In UK or Philippines best to marry?

Hi I met my Filipina on the Internet in Aug 2014. I am 52, she is 38. I went to see her in the Philippines this month, for 10 days. We are now engaged. We want to live in the UK. What is the best way to bring her to the UK? A Tourist Visa sounds almost impossible to obtain. And a Fiancée Visa might be difficult, as we have known each other for a short time only, and have been in each other's company for only 10 days. The only approach I can see is to visit her 3 or 4 times in 2015, and then apply for a Fiancée Visa? Does anyone have any advice?

welcome to the site

my g/f got a tourist visa in july--2013--no prob--was over here nearly 6 months. the applicant needs to show convincing reason to return--such as kids--job--property etc. worth a try--its a low cost fee--and allows up to 6 months visit.

fiancee visa--just need to prove you have met--once. but keep evidence of ongoing devotion.

main thing is--as sponsor--do you meet the financial requirements ?

I think the only stipulation to marriage, be it here or in the Philippines is that you have met each other in person. There is no requirement on how many times that is. Obviously it adds to the legitimacy of the relationship if you see each other a few times I guess

Why not get to know her a bit better first?

Best idea is to chill out in the Philippines for a few months, live together, see whether you really are made for each other.

After all, a wife should be for life, not just for Christmas!

You have met her once which meets the requirement for a Fiancée visa if that is the path you wish to take. Nothing wrong with seeing her a few more times next year, more you know her better your chances of things working out for you when you bring her to the UK.

Good luck with your endeavour

Thank you everybody for your responses...A Tourist Visa is almost impossible for many folk, as 'proving' you are going to return to the Philippines is not easy. This leaves either marrying in the UK (Fiancée Visa) or Philippines (Spouse Visa)...My guess is to marry in the UK after convincing immigration that the relationship is for real, and complying with all requirements, e.g. financial etc. Relying on the minimum requirement of having met once on the Fiancée Visa application sounds risky...so 'Nothing wrong with seeing her a few more times next year, more you know her better your chances of things working out for you when you bring her to the UK.' sounds good to me!

Wise man Steve, only a fool meets a girl once then marries her, you wouldn't do that with a girl from the UK would you?

Sensible move.

Exactly right. You need to really know someone before marrying them, and I think that's even more true in a long distance relationship. It's normal to want to be with someone when you've just started with them, but marriage is a big thing to commit to.

Personally I made 7 trips to Philippines (including 2 with my kids) before she came here on a fiance visa.

if you do go fiancee visa route--and are successful in getting a visa--its for 6 months--in which time you get spliced--or call it quits--so--is 6 months long enough to decide ? i married my late wife after being together 6 months--and that marriage lasted 24 years--till death did us part.

I just got engaged on a first meeting and will marry in March. I reckon it is easier to prove a genuine relationship if you marry in the Philippines - just get her friends and even the church to post photos of the wedding on Facebook.

Hi Steve,
I thought it better to get married in the Philippines because the lady is with her family for her big day.

Hi Steve,
Agree with Aposhark. We married in my province 4 weeks ago so I can be with my family. It was the happiest day of my life and my new husband had a great time as he had been married before in UK so it was different for him. We are waiting our NSO endorsed copy of marriage certificate - they delayed to >4 weeks from 15 days for whatever reason - then our application for spouse visa is ready to go. If you want to live in UK together main things are finance and accommodation + evidence your marriage is a real one based on actual relationship. Check British Filipino website and Border Agency - read about these subjects very carefully to see if you are eligible.
Once I have my visa (hopeful to get as we meet all criteria) I can tell if what we have done for relationship is Ok - we meet march 2014, then in person 3 times since, on the 3rd time November 15 we married. We collect screenshots of emails, daily Facetime chat, call logs etc. + print out of say 50 photos together with family etc. to prove we are one.

Yes Lin Lin,
Lechon Baboy (Barbequed Pig, Steve - a must for special occasions in Phils) also mmmmmmmmmmm

For your spousal visa, include your husband's flight tickets and hotel bills also, Lin Lin
Give the eco these important things

Thanks aposhark for a tip I already have it in my files, to be submitted next week hopefully. Just waiting for the marriage certificate from NSO. We also include our flight tickets together going to and coming from my hometown.

Im gonna ask about the bank statement.
My husband's sent me his 20 Nov original bank statement because I thought am gonna have the certificate on 4th of Dec. You think it is still ok even if I submit on 18th or 19th? Or we need the Dec bank statement?

We waited for soooo long for the NSO marriage certificate - one month plus.
I was phoning my wife all the time complaining about the delay.

It was so long ago now that my wife submitted my bank statements.
Better if others reply to this.

It took 4 months before NSO released certificate for us, problem due to using local NSO office, it took a visit to Manila to get it processed....

Suspect its best to keep bank statement and pay slips as recent as possible.

Suspect its best to keep bank statement and pay slips as recent as possible.[/QUOTE]

Do you think scanned will be acceptable?

Any copies will need to be certified as true copies

Do you think scanned will be acceptable?[/QUOTE]

I wouldn't scan the bank statements if I was you, its an unnecessary risk you are taking, order some original copies from your bank to be sure if you don't have the originals to hand.

Hi again everybody. Just been for my second visit to the Philippines Am stilling planning to wed in the UK, but have a new question, related to this thread. Does anyone know if a Filipino married in the UK loses any of her rights as a Filipino in the Philippines? For example, buying property etc.