Hello there, Well I finally got married in the provinces in the Philippines and planted a few trees for good measure as is the custom. Loved my accommodation in a jungle type area for a month and got fit and healthier. Surely this is the place to stay-eventually! In the meantime my dear wife would like to join me in London. She has kids -but bringing them over might be a bit too soon and the bright lights ain't all that anyway. Might be better off to stay put. (Opinions please). I know family is strong there. Been together 3 years on the 15th feb. we are soul mates. Now, I'm very laid back, so it's been 4 months since we got we'd and I just started a new job. I have seen the form to fill in. So once I pay the fee £1000 it all begins. Salary and house is covered. So, when can I expect for her to join me realistically. My guess is a 6 month process am I wr0ng. Appreciated and any advice good or bad just go for it. One question extra. Does the western world go to their heads when they get here lol just curious. Thanks jimmy
Hi Jimmy, Welcome here. Congratulations on your marriage. I won't go into the visa application but would mention that IMO, the "western world" will be understood by your wife as Filipinos are very adaptable. Personally, I would never think about living in the Philippines as we have children and I want my kids to be educated in the UK and also have the benefits of the NHS. If you move there, you would have to get private medical insurance to protect you and your family. (Filipino families are a short step from bankruptcy when a serious illness strikes as it wipes out their savings very quickly.) In the meantime, there are folk on here who can advise you better on bringing kids to the UK.
Congratulations on your marriage Jimmy. It takes two or three months to obtain a Spouse visa once you have submitted the application, if you need any help with it then just post here and one of the good folk here will help you.
Hello Jimmy. Welcome to British Filipino. Congratulations on your wedding. Just post your queries here and a lady or chap will give you great advise. If you think you have met all the requirements, it's worth pointing out that you should create an account in https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/ and complete the application process.
My experience is the western world does go to their heads, and they can change a lot. If I could turn back time, I would keep a tighter reign on finances (yours and hers - joint accounts aren't easy to get if she hasn't lived here for 3 years), be involved as much as you can in her life with her filipino friends that she meets here and just make sure you know what to expect from each other. I have just applied for a divorce today, sad story and I had spent a year living and working in the Philippines before I met her so its not as though I didn't know what I was letting myself in for. I hope everything works out for you
Does anyone agree with the above comments? Or is it purely down to the individual. I'll be honest, I have met both nice and not so nice here in the UK......some are money mad and some are totally devoted to their husbands no matter what.....sickness and health..............same the world over methinks.
His post started with "My experience" and that's exactly what it is. I think some are like that and some aren't. As he mentioned, keeping a tighter reign may have help, who knows. It's a gamble, sometimes we can see what's in front of our noses, sometimes we are blinded.
I obtained my Decree Absolute from my Filipina ex wife (of 13 years, plus seven before we married) last year. She is very settled in England.
back to the original subject - I am in a similar position to Jimmy. Jimmy she will need to pass the language test and then get the chest x ray before submitting the visa application.
Thank you. wow 20 years together - you done well. what are the major differences you found in that time between the cultures? - I keep hearing how LOYAL they can be - or is that old hat nowadays for everyone everywhere. I might just keep her there, and move the other way....safest option !
Well. I am not sure that anything is safe - but then life itself is very dangerous and 100% fatal! I don't know that I can draw any conclusions from my experience. I was much more naïve in those days. I will have a think and see if I can offer any advice.
Well, let's see: Old Model: that was 2007 This was 2009: I thought we were fine, then, was not aware of any "issues". I thought we were happily married with two nice children, a mortgage and a cat. One year later, the bottom fell out of my life.
Very sorry to hear about that mate.. These things happen I guess.. very sad non the less. Hope you have come through on the other side OK...I mean that most sincerely.
Ah mate - your not alone - i married an african princess who went the same way after 19 years...it happens. People change. My motto....enjoy it while it lasts - feel sorry for the kids though x thanks mate.
Well, this picture was taken a month ago. We were celebrating four years together and the dawning of the realisation, for both of us, that just possibly we were not just "on the rebound". But the financial impact has been devastating, and the damage to the children, also.
Jimmy - how many kids? In our case there is one six year old boy. I think the cost of visas for the kids may be a factor, but maybe an expert can correct me - luckily we have several here.
