hi, wasn't sure if I posted this in the right place before so doing again ☺️ So I joined this site for advice last year when I was bringing my girlfriend (now fiancé) here on a 6 month visit visa. She is now due to return to pangasinan next week at the expiration of that visa. Our intention is to get married in the Philippines then apply for a marriage/partner visa. We previously used an immigration lawyer who we regarded as utterly incompetent, I won't bore you with the details. Can I ask please firstly for advise on what requirement I need in order to get married in the Philippines, and secondly for a recommendation on an excellent immigration lawyer to help us through the process. Many thanks ☺️
I dont have any idea on the requirments for wedding in ph specially from the uk embassy but some other member will answer that question. I think uk embassy thing is the easiest part of the entire process. Next, you need to ask your fiance where or what type will it be, civil or church? Different churhes or cities/town have different requirements. Research it and make sure both of you know the correct and official amount to pay. Lastly, if you have a straight forward case (ie she doesnt have immigration problem in the past, meet the income requirments of £18,600 per year, have a place to stay) then i wouldn't suggest getting an immigration lawyer. do it yourself. Save that money for paying priority or for the wedding. Read through the requirments and if you have any questions, post it here and someone would be happy to answer them.
I would suggest that you in fact marry in Hong Kong where you'll receive an official Marriage Certificate and then return to the Philippines and submit your application straight away; the cost is about the same as a Register Office wedding in Britain and far more straight forward, cheaper and less stressful than a Philippine wedding. If you decide to marry in the Philippines, you will have to wait 3-6 months for a version of the marriage certificate that is acceptable to the Home Office (NSO version).
Thanks for the advice, has anyone else had struggles with marriage process in ph. Where in pangasinan did you marry?
