From the wilderness, a new member, Hi

Just joined and received an email suggesting I introduce myself; ok sounds like a good point to start off membership.

Len, Single male bumbling along through life and dealing with coronavirus like everyone else; joined a penpal site while in isolation and ‘met’ some interesting people around the world.

One in particular has developed into more than correspondence swapper, a Filipina currently working in Hong Kong as housekeeper for a Doctor couple.

We share numerous Emails a day and spend time (hours) on WhatsApp regularly, we openly converse like an established couple! Yes, scary stuff indeed!

So, my mind starts to think of progressing things and meeting up in the psychical world; except virus restrictions are hampering life a touch!

I started looking into cultural differences and even began a Tagalog course, all the while our “virtual” relationship has deepened with frank conversation of a life together.
Anyone else been on this route?

Anyway, here I am investigating the simple task of two individuals becoming a couple; geographically challenging but bureaucratic hurdles seemingly mountainous!

Semi retired, small private pension with state pension some distance away; own my home, no mortgage and just odd jobs to keep wolves from my door, some way short of the £18,600 minimum salary apparently required.

I have started freeing up assets and releasing capital; that means I’m flogging my motorcycle collection, to inflate savings that may help fulfil financial requirements regarding visa. A four letter word that could easily be added to the vernacular, judging by some posts.

I’m looking at family visa as starting point, though now I am able to read more posts on this forum, it may change?

The government site is a fountain of most wondrous convoluted information; for someone like me, who struggles filling in a lottery ticket, it is a nightmare.

My first task was to identify financial options, I have seen several variations and understandings on this issue; this is a link to a guide for official “decision makers”, https://assets.publishing.service.g...-financial-requirement-v2.0-gov-uk.pdf#page51

Probably needs to go into relevant forum topic? Sorry, just excited at finding something useful!

I will be delving in relevant posts on this forum and try to avoid asking the repeated questions already answered, many thanks for your patience and for being here.

Len

hello Len--welcome to the forum

as you have raised the subject of settlement visas and the financial requirements--i can say that you can use your pension income as part of the money involved--and make up the shortfall with savings.

currently--you require an income of 18,600 pounds a year---so lets say your pension is 8,600---a shortfall of 10,000.

the savings you require are 2.5 times this---so 25,000...
plus a threshold of 16,000
so total savings of 41,000 in this example.

you are not required to state your outgoings like mortgage / rent , utilities etc.

in my case--i was just on a state pension--so i sold my house--rented for a while--and showed my savings after 6 months to meet the requirement.
hope this helps.

thanks Bigmac, appreciate simplifying formula too!

now ive read through your first post again--i see you own your own home.--well--you can make it work for you. consider a late life or equity release mortgage to release capital to meet the financial requirement. you can always repay it later on.

yes, that’s a thought, see what my motorcycles raise and take it from there. Seems to be different ways to get job done, fiancé visa, family visa etc. I will be delving into forum posts, maybe there’s a fast track, covid free visa! Glad I found the forum. Thanks

thank you,

obviously some reading to do, no idea what EU route is but will start my education on here as you suggest.

first things first--the 2 of you have to meet in person !

Yes indeed bigmac, we have planned to meet but virus situation is preventing any travel; sadly I see no improvement in the near future, I think it’s going to get worse and now worry about her family and friends back home. Will use this time to get as well prepared as possible, I’m not the sharpest with officialdom!

Hi Len and a warm Welcome!

Just a note of caution, but I am sure you are aware of scammers.
I am not suggesting your new found friend is a scammer but they do exist out there.
I note you express concern for her, her family and friends, which is very thoughtful of you, however any request for money should be treated with extreme caution and thought before you send any if at all!
That said good luck moving a genuine relationship forward.

thanks Mattecube, yes I have come across financial horror stories; I actually tested the situation with an offer of financial help, had it thrown back in my face. Financially independent and owns hectares of fruit producing land! Smart hardworking woman, already sorted pension and savings for the future.
Just wish covid would disappear and life can progress.

thanks oss, I suspect I will be bumping around learning about forum and gathering information for awhile yet; hopefully find the correct route to get confused Englishman and Filipina together!

are you sure she has never been married before ?

I probed for that one, had many arranged suitors favoured by family, but she is strong willed and defied Father, turned them away; the church very dominant with sibling a priest, she is first of family to look outside of her religion to entertain someone like me. Perhaps that’s why we have got on so well, independent mavericks, both of us!
Bigmac, I am totally confident she is genuine and why I want to progress things; It’s the system that I have no understanding or faith in but I’ll munch on that bit by bit. With a little guidance from those that know!

well--from what you have told us so far--its straightforward for you. when you can...meet up. probably best for you to visit her first. Hong Kong awaits.

straightforward sounds very encouraging, thanks. Yes, just waiting for a path through covid restrictions to appear and I will be on the move!

i'm delighted to see member Junior Charlie got a result !

welcome to the forum Len. Yep as bigmac says meet up first and foremost, then take it from there, get lots of pics on different days & places.

Thanks Heathen, when we finally get to meet I will take advice and take zillions of photos; no, I won’t flood forum with them!