Hi Everyone, I made a thread about this a while ago I think, but I can't work out how to find my old threads on this forum. Anyway, I'm still confused about the likelihood of a Filipina getting a visa to come to either England, or somewhere else in Europe. Is there a simple and general rule for a 24 year old Filipina with a low income job getting to Europe for a holiday? I want to ask Beth if she want to try and come here to England or maybe Spain some time over the summer months for a week or two. She seems to think, from our previous conversations that she wouldn't get a visa. I understand it's not as simple as me going there, but really, is it not even worth trying? Thanks for any help.
If she has a low-income job, little in the way of savings, an absence of a credit card, lives with parents and has no dependants then her chances are remote at best.
Is there any way of increasing her chances? I think she has a bank account, she rents a house for her and her family and has a passport that can be used to go overseas.
Savings in that account, any other evidence of reason to return to the Philippines, the simple fact is that they do not trust anyone from the Philippines, I only ever managed to get my partner here for visits because she had an alternative first world citizenship that was trusted by our government. I have friends whose wives and partners have been granted tourist visa's to the UK however they are from families that own highly profitable farms in Luzon and who also have well paying jobs in the Phils, I'm afraid it is a class ridden system, where the assessment of 'class' is being made by our UK authorities
So frustrating, can't imagine how it feels to be restricted to one country because of a distrust by people who don't even know you. Would they query where the money came from? I can put money in her bank (well, saying that she doesn't want my money, she's to proud, but might let me if it's for a different purpose).
She doesn't even want to live anywhere but Phil with her family. It would just be nice to be able to offer some experiences that she might not otherwise get.
If her bank account historically shows a healthy balance, that would help but I am told by Filipinos who've applied for Visit Visas for both the UK and US that the definition of "healthy" means "balances of Php100,000 or more" and that large, recent deposits are ignored. If your girlfriend's Passport shows a clean history of visits abroad and has left the overseas countries on or before the due dates (ie has not over-stayed), then that would also help.
Again, similarly to another thread that is ongoing, this type of visa is relatively inexpensive and makes it worth a shot. At £80 give it a go. And a refusal doesnt count against any future application as long as it is genuine in its content.
Would I be stupid to ring What sort of things do they look at? How far into her person accounts do they pry?
They can only look into the information you send to them. The Philippine bank won't divulge anything to the UKBA so they rely on the bank statements. How long did you plan on bringing your mahal over to the UK?
How do you mean "ring"? They go on the content of the application. So the material and evidence in the application has to be convincing. Here's the link to the UKBA : http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/general-info/fees/#resultTableAnchor
Thanks mate. I mean ring the above people I guess. I didn't know if it would seem suspicious for me to ask what the process was.
Does anyone know if there's any one-on-one interviews? Beth seems to think there are and I know that worries her as she's pretty nervous at that sort of thing.
There used to be for spouse visas, but they stopped them. My wife was terrified of the idea as she had heard there were. But they stopped a few years ago. I think that also applies to visitor visas too. Greenspin. When I first met my wife we had never "set foot" in a forum. What we did was pay VFS in Makati a visit. They were very helpful. I found that phoning the UKBA was verging on pointless, though to be fair they did respond to a specific question I had, that helped a lot but it was hard going. With VFS you can at least walk in the door and speak to them face to face. They are the people that handle the incoming applications on behalf of the UKBA (they don't process them though). Why not get your girlfriend to pay them a visit? The folk behind the desk are polite and informative. We paid them 2 visits in all. The one problem I had was I was refused entry the second time as I was wearing shorts so I had to go back the next day...LOL
Why not take her to Thailand instead? A lot easier, and both the climate and food will be more to her liking.
Philippine and UK passports do not need a visa for a stay in Thailand of up to 30 days (29 nights). If you do this, you should meet her in the Philippines first, and travel to Thailand together, she will have difficulty departing from the Philippines on her own, especially if it is her first time out of the country. Dress smartly when leaving the Philippines, and make sure that you have a copy of her return ticket and travel plans. Fairly straightforward, but if you only have "a week or two" it is easier to stay in the Philippines.
