Due to my wife waiting a decision on her ILR, (apparently they have made a decision but haven’t told what what it is). We decided to invite her mother to the Uk on a visit visa from Pakistan.
1st Application was made in April 2024, but was refused - This was due to VFS in Pakistan not scanning evidence, even though we paid for the document scanning service.
I made a written complaint and we got a response back by the time we got a decision on the 2nd application.
2nd Application - We reapplied as quickly as possible and submitted the same documents we would have for the 1st application. This was refused.
Current situation: Our complaint has been reviewed and after sharing evidence of paying for the document scanning service, they have allowed us to share evidence, however we have 7 days to share our evidence.
I’m hoping we can use the reason for refusal as a way to learn and increase the chance of acceptance.
The documents provided in relation to her accommodation and me sponsoring her I believe are fine.
My mother in laws specific Evidence submitted:
- A Cover letter - giving a background of her situation, she 48 years old a widow, gets regular income from her children (my wife, her 2 sons, and rental income from 3 properties), has no employement
Her main reason to visit is to provide support to my wife, as she gave birth recently and meet her new grandchild.
A quote from her covering letter:
“I am also actively planning my second son’s wedding in 2025 after he returns from working in Saudi Arabia, further cementing my intent to return to Pakistan.
In accordance with the UK immigration rules for visitors (Appendix V), I affirm that:
I will leave the UK at the end of my visit (V 4.2.a);
I will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent visits (V 4.2.b);
My visit is for a permitted purpose under the Visitor route (V 4.2.c);
I will not undertake prohibited activities, including employment or accessing public funds (V 4.2.d and V 4.4.);
I have sufficient funds for my visit, which will be supported by my sons, daughter and son-in-law (V 4.2.e and V 4.3.).”
- Bank Statement Jan 2024 to May 2024 verified and stamped by bank manager
- Police Verification Certificate - to show how long she has been a resident at current property and there is no police records of her of any crimes.
- Social Certificates - My mother in law does not have any employment, so we included evidence of appointments letters to roles relating to her social and chartable work:
Joint Secretary for North Punjab within the International Human Rights Movement
President of the Women’s Wing in (x City) for the Pakistani Overseas Community
Executive member of the Patients Welfare Society at (xxx) Teaching Hospital in (x city)
- Rental Agreement documents x3 properties (stamped and verified by a solicitor)
- Property Valuation Report for the current property she lives in
- Pak ID card from the eldest her Son who’s permanent address matches that of her current address (but his country of stay currently says UAE - he hasnt updated this since Covid, as he was working in the UAE but hasn’t returned)
- Birth certificates of her two grandchilds (they are currently 19months and 3 months the father is the person mentioned above)
- A letter from the same son with a statement that he has sent her extra money to be used whilst in the Uk, mainly to buy gifts for his children.
The decision
As my mother-in-law host and participates in alot of charitable events, I was planning on sharing some pictures and document whats happening.I have refused your application for a visit visa because I am not satisfied that you meet the requirements of paragraph(s) V4.2 – V4.6 of Appendix V for the following reasons:
You have stated on your application form that you intend to travel to the UK for 5 months and 29 days for the purpose of visiting your daughter. I acknowledge the importance of family visits. However, having carefully considered all the information available to me, I am not satisfied that you meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules.
I note you have provided documents from your UK sponsor however in any visa application it is the personal circumstances of the applicant that are paramount to the decision.
You state you have an income of x,xxx,xxx PKR (£x,xxx) a year from your family. The total amount of credits into the account for the bank statement provided between 01/01/2024 to 20/05/2024 was x,xxx,xxx AED (£x,xxx) this is more than your annual income being deposited in less than 5 months. Therefore, I am not satisfied that you have provided an accurate representation of your financial and personal circumstances. (note: that the amount the are referring to is almost twice the amount I declared on her application i.e. once converted to UK pounds, is said 5,000 annual income and they are questioning why she has £9,000 in 5 month, i made calculation before having access to her bank statements)
Furthermore, the documents do not demonstrate levels of expenses that are consistent with what you have stated in your Visa Application Form. Instead, the documents demonstrate that your expenditure is greater than what you have declared. You state your monthly expenditure is xxx,xxx PKR (£xx) a month. In January 2024 a total of xx,xxxPKR (£xxx) left your account. I am therefore not satisfied that your circumstances are as stated, which undermines the credibility of the information provided in your application and leads me to doubt the intentions of your visit. (note: that the amount the are referring to is almost twice the amount I declared on her application i.e once converted to UK pounds, is said 50 monthly spend and they are questioning why she spent 100 in January)
In addition, I note that you intend to travel to the UK leaving behind no dependants. The documents you have submitted do not demonstrate you have any family remaining in your country of origin and it is not clear what family and social ties you retain in your country of origin and therefore consider you have very little in the way of ties to provide you with enough incentive to leave the UK on completion of your proposed visit. Therefore, I am not satisfied that you have substantial family ties outside of the UK to ensure you will leave at the end of your proposed visit. I am therefore not satisfied that you are genuinely seeking entry as a visitor or will to leave the UK after a limited period.
have considered the documents and information submitted in your application; and on the balance of probabilities, I am not satisfied that you have accurately presented your circumstances or intentions in wishing to enter the United Kingdom. This undermines the credibility of your application to the extent that I am not satisfied that you are genuinely seeking entry as a visitor or intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit or that your visit can be sponsored as stated. Your application has been refused under paragraph V 4.2 (a) (c) of the Immigration Rules.
In assessing your entry clearance application, I have considered all of the documents and information provided against the requirements of Appendix V, and have also taken into account the published Visit guidance. The guidance indicates a number of factors which can help assess if an applicant is a genuine visitor, including but not limited to the following:
• their financial circumstances as well as their family, social and economic background
• their personal and economic ties to their country of residence
The concerns noted in the paragraphs above mean that I am not satisfied that you have accurately declared your personal and financial circumstances, which in turn means I am not satisfied on the balance of probabilities that you are a genuine visitor. While I note the information you have provided regarding your previous travel history, I am not satisfied that these other factors outweigh the concerns noted above. Therefore, I am not satisfied that you are genuinely seeking entry as a visitor and that you will leave the UK at the end of your visit. Your application is therefore refused under paragraphs V4.2 (a) and (c) of the Immigration Rules.
As she planning a wedding her other son in 2025, I've asked her to consider speaking to the other family and book a venue, so we can share the details.
Appologies if this is alot, but any help would be appreciated.
Have others found it this difficult?
