Hi I'm new to the site. I'm from England and has a GF that's in Philippines. I have over to her a couples of times now. But would like her and her daughter to come visit here for a couple of weeks holiday, can anyone please help me with advice on what we need to do in the way of visa to make this happen. Thanks
Hi Luke and welcome to British Filipino. You will need to get her a tourist visa, and they're not so easy to get for a Filipino. Lot's of paperwork, but basically you just need to prove she will be in all likelihood be going back (school, own business, family - lots of reasons to return to the Philippines). With the Entry Clearance Officer satisfied with all this, they will issue a visa that allows up to six months in the UK - but that is 6 months from the date of the visa being issued! The form you need to fill out (or rather the visa applicant) is this one, but get to grips with everything you need to do in order to sponsor a visa. So my advice is to get almost everything ready (including flight money) before applying.
Luke, welcome, but I am bound to say that the chances of your girlfriend and her daughter being granted Visitors' Visa are zero to none. In her application, she would need to prove compelling reasons for her return to the Philippines at the end of her visit to the UK. By including her daughter in the application, she is negating her ability to comply with that requirement and therefore it won't be granted. Your girlfriend may be granted a Visa to visit you on her own but she will need to prove that: she has full-time employment paying a regular salary - her employer will need to provide letters to confirm her job, the salary she receives and that her position will be held open for her to resume upon her return; that she has sufficient funds in her own bank account to pay for all her travel and expenditure whilst abroad - including accommodation, food and any medical expenses she incurs; that she is a home owner; and that she has one or more dependants who rely on her presence. Your agreement to sponsor her financially may actually work against her as the Entry Clearance Officer who processes the application may take the view that your relationship - and financial support - may end at any time.
Thank you for the info. I have been worried that both of them coming would make it a lot harder. I will see how my girlfriend (Rhed) feels about just her coming but thats not fair on her daughter, Didn't think this would be an easy prosess but it is just a holiday.
Luke. There is a flip side to this particular kind of visa. That is that it is relatively cheap to apply for, so no real harm done if refused. I don't remember the exact figure but I recall it is something like £80, which is considerably cheaper than the spouse or fiancee visa.
Visa Fees.... http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/general-info/fees/#resultTableAnchor At the end of the day, its all about convincing the ECO that your gf is intent on returning to the Philippines. If you can do that then you have a chance of success.
Thank you for the replies. I don't want to risk being refused a visa for a holiday. In case it would affect an application for future fiancé visa efforts. Would like them both to be here if only too see how different life is and to make our future plans. This seems to be the best place to get real advice. Thanks
It is my understanding that aslong as the application is an honest one then a refusal doesnt count against anyones future applications.
Would anyone be able to tell me want would be needed for my girlfriend and her daughter to visit as the girls fathers name is on her birth certificate. He will give the permission for her to travel but not sure is there forms to fill in or is it just written consent that's needed.
I believe the onus is left to the applicant to make their application as strong as possible, if you see what I mean.
Your girlfriend will need to visit her nearest Bureau of Immigration Office to ascertain the exact requirements but I believe all that will be required is an Notarised Affidavit made by the child's father with his consent for his daughter to travel abroad accompanied by her mother.
