The background of the case is as follows:
In 2008 my sister in law, (husbands sister) was sponsored by us for a medical visit to UK since she needed to be seen for medical treatment. Her visa was refused on the basis of some documentary evidence which was missing. The consultant who was going to treat her in UK had not provided evidence of the cost of or the amount of time that her treatment would take. These were obviously parameters that were required but which the consultant did not add since they were unknown until he saw the patient. However the case wasnt continued as my sister in law remained in Pakistan for her treatment and no further action was taken by us.
This December 2011 my daughter is due to get married. So my husband sent a sponsorship for his sister to come for the marriage. In the application every detail of the marriage, accomodation, money, earnings etc were included from our side. From her side she included her bank statement, a letter from her doctor to say she was fit and well and recovered from her previous medical ordeal, a statement from her husband to say he doesnt mind her going for a visit (they have no children) and the application form and a list of all the relatives whom she will see in UK who are british, including a brother, nephews and nieces (some of whom she has never seen since birth) and an uncle aand cousins.
Today her application was refused based on 2 grounds.
1) She hasnt provided details of her husbands income although she wrote how much the family earns through agriculture and animal farming.
2) She has shown a personal bank statement over some years which shows 5 entries of deposits which she hasnt proved where the money came from. The money she has in UK pounds is about £2900.
Questions I need to ask are these.
1) She and her husband are farmers with a small holding which grows wheat and keeps animals for milk and meat. She declared an annual income approximately £3000 pounds of which their expenditure is around £2000 a year. In Pakistan farmers dont keep accounts nor do they have a monthly income. the money comes whenever anything is sold.
I wish to ask what proof can be given for this? Would an affidavit of a proffessional person from the village who confirms this be enough proof?
2) The deposits in her bank account have nothing to do with her husband or his income. That money comes from inheritance that her parents left her such as jewellery and livestock and land which she sold as well as monetary gifts from her brother. She owns inherited land in her own right from her parents some of which she has sold. What proof does she need to give? Can she provide a signed affidavit from herself explaining this money or a letter from the union council? The good thing which I can see is that this money is spare and accumulated over some years. Surely that suggests that she is not desperate for money.
Every aspect of the sponsor was accepted by the ECO that he (her brother) would provide every single penny of her expenses to come and go.
The Entry Clearance officer seems to think that she will not return after her visit to UK.
Could it be that although he hasnt mentioned the 2008 application he thinks that she still requires medical treatment? He hasnt actually specified this suspicion in his refusal though.
I really think that her brother (my husband) would find it cheaper to keep her in Pakistan rather than UK if he really had to support her. But the fact is she is happy and supported by the income she and her husband earns in Pakistan.
Please can someone help in telling us what would constitute the best evidence to convince the ECO that she has financial ties with Pakistan so maybe they will allow her to attend my daughter's wedding in time.
Thank you all in anticipation. (sorry about the long winded case
i just thought i would give full background)