Ah, we meet again, Mr Bond?!

Came back to this forum because I'm in the process of applying for a spousal visa. Seems quite daunting, lengthy and expensive but needs must etc.

We got a tourist visa for my wife to visit last time, just as the pandemic blew in ... oh what joy to the world! Seriously, that didn't help at all. Anyone been through the spousal visa process successfully?

My wife and I married in the Philippines and when she got her spousal visa later, we travelled to the UK.
She has a British passport now and we have two kids aged 11 and 9, both born in England.

It seems so long ago now that we were going through the process, but we remember how expensive it was and how frustrating it was to be apart.

It's the separation above everything that is depressing me.

Just try to keep busy whilst you are waiting for her, Timmy

It's a difficult time for all concerned and with the Philippines still on the UK red list the wait will be even more difficult.

That sounds like a plan, Dom.

There are members here, like oss, who has not been able to see his children for two years because of the pandemic.
It is really hard not to be able to see your children and for them not to see their Daddy

Look on the bright side, Jim.
February is 15 weeks away.

Will you be able to go over soon, Timmy?
(When you have a visa!)

We are in the first stages of getting the spousal visa, which will take planning, gathering info and hard cash. I'm waiting to speak to a CAB immigration lawyer for some impartial advice about how to apply and process the spousal visa with as less stress as possible.

Notice that the Philippines will be off the red list too very soon?!

We are both Christians too, not religious weirdos, just people who follow Jesus, and we pray regularly for God to make a way for us to be together and enjoy our marriage.

As an aside, you'd think that being married to a British citizen would help somewhat in this process, but it's not the case sadly.

Used to be a quick and easy process, nowadays there are hurdles though not insurmountable, good luck

I'm not wealthy in any way, but if I can help you financially, I will try to help.

You have a true Christian heart

A lot of our wives acquired spouse visas without consulting immigration lawyers.

It has been many years since my wife received a spousal visa stamp in her passport but there was so much information on this forum at the time she got hers.
Your wife could probably get hers without even more expense unless there are issues you and her have that are more complicated than most.

Sadly, many of us have not followed all the changes - many have children to look after and it takes a lot of energy to keep up with red tape these days.

I wish you all the success and good luck to achieve your goals.
Your wife will be in the UK one day and that is something that is worth "fighting for"

@UKDJ is probably the guy to help here on this forum, he is retired police force due to ill health and brought his girlfriend over on a fiancee visa and now happily married and she is on her FLR(m) have a chat with him I am sure he can give you all the right pointers

Check that out and your timing very thoroughly if you can b4 u get here and find you're being taken off to some snake infested old school etc. like the one near us here They normally let the foreigners stay in a "nice" hotel if they're willing to pay the bill but if you happen to travel when it's busy... you could find yourself in the poo poo!