A principal applicant received a case-officer query: most of the proof-of-funds money sat in the spouse's sole-name account, and the officer refused to accept the spouse's
personal no-objection/authorization letter as proof the applicant could use the funds.
Why, and what to do — as members explained:
- A personal declaration isn't binding on the bank. The key insight: even with the spouse's signed letter, the bank retains the right to deny the applicant access to an account they aren't a holder of. That's exactly why the officer wants certification from the institution, not the individual.
- Solution A — bank-issued certificate. Visit the bank together with your spouse and ask them to issue a letter/certificate confirming the applicant's access to the funds, as the officer requested. Banks handle these requests; explain the immigration context and they'll advise the workable format.
- Solution B — make it a joint account. If the bank won't certify access for a non-holder (the applicant's fear), the clean fix raised repeatedly: add the applicant as a joint holder, then have the bank issue a letter stating both holders have access to the funds.
- Note the spouse was on the application — and the officer still required institutional proof. Don't assume a dependent spouse's funds are automatically credited to the principal applicant without bank-level documentation.
Practical takeaway: structure proof of funds so the
bank can vouch for your access — joint accounts from the start avoid this query entirely.