Hi Everyone, Me (Filipina - 22) and my boyfriend (Polish – 25) need an advice for my plan to reapply UK Tourist Visa. He’s currently employed in London and I am planning to stay there for 2 weeks with him. Last Feb 10, I had my appointment at VFS Manila for my application and submitted the following requirements: birth certificate, passport, photocopy of valid IDs, 2 week itinerary, letter of invitation from my boyfriend claiming that he will sponsor my trip which was also signed by the flat caretaker confirming that he lives there and that I am allowed to stay there during my travel period. I’ve also provided my bank statement which has 1250.00 GBP during that time, his bank statement which has 500.00 GBP, my 6 month payslips together with his 3 months payslip, certificate of employment and other proof of identity. Feb 25, I received my documents back with the “Refusal to Entry Clearance.” During the online application, I noted 800.00 GBP as estimated cost of trip and later claimed that my sponsor will be paying 1000.00 GBP. On the paper I received, whoever made the decision stated that: “I note that you state that you will personally spend 800.00 GBP on this proposed trip and that the cost of this trip is therefore more than twice of your stated monthly income. However, you nonetheless propose to spend it all on a 13 day trip only. Furthermore, I note that you state that your sponsor will pay 1000.00 towards the cost of your trip however I note that this is more than half his documented savings.” On 3rd week of March, it’ll be our first time to meet as he’ll be coming over for a 23-day vacation. On the letter, it was also mentioned that the documents I have submitted do not demonstrate that I have a genuine relationship with my sponsor or that we ever met in person. Overall, my application was declined because it does not meet the financial needs which looks like I will be overstaying in London and that my relationship with him is not real. Now, there are some changes because I lost my job a week before I received the decision which means I can no longer provide a 6-month payslip to prove that I have to return here for my job. Though, I have a new job now, but it may look suspicious that I lost my job after I applied for a tourist visa and got a new one after it was refused. Now, we’d like to know what documents we need to provide to prove our financial capabilities and to prove our relationship. I’m planning to reapply the visa when he’s here so we can add pictures together. I’d also like to know how much does a sponsor needs to have on his bank account to qualify, what do we need to provide to prove our relationship and that I’ll go back to Philippines at the end of my trip. All your responses will be much appreciated. Thanks!
I think the best solution is for him to meet you in ph or you both meet halfway somewhere like singapore etc. why not tell him to come over to visit ph? It shows his 'good foot forward'. The letter from the visa officer clearly stated why your visa is refused and with you having a new job, would not improve your case.
Your relationship can't be real if you haven't met each other yet. I suggest meeting up first and then taking things from there.
It sounds to me as if you gave the UKVI the rope with which to hang yourself, basically you and your boyfriends finances did not add up. It should really be the man who makes the first move in a relationship, he should be coming to see you in the Philippines, its much safer that way too and I'm sure your family would feel better about it. Tell him to get over to the Philippines and see you there, remember, you have never met this chap before, you don't really know who he is, still a stranger and to be treated as such until you know him personally.
I cannot offer advice but sorry to hear your story. I guess it depends on whether you boyfriend has the vacation days available to come and visit you as well. I'm going to visit my GF in May and she may not be able to take every day off. If he does have the days though, he should go meet you. The costs once there would be reduced and its such a beautiful place. Good luck
Your lover should have made the effort on visiting you first. I can't blame the ECO arguing about having a genuine relationship. Don't reapply or you'll face yet another refusal. Even if you manage to cover the financial thing when you reapply I'm not sure if you can satisfy them with regards to your relationship.
Maybe the man thinks the Philippines is some sort of pretty girl lending library . It happens. Both the British and Phils governments are also wary of 'human trafficking' issues.
i cant help thinking the real reason behind the refusal is because the sponsor " boyfriend" is not settled here. if a visit visa is granted--whats to stop the couple flitting to poland--get married there--then he brings is wife back into the UK--thus avoiding the £1000's the rest of us have had to pay in fees.
I am more concerned of her well-being. If she hasnt met her 'bf' before, what if something bad happens (not that im saying anything bad will)? The uk govt probably thinks, it might fall in their hands to sort it out with two of them actually not their citizens/nationals.
On 3rd week of March, it’ll be our first time to meet as he’ll be coming over for a 23-day vacation. On the letter, it was also mentioned that the documents I have submitted do not demonstrate that I have a genuine relationship with my sponsor or that we ever met in person. so--hes coming to you in a months time ? why not wait and see how that goes? then if all's well try again for a visit visa when youve been in your new job for 6 months and youve built up a bit more in your bank balance.
What's to stop them meeting in Poland in the first place, getting married and then coming here? His validity as a sponsor may well be a factor though
Folks - I understand the concerns expressed about the welfare of this Filipina. The general consensus seems to be that the first move (in a heterosexual situation) is made by the male and involves him going first to met his (presumably online) gf on her home turf in Phils. Whilst I agree there are sound reasons for advocating this policy -- mainly to protect the female - it doesn't always have to be this way. Those who have followed (and been hugely supportive of) my "journey" with Kris (@inaroiles ) may recall that we chose to swim against the tide - with she coming her first. We were initially refused her visa but that was because we (arrogance on my part) provided insufficient evidence of our relationship and her son's welfare needs - which we rectified in the second application. It could be argued that Kris took a risk coming over to the UK to meet and spend time with someone she'd never met -- but hopefully over the previous month's of online chatting she had a chance to guage my character. I also involved her in the life of my offspring (2 girls in their 20s) so she had a fair idea of my life. The fact - unlike the situation here - that Kris was in her mid-30s with perhaps a little more maturity that comes with age maybe helped her to agree to come visit me here in UK first. It seemed to work out as we're getting married in September! (Subject to visa of course!!) I have a strong hunch this relationship is genuine and that if the UKVI can be provided with a stronger case the visitor visa will flow.
I agree that there is a huge difference in maturity between a 23 yr old vs 30+yr old. I think the main problem with this situation is that the eco office is thinking of all the red flags - ie they havent met personally, the financial information or budget doesnt add up. We also dont know her travel history- if this is the first overseas travel, it might be another challenge to the eco. As most members have mentioned, even if the sponsor have been in ph, going to uk as tourist is still a challenge.
I agree with @Drunken Max and @Scotschap16. I dont see any wrong with her coming to the UK to visit her bf for the first time. Guys, I think we should focus more on how we can help her finally get an approval on her visit visa rather than judge their relationship if it's genuine or not. If you guys made an effort and went to the Philippines to see your fiance for the first time then that's good. But if @Camille and her bf wants to do the other way around (like what @Scotschap16's fiance did) then I dont see any problem with that too. Im pretty sure they've discussed that already so let's just support their decision and give her advice on her application. Happy Sunday!
