i have a question i cannot add my fiancee to my bank a/c if i was to add her when i know her better which we be while im over there can i walk in a barclays bank in phil with her and add her as joint a/c there or does it have to be uk i thought this will help get her a visa ?
Probably won't make a blind bit of difference regards a visa, more to the point are there any Barclay's branches in the Phils? HSBC definitely but Barclay's? I just checked and all that they have over there is an investment banking office, nothing related to retail banking.
Hi, and welcome to the forum Christopher. I am sure it is right what others have experienced but my own experience has been a little different. My fiancee has never asked me for money to support her or her family. In fact, she actually feels shame that I send her money. A few months back her rented house burned down but she did not tell me for two weeks because she did not want to worry me or be a financial burden. I am pretty sure you will not be able to get your fiancee on any UK bank account until she is actually living in the UK. Not sure what right you have to open an account in the Philippines - others on the forum will know much better than me. If you have a sizable income, you could try an offshore account (eg Isle of Man) and still have an account that is part of the UK banking system.
This sounds scary to me, Christopher. Thinking about joint bank accounts without meeting her yet Slow your horses down, you could be setting yourself up for a big fall.
oss makes a valid point in that it will have no impact or advantage at all in any settlement visa application. Also, banking in the Philippines is rather troublesome. At this point in time I can only suggest you spend some time doing research (I say this as only you know all your circumstances, you certainly don't want them displayed here in a public forum) It's quite possible for you to open most types of bank account in Philippines if you apply personally and especially if you have a personal introduction to the Manager. Anyone below the Manager will certainly not have the authority. The branch manager has much more 'power' than they do here in UK. Have you considered one of those cards that you can add money on to electronically and can be used at various ATM's and outlets etc? Might be worth considering. I recall that there is a thread here in the forum somewhere.
Christopher, I have been reading the posts in this thread. No offence intended, but you seem to be hinting at all sorts of questions/issues and I find it hard to clearly understand your objectives and the strategy you see to achieve. I feel you need to break down your plan into manageable 'bites' and issues to overcome before moving on to the next challenge. There's a huge difference between popping over to the Philippines for a holiday and the kind of longer term view you describe. I hope you will accept comments in the same spirit as it's given, that of set a clear path, prepare best outcomes for each major challenge and implementation of caution. The devil really is in the detail.
Just about impossible without an ACR card (Alien Card) I gave up even trying years ago, but as Micawber says if you know someone who knows a Bank manager they you might have a chance to open an account over there.
I'm sure I mentioned this before, but I managed to open an account at HSBC in Makati, it was only a basic savings account with ATM access. The requirements for opening an account were quite simple - all they wanted was an address and landline number in the Philippines, and your UK address to send all statements, etc. If you have existing HSBC Group account, they tend to make things easier for you.
I tried to open one at a local bank but never succeeded because no one at the level I was able to talk to had any authority. Useful to know about HSBC although I don't have a UK HSBC account.
Christopher Apo also hits the nail on the head ,your statements and intentions so far with out having met her are much to fast and as someone once said "its a long way to go for a date" without having experienced tyhe realities of life in the Fils its hard to understand the potential for "disapointment" but that of course is your choice to do your homework ,and joining here is a positive step in that direction I have many friends married happily to filipinas but most had to learn how it all works and most had "issues" to deal with understanding the pressures of daily life there is vital unless your very rich and can afford to pay to learn.
