Living in UK since August 2016

Hello everyone. Maria here from Dubai (Originally from Philippines) and decided to live permanently in Winchester with my Brit husband. He was diagnosed with stage 3 bladder cancer on February and had his operation in London on April (removal of bladder, lympnodes and prostate). Before we planned of moving here, I took IELTS (English Language Test and got B2 level result) and applied for a spouse visa. However, because it will take 8 weeks of waiting, my husband asked Hampshire council if I can come here on visit visa (7 days approval in Dubai) and change it whilst in the UK. They said yes it's possible. So I came here on a family tourist visa for 6 months. On September we phoned the immigration office and inquire the possibility of getting a new visa. Unfortunately, immigration office told us that I can't change a visit visa into a spouse visa, therefore I have to apply in my home country.
My husband is currently has ureteral catheter and suprapubic catheter attached since August 5 when he had a burst on his kidneys that nearly took his life if not taken to hospital on time. After two months of waiting, finally got hold of an appointment in the hospital in Winchester for his ct scan and hopefully removal of catheters. We are also waiting for his chemotherapy that should start in July or August had he not suffer a burst in his kidneys. There is a huge chance that the cancer has spread throughout his body just before the bladder was removed. And he has also chances of getting infections because of this.
I just wish I will not leave him for his chemo (13x) to change my visa on February but I guess there's no way I can stay here. Aside from this, his elderly disabled mother also needs care and support. She had total right hip replacement last May and now complaining of left hip pain.
Anyways, thank you for accepting me in this group. Good to know that there's always someone ready to listen and exchange thoughts and ideas.

Maria

Welcome to the forum Maria, I am sorry to here your husband is poorly.

If I was in your position I would contact the UKVI and ask them for an extension to your visa as you have a exceptional reason for wanting to remain in the UK with your husband. I would like to think that they will be sympathetic and understanding in your case. I understand fully why the UKVI cannot change your visit visa into a spouse visa but you should be allowed more time here.

A member of the parliament in Hampshire is very kind enough to help us. He forwarded our queries to the immigration office and the reply is the same. I have to apply in my home country. If I had known, I can stay in Dubai for one more month to process this spouse visa.

The UKVI obviously has no heart, I'm a little surprised that your husbands MP could not do more.

I think that's the law

I understand that it is the law but there are always deserved cases like yours where exceptions should be made by the UKVI.

If I was sick I would want my wife with me all the time, remember, this is stressing you and your husband, the last thing you need when you are sick is to be stressed.

And the processing time for the spouse visa is up to 8 weeks. Meaning, I have to wait in the Philippines, sit and hope nothing will happen with my husband in UK and so to his mum.

If you pay for the priority service the visa only takes 10 days, bear that in mind.

Not first time online application. I think that's only possible after 2.5 years of staying in the uk and extending for another 2.5 years settlement.

Welcome to the forum Maria. I am so saddened by your story. Makes me so angry that my government can be so heartless in such a deserving case as yours and at the same time open its doors to thousands of immigrants, so many of whom are clearly not deserving. I really hope that you can find a solution to your problems and that all works out well with your husbands treatment.

maria--you certainly can apply for priority service for your spouse visa--decision usually within 10 days--costs an extra £500. but just make sure your application is 100 % correct.

No there is now a 10 day service, the new service was brought in a few months back in the Philippines, see the Visa4UK website below for details;

http://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/philippines/user_pay_services.html

We just got married last year in Dubai and Philippines. And on our first anniversary this year we were in NHS hospital in London. After his bladder operation on 9th April, 12 days in hospital. Went home in Winchester for recovery but after two days he vomits a lot of black blood and rushed him back to hospital, another two weeks of nonstop needle pricking, cannula, even had blood transfusion because he has lost a lot and God knows I cried secretly seeing him in pain. I have a very good job in Dubai but gave up everything because he said treatment in UK is much better. We are still waiting for chemotherapy schedule. If that happens and my visa expires, I have to leave UK. Most reaction to chemo is unbearable. How could I possibly sit in the Philippines thinking how is he doing?

Oh, let me check that out before I submit my application online. Thanks for the info.

I think there's no way except to leave and apply in my country. Sit there for 8 weeks and hope nothing happens with my husband in the UK. And in case chemotherapy is scheduled and I'm not here, how is he gonna support himself with his elderly disabled mother? Effect of chemo is unbearable and painful.

As I mentioned earlier, if you pay extra for the priority service in the Philippines you will receive the visa decision within 10 days.

Remember you will need up to date financial documents from your husband before you apply.

on a purely practical level---are you fully aware of the sponsorship financial requirements---and how to achieve it ?

Yes. I include the VAF 4A financial requirement form. Is there any other forms I should take with me for submission? i.e. support form? We are currently living in his mother's house. Does she need to fill a form too? I am not sure if VAF form is enough.

This is sorrowful.
I can feel the pain as my brother suffered from Leukemia 17 years ago..
Be strong as you carefully work on the papers you need so you can get the spousal visa the quickest way possible. The members of the forum will assist you in our own little ways.

Maybe you need to add a letter of support from your husband and his mother. With regards to the accommodation, I cannot supply a detail as my situation was different. Hopefully someone in the forum take their time to read this and suggest you something you need.