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Discussion in 'Introduce Yourself' started by Mae_0001, Apr 30, 2018.

  1. Mae_0001
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    Mae_0001 New Member

    Hi everyone! I'm new here. My name is Mae and I am from the Philippines. 3 years ago, I met a wonderful British guy online and he's been my boyfriend for almost 2 years now. He has visited me several times which gave me the chance to get to know him better and fall in love with him even more.

    I haven't been to UK though, so he wants me to visit his country and experience the culture there so we decided to apply for a tourist visa last December after his latest visit here. A few weeks before I had to go to the visa center to submit the requirements and for the biometrics, I quit my job as a nurse in a private hospital here for almost 4 years. I admit that we didn't do extensive research at that time when we applied for the tourist visa. It was my first time applying for a visa abroad and I just tried to comply with the requirements asked for the visa application. We didn't have any idea back then how important my previous job was to prove that i will be coming back home before the visa expires. Therefore, my visa application got rejected.

    We are planning to apply again for a tourist visa but I still have no way on demonstrating ties to my country. I am still unemployed, though I will be starting on a new job next week, it might take at least a year before I can get a vacation leave on that new job. I don't own any properties, but my parents own a house and a few properties. My parents are both senior citizens, but my boyfriend is hesitant about using my parents' age as a reason for me to come back home for the tourist visa because he thinks that it might be brought up if ever we apply for a spouse visa in the future.

    I came across this forum when I was searching for UK tourist visa related things. The people here seem really knowledgeable when it comes to different UK visas. I hope I can get some advice from people here on how I can improve the chances of having my next tourist visa application approved.

    Thank you so much in advance!
    Last edited: May 1, 2018
  2. Drunken Max
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    Drunken Max Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Quitting your job was a a no no I am afraid. I am not sure how your parents age would affect your spouse visa.

    What you may find yourself doing is applying for a fiancee visa and coming over on that. You can then spend some time together and either finalise wedding plans or "run for the hills" when you see how wet and cold it is.
    • Agree Agree x 2
  3. Sanders
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    Sanders Banned

    Your parents age should not affect a spouse visa application.
    • Agree Agree x 1
  4. Mattecube
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    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    "cold and wet" is that the weather?
  5. Drunken Max
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    Drunken Max Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Until I get a dog
  6. Mae_0001
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    Mae_0001 New Member

    Sorry. What i mean by that is if I were to use my parents' age as a reason to come home since they are old and that I need to take care of them, and then I apply for a spouse visa a few months after, won't they think that I lied when I applied for a tourist visa?
  7. Mae_0001
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    Mae_0001 New Member

    Thank you for responding. Unfortunately, we didn't know that quitting my job before applying for a tourist visa was a big mistake. I resigned because the hospital I worked for won't allow me to be away for months, as my boyfriend and I were planning to have me stay for a few months.

    So a fiancee visa is our only hope then? Getting a lawyer won't help my case?
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2018
  8. Drunken Max
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    Drunken Max Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    The visa system is harsh but fair. People do get visitor visas without jobs but its not easy. Moreso if you say you are coming for a few months. Nothing ventured though, nothing gained. Having something like an interview you have to get back for and a letter to prove it might help.
  9. Mae_0001
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    Mae_0001 New Member

    Yes. We are looking at several options. I will to get a letter which states that there is a job waiting for me when I get back from a relative who owns a company, but that is not a sure thing. Also, my mum is looking into buying a property and have the property under my name. Would that help?
  10. John Surrey
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    John Surrey Well-Known Member

    Yes having the property in your name will help you.
  11. aposhark
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    aposhark Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    Tourist visas are often refused, Mae0001.
    Perhaps a fiancée visa or settlement visa (starts after marriage) is the better way to go.
    My wife and I got married in Cebu province and she started the settlement visa straight away and I returned to the UK to get the documents that I needed.
    Best of luck.
    • Like Like x 2
  12. Mae_0001
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    Mae_0001 New Member

    Thank youfor the advice. I know my chances are really slim. We just want to apply for a tourist visa first to see how things will before gettong married.
    • Like Like x 1
  13. menchu_edge
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    menchu_edge Active Member

    Without a job or business of your own (self-generating income), 99% of tourist visa is refused.
    • Agree Agree x 1
  14. aposhark
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    aposhark Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    Hi again.
    Look at it from the ECO's viewpoint.
    He/she don't want someone they don't know from trying to get to the UK then disappearing and doing illegal work.
    I am not saying you are a dishonest person but they don't know you personally to vouch for your good character.
    If they think you could "do a runner" in the UK, there is a very good chance they will refuse you again.
    Think about doing something more positive - if they see you paying a lot for a fiancée visa or getting married in the Philippines and starting the spousal settlement visa, they will take you more seriously.
    If I were you, I would go back to work in the Philippines then think about the more secure visa application.
    Last edited: May 3, 2018
  15. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    if you do decide to apply for a fiancee visa...you dont need a job--any money or a property--its all down to your UK partner to sponsor you. if your successful--you can then come to the UK for 6 months..and either get married during that time--or if you think its not the right time--simply go back home before the visa expires.

    the downside is the cost--£1523 ( paid in dollars) you do not pay the IHS surcharge.
  16. Drunken Max
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    Drunken Max Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    How much?

    Its £93 ( plus of course other "extras") isnt it? I think you mean the LTR visa by which time they will be in love, ... sorry married.
  17. aposhark
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    aposhark Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    I think bigmac is correct.

    LTR is "Leave To Remain" and ILR is "Indefinite Leave To Remain" and these are not visas which will allow someone to enter into the UK.
    Fiancée visas allow someone to arrive here to join their settled partner and then get married within the time period of six months.

    A spousal settlement visa is started after marriage has taken place.
    Last edited: May 3, 2018
  18. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member


    the fiancee visa is the start of the settlement process. it is for a six month stay--in which to marry--or leave. it costs £1523--same fee as a spouse visa. ( plus IHS surcharge )
    but the spouse visa is for a 30 month period.

    with the fiancee visa--the applicant then applies for Further Leave to Remain within the 6 month initial period--or as soon as they are married if they want to.
    FLR costs £1033--plus the IHS fee.

    a general visit visa is indeed £93--and is also valid for up to 6 months..BUT marriage is not permitted on that type of visa.....

    ....unless its a marriage visit visa ! but that isnt a settlement visa.
    • Agree Agree x 1
  19. Mae_0001
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    Mae_0001 New Member

    Thank you everyone for the advice you have given me. They are all very insightful. And I really appreciate all the help you are giving me with regards to finding an option on how I can visit my boyfriend other than a tourist visa.

    I am currently waiting to start my new job as a company nurse. But then, I will only be allowed to go on leave for 15 days.

    I already told my boyfriend about the fiancee visa. The problem is that, as of now, he can't meet the required 6-month income as he quit his previous job in Asia to be closer to his family and is earning less as a consequence.

    I understand how my current situation greatly affected the ECOs decision, and I know that they are just doing their job.
    I just wanted to know if we have other options aside from the ones we thought of. We want to get a tourist visa for me, which seems impossible for now, a fiancee visa as well. Our last resort is for me to get a working visa as a nurse in the UK.

    Really, thank you everyone for responding to my post. You have a great community as everyone seem to be really nice and very helpful. :)
    Last edited: May 3, 2018
  20. aposhark
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    aposhark Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

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