UK SPOUSE (same sex) VISA APPLICATION in PH

HI EVERYONE,

I have posted a previous thread in this site and it was very helpful. It made us realize that it is better to get spouse visa than fiancé visa since I won't be able to get work immediately.

My husband went to Philippines for 27 days to complete the whole process to get married.
It is also a chance for him to meet my family and have an amazing vacation in wonderful islands in the Philippines.

We got married last April 26, 2016 and he flew back to UK a day after it.

Now, it is my turn to apply for a UK VISA to reunite with him again.

It is a bit confusing on where to start. And knowing that the fee isn't refundable made me nervous.

To begin with, I am a degree holder of Bachelor of Science in Mathematics major in Computer Science in a university here in the Philippines. I am not sure if this will exempt me from taking the English assessment exam.

However, if getting an exemption will take much time, then I would rather take the exam.

Also, do I need to submit the uk visa online application before taking the exam and medical test?

Or shall I complete the English assessment and TB Test first before submitting the uk visa application.

With regards to the other documents needed, I would need lots of assistance to accomplish them to make sure I will be able to pass the visa application.

Thank you very much for those who will help me on this.

Have a nice day.

I would imagine that you will be required to take the English language test since your degree is not an English language one. I suggest that you take it (and prepare all other docs) before you submit your application.

ChoiAndJohn is correct, you would need the english test results and tb test done before can submit the application and congrats on your wedding.

Hi @OrB, congratulations on getting married. For your English requirement question, you will have to prove your course was taught in the English language. Have a look at the following link if you decide to go for it. http://ecctis.co.uk/naric/

I went for the IELTS life skills exam- took only a week for the results. Good luck with the application

so--just to clarify--you got married in the philippines ?

That's what rang my bell too

Congratulations!

I recommend taking the IELTS English test - to judge by your written English here, you will pass very easily, so I suggest taking the "academic" test which should generate a pass level that will help your employment prospects here in Britain.

You need the English test results and the TB Test results before applying for the visa (which you do on line) and having your fingerprints and mug shot taken ("submitting your biometrics") and submitting ten tons of documents at VTS, Makati.

As a spouse you need to pay for your "IHS" (Immigration Health Surcharge) up front, and you will collect your Biometric Residence Permit soon after arrival.

It all seems worse than it really is.

I think you can get married at the British Embassy.

Thanks for your insights. So does it mean that I can actually make use of the IELTS Academic exam for my spouse application. I've read some discussions that it's better to take sa A1 since it is the required exam.

However, I really target to take the higher IELTS so I could use it for work application.

Hello,
Yes we got married at the British Embassy in Manila.

Initially, I was only planning to get a fiancé visa but upon checking out on different discussions, we found out that it is possible to get civil partnership in the embassy.
Then upon posting the notice of registration, we found out the we can decide whether to get civil partnership or same sex marriage.

Basically it's just the same but we picked the marriage.

It took us 27 days for the whole process. It's just easy to be honest. He only planned to be here for a few days to visit the beaches here but since we decided to get married, he was here for almost a month.

The struggle really begins with the visa application. Lol.

Hello,
Yes we got married at the British Embassy in Manila.

Initially, I was only planning to get a fiancé visa but upon checking out on different discussions, we found out that it is possible to get civil partnership in the embassy.
Then upon posting the notice of registration, we found out the we can decide whether to get civil partnership or same sex marriage.

Basically it's just the same but we picked the marriage.

It took us 27 days for the whole process. It's just easy to be honest. He only planned to be here for a few days to visit the beaches here but since we decided to get married, he was here for almost a month.

The struggle really begins with the visa application. Lol.

You only "need" AI to enter the UK as a spouse. But since its very clear to anyone who reads your posts that your English level is far above that, I'd suggest that you take the Academic exam and yes, since that is above "A!" you can use it for your Visa.

Best of luck!

I have just inquired to a visa processing agency and they will charge 40000 pesos for the assistance.

That is too much.
But doing it all by myself is a bit risky knowing that the visa fee is non refundable.

I read somewhere that even just the arrangement of documents, visa application can be denied.

Now I'm worried.

I think you can do it yourself - but most of the documents have to come from your husband - it is he who will have to provide the Evidence of Income and the evidence of having somewhere where you can both live. If we managed it I am sure that you two will.

As of now, I am scheduled for an English academic test this June. Then after that I can get the TB Exam.

And for the documents, my husband is helping me prepare the following:

Original birth certificate for both
Scanned copy of passport for UK spouse
Marriage Certificate (I have it)
Wedding Photos (I have it)
Proof of meetings (I have it; got some pictures when we first met in UK and our pictures last month when he went to Philippines)
Plane tickets/travel receipts (my boarding pass when I went to UK for work, his boarding pass when he went here and our boarding pass when we went for an island trip)
Passport stamps (my UK stamp and his PH stamp)
Meeting photos (I have it)
Accommodation receipts (my hotel booking when I went to UK, our apartment booking when he went here in PH and Island accomodation for vacation)
Proof of communication (Written letters, Facebook chats and calls, whatsapp logs, emails, text messages and Skype logs)
Council tax statement
Various utility bills for my UK spouse
Proof of residency for my UK spouse
House floor plan and dimensions
House photos
Sponsorship form su07
Letter from family (we both made a letter about our relationship and we also asked his friend to make one)
Letter of confirmation from employer
P60 (I have it)
Pay slips (6 bmonths most recent)
Bank statements (6 months most recent)
Divorce papers from previous marriage
Copy of land registry agreement
Council tax bill or receipt
My Arranged flight for target date
Passport sized photograph
Valid IDs

Did I miss anything?

Yea I've read a lot about the whole process already.
My husband is just worried that we might miss something.

No: I think you are good to go. Remember that you have to have the most recent pay slips and bank statements dated within 28 days of the online application.

Noted that. I asked my husband to only send me the documents once i have TB test.

so he can have the most recent pay slips

That all seems comprehensive enough. You don't actually need confirmed plane tickets for the date though. That's a bit risky but it's done now. You also don't need the SU07 sponsorship form - you are applying for a spouse visa. I don't understand why you can only get the TB test after your language test. Finally, all your bank statements and payslips will have to be dated no older than 28 days before the date you submit the online application. So I would imagine that you will need to update those once you have the TB and IELTS test.