Advice on re-locating partner from PH to UK

I think I submitted 'just enough' evidences, not too much that would make the ECO cringe (when you see lots of paperwork) and included an explanation sheet for the sections that would arise a question from their side.

Just wondering what the process is after 33 months when the visa has expired?

She has to apply for an extension for another 2.5years. After 5 years, apply for ILR (indefinite leave to remain) then citizenship.

Thanks for the info. How much does the extension cost? And is there a specific term for the extension of the fiancée visa so I can look it up?

Then you apply for a further 2-year Visa (not sure what this is called?). So -

6-month Fiance(e) Visa
2.5 Year Further Leave to Remain (FLR(M)) Visa
2 Year ? Visa = 5 years total.

Then I believe you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)???

It’s called FLR(M) - Further Leave to Remain and will cost around £1000

This year, there was an increase. It became £1033 from £900+. So prepare yourself that yearly it will increase. And then you have to pay for the IHS £500 (prepare yourself too for any increase in the future). It's called Further Leave to Remain (Marriage) - FLR (M)

Fiance visa is not included in the 5year computation. It will be only 2 FLR (M)s. Both 2.5years.

Thanks. But I am confused about the 6-month fiancée visa you’ve mentioned.

I was told on the thread after we marry in the Philippines then she will apply for fiancé visa? I thought this lasted 33 months?

I’d like some clarification of the time frame of this in relation to the 5 years needed for the FLR(M) please

Thanks @menchu_edge - this is so confusing, but maybe some of what I thought I knew - from a friend who has 'been there, done that and got the t-shirt' - has been superceded? Just one question, 33 months is 2 years, 9 months so how do you get to 5 years? Or maybe it is just 2 x 30 months (2 x 2.5 years)?

Yeah, sorry if I confused you! If you are marrying abroad then it is a Spouse Visa you apply for - not a Fiance(e) Visa. @menchu_edge has corrected my (wrong) understanding of timescales, above.

If your partner came here using fiance visa, the 6 months is not included in the computation. Only the 2 FLR (M)s. 2 x 2.5 years = 5 years.

If your partner came here using spouse visa, it is 33 first and she has to apply for extension which is 2.5 years (30 months). She doesnt have to wait for the expiry of the extension. She can apply for ILR after 60 months of residing here.

Ah okay thanks, no problem!

Is the spouse visa validity time included in the 5 years counting before FLR(M)?

It would be the spouse visa as we plan to marry in PHP.

Thanks for clearing that up!

If you marry in Phil, you have to apply for spouse visa to get her. If you will marry here, you have to apply for fiance visa instead. Spouse visa is 33months. Fiance visa is 6 months. After the wedding here in the UK, you can apply for FLR (M).

Can I ask which is the cheaper route? Spouse or Fiancée? Obviously ignoring the cost of weddings and flights.

Actually it's just the same. The amount we paid for the fiance visa (around £1500 ~ php105,000) can already be used as money for the wedding. But most of the time, wedding in Phil is more expensive. It will depend on how grand you want your wedding to be. We chose to apply for fiance visa and marry here because my hubby couldn't get a long holidays. And we wanted to be together already after long months of LDR. If you choose to marry in Phil, you have to get long leave (enough days) from work. The thing is, if you apply for spouse visa, she can look for work immediately when she gets here. For fiance, you have to marry first then switch the visa to spouse (apply for FLR) before she can lool for work.

Spouse marrying in RP as you miss out the Fiancee visa stage

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spouse visa is cheaper ( no--less extortionate ) overall, you only need one FLR.
with a fiancee visa--you need two FLRs--so its an extra £1000 odd.

by the way, if your partner gets a fiancee visa--comes over--gets wed, you dont need to wait till that 6 month fiance visa expires before you apply for the 1st FLR, you can go for it straight away, gets that all important BRP and your new spouse can then get a job. £££ kerching.

Quick update - I'm so happy to find that I do actually meet the threshold of wages!

Turns out my maths is not good, and that there are 52 weeks in a year.


Do you guys think I should make a new thread for any further questions I have? Or just post them here?

Thanks