Hello Brit-Fil community... I am posting my first thread. Just wondering if someone can shed some light in this visa refusal situation. I am settled and happy living with my partner and toddler in the UK for 7 years now. I have 2 minor daughters from my 1st marriage in the Philippines. Recently, we decided to apply for their family visit visa since it’s summer school holiday and this will be for 2 months.. We thought this is a great time to spend time as a family before we apy for their settlement visa. Unfortunately, 1st visa app was refused due to the fact that their biological father needs to sign a travel consent and also the eco officer is not satisfied with the genuine reason of their visit and I might keep them here in the UK - 1st my children has a life and family in the Philippines — We have business that enable them to live a good life. We will never put their future in jeopardy by keeping them illegally. So now we re-apply.. We managed to get a hold of my ex’s family and they sent me the documents I need (biological father abandoned my kids for more than 9 years) and I also went to the Philippines Embassy and got an authenticated affidavit saying that my kids will return in June and will start school in the Philippines. It cost me stress, money and time. I already booked their riund trip ticket (silly me) and also booked 2 return ticket for my self so I can get them and also return them home. Does anyone know or had experience the same dilemma? It’s been a waiting game for us and it’s causing me anxiety... Everything is well planned, my partner and I will take them on a holiday all over UK and we also book time off to work. Any comments and helo will be appreciated. Lyn
hi--welcome to the forum. having been refused a visit visa--very common ! --you now have the reasons for refusal--simply apply again--if you can overcome the refusal reasons. looking ahead--for the settlement visas when you get round to it. you need to explain why you havent done it already..and who has been looking after them. you need to prove you have sole responsibility for them--and that they have an overwhelming need to come and live with you. good luck with that ! i say this because we had a settlement visa application refused for my wifes son in february. child settlement visas are by no means as straight forward as spouse visas. earlier this year we had another member--his wife got her settlement visa approved--but her childs visa refused at the same time ! with what ive learned in our case--i really suggest you consider an immigration lawyer here in the UK handle your childrens settlement visa applications.
Hello Bigmac! Thank you for your response.. I reapplied the visit visa almost 2 weeks now and British Embassy called my mom and interviewed her. Our first application is fast, in a matter of 1 week we got the decision but it was declined. So I gathered all my strength and sent in the Philippines the documents they wanted to see - hopefully that’ll work. I booked the flights because I’ve seen good deals and now I am kicking myself thinking that I just wasted lumpsum amount... But I am feeling positive that the 2nd application will be successful. Not looking forward for the settlement application to be honest, I know it’s going to be a big battle especially I have 2 daughters. It will all comes to the threshold and savings as far as I know, I will definitely consult an immigration lawyer before applying for the settlement coz the visa itself will cost me £5000 so cannot afford to make any mistake. Thank you again.
Just tell them to walk up the beach in Dover , after having tossed their passports into the sea, then they will be taken in and cossetted by the British government for the rest of their days. Stupid country we live in.
This is what my husband’s agony/dilemma as well.. We’re a full time working couple and paying quite a lot for tax - we just want to be with our 2 minor children but yea.. This country let criminal in, let people abuse the benefits system etc. yet the more you earn (the more you work) the more you suffer lol
Application update: Day 16 (working day) - My mother received a call from the embassy telling her that the BIOMETRIC picture of my younger daughter was unclear so they requested a scanned copy of her passport size picture... I found it a bit strange because it’s them who took the picture in Makati VFS? They send an email to my eldest daughter with the email address where she can send the photo. I am going to the Philippines next week to get them but this visa matter is stressing me out. Does anyone here had this same scenario? The email address was manila deferrals.. Does it mean that this photo was about to put in the biometric permit (visa) I need to know if the application is successful- the waiting game is the worst part of this application. Any advice will be appreciated.
Hello Lyn, I received an email from Manila deferrals when they couldnt find one of my certificates in my application pack. I had to scan & resend my certificate to them. A few days later my visa came out. I believe its a good sign that they are reaching out to you. Good luck!
Hi Roseanne, Thank you for your response.. I really do hope this is a good sign, I’m going to the Philippines in the next 4 days and will stay there for 4 days and come back to the UK hoping with my 2 children. Can you remember how many days did it took them to send you the visa after you sent them the certificate?
2 days after I received an email saying my application has been decided. Then waited another 3 days for my passport to be delivered. Hope you enjoy your brief stay in the Philippines, its warm & sunny out there!
That sounds good. We got a txt message today saying: The decision on your UK visa application with reference number GWF has been made. If you opted for courier delivery at the time of submission, your passport will be delivered to your chosen address. Alternatively, you may collect your passport at the VAC from 14:00 – 16:00 Monday – Friday except on Embassy declared holidays. I really hope that the visa has been granted. The anticipation is just killing me
