Hi Guys and Gals, This is my first post, so go easy on me please! I'm an Aussie ex-pat living in Angeles City, Philippines with my Filipina wife and 4 kids; I have a British friend who I met over a few beers in a local tavern. Turns out this fellow struck up correspondence with a Filipina on one of the dating sites, and even though he is self employed, hence getting time away from work is difficult for him, he made the decision to come and meet his girl in Angeles City. Despite the fact that she worked in one of the less reputable bars as a waitress, love blossomed, and he left the Philippines to go back home several weeks later with a heavy heart. So much so, that he returned 6 months later to see her again.....now, their relationship has been ongoing for some 18 months or so. In an effort to be together, rather than he coming to the Philippines, he's realised it would be much better if she came to the UK, so he can continue working while the relationship matures, and of course, also to gauge if she can tolerate being away from family and friends etc etc. Problem is, while HE can meet all necessary criteria for said visa, she has no real employment, no assets, no pile of pera gathering dust in her bank account, assuming indeed that she even has a bank account.....how is she to "prove" that she fully intends to return to her home country before her visa expires?????? The situation seems bleak, but their affection for each other appears to be real, has anyone been in the same situation, is a fiance visa a better option? Any help would be greatly appreciated, and I thank you in advance for same. Brendan
G'day Brendan, It's a difficult situation. Getting a visa to see 'if the relationship matures' is rather tricky. The system is not geared up for that. And it's difficult proving that she would be willing to return! Does he have to pay her barfine every night to be with her? Actually semi-joking aside, it's possible to start a relationship there, but surely it takes a lot of trust on both sides. I would say: if they genuinely feel strongly about each other, and know each other pretty well, then just get married, be old fashioned and commit to building the relationship. If he doesn't have a strong idea how she'd be away from friends and family (which surely she already does living and working in Angeles), well, he just needs to get to know her personality more so he should continue his trips to Angeles. I wish the couple well and hope they can get together.
Frankly I think it will be next to impossible to visit. The main obstacle is that: for her to have a tourist visa, she will need to prove that she has a compelling reason to return to the Philippines. Such things might include one or more of the following: A documented job. Owning a business. Owning a house. Attending a college course. Having children enrolled in a school. I feel that its likely that an immigration officer, given the circumstances you describe, would conclude that she had no good reason to return and would reject such an application. The best way forward in my view is for them to either marry in the Philippines and he applies for a spouse visa in the UK, or for them to make arrangements to marry, to become engaged, and he applies for a 'marriage' visa (to come to the UK to marry).
G'day mate, I understand that getting the visa may well be difficult, almost entirely because she has nothing in the material sense that demands her return, nevertheless I would fully expect her to do so, she's a quiet unassuming lady, 33 years old, her "career" appears to be one she's entirely unsuitable for! You sound as if you're familiar with the City in question; does he "pay" for her company, your guess is as good as mine, I assume not! But, he's a single guy, no ex wife, no kids, has worked hard and saved hard and has amassed some wealth.....I guess he'd be cautious re getting married in haste as he has quite a lot to loose if it all goes South! I can't recall the finer details of her situation; she DOES have two kids, one 12 years old and the second a few years younger, I think they live together in Angeles, must check out the validity of that statement. Thank you for your comments and kind wishes. Brendan
shes got 2 kids--?? so--is there a husband loafing around waiting for her wages ? that will be all your friend needs.
when i was single, i was a regular to Angeles city and loved it but after a while i got bored barhopping every night, you only use to say barfine in bar but its really called EWR meaning early work release.
Hope not, don't think so, I'm sure I've heard the answer to that question but I wasn't really paying attention as I didn't expect this to happen, and certainly didn't expect to be asked to help in any way. BUT, most of us here know how totally frustrating it can be to be so far away from one's loved one, needing practical things accomplished and so on, so when he asked for my assistance I didn't feel I could refuse, not wanting to kick the poor fellow when he was down and all that sorta thing!
Hi Brendan, Based solely on the information you've shared here, then sadly the chances of her securing a visit visa are zero. It's impossible to prove an intention, but the UKVI caseworkers will make decision based entirely around their 'picture' of her circumstances and decide at their discretion the probability of her returning home. Just having material goods and some savings in the bank are not compelling reasons to return. It's about genuine compelling reasons that really 'anchor' her within Philippines. Her children could be an important factor. She doesn't absolutely need any steady job either. What I trying say is that the facts are whatever they are. No one here can magically come up with reasons to return home if there are none. Strong ties differ from country to country, city to city, individual to individual. Some of the most common and simplest examples of ties can be employment, a house, a family and a bank account. For some folks this isn't the case, but doesn't necessarily exclude them from securing a visit visa. Many successful applicants have relied heavily on aspects of their life that bind them to their your country such as unmarried children, social and family relationships and responsibilities. Also the strength of a good covering letter from the sponsor confirming the support they will be providing in terms of financial assistance and accommodation etc. Also good reasons for requested the visit at this time. The costs involved and the speed of decision making suggest that making an application is always worthwhile. Just my 2 centavos
Yeah, a successful outcome doesn't look likely, but considering the small fee to apply, guess he'll have to give it a try. Hmmm, anyone know if, by some amazing stroke of luck, she's successful, does she have to attend that seminar in Manila, sorry, completely forget what it's called, or is it only necessary if she is applying for a visa which is likely to result in resident status in the UK? Just trying to cover all the bases here!
If you're referring to the CFO seminar, then the answer is no. You don't need itwhen leaving the country on a visit visa.
So I've just been to yet another visa agency specialist in Angeles City, Philippines, as usual in an effort to justify their fee, they talked at great lenght about the interview at the British Embassy, and as usual I refuted this claim as nonsense, I am correct, a short stay visa application doesn't involve an embassy interview? Interestingly, although not entirely unexpectedly, this guy inferred that they could help by providing the applicant with some work related documentation for an extra charge, haha, more fun in the Philippines!
You're correct. The normal process, excluding Tier 4 student, does not involve any interview at The British Embassy at all. Of course they do have the right to request one if needed, but this would be very rare. In general if they have any need to talk to an applicant they will do so by telephone. Even this is unlikely.
