Category D Cash Savings - Bank Statement Dates

[ruirui]

Hi all.

My spouse recently successfully received her FLR (M) at a premium service centre. She was relying on Category D (cash savings) only.

I thought it would be helpful to share information on an issue we encountered with the bank statements we provided.

Appendix FM-SE states:

11. In respect of cash savings the following must be provided:
(a) personal bank statements showing that at least the level of cash savings relied upon in the application has been held in an account(s) in the name of the person or of the person and their partner jointly throughout the period of 6 months prior to the date of application.

It then further provides:

(l) Where this Appendix requires the applicant to provide specified evidence relating to a period which ends with the date of application, that evidence, or the most recently dated part of it, must be dated no earlier than 28 days before the date of application.

My interpretation of the above passages is that, if our application date is 1 July 2017, we could provide bank statements covering the period between 1 January 2017 to 4th June (28 days prior to the date of application) showing the requisite level of funds and this would be sufficient to prove that the funds had been held for 6 months as of the date of the application (1 Jan 2017 - 30 June 2017).

The way UKVI actually interpret Appendix FM-SE is to say you need bank statements that show that the funds have been held in your account for six months ending on the date of the final bank statement. So if the final bank statement is dated 4th June 2017, you will need a bank statement showing that the funds entered your account on 4th December 2016.

I am not convinced that UKVI are interpreting Appendix FM-SE correctly as the specified period for which funds must be held is "throughout the period of 6 months prior to the date of application" rather than "throughout the period of 6 months for which bank statements are provided" but maybe I have overlooked something.

This issue can be remedied by getting a further bank statement printed and certified at the bank but this obviously could cause delay. Fortunately, the PSC we visited had a branch of our bank nearby so we were able to get a copy printed nearby and solve the problem that day. Good luck to all who are applying.

[seagul]

Your observation is correct that on one hand the guidance is saying to attach the documents not older than 28 days while on other hand the savings must be held for the last 6 months from the time of application. I think easiest solution might be to attach a bank balance certificate which every bank offer straightaway in order to prove HO that funds still existing.

[ruirui]

A statement on official bank stationary or a stamped transaction statement printed in branch will suffice.

What is not clear from the rules and guidance is that you must be able to evidence that the funds have been held for six months prior to the final bank statement/transaction statement date, rather than six months prior to the date of the application.

This seems to be contrary to the wording of Appendix FM-SE.

[seagul]

In either situation the application shouldn't be refused and if in case of any doubt about funds then HO should contact the bank. But although the documents shouldn't be older than 28 days but it's always wise to attach the documents which are as much closes as they can to the date of application.