HRY2005 wrote:
Thank you Kitty, I agree with that but that's not really the basis of my disagreement with djb123.
If you go through all my earlier comments, there's no place where I disgaree with effects of the husbands savings but all I am saying is that ECO would focus more on the sponsor (as we have seen from experience)
It all depends on the circumstances. I don't think it's a question of saying that the ECO will "focus more" on the sponsor: it's just that in most cases, the sponsor is the one whose income can be more readily supported with evidence.
But if the sponsor is on benefits but the applicant is a graduate with a big fat wedge of savings in the bank, or income from overseas property etc., then the couple should not have a problem in fulfilling the Rules in terms of maintenance.
If I want to agree with what you are saying, I can as well say that if the sponsor is not working and have no savings but the applicant can prove he's got lots of money, it would be ok?
Basically, yes, it may well be.
How many people had been refused because of sponsor's not being able to prove solid income and savings? I have a practical example of what I 'm talking about and the applicants' bank statement was not considered.
So do I, but it happens mainly in cases where the applicant's bank statements weer not considered genuine, or there was some other question as to the actualy availability or sufficiency of the applicant's own claimed funds.
If you mean that the ECO has said "yes, I can see you have £100,000 in the bank, but frankly because your wife in the UK isn't earning, then you are refused", then I think the ECO is wrong and an appeal woudl stand a good chance.
All I 'm saying is the OP and her husband should prepare their application properly and not give rooms to ECOs' excesses by depending on her husband's savings.
Of course. And in the OP's case, the applicant's savings of £2,500 are unlikely to be enough on their own to prove adequate maintenance anyway. But neither should the ECO treat them as somehow being less available to the couple.