Visitor Visa (let the fun and games commence)

Hi everyone,

My GF and I intend on applying for a Visitor Visa (again) and are hoping for an appointment in Cebu in Mid February.

I am going to write down here, in every detail everything we have done to hopefully get said visa.

If we are successfull then I hope this guide will be usefull and can be used as a template for others contemplating this same visa.

So any pointers to the steps and procedures I write about or comments and suggestions are all very welcome.

So I will start with a bit of history.

We have been having a long distance realtionship for 18 months now, I have been to see her and her family twice now. We have also holidayed in Thailand and Singapore together.

She is seperated with one child (Daughter) Marriage Anullment is any time now

When I met her she was an overseas worker in Dubai as a Nanny

For the pittance she was earning and the lack of regular holidays I said I would pay her salary while she stayed home in Phils with her Daughter.

She is not currently working, nor does she own any land, the only ties being family and Daughter

I earn in excess of 30K a year so salary is not a problem

I am divorced and I live in a Park Home, I can live on site for 11 months off the year.

I pay no council tax

I pay ground rent to the site owners and I have a prepay electric meter, account in my name.

I run 3 cars and all are registered at the Park Home.


I think Ive covered the background and I will move on later about what steps I intend to take to hopefully secure a visa.

Good luck with your application. I will be following your progress with great interest. Regards John

how long has the annulment been underway ? have you had advice from a lawyer on the timescale ? do you intend to apply for a settlement visa after its granted ?

Good luck but I do feel that you will be batting on a sticky wicket. The best argument will presumably be that she will want to get back to her daughter, but the Borders Agency will presumably say that she was away from her daughter when working as a nanny.

Hi Bigmac, annulment procedure started in March this year, divorce in the Phils will probably be legalised before the anullment comes through

The end intention is to live with her in the Phils so we will not be applying for a settlement visa for the UK

Yeah I know, but we have a couple off aces up our sleeves in regards to her having to return I will explain more later.

Interesting... I too, will have a lookout on what happens as I have mentioned on the other thread, burden of proof lies on gf's circumstances and not yours...

Best of luck but Visitor Visas are always hard to get. If it is your intention for her to settle here after marriage, then you will probably have to rethink your living accommodation.

Update :

My GF got a call from her Attorney that is dealing with her Anullment and she has to be in Davao City on Monday morning to attend court.

Attorney did not give much away but we think the Anullment is now closer than ever.

If anyone needs a good Attorney in the Phils that deals with Marriage Anullment, let me know

So I will wait on the outcome now to see if the Vis Visa application changes to Spouse Visa

just dont get your hopes up too soon about the annulment--my partner had to attend court---just too bad the judge didnt--this happened 3 times !!! so--delayed the whole thing by 3 months--so it was 15 months from beginning to end. just accept that an annulment is a cash cow for all involved---the cost is waaayyy beyond what any normal pinay could ever possibly afford.

I agree, "its not over until the fat lady sings" especially in a country like the Philippines.

You never know though, DJB could be one of the lucky ones.

As if by magic ...... court now postponed until Friday

Only in the Philippines eh

Hang in there DJB, it will all come together, eventually.

These things do happen.
I sincerely hope it's just a small setback.

One thing I've learned about these cases is that it's important to try and secure a lawyer and judge who are on the same wavelength.

do i hear a £ kerching sound in the background ?

i have read of one judge requiring an "assistance fee"

its always nice to find a judge who is the best that money can buy.

From what I know all the Anullment judges are on the take, otherwise anullments would not happen.

totally agree. just means most over there cant afford it and move on with their lives. and we all know exactly what is responsible for that situation. and this is the 21st century.

other things to consider about annulment @DJB ..... what about her ex ? is he willing to go ahead--or likely to play awkward--£££ buys co-operation. or--if he is really a nasty piece--be very careful if you do visit the filis--i understand its a crime over there---

Oh yeah Ive been a couple of times now, the EX has legged it because he shacked up with another girl and she has had a baby to him so he is treading on thin ice as it where.

The attorney has served him and his family the papers but they have been ignored so that suits us fine

Yer we are very carefull and her family are very protective off me when I go there.

I know off the dangers, in fact I was there in October and the Terrorists did a bus bombing on the Main Rd between Tupi and General Santos.

Trouble is I love the place, love the people, love the way of life.

Right..... enough rambling

whatever you do--dont let anyone find out your girl has a british partner. prices will go up. if her ex finds out he will want his share of the trough. if you do go over there he could have you arrested--and imprisoned.

its not good if he ignores any legal writs----- annulments are mostly granted because of the defendants mental capacity--so its not just lawyers involved--psychologists too--which means the ex husband needs to be examined. yet--if the judge finds there has been colusion--he could throw the case out.

however--all these difficulties can be overcome. just as well you earn over £30k.