Family visit visa for mother-in-law (VAF1B)

[member010107]

Hi,

I hope someone can shed light on a few queries I have. My widowed mother-in-law would like to visit us in the UK for a period of 4 months. Me and my wife are happy to sponsor her. I am a british citizen and my wife has ILR. I've got a few queries regarding this

1) Can we both be a sponsor ? I've got a full-time job but my wife recently lost her's. Is it better if I be a sponsor ?

2) Most of our savings a/c are in joint names (except for ISA's). If I were to be a sponsor, would the UK Border Agency/High Commission accept savings in joint names ? Or should I only show banks savings in my own name ?

3) She has 4 married children (and grandchildren) back home and a regular income from rental property as well as bank accounts in her name. She stays with the eldest son and he bears all her living expenses. Would this suffice as enough evidence that she would return after her 4 month stay ? She also has her brother/sister back home. She also co-owns a house (along with 2 of her sons) that is currently unoccupied.

She has only 1 daughter (my wife) in the UK and no other relatives.

Comments/suggestion welcome.

Thank you,
James

[batleykhan]

I hope someone can shed light on a few queries I have. My widowed mother-in-law would like to visit us in the UK for a period of 4 months. Me and my wife are happy to sponsor her. I am a british citizen and my wife has ILR. I've got a few queries regarding this

1) Can we both be a sponsor ? I've got a full-time job but my wife recently lost her's. Is it better if I be a sponsor ?

Yes both of you can be sponsors if you want. Alternatively you can do it yourself. It will make no difference

2) Most of our savings a/c are in joint names (except for ISA's). If I were to be a sponsor, would the UK Border Agency/High Commission accept savings in joint names ? Or should I only show banks savings in my own name ?

Yes, it should make no diffrence, as long as your name is on the accounts. Even though you may be the sole sponsor, savings in joints name will still be accepted

3) She has 4 married children (and grandchildren) back home and a regular income from rental property as well as bank accounts in her name. She stays with the eldest son and he bears all her living expenses. Would this suffice as enough evidence that she would return after her 4 month stay ? She also has her brother/sister back home. She also co-owns a house (along with 2 of her sons) that is currently unoccupied.

She has only 1 daughter (my wife) in the UK and no other relatives.

Whilst the above are sufficient reasons that she will return,have you got any documentary evidence to back this up, because you will need to show it. Without documentary evidence, they will not accept her word.

The most difficult thing tp prove for visitors is that they have sufficient and valid reasons to go back. Hope this has helped

Comments/suggestion welcome.

Thank you,
James

[member010107]

"Whilst the above are sufficient reasons that she will return,have you got any documentary evidence to back this up, because you will need to show it. Without documentary evidence, they will not accept her word. "

Thank you for your reply.

We've got evidence in the form of bank statements to prove bank account. Legal property documentation showing her name as owner on the rental property and a co-owner on a house.

What sort of documentation would you recommend for proving she has children/grandchildren in the country as well as brothers and sister ? Would the names/address of where they reside and notorized by a solicitor work ?

[batleykhan]

We've got evidence in the form of bank statements to prove bank account. Legal property documentation showing her name as owner on the rental property and a co-owner on a house.

This should suffice. What about pension etc?.

A family tree of all her family back home would be ideal evidence.

[member010107]

Thanks for your reply. I doubt she gets pension since she has never worked and has always been a homemaker but I'll double check with her.

As for a family tree - would they accept if this was done on a normal piece of paper ? I mean not certified or anything ?

[batleykhan]

Yes, just use Microsoft Powerpoint to do it. You only have to show her family ( children/ grandchildren), brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts .

It does not need to be certified from anyone.

What I mean about the pension is, is does she gets her husbands pension etc, because that is a good incentive for her to return

[member010107]

Thank you, batleykhan. Also, do you have a template for sponsorship letter ? If so, could I PM you my email address ?

Thanks

[batleykhan]

Yes, send me your email address by PM, and I will send you it