7 days to prove finances

[AnAmericanInScotland]

Originally Posted by LHoule

Thanks for your support guys, the ironic thing is, if this visa is refused i will actually have to give up my current job as it is night shifts and i have been struggling through the last few months with no child care (other then my sister literally having him over night, drop him off at 8pm, pick him up 7am). im exhausted from not being able to sleep and rest during the day when i need too. And it has taken its toll. I have continued as i thought it would only be a short term struggle, but if this visa is refused i know i wont be able to continue.

Figure out your shortfall, it may not be as bad as you are thinking right now.

Maybe someone (sister, parents) can offer to sponsor your husband on what you can't make up with the £2500?

[LHoule]

OK this is what i have figured out so far.


Currently I am working 20 hours a week at £6.18 an hour, with this wage and my Tax credits I am bringing home £258 a week. Once rent and council Tax are deducted that leaves me with £131. My low income is currently being topped up by housing benefit, but I only started to claim this once Jordan returned to Canada on 13th May 2012 after staying with me for 6 months. And I will stop claiming as soon as he returns to the UK.

I had to reduce my working hours while Jordan is in Canada as I am a nightshift worker and my sister can only currently watch Ely 2 nights a week.

While Jordan was staying with me I was working 30 hours a week, with that wage and my tax credits I was bringing home £320 a week. Again once rent and council tax had been paid that left me with £193.

On top of this I pay £10 a week electric and £3 a week water.

So as you can see while Jordan was staying with me I was above the £176 a week that is needed by the UKBA (£111 for me and my Husband £65 for our son).


What i dont understand is i have actually included all my bankstatments which would have shown this. So either they havent looked at my finances properly or im not allowed to include my Tax credits......it would be fantastic to know which it is.

[2farapart]

Under the new rules that came in Monday, Tax credits are definitely not counted, but I don't know if they were under the previous rules (which you are being considered against).

[qman383]

LHoule, your situation sounds identical to mine being as my wife was short on the requirement for finances to sponsor me and daycare was an issue for our 7 year old daughter. I was gifted money by a relative to help. I wrote a letter to the ECO explaining the situation and also asked the local MP where my wife is in England if he could help. He was told about our situation with finances and daycare costs and the hardship of one parent doing it all. He sent a letter with my visa application number on it and sent it directly to the consulate. I don't know if this had a factor in the decision but the end result was my approval for the spousal visa. AAIS and others were a tremendous help both with facts and helping me to be calm. Keep your chin up, and stay positive.

[LHoule]

Thank you for all your support guys, have managed to stop the tears and am feeling the fight coming back into me. Its heartbreaking seeing all the new rules coming in, they are practically shutting down the borders. Immigration is what makes britain such a wonderful and diverse place to live. I understand that we are not doing great economically right now but i think there are far better ways to deal with it then practically cutting us off. I think there will be so many familys seperated and torn apart by this and people will choose to move there families else where. Anyways, totally not the place for a political rant lol.
Thank you

[qman383]

LHoule I totally agree with you. My wife was working weekends and picking up any bank holiday she could with me there to look after my daughter. For the past two years I stayed 4 months on each of my visits. When I was here in the US I would have to hear how my wife struggled with finding a child minder and if she could afford one. I was blessed to be working here to send the money for child care. It was horrible to be apart and even more stressful that we were missing out on being a complete family. The rules are not fair to women and certainly in my opinion are not fair to all British Citizens as some that are married to those from Europe do not have the new rules to worry about and those like my wife and yourself did or do. I always thought it would have been easier to reform the benefits system when it comes to immigrants then the lack of humanity shown with some of the changes to the migrant rules. Then again it's only my opinion, lol

[LHoule]

Well i managed to get hold of my locals MP's office this morning, although he is down in London atm, his office have promised to do what they can to help and are trying to contact the UKBA for me........the fight continues

[qman383]

Hoping and praying the best for you

[LHoule]

I have no idea if MP's actually carry any weight in these situations. But they seemed quite hopeful on the phone and have promised to help in any way they can.

[qman383]

I have to say that I feel that our MP had some pull and also was very upbeat about our situation. My wife was quite a bit short when it came to the financial aspect of sponsorship and I felt they had a reason to deny me a visa. The MP was able to send this letter quite quickly to the consulate in New York. So I am thinking they might have some pull. I can only think it would help the situation. Good thing also is you applied under the old rules and I believe the ECO has More discretion, which would be a good thing. Hang in there. Please let us know the outcome. Also, we are here if you get stressed and worried. Most of us here including myself have dealt with this.