Having taken a year off from work, my wife and I left Singapore, returned to Philippines (well return for her anyway) and have been living in Las Pinas. However, all good things come to an end and I am now starting a new job in the UK on 1st July. Although this role commands a high salary way in excess of the £18,600 threshold, I have been told that since I didn't work for the previous year and don't have savings in excess of £62,500, I won't meet the financial requirements for the Spouse Visa -- Is this correct? Now, assuming this is the case, our plan is that my wife will accompany me on a Family Visit visa, we will stay with my parents and then look for a place we will eventually live whilst I settle into the new job. Before the six months expires, she will return to Philippines and we will then apply for the Spouse Visa since I will have been working for six months, earned enough to meet the financial requirement and have a place of residence as required for the visa. My questions are: 1. Is this a sensible way of doing things or am I going to run into a heap of trouble? 2. On the family visit visa application, should I state all of this or just say she's visiting in-laws etc. for a period of time? 3. Is there anything I should think about? All advice and support very gratefully received!
It seems a good plan. The problem might arise with her actually getting a visit visa as these are, apparently, pretty hard to come by due to people overstaying and not returning (and I know of people who have done this so I can't argue with the logic). I hope it works for you though as it sees a good way of going about things. If you wait six months into your new job then that should be sufficient to apply for a spouse visa however. They need 6 months of pay slips.
Thanks for the quick reply. We have successfully applied for two visit visas in the past for around a month's stay each time. Your point about some using the system and overstaying is definitely valid. I am wondering if the fact that she will return home in order to then formally apply for the Spouse Visa will help. Do you think it might make sense to state a shorter time on the family visit application like 3-4 months. Flights can always be changed then later? We will definitely not break the rules since we intend to settle in the UK for a number of years and doing so would seriously jepordise this wish. I have been away for 16 years and it's a chance for my wife to experience UK life.
If you've been succesful before then you're probably more qualified than I am on visit visas! I don't see why you wouldn't be successful again in that case. As I said, once you've been in your job for 6 months you should be okay to apply for a spouse visa anyway, so 3-4 months would probably be enough time.
2. On the family visit visa application, should I state all of this or just say she's visiting in-laws etc. for a period of time? if i were in your position i would tell the truth on the application--but explain you will be applying for a settlement---spouse--visa after 6 months. dont do anything that might create problems at that more important stage.
I won't work that way.I'm afraid too risky. ... of you having a job in UK then coming to UK with a wife. Ukvi cannot guarantee that your wife will return back to Philippines even you know that is not true and they believe that you will use the family visa for her to stay with you while you're working. no genuine visit like seeing family or site seeing these activity only normally takes maximum 2 to 3 months. Unless she has a very strong ties in Philippines to go back to. Your visit application from Philippines will be denied. And it will be bad travel record for future application
I think its a good idea you have, it is likely your visa application will be successful as your wife has UK visa history. The normal visit visa is valid for six months as you know, send her home after a few months to apply for the spouse visa. I cannot see that you would be breaking any immigration laws by doing that, it is also difficult to see it jeopardising the later settlement visa. Just say you are visiting the family, which is true is it not? I think it is a smashing idea, a little cheeky but there you go
I think if you have already visited twice this will be no problem. Then apply for the spouse visa once all set in the UK. One word of wisdom get your wife to do the english test in the UK as from what I'm hearing in the Philippines the test you do is a full reading writing listening and speaking which is not a requirement for the spouse visa in the uk it will be a quick ten minute interview speaking and listening and will save your wife at least a day doing in the Philippines. My wife did this in London appointment was 10am by 10.30am she was out the door. So save yourself time and a lot of BS. Hope your plans work out well
Good advice about the English test. My wife did one here recently and it was a doddle. Just a quick chat really to check she could speak English, and that was it.
