposit into her bank to show she has enough money to support her for 17 days.

 

 

The cash in the bank (if deposited ahead of the visa application) may well be viewed as "padding" and will result in an automatic decline of the application.

[White Christmas13]

22 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

Yes it can, does she have a Credit card with a good available amount ( or you have? ) 

A covering letter from you stating you are providing food and accomadation, and she needs to show travel expenses and pocket money for day to day etc for duration so for 17 days its doesnt need to be a huge amount.

 

now the rules might be different for a tourist visa to come to Australia I have always been told she must

have a reason to go back to Thailand the amount of money in her bank account is not that critical have a letter from her employer that she can take time off and must have sufficient funds to show for a return ticket and also show a steady cash flow in to her account for at least 6 months and of course some

spending money I have send a certified letter that I will sponsor her for her stay over here

Edited November 2, 2018 by White Christmas13
only for visa going to Australia

[bpj87]

Ok so no depositing of money. What other options do we have?

 

She has cash, but cannot deposit it, so has no way of proving funds.

 

 

I have money tied up, which I can access easily enough and show in my bank account but it won't prove income and will just look like 'padding' again. My bank statements show lots of money going in and out over the past 6 months but only to/from other people, no regular income from a job.

 

[White Christmas13]

I am only talking about tourist visas for Australia

[CharlieH]

You are correct that a main concern is the person returning. She is a "Bar owner" so that shouldnt be an issue, as long as she has supporting paperwork.and she'll have a return ticket.

 

If she states she has been saving at home and has deposited X amount into her bank for her "holiday" that is the apparent her only option, add to that a letter from you sponsoring her and showing whatever you can to substantiate it. WE are not talking huge amount here for a 17 day stay.

 

What amount can she/you show ?

 

 

[bpj87]

She has around 50000 in cash I believe. I can show whatever is needed. At the moment I have less than £500 in my account, but can transfer more in at any time.

[CharlieH]

It seems to me that if you explain, whilst not the norm or ideal, (it is the truth), so you are going to have to go for it with what you have.

My suggestion, and others may have their idea, is for her to put 30k(£700) in the bank and show it, and explain she will be carrying an additional 20k (£500) in cash also, You get your balance up to around £2K and also state you  have access to other funds if required.

Based on the info you have given that's my opinion.

[bpj87]

Thank you for your advice. That seems as good an idea as I can think of. Lets hope it works ????

[theoldgit]

She needs to provide details of her business with evidence to support her claims, maybe lease of the property, any licences she might have, something to prove her business actually exsists and it's worth coming back to, not having a bank might not be a killer, but the decision maker may wish to delve a little deeper.

 

Don't worry about credit cards or return flights, neither can be used as "reasons to return", but she does need to provide compelling evidence that the trip is affordable, credit cards can't be used for that.

 

She needs to satisfy the ECO that her life is in Thailand and that, on the balance of probabilities, she would return.

 

As she's the bar owner it might be a good idea if she provided evidence of the cover arrangements during her proposed trip.

[Jip99]

32 minutes ago, theoldgit said:

She needs to provide details of her business with evidence to support her claims, maybe lease of the property, any licences she might have, something to prove her business actually exsists and it's worth coming back to, not having a bank might not be a killer, but the decision maker may wish to delve a little deeper.

 

Don't worry about credit cards or return flights, neither can be used as "reasons to return", but she does need to provide compelling evidence that the trip is affordable, credit cards can't be used for that.

 

She needs to satisfy the ECO that her life is in Thailand and that, on the balance of probabilities, she would return.

 

As she's the bar owner it might be a good idea if she provided evidence of the cover arrangements during her proposed trip.

 

 

Presumably she will also need to satisfy an ECO that she has a genuine reason to visit.

 

Would visiting a non-sponsoring boy friend be likely to tick that box. Where is she staying ?..... a 17 day trip suggests a short holiday - would an ECO be looking for hotel bookings or evidence of accommodation ?

 

This is looking a bit thin on all 3 key criteria based on the information so far.

[CharlieH]

5 minutes ago, Jip99 said:

 

 

Presumably she will also need to satisfy an ECO that she has a genuine reason to visit.

 

Would visiting a non-sponsoring boy friend be likely to tick that box. Where is she staying ?..... a 17 day trip suggests a short holiday - would an ECO be looking for hotel bookings or evidence of accommodation ?

 

This is looking a bit thin on all 3 key criteria based on the information so far.

The OP has stated its his GF and he is  providing food and accomadation (see post 5)

[Jip99]

8 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

The OP has stated its his GF and he is  providing food and accomadation (see post 5)

 

 

... and you think that will satisfy an ECO ?

 

He is providing board and lodging and this is the extent of his 'sponsorship'. I would have thought that an ECO would at least wish to see evidence of suitability of accommodation. He has stated that it is his GF but presumably cannot evidence a relationship.

 

Consider this to be negative if you wish but I think the OP's expectations have to managed. I believe that an ECO will see that this is a short term relationship that cannot be evidenced to satisfy the 'genuine relationship/reasons to visit criteria. They have little money between them and the OP has said that he can't evidence his income. The applicant is a "bar owner" which means that she may have a lease that may have value (or not), incorporates a liability to rent etc and can probably be walked away from.

 

I am not saying that a case cannot bed built in each criteria area - my concern is that each area is thin. 

[CharlieH]

Agreed, it isnt ideal or the norm by any means, as I said earlier,

I wish them luck, they just have to go with what they can substantiate.????(prove/demonstrate)

[theoldgit]

26 minutes ago, Jip99 said:

Presumably she will also need to satisfy an ECO that she has a genuine reason to visit.

 

Would visiting a non-sponsoring boy friend be likely to tick that box. Where is she staying ?..... a 17 day trip suggests a short holiday - would an ECO be looking for hotel bookings or evidence of accommodation ?

 

This is looking a bit thin on all 3 key criteria based on the information so far.

I certainly agree the application is a bit thin on the ground so far, and has already been pointed out putting funds in accounts shortly before an application is submitted would probably have an adverse effect.

 

Visiting a boyfriend would be a good reason to visit, but the ECO would be looking for evidence that it's reasonable for her to visit him, are they a genuine couple. If she's staying with him, to do so wouldn't require financial support, that would negate the need, and cost, of hotels. The ECO wouldn't expect to see hotel bookings, just that accomodation is either affordable or available.

[Jip99]

3 minutes ago, theoldgit said:

I certainly agree the application is a bit thin on the ground so far, and has already been pointed out putting funds in accounts shortly before an application is submitted would probably have an adverse effect.

 

Visiting a boyfriend would be a good reason to visit, but the ECO would be looking for evidence that it's reasonable for her to visit him, are they a genuine couple. If she's staying with him, to do so wouldn't require financial support, that would negate the need, and cost, of hotels. The ECO wouldn't expect to see hotel bookings, just that accommodation is either affordable or available.

 

 

I agree that a case can be made for the accommodation. Would it perhaps be better NOT to mention the GF/BF factor as this would surely raise the relationship question - which I doubt can be satisfied. Staying with a 'friend' may be plausible, on the basis that she is applying alone and without sponsorship. As CharlieH said, go with what they have on financials (there is just about enough money) and the try and build a strong case on the reasons to return (with as much evidence as possible).

[rasg]

How long has the OP known his girlfriend? How can they prove they are a couple? In my case I had flight and hotel bookings over a period of time. Also many, many photos although they no longer encourage you to send photos. How many times has the OP visited his GF since he met her?

 

Surely if she has a business, she keeps accounts of some description? How would she know of she is liable for tax, if she doesn't? Is the OP suggesting that she doesn’t bank the takings? Does she keep the money in a pillow?

 

So many questions about this one!