No Recourse To Public Funds

Matt...

I am in a similar position to you, being self-employed and on Tax Credits. There is no way my fiancee could get a Visa if the income limits proposed are implemented. In my case, that would mean an income of £25,700/year. In your case (as you have two children) that would mean you would require an income of £49,000/year!

It is likely these income limits would be challenged if brought into effect but some compromise may be reached before or after such an event. My worry is that even with compromise, I would still fail to meet any new income requirements.

O.k i will assume i wont marry on the first visit
can someone tell me if there is another way to bring my woman to the u.k by any means at all
grrr cant believe i will arrive in the rain season told you i was thick.!!!

There will soon be an additional test before anyone can migrate from the Philippines to the UK! The UK Government will require anyone coming to the UK for more than six months to undertake a pre-entry TB screening test!

Methinks this probably has more to do with reducing immigration than with health concerns!

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/may/42-tb-test

the income required in Portugal is less than 5000 euros at least no questions were asked at that amount ,needed a police clearance but the medical that was origionaly required wasnt needed

She could get a Fiance Visa so you could marry in the UK, but the entry requirements are still the same, though it may be a little harder to convince the UKBA that you relationship is genuine.

The EEA Permit route has also been mentioned but that would almost certainly mean you would have to work in another EEA country with her (I don't think it matters how long for) and then return to the UK with your wife on the EEA Family permit. In that case the income requirements do not apply, nor does the English Language Test (I think). The EEA Family permit is also free, whereas the Spouse or Fiance Visas are over £800.

If you have or could get dual nationality (of another EEA country) for yourself, there is a slim chance that you could also exercise your rights and bring her into the country. Alternatively, if she has any British Ancestry or can get dual citizenship of any country who have a right to enter UK and settle here, that is another possibility.

If you want her to visit the UK prior to getting married she may even have difficulty getting a Visa for that purpose, if she has no work in the Philippines to return and has no dependents in the Philippines.

I have only visited the Philippines once m- that was Xmas, 2009. Not the rainy season then. And, remember, the rainy season equates to typhoons - we would call them hurricanes in the UK!

You dont have to work in europe to qualify but may need to satisfy the immigration you have suficent funds initialy to support oneself

If the person has only British nationality they do need to be living and working in an EEA country in order to qualify for a family permit in order to bring their spouse with them...

hey thanks for all your replies
i have my house here in uk and my boys are still at school so living else where is out of the question for me
if i was on my own no problem. i am seriously thinking now this is a lost cause and dare not tell my woman this news as i have chat for two and a half years and think this info would destroy her
allthough i am recieving tax credits , what if i have enough cash in the bank to support her would this not count surely there must be a way round this ?

Any new income limits are not in force yet. If the income limits do not change you may well have enough income; at the moment, you only need to have Income Support levels of income and if you are earning and on Tax Credits you are almost certainly above Income Support levels. If you also have cash at the bank, this also has to be taken into account.

You have one very big thing in your favour - your lady is obviously free to marry. Many of us have fiancées who are still married and getting an annulment in the Philippines is no easy task.

You certainly have a great chance of getting your lady into this country providing those income limits do not change, so I would not give up hope just yet.

Thank you again for the reply it leaves me with a little light at the end off the tunnel
i am going in august and i do intend to make sure we have the greatest memories
i was just hoping that if anything could be done while im there you my friends would help me
i will be sure to stay active on this site and one day i hope i can give you good news
its always good to aquire any info as to be honest i am clueless even the flight i have booked i change at bandarseribegawan with a 12 hour wait . still i will be wiser next time. once again thankyou its nice to share.
Matt

Thanks Kuya
i will make sure its the best time ever for both me and Grace
i do pray i can get this woman besides me
we dont have many chances in life and for me this is it. no matter what i will do all i can for our happiness

yes one step at a time Matt 3years six months ago I was on my way to the Phils for the first time and there was no way to predict the journey to this moment just enjoy and go with the flow

Hi! I had my Indefinite Leave to Remain last year end of July :cheer: and was told I am entitled for benefits. Was advised to apply for the child benefits and was granted.

Your husband could have claimed child benefits in his own name from the moment they arrived in UK.

You do not need to be the parent of the child and you may be able to get Child Benefit even if the child does not live with you. Only one person can receive Child Benefit for a child. Even stepchildren are included and can be claimed for.

Not quite right there Honey we did that from the beginning but since he was working outside UK and not in European territory neither as he is in Middle East so he had to pay it all back! :shock:
And even it goes in to our joint account as I am the one who took care of our children while he is away but I have no recourse to public funds I can't claim it neither! appealed and so on but the reality is we are screwed! And have to pay it back!
So from one pocket to another they give me child benefits but then I have to give it back to them as he owes them for 24 months!

In those circumstances quite right too.