Quick finance question - please advise

[ela27]

Hi there,

My Kenyan husband will be applying for his settlement visa this coming December. Things are pretty much in order, we are ok for accomodation size, proof of relationship and finances, and all it all it seems like a straight forward case.

I just have one query - my husband has recently lost his job due to the lack of tourism in Kenya (he worked in a hotel) and he is now struggling to pay rent etc. My bank balance is healthy and I could afford to transfer some money to him now, and next month before we apply for the visa (I do give him smaller amounts now and again to help out as I know things are not so easy out there - but this will have to be a bigger amount, maybe £100-£200 or so) But at the same time I am concerned about the approx £400 I need to show I have left over each month for me to be able to support him in the UK. As it stands at the moment I have around £500 left over each month after outgoings, but if you take into account money I send to him then I may not have this leftover. When we come to apply for the visa is it alright to point out that some outgoings (can include western union slip evidence) was money I sent to him, and therefore once he is in the UK that money will be spare. If that makes sense. Basically what am trying to say is when I draw up my monthly budget to enclose in his visa application - can I leave out these transfers, as infact they are irrelevant once he is in the UK?

Many thanks.

[John]

As it stands at the moment I have around £500 left over each month after outgoings

What sort of outgoings are you taking into account to calculate that £500?

I suspect that it is totally OK for you to help out with the rent. Indeed it is the sort of thing a loving spouse might do for their spouse.

Any savings? What sort of amount?

[ela27]

The £500 includes £200 rent and bills (to parents), petrol, other travel, car, some food, telephone, and other misc. It usually doesn't equate to £500 - that is over estimating, but sometimes the little extras like birthday presents, new work clothes, problems with car etc, can add up and I would like to draw up a realistic budget for the visa, to show that even after all that I have the £400 required.

I have £2000 in savings, and I have £1000 credit in the bank at the moment. We are applying in December so this will be closer to £1500 by then.

I do send him money and would like to continue this without worrying about how it will look on my bank statements to the visa application people - but my concern was that they would not look on this favourably. Of course to me it is only normal that a spouse would want to offer as much support as possible - as he would do if the tables were turned, but I was unsure this is how the people who look at the application would see this.

Thanks again.

[Frontier Mole]

The bottom line - you need to be able to show you have the means to support both of you WHEN he is in the UK. The money you send is actually part of your current disposable income. At the end of the day if you have £95 per week disposable income after the rent is paid, are not in overdraft, can demonstrate your income (pay slips & bank statements), have the right documents to prove your access to accommodation and the size of the house you will meet the rules.

You do NOT need to have £400 left in your account at the end of each month; however it goes a long way to prove you can maintain your husband.

Ensure you include evidence of payment of funds to your husband with your application pack. This shows the double impact of sending funds and still having money in the bank.

[ela27]

Ok, thanks, accomodation is fine, bank is fine, have wage slips etc, plus all the other necessary things to include. I think I am a little too worried about the income thing, but better to be i suppose.

ive kept all transfer receipts for money i have sent to him. they are in my maiden name still as i havent changed to my married name on the western union gold card (its changed for work, bank and all the important stuff) this isnt an issue is it? i wouldnt have thought so, and apologise for perhaps another stupid question. i dont know how strict the whole thing is and am perhaps taking all the small details a little too seriously...but having only spent 1 week of married life together and being apart for 3 months i dont want to mess anything up at this stage!

Thanks again.

[Frontier Mole]

You will be fine. You have done all the hard work ensuring you have the correct documents, evidence of support etc etc.
Make sure you put in any e-mails between you and him, any evidence of contact pre and post marriage, a couple of wedding photos and the letter from your parents (as de facto landlords) allowing him to live with you.
Western Union card, do not worry about that. It is clear who is sending the money and who it is for.

Good luck.

[ela27]

Thanks,

You wouldnt believe the organisation that has gone into my folder - and we're not submitting until december!! But yep I have photos, email log, phone log, mobile phone itemised bills, receipts of accomodation we have stayed in together, i think plenty of relationship proof! I have taken to worrying about the smallest of things basically, for obvious reasons!

My parents are going to write a letter - out of interest should it be typed and signed, or handwritten, or does is not matter either way?

Thanks for all the advise, it has been really helpful

[Frontier Mole]

The letter - it is easier to read if it is off the computer. Get both parents to sign it.

[ela27]

ok thanks, will do