Newbie looking for advice

Also she as just found out if the visa is not successful we get a refund, only the Airline will take a 10% cancellation fee.

We used an OISC approved advisor in the UK. They said they could not gaurantee a result. They also processed my wifes friends mothers visit visa.

Thats a good deal then.,

Do it. With it being part of a package deal, I see no reason why you wouldn't be successful.

We used an OISC advisor in the UK and they were useless. Result - no visa.

Then we used one that isn't OISC registered and they were excellent. Result - successful application.

OISC means nothing as far as I'm concerned.

Where we agree though is that a UK advisor is best? Certainly the consensus that I have seen agrees with that including Micawber.

What I would say is that our OISC advisor was fine and other people that we know that used them said the same. The trick is to find a good one.

Interesting to see how Gary gets on.

Hi guys, sorry for the long delay on this update. Unfortunately it was a scam, soon as I refused to send money over she vanished off the planet. Even the airline agency wouldn't return my emails. So thanks for all your help guys.

On a happier note I have met someone else now and have been speaking for a few months.I feel much more comfortable with this one, as I have spoken over Skype to her family and friends. I am going over in September. Wish me luck .

We always tell newbies never to send money to the Philippines, Gary.
Best of luck with your new lady.

Good luck with that Gary, at least now you proceed a wiser man, good to have a bit of experience under your belt

Best of luck Gary hope all goes well for you.

Thanks guys , flights are booked now. Don't know how I'm going handle 13 hours on a single flight. Most I have travelled is 2 hours.

Its called "drink" that will do the job

I think I can speak for most people here at BF when I say that the journey back from the Philippines is a lot longer than going, having left your loved one behind.

I can only imagine must be tough leaving them behind. She is applying for her visa to come over in April next year for a month.

Good luck with that Gary, you should have a better idea what you're up against now that you are a member here, if I had my time over again I'm sure I could have secured a visit visa for the UK.

Thanks Timmers, have you any advice on what currency I should take over, what I mean is cash or pre paid cards, I think I read that if I use my debit card over there I will get charged heavy every time I use it.....obvious credit cards is a must.

Take cash, £20 notes that are in good condition, change £100 at the airport on arrival then ask the loved one where to change the rest of your cash, they all know where to go to get the best deal. Using the debit card is to be avoided as you get charged, credit card is good to pay hotel and the like.

Might be a good idea to inform the bank when you are going, this way your cards will not be declined when you are there.

Gary
The flight yes I found the idea of 13 hours daunting so what I do is book a late friday night flight around about 22.00 and work during the day leading up to the flight so I am ready for a good sleep as per normal sleepy head patterns but this will depend on individual circumstances and what flight s you have booked As I live only a few hours from Heathrow it was finish work early afternoon, home, shower, suitcase picked up then at airport a couple of hours before flight, and yes the flight home appears much longer as you are leaving behind a loved one, a lovely land and a hopefully great time with lasting memories. I have used China Southern airlines a few times and find them great! What airline are you using?

In terms of money Timmers is absolutly right use your credit cards for hotels etc and let them know your going, day to day cash once I was there I used to transfer money on the internet through to my now wife in her name and we would collect it from any western union office which there are many on a when we needed it basis, sometimes it would sit there a day or two there is a charge for the service but these offices are normally guard protected so I always felt safer collecting it from them rather than a cash point,we never carried lots around with us and never pulled out huge amounts of money if we were paying an entrance fee say to a local attraction we would and still do prepare the cost before we arrive at the admission entrance. What money we did carry around we split between us and kept in different pockets.
Above all you will be in a wonderful land that is very diverse and will I am sure bring back some wonderful memories!
The good folk on here have been great in helping me along my way from when I first joined the site to now and I am sure beyond.
So a warm welcome from me good luck and enjoy

Hey Gary,
I remember my first visit to Phil, I too thought the total flight time of 16 hrs daunting. I tried to sleep but couldn't as I was so nervous to meet the girl that gives me so much happiness for the first time. First time I flew was with China Airlines via Taiwan the last couple of times with China Southern via Guangzhou, both airlines were great but I do prefer China Southern.

At the moment I'm saving my holidays so I can take at least 8 to 9 weeks at the start of next year, as we are hoping to get married. Hopefully next time if all goes to plan I won't be leaving again as I can't stand the pain of leaving her again. As for funds I took cash with me and had my cards as back up. Change it at a Western Union agents (same one all three times) got a better rate than the money chargers at the airport between 2 and 3 Pesos more to the Euro ( I live in Germany thats why Euros).

If she is meeting you at Manila airport, you will arrive at terminal 1, leave the airport building, cross the road and go down the ramps to the meeting area ( you will have to cross a second road at the end of the ramps), it is in alphabetical order so just look for the letter of your surname. Enjoy your time in Phil and believe me you will regret having to leave. Good luck and all the best.