Can You Meet the Financial Requirement for a Spousal Visa Using Investments?
Recently, the financial requirements for a spousal visa were significantly increased from £18,600 to £29,000. This substantial increase has made it more challenging for many migrants to extend their visas. Meeting the new requirements has become a daunting task for many. However, there is an alternative – using your savings. But what if your savings are invested, and you have an investment portfolio, while other sources of income do not meet the requirements?
Our Successful Case
Recently, we were approached by a client who was in the UK on a spousal visa. His visa was nearing its expiration date, and he urgently needed to travel to his home country. The situation was complicated by tight deadlines for preparing documents and difficulties in meeting the financial requirements.
The client could not meet the financial requirements in the usual way, but he had significant savings invested in an investment portfolio. The question was whether the financial requirements could be met without transferring the investments to a main bank account.
The Solution
Yes, it is possible. If the investments are fully at the client’s disposal, can be accessed at any moment, and have been in the account for at least six months before the application date, they can be used to meet the financial requirements. For this, you will need several additional documents, including an investment portfolio and a letter from the bank confirming that the funds are available at any moment.
Obtaining such documents can be challenging, as banks sometimes refuse to provide letters or do not include all the necessary information. In our case, we engaged in lengthy negotiations with the bank to obtain the required letter. After preparing the documents, we submitted the application through the Super Priority Service and received a decision within 4 hours – an exceptionally fast result.
Important Points
Before submitting the application, it is important to correctly compile the document package. At a minimum, in addition to the standard list of documents, you will need:
- A detailed report on your investment portfolio
- A letter from the bank confirming that the funds are available at any moment
- Documents proving that the investments have been in the account for at least six months before the application date
It is important to note that the list of documents will be unique for each applicant and to compile the correct documentation base for the application, we recommend seeking professional legal support.
Additional Aspects
When dealing with investments, it is important to consider several nuances. First, investments must be liquid, meaning they can be quickly converted to cash without significant loss of value. Second, make sure your bank is able to provide all the necessary information in the required format. Third, ensure that all documents comply with immigration law requirements.
Why Choose Sterling Law?
At Sterling Law, we understand how important it is for you to extend your visa on time and avoid issues with immigration authorities. Our team of experienced lawyers is ready to help you gather all the necessary documents and submit your application without delay.
We offer:
- A personalised approach to each client
- Full support at all stages of the process
- Experience working with banks and investment funds
- Consultations and assistance in preparing documents
- A high level of professionalism and efficiency
We understand how stressful the process of extending a visa can be, especially when you have no time to wait. That’s why we do everything possible to make the process as quick and comfortable for you as possible. Contact us, and we will do our best to ensure the visa extension process goes smoothly and successfully.
Sterling Law – your reliable partner in immigration law. We are always happy to help you with any questions and provide professional support at every stage of the process.
