Proving sufficient ties?

[Odai]

Hello

I am trying to put together an application for a 6 month visit visa for my Jordanian grandmother to come visit us here in the UK (we are British citizens).

Unfortunately our application was rejected twice before due to mistakes with the evidence submitted (not properly translating the bank statements). I would hope that this (trivial) issue was the only issue with the application, however the last rejection letter did mention that we had to prove sufficient financial or family ties to Jordan for my grandmother. It didn't state whether a statement showing her savings would be sufficient.

Given this is the third time, I'd rather not take any chances.

My grandmother doesn't have an income (retired), she lives entirely off of her savings. These are more than sufficient to see her through her retirement and to finance her trip here. However, the last time I applied I noticed there was no room on the application form to list her savings. Will they not be accepted as sufficient evidence of her ability to sustain herself financially?

On the issue of family ties, all of my grandmother's living relatives are in Jordan. However, the problem is proving their relation - in Arab countries naming conventions differ greatly to those in the West. As an example my uncle/aunt, my grandmother's children, have completely different names to her. My uncle can write up a supporting letter stating his relation to my grandmother and provide proof of residence and income for himself to prove that he is established in Jordan, but there is nothing but his own word to show that he is my grandmother's son. Any idea if this would be sufficient? I'd expect that the staff in Amman would already be aware of this cultural difference.

Would hugely appreciate any tips!

Thanks

Odai.

[Frontier Mole]

The cultural differences are not taken into account. The approach is evidence based regardless of the local customs, practises or perceived norms in any one area.

The single biggest concern from an ECO point of view is the perception that she is unlikely to return given her perceived circumstances in her home country.

To convince them you need hard evidence, savings in the home country is not exactly that. Money moves easily.
What is available in the way of accommodation documents. Lease, title deeds, rental agreements.
What is available in the way of evidence of her relatives? Consider a family tree type document with copy birth certificates etc. Translated of course.