FLR (M) - Quick Q

Hello,

I've posted in the wrong thread for awhile because initially I applied for the wrong thing.

Anyway my visa is expiring tomorrow 5.2.16. Our application is all sorted, brimming with shiny folders of evidence, signed and all.

The only thing that is missing is evidence of a joint bank account because we have limited evidence on shared finances. We had to wait till HO sent back my passport, we then applied for this account, approx. 2 weeks ago, had to wait for a letter, brought in identity documents and were then told vague timescales about when it will be set up. We've called a couple of times to check and we've been last told it will be set up between 3-5 days. In hindsight, we should've applied straight away for joint bank accnt but I waited like a week thinking it could've been done on the day, so stupid

I am so scared, I really didn't want to send this application late because I don't want to be an overstayer. But I know this piece of evidence will really help us.

I've thought about the options:

1) Send in the application as is on 5.2.16 and mention that an account is being set up within 3-5 days and the initial date of applying with the request for information as part of the evidence
2) Wait until the account is sorted and then send in the application - it will be within 28 days of when my visa expires but not sure if that grace period applies to me because I'm not currently on leave to remain, I'm on a youth mobility visa.

Where does it say that you MUST have a joint bank account? If you each have your own account, that is permissible to submit separate account statements.

You should apply before your visa expires. You will only create problems for yourself if HO have issues and you have no valid leave.

It doesn't say you must have a joint bank account but we live in a HMO - this means we don't have utilities, council tax or any bills with joint names. This gives us really limited evidence on the section for shared finances which is why we signed up to a joint bank account.

But yes I think I will send it tomorrow morning regardless on whether we can get a letter from the bank in time. Thank you for your help!

You can submit as many documents as you have from a number of sources which are addressed to each of you individually at the same address.

You need proof of cohabitation, not necessarily 'shared finances'.

CR001 wrote:You can submit as many documents as you have from a number of sources which are addressed to each of you individually at the same address.

You need proof of cohabitation, not necessarily 'shared finances'.

...and as this is an Unmarried Partner application, evidence of a relationship 'akin to marriage'

Yep we got that part, we already have a folder with correspondence sent to us at the same address (at least 6 items each) and a joint tenancy agreement to show our cohabitation for the last 23 months at our current address and a signed letter from partner's parents showing we stayed with them for the first month.

My question on here was in regard to 6.33 on the application i.e. shared finances.

But I am hoping if I put that we recently applied for the joint bank account and have got the confirmation letter requesting identification, that will be okay...I know it's not as good as the letter from the bank confirming the account is actually set up though.

6.33 asks you to write what share finances you have. Not provide evidence. Many people don't have share finances, which is acceptable in todays world.

I guess. I just think it would be a very useful piece of evidence because under the guidance notes on how they define a genuine and subsisting relationship on 3.2 they do mention it as a possible reason for refusal

"There is a lack of appropriate contribution to the responsibilities of the
marriage, partnership or relationship, e.g. a lack of shared financial or other
domestic responsibilities. "

*edit - this is a better example, under what constitutes a genuine and subsisting relationship:

"The couple share financial responsibilities, e.g. a joint mortgage/tenancy
agreement, a joint bank account and/or joint savings, utility bills in both their
names."

We have the tenancy agreement but due to our living arrangements, we don't have any bills in joint names hence we wanted a joint bank account. That being said they said they look at the circumstances as a whole and I'm confident we have included everything else we're able to.

Your 'joint account' will be so new, it doesn't really prove anything 'historically' does it.

If you have sufficient cohabitation documents and your own individual banks statements, you should be fine.