Fiancee visa - joint bank account question

[dwright84]

Hi,

Apologies if this is covered elsewhere, but I couldn't find the specific information when I searched.

We are submitting an application for my partner's fiancee visa and to support the "shared financial responsibility" requirements we planned to convert my current account to a joint account in both of our names, which would give us statements etc to submit as supporting documents. I called my bank to book an appointment at my branch today and they informed me they can't do this without proof of UK address for my fiancee. I can add her name to household bills which will give us that evidence, but that will take a little time and we plan to return to the US on Monday for the holidays during which time we intend to submit the application.

Is the joint account/statements an important piece of evidence to provide? We have a lot of documents, photographs, Skype records, engagement ring/receipt, many flight tickets, evidence of trips we have taken together, information from wedding venues etc that make it very obvious our relationship is genuine - but we don't want to miss anything.

Is the stance my bank are taking on this normal? I see lots of references online to joint accounts for a fiance(e) visa application. It's possible that all of these people have proof of UK address, but due to the nature of this visa it doesn't seem likely that it's the case 100% of the time, since you don't have a UK address until the visa is granted and you can move. If we can find a bank that allow us to open a joint account without the proof of address for both of us, would it be worth doing that? I guess not, since there would be little/no real activity on that account.

Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

[dwright84]

I also just read somewhere that the same criteria are listed for spouse and fiance visas and all may not be applicable to both. Is that correct? It would make sense that shared financial responsibility is more applicable to marriage than engagement.

[Casa]

A joint bank account for a fiance visa isn't necessary.

[Amber]

Please continue in your other thread