Applying for a Fiance or Spouse Visa - A quick guide

[RickyR]

At some point in your relationship you may feel that you want to be together in the UK, and will have the first big hurdle to overcome of getting a spouse or fiance visa. Well it can all be made a bit easier, knowing that all of the official information is on the internet to support you.
Of course you need to first decide whether you will marry in the the Philippines or the UK, but regardless the process for the visa is much the same.
Long before you apply for the visa you should be collating evidence to support the application. It will be your responsibility to prove that you have a genuine relationship with items such as photos, e-mails, chat logs, phone bills, evidence of trips to the Philippines/UK, reciepts from money transfers (including western union etc). Without enough evidence, there is a good chance your application will be refused.

The information and guidelines on settlement visas for Husband, Wives and Partners is available on the Border Agency website here: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf4husbandswivespartners

Two extracts which I feel are the most important from this are


How do I qualify to join my husband, wife or civil partner in the UK?
You must show that:


you are legally married to each other or are in a civil partnership recognised in the UK
your husband, wife or civil partner is present and settled in the UK (see the next section)
you both intend to live together permanently as husband and wife or as civil partners
you have met each other before
you can support yourselves and any dependants without any help from public funds
you have suitable accommodation, which is owned or lived in only by you and your household, and where you and your dependants can live without any help from public funds
your husband, wife or civil partner is not under 21, and
you are not under 21 at the date of arrival in the UK .
If your husband or wife has more than one wife or husband, only one will be allowed to join them in the UK.


At first, you will be allowed to stay and work in the UK for two years. Near the end of this time, if you are still married and intend to continue living together, you can apply to stay permanently in the UK.


One of the important points to take away from this is the 'no help from public funds', this means that if you are claiming benefits, then you fiance/spouse cannot be dependant on you. This is a point which can be very challenging to overcome.

Apply for the visa
When you apply for the visa, the application is firstly made online at the UK Border Agency website and is printed out. Then you need to schedule an appointment to submit the application and supporting documents at VFS in Makati, Manila. VFS is a private agency that processes the applications for the visas. This appointment is NOT an interview, it is simply where you attend to submit the documents and have you biometrics taken.
Your visa application will be sent to the British Embassy by VFS, where an Entry Clearance Officer will assess that the documents and evidence submitted meets its requirements for the issue of the visa. If they need more information, they may ask you to attend the British Embassy for an interview. Normally within a month you will receive a text message to collect your passport, and only once you have collected your passport from the Embassy will you know whether you have been granted the visa or not. If the visa has not been granted, this could be because you cannot show enough funds to support yourselves, or did not show enough evidence. You do have the opportunity to appeal, and that information will be given to you with a letter that explains why your application was rejected.

On the VFS website is a full guide to the application:

http://www.vfs-uk-ph.com/applying.aspx



Gather evidence pertaining to your relationship
Read the guidance on http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf4husbandswivespartners
Complete the application form accurately at http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/applyonline
Schedule an appointment to submit your documents at https://www.vfs.firm.in/pl-apptsystem/appscheduling/appwelcome.aspx
Prepare the evidence and documents as per your relevent checklist http://www.vfs-uk-ph.com/images/Settlement_sponsored_by_fiance.pdf or http://www.vfs-uk-ph.com/images/Settlement_sponsored_by_spouse.pdf
Read through your application again, checking for mistakes or inconsistancies. Check that you have all the documents and evidence as per the checklists. Have as much evidence as you can provide, it's better to have too much and them reject it. Organise the evidence into neat files, which make it easy to find information.
Have your sponsor write a good letter to the Embassy supporting your application, and outlining how long you have been together and important events and meetings between yourselves. He will also have provide copies of his passport and the stamped pages.
Attend the VFS Appointment and submit your documents, then wait for upto 30 days. Prepare yourself and consider what kind of questions might be asked should you be called for interview.



I hope this brief guide makes it a little easier for those people applying for visas, and makes it seem a little easier. The information is correct as of 2nd September 2010, but I'd recommend you always check and read the latest guidance on the VFS and UK Border Agency website to make sure that you have the correct information to hand.

[ghee101]

thank you for this very helpful post.

[mjwoz]

Thanks RickyR for a very a helpful info.....cheers!

[Arthur Little]

thank you for this very helpful post.


Thanks RickyR for a very a helpful info.....cheers!

YES, indeed, :iagree: ... VERY helpful ... :68711_thanx:, Ricky!

[sars_notd_virus]

One of the best i've ever read..very informative and helpful for future fiance and spouse visa applicants.
well done RickyR:xxgrinning--00xx3:

[RickyR]

I have too much time on my hands waiting for our baby to pop out....

[stevie c]

A great post ricky very informative for those who are applying for a settlement visa :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[ghee101]

now, how about a really good detailed VISIT visa tips? :D anyone??

[RickyR]

I'll do the visit visa one next, with a few hints and tips.

[purple]

You are so kind Ricky, thank you so much for sharing the details. You are a great help and will be forever grateful to your kindness :)

[joebloggs]

You are so kind Ricky, thank you so much for sharing the details. You are a great help and will be forever grateful to your kindness :)

about 2/3rds of appeals are won purple
it would have been quicker if you appealed in the Phils, and asked the ECO manager at the embassy in Manila for reconsideration stating your reasons.
it will probably take longer appealing from the UK, as they will have to send paper work to the embassy.
but be prepared to be waiting upto 6 months :NoNo:

[charlotte]

Thank you so much Ricky!!! :Wave:

[ghee101]

I'll do the visit visa one next, with a few hints and tips.


You are so kind Ricky, thank you so much for sharing the details. You are a great help and will be forever grateful to your kindness :)

same here. thanks, ricky!! :thankyou:


but be prepared to be waiting upto 6 months :NoNo:

scary :cwm24:

[cessxy]

Thanks for this Info Ricky. I will lodge my spouse application by November. Hope I can make it :):):)

[sexiimulditah]

waaaaaaaaaaa :yikes:i wish i'd be lucky enough to recieved a good news from them when i lodge mine:Erm:

[mmmab]

Great post Ricky!

I have a question though if you don't mind... You mentioned that the visa could get denied due to not having enough funds to support yourselves... How much is the minimum amount of money do they want to see in the bank?

Thanks in advance.

[joebloggs]

no set figure, but many people have had £2,000+ showing on their 6 bank statements and not had a problem

[RickyR]

mmmab, impossible question to answer, as it isn't directly published. The ECO decision is based on all aspects, and if you met in all areas and could prove you would live sufficiently, and didn't have savings, then that would be fine as well.

[mmmab]

Thanks Ricky for answering my question.

I was thinking, as long as I can provide all the documents they are looking for, my fiance in the philippines shouldn't have any problems right.

But then I read on your post that they might deny it based on bank balance or something and that's why I asked the question... Apart from my bank balance and pay slips, can I also use my premium bonds to show as savings?

[Bluebirdjones]

mmmab

Apart from my bank balance and pay slips, can I also use my premium bonds to show as savings?

Yes... you can show all savings that can be easily turned into cash ... ie premium bonds, unit trusts, shares, ISAs etc etc
(Just include the latest statement and/or valuation)

:xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Terpe]

mmmab
The ECO will be looking for hard evidence of the ability to support financially over a period of time.
They are not accountants. They just need simple evidence.
Normally it should be OK

[mmmab]

Sorry to be asking so many questions, I just want to get through this process without too many problems...

Hard evidence? If every month, they can see that may wages go to rent, food and bills and still see I have a couple hundred left for savings, would that be good evidence that I can support my fiance here, coz she can't work for 6months right... Also as support, if they see that I send her money every month, would they also count that as evidence that I can support her when she gets here?

Thanks everyone for answering my questions, I really appreciate it!

[Terpe]

Sorry to be asking so many questions, I just want to get through this process without too many problems...

Hard evidence? If every month, they can see that may wages go to rent, food and bills and still see I have a couple hundred left for savings, would that be good evidence that I can support my fiance here, coz she can't work for 6months right... Also as support, if they see that I send her money every month, would they also count that as evidence that I can support her when she gets here?

Thanks everyone for answering my questions, I really appreciate it!

There really isn't any actual amount stated in the 'immigration rules' that indicate
just how much is considered as 'sufficient'.

Basically, the UKBA will be looking at the amount of money left after any key fixed/regular
expenditure (such as rent or mortgage payments etc)
We all have different key fixed/regular outgoings.
(eg payments of Child support would also be considered a key fixed/regular payment)

Various Immigration Tribunal's have concluded that it would not be appropriate to have immigrant families existing on resources that were less than the 'Income Support
Level' for a British family of the same size. This is probably the best guide available.

In principle this means that if it is likely that the amount of money that the applicant and sponsor will have to live on would fall short of that available for a family of similar size from welfare benefits then the ECO may consider this as appropriate grounds for refusal.

The 'Income Support' rates I have managed to find are:-

Type of person....................Weekly amount (2010/2011)

Single - age under 25..............................51.85
Single - 25 or over..................................65.45
Lone Parent - under 18............................51.85
Lone Parent - 18 or over..........................65.45
Couple - both under 18............................51.85
Couple - 1 under 18, 1 aged 18 to 24........51.85
Couple - 1 under 18, 1 25 or over............ 65.45
Couple - both 18 or over........................102.75
Each dependent Child - up to 20 ..............57.57

This was the source for these amounts:-
http://www.focusondisability.org.uk/brates-1.html

Hope this helps

[mmmab]

There really isn't any actual amount stated in the 'immigration rules' that indicate
just how much is considered as 'sufficient'.

Basically, the UKBA will be looking at the amount of money left after any key fixed/regular
expenditure (such as rent or mortgage payments etc)
We all have different key fixed/regular outgoings.
(eg payments of Child support would also be considered a key fixed/regular payment)

Various Immigration Tribunal's have concluded that it would not be appropriate to have immigrant families existing on resources that were less than the 'Income Support
Level' for a British family of the same size. This is probably the best guide available.

In principle this means that if it is likely that the amount of money that the applicant and sponsor will have to live on would fall short of that available for a family of similar size from welfare benefits then the ECO may consider this as appropriate grounds for refusal.

The 'Income Support' rates I have managed to find are:-

Type of person....................Weekly amount (2010/2011)

Single - age under 25..............................51.85
Single - 25 or over..................................65.45
Lone Parent - under 18............................51.85
Lone Parent - 18 or over..........................65.45
Couple - both under 18............................51.85
Couple - 1 under 18, 1 aged 18 to 24........51.85
Couple - 1 under 18, 1 25 or over............ 65.45
Couple - both 18 or over........................102.75
Each dependent Child - up to 20 ..............57.57

This was the source for these amounts:-
http://www.focusondisability.org.uk/brates-1.html

Hope this helps

First of all, thanks Terpe for all that info, I really appreciate big time!

Me and my mahal are a couple both over 18, so does that mean in principle, as long as I'm earning more than £102.75 a week, they shouldn't have any reason to refuse our application. Or is that the amount of money I should have left every week after paying for my food and rent and other expenses?

Thanks again in advance, again, sorry for the questions, hope you guys don't mind.

[Terpe]

First of all, thanks Terpe for all that info, I really appreciate big time!

Me and my mahal are a couple both over 18, so does that mean in principle, as long as I'm earning more than £102.75 a week, they shouldn't have any reason to refuse our application. Or is that the amount of money I should have left every week after paying for my food and rent and other expenses?

Thanks again in advance, again, sorry for the questions, hope you guys don't mind.

That's the amount you should ideally have left each week after deduction of KEY
REGULAR payments. Means Rent/Mortgage, Council Tax if applicable etc. Means the expenses you MUST make legally. Does not include food, going out, clothing etc etc.

Any questions please go ahead

[joebloggs]

the figures Terpe has given is only a guide (but a good guide :xxgrinning--00xx3:), some people on benefits have got visa's, but you want to minimise the risks of refusal so you want at least that figure, you don't want any bank statements showing your over drawn and ideally you want your statements showing you have a £2,000+ in your account so your fiancée will not need 'recourse to public funds'

[mmmab]

Thanks guys for all the info, it's starting to make sense to me now...

So ideally, after every week, I should have at least £102.75 left after paying for my rent right? Sorry for repeating, I'm slow like that at times, so my apologies in advance.

@joebloggs, the £2000+ is that a good amount to have in the bank when we apply for the visa? So in effect, as long as I don't owe anything to the banks and have savings of over £2000+ on the time of application for visa, that should be enough?

Again, thanks for all the help! I really appreciate it!

[shinx]

I better start playing the lottery :))

[rasc00]

My fiancee has just been refused a Marriage Settlement Visa because her previous marriage has not been annuled - but she is divorced in a USA court.

I previously wrote in June 2010 to the UK Manila Visa Dept to ask them if divorce was acceptable or did a person have to be annuled - they said to submit the Divorce papers - so it seems that divorce as opposed to annulment is allowed !

Does anyone know the answer - does a person have to be annuled or is a final divorce allowed to get a UK Settlement Visa?

[Terpe]

My fiancee has just been refused a Marriage Settlement Visa because her previous marriage has not been annuled - but she is divorced in a USA court.

For the USA divorce was she the petitioner or respondent?
Did she at any time present eligible divorce papers to the authorities to have her record updated?

[rasc00]

She was the respondant. papaers to the authorities? Philippines doesnt recognise divorce so nothing presented except the final divorce document when sending in the visa application - the divorce doc validity was not questioned by the ECO.

[Arthur Little]

Yes ... you're quite correct, Philippine Law does not recognise divorce per se. :NoNo: And, as your fiancee is Filipina, I can only assume :rolleyes: that the Embassy is seeking legal evidence that her former marriage has been dissolved by annulment in her country of origin ... as well as through a US court.

[rasc00]

Thank you for your reply but that does not seem logical as the Visa Authorities in Manila advise they accept divorce documents and as divorce is not allowed in the Philippines, they can only be referring to foreign divorce. Why accept divorce documents if they are of no relevance?

[rasc00]

Thank you for your reply but that does not seem logical as the Visa Authorities in Manila advise they accept divorce documents and as divorce is not allowed in the Philippines, they can only be referring to foreign divorce. Why accept divorce documents if they are of no relevance?

Also - we arent talking about Philippines Law here - its UK Law that applies.

[Arthur Little]

Also - we arent talking about Philippines Law here - its UK Law that applies.

:iagree: ... but because your fiancee is a native of the Philippines, clearly she is, in turn, legally obliged to comply with the laws of her country. And, consequently, it seems to me that the onus will be on her to satisfy the British authorities beyond reasonable doubt that - in the eyes of the Philippine Judiciary System also - the marriage no longer subsists.

[rasc00]

Ok but 1) The ECO has not questioned the validity of her USA divorce and 2) her ex is re-married and is accepted already for a USA Visa - so USA accepts without a Philippine Annulment it and the UK accept USA divorces also.

[rasc00]

Just received the full tesxt of the decision as follows:

You have applied for an entry clearance to marry and settle w/ your fiance in the United Kingdom, I have considered your application under paragraph 290 of the United Kingdom Immigration Rules. You can read these Tules at:

www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/policyandlaw/immigrationlaw/immigrationrules/

Any documents you have supplied in support of your application have been considered and recorded. It has not been necessary to interview you in order to reach decision on your application.

The Decision

You were previoulsy married to ***** ***** and by your own admission have only recently filed for the marriage to be annuled in the Philippines. Although you were divorced in the US, divorce is not recognised in the Philippines and an annulment has to be granted. According to Philippines law, you are technically still married to Mr. ******. You are a Philippines national applying for entry clearance from the Philippines so this is a relevant and pertinent point to make. Until you can provide official documentary evidence that your first marriage has been annuled I cannot be satisfied that you are free to marry your fiance in the UK.

I have therefore refused your application because I am not satisfied, on the balance of probabilities you meet all the requirements of the above paragraph(s) of the Immigration Rules.


I think we have a pedantic eco here - the USA divorce is clearly recognised in UK Law - so, on with the appeal.

[Arthur Little]

My fiancee has just been refused a Marriage Settlement Visa because her previous marriage has not been annuled - but she is divorced in a USA court.

I previously wrote in June 2010 to the UK Manila Visa Dept to ask them if divorce was acceptable or did a person have to be annuled - they said to submit the Divorce papers - so it seems that divorce as opposed to annulment is allowed !

I've highlighted the reason you've mentioned for the visa being refused. Was this the only explanation given? :rolleyes: If so ... then it looks as though some confusion has arisen in the course of your earlier contact with the Visa Centre and/or VFS who initially handle applications on their behalf. Sure thing ... they'd ask you to submit the divorce papers. But equally, I'm pretty certain they would expect you to provide proof of annulment from the Phils end too!!

[Arthur Little]

Ah ... I see our latest posts have crossed in transit. :68711_thanx: for supplying full details; :welcomex: to the filipino/uk forum and Good Luck with your appeal! :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[rasc00]

Well as a last resort before appeal, I have emailed to Andy Battson (the EC Manager at Manila) because for the ECO to say that she may not be free to marry in the UK on the basis of a USA Divorce is clearly not correct and am sure any UK Family Court would agree. Additionally, Annulment is NOT essential to an application succeeding.
BUT the petition for recognition of a foreign divorce to the Philippines Court was not sent in with the application (well you cant read ECOs minds on everything can you) - so there is an argument perhaps that both the ECO and our application were not wholly complete - I will let you know what Andy Battson says in reply.

[Terpe]

rasc00

If you’re a Filipino national, it doesn’t matter where in the world you file for divorce (ie Petitioner), such divorce is not recognisedas valid in the Philippines.
(Note however that the reckoning point is not the citizenship of the parties at the time of marriage, but the
citizenship at the time a valid divorce is obtained abroad by the petitioner)

As a foreign national, you can serve your Filipino spouse with divorce papers.
The Philippines recognizes official divorce documents from other countries. Filing for the divorce must be initiated by the foreign national in their home country and strictly following the regulations for divorce in their home country.


If a foreign national files for the divorce and has given the Philippine spouse a registered copy of the final divorce decree, both foreign national and the Philippine spouse can remarry again within the legal boundaries of the Philippines.
After complying with the procedure in having the foreign decree of divorce judicially recognized in the Philippines, the Filipino spouse may validly remarry.


If the foreign national had not given the Filipino spouse a registered copy of the final divorce decree, then the Filipino spouse must secure an annulment prior to being able to remarry in the Philippines, even though the foreign national is free to remarry in the Philippines.

[joebloggs]

Also - we arent talking about Philippines Law here - its UK Law that applies.

maybe this will help
http://www.bcphilippineslawyers.com/marriage-annulment-divorce-in-the-philippines/430/

[rasc00]

Guys I do think youre all missing the point here - It is not Philippines Law which applies to a UK Visa application - its UK Law. Under UK Law, foreign divorces (divorces outside the UK) are recognised in accordance with s46(1) Family Law Act 1986. So it has no bearing whatsoever that an annulment is not in place as that is Philippine Law, which has no jurisdiction in the UK. See http://www.international-divorce.com/d-uk.htm.
I rest my case.

[rasc00]

UK Law validates Foriegn divorce (non UK divorce) under s46 (1) Family Law Act 1986 - it is not relevant that the applicant is a Filipino/Filipina and does not have an annulment. See http://www.international-divorce.com/d-uk.htm

[rasc00]

For some strange reason, none of my follow up posts have been published even though they accord to the rules of the site. I have asked the Forum Admin why this is but meantime, I hope this one gets on.

My appeal to the ECM (Entry Control Manager) has been successful under s46(1) Family Act 1986, which conffirms that oreign divorces (Non UK divorces) are valid when applying for a UK Visa as a Philippine National and having married in the Philippines.

[joebloggs]

no your right, but under phils law its not valid, i dont suppose it matters one bit if she intends never to go back there :rolleyes:

[myan_naym]

hi there im myan im engaged to a brit citizen and were plannin to apply for fiance visa this comin april
i just wanna know if he needs to earn £2,000 per month? im confused please help us

[Manila_Paul]

hi there im myan im engaged to a brit citizen and were plannin to apply for fiance visa this comin april
i just wanna know if he needs to earn £2,000 per month? im confused please help us

Unlike entry in the United States, there are no specific or guidelines with regards to the UK. I think the consensus on here is £2,000 in savings (not per week) and around £100 per week in disposable income after everything: rent/mortgage, bills, council tax etc. These costs will vary depending on what part of the country he lives in.

This said, I would be less concerned about the money and more concerned about the proof that the relationship is genuine. As long as he has a good 6 month bank statement record and has the £100 a week or so spare (which is relatively low), the money shouldn't be an issue.

[drench]

My fiance and I are looking to apply for a visa this coming May. We have been in a relationship for more than 3 years.

We are both under 25 and both students at Uni at the moment. But upon our application she will have already graduated from Uni. I live with my parents and have a part time job. However upon graduation (July) I will be doing a full time post at my work (which I will explain in the covering letter for the application along with a letter from my employer saying so). But even with a full time wage my spare will still be under £102 as state before by Terpe. Saying this, i do have over £7,000 savings in my bank.

Also, as part of the requirement, we have to prove that we are legally free to marry each other. I am aware that she would have to present a Certificate of No Marriage with her application as she is coming to marry in the UK. Do I have to send a Certificate of No Impidement as well? Both of us have never been married before.

Does any of these sound like a hindrance to our application?

[Chikky]

Hello RickyR!
Thanks for the very nice information you shared in this site. I just want to ask if there is any agency who helped you out for the visa processing? My fiancee is doing all his best for as to be together as soon as possible as we are struggling to be far from each other. Aside from my fiancee's bank statement, do you think it will be a great help that the mum of my fiancee will be supporting me as well in my application by making a letter together with her bank statement that whatever circumstance we will encounter in my stay she will always use her personal money in the bank to support us? If you dont mind, can you please tell me what documents you have submitted in vfs that can't be find in the website? Do i still need NBI clearance or baptismal certificate? Looking forward of hearing from you. Thanks and God bless..

[Bluebirdjones]

Chikky, you do not need to use an agency ..... you will be paying out money for no good reason, and they will not do it any quicker (slower actually !).

The vast, vast majority of people on this site have completed (successfully) the visa application themselves.

Follow the template provided here, ask questions here (if neccessary), give the Embassy what they've asked for ....and as long as you "tick" the right boxes, are "eligible" for a visa, and are a genuine couple, then you've little to worry about.

[Chikky]

Thank you so much for the advise Bluebirdjones. My fiancee and I are doing our best just to be together as quicker as possible. I am on a student visa before and I met him last April 2010, but then i am working in Swindon and he is Norfolk so we just arranged to meet each other either. He come down to see me or i go to Norfolk to spent my days off with him. But before my visa finished i have decided to resigned earlier to be with him and we been living together in for 3 weeks. We got engaged there and just keep on chatting everyday until he had arranged his travel to see me. He visited me last Nov 16 and just go back to the UK on the 16th of this month. Two months together just make our lives so wonderful especially we are together on Christmas Day and celebrated his 50th birthday on New Years Day. Every single day is getting harder and harder to be far from the one you love that's why we are doing all our best. If you don't mind, how long you been in Uk and in what visa you are granted to come? Thanks a lot and God bless..

Chikky

[imagine]

thanks Ricky
this is all very informative, thanks,, due to us all having our own individual circumstances, i wonder if i could ask a little more, on requirments,
in short my situation, iv been off ill for over 1 year now, i am on bennefit, expected to be fit for work again this april,my job is no longer available to me,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, BUT,,,,,,,,,i intend to be in philpines in april and get married there, if i return to uk with her,,
my questions reqarding your info,,,,,,,
1/ you mention sponser,,, who is regarded as sponser ,,is that me being her uk spouse ?
or some other individuel to do that for us ?

situation on comming back to uk,,,, i have my own house, very little mortgage left to pay, Approx £12,000, i have modest savings of £12,000, but i will not be working,,

my wife to be has good savings, property and some income from philipines,

i know that we could manage without public funds for possibly longer than 6 months,
understand that after 6 months my wife is then allowed to work in uk, correct me if im wrong please.

2/ in view of above, would they still require me to show i am working

3/ and is that period we have to support ourselves 6 months ?

4/if they require me to be working also, would she have to remain in philipines while i found work?

5/ if yes, how long would they require me to be employed before allowing her to join me ?,
i think thats it,
my appoligies if any answers are to be found,but some never seem o fit the individual,
i know im a bit slow soaking it all in , but it makes my head spin lol,,, thanks,,,, stewart

[drench]

hi imagine.

The sponsor will be you and no body else as you are the husband.

The fact that you're on benefits might make her application difficult. It would be best if you have a job before she applies.

Although you may sufficient amount of savings, the embassy wants to know that your partner won't depend on public funds (maybe for the rest of her life, not just when she arrives) and £12,000 wont really last more than a year with you not having a job right?.

The best way of proving that she wont recourse to public funds is for you to have a stable job of which you have to show 6 months payslips. Which means you have to be working for at least 6 months. Some people have submitted 3 months payslips and were approved their visa, but 6 months is your best bet.

[imagine]

thanks drench

[skywalking]

Hello I'm new here and me and my boyfriend are planning to wed in the UK next year... the problem is that he's only 20 years old, is it possible that i could have a finace visa when he's not yet 21? he'll be turning 21 March next year and we'll wed on April, that's our plan...

Thanks in advance!

[joebloggs]

no i dont think so, i think you need to be 21 when you arrive in the country (thou some people have got it a few months b4 they are 21 or the embassy could keep the visa app on hold til you are both 21.

there was a court case recently challenging the rise to 21yrs old, the judgement should be announced in a few weeks, so you might be in luck, it could go back to being 18yrs old. :rolleyes:

[skywalking]

Thanks for the quick reply :)

well actually my boyfriend's a brit and he's only 20 now but next year he'll be turning 21 on march... there's no problem with my age coz im already 25... but the wedding will be after he becomes 21 next march, is it still not possible to get fiance visa?

[The Wurzel]

Does anyone know the answer - does a person have to be annuled or is a final divorce allowed to get a UK Settlement Visa?[/QUOTE]


Hi there.....

We have just been issued a settlement visa for my partner..

Both myself and my Filipina partner were married before. She has not had an annulment and I am only seperated and not divorced.

We did send in several leffers from both family and non family as character references stating the marriages are over and we will not be getting back together.

We also had to show eveidence we had been together at least 2 years ie joint bank accounts and joint rental agreemements.

Finally we applied for UNMARRIED Settlement VISA not Spouse or Fiancee....

Suggest you apply for Unmarried visa.......

Stuart

[pumpkinbee]

Hi, I'm new to the site and I've read your post regarding the refusal of your fiance's visa. I'd like to ask if there was a rebuttal on this case or if it was finally approved? Did she declare on her application form that she was married?

I'll be glad to hear from you...

[pumpkinbee]

THE WURZEL----Hi Stuart, I am new to the site and have read your post. I am in the same situation as your fiance...was married in 1989 and was also separated in 1989, the marriage basically last for 3wks only and I have had no contact with him since then.
Me and my partner have decided to apply for a fiance visa, had started our research and stumbled on this issue...
Do you mind telling me exactly what you guys did? I tried to search for the UNMARRIED visa and couldn't find it :bigcry:
I look forward to hearing from you :)

[Robert86]

hello id like to know could you help me?? im planning to bring my filipina wife here to the uk on a spouse visa.. i work full time as a care assistant and have a current savings total of £3000 she will also have £3000 in her account.. is this sufficient enough?? please help..

[melovesengland]

now, how about a really good detailed VISIT visa tips? :D anyone??

Base from my personal experience. http://filipinaroses.com/showthread.php/35629-Uk-visit-visa-(sponsorship)-tips-advices?highlight=UK+visit+visa+sponsorship+tips+and+advices

[melovesengland]

Very informative POST! Whooohoo! Most of my QUESTIONS are ANSWERED! Thumbs up to this! :Jump:

[lykayu01]

hello id like to know could you help me?? im planning to bring my filipina wife here to the uk on a spouse visa.. i work full time as a care assistant and have a current savings total of £3000 she will also have £3000 in her account.. is this sufficient enough?? please help..

wow i think thats enough... ;') my hubby is from newtownabbey :Wave:

[sexyvictoria]

Hi l dont know how to post a question l am sexy victoria fiance. i want help answering this question.
When my my fiance is here we wont be claiming public funds. But we will be living in my parents house but my mum is claming housing benfit as a public fund. BUT as l am not and my fiance will not be on the housing benfits so no public funds in our names. Do you think it will be ok when we appy for the visa.

[Robert86]

hello there lykayu, yes newtownabbey is not far from me.. :)

[lykayu01]

hello there lykayu, yes newtownabbey is not far from me.. :)

yeah i guess its just 15mins away....nice to meet u both here:Hellooo::Hellooo::Hellooo:

[Robert86]

hi lykayu have you applied for spouse visa yet?? we will apply later in the year :)

[lykayu01]

hi lykayu have you applied for spouse visa yet?? we will apply later in the year :)

i will apply this Feb im just waiting for my hubby's docs:Hellooo::Hellooo::Hellooo:

[MarkR]

Hi
Does anyone happen to have a copy of the Spouse visa checklist that is linked on the first page of this posting? The link no longer works and googling for Settlement_sponsored_by_spouse.pdf isn't coming up with anything useful either!

[melovesengland]

http://filipinaroses.com/showthread.php/35629-Uk-visit-visa-(sponsorship)-tips-advices

That was my visit visa experiences. Hope it will help.

[Marie]

Thank you Ricky...me will apply soon....

[iamghee]

At some point in your relationship you may feel that you want to be together in the UK, and will have the first big hurdle to overcome of getting a spouse or fiance visa. Well it can all be made a bit easier, knowing that all of the official information is on the internet to support you.
Of course you need to first decide whether you will marry in the the Philippines or the UK, but regardless the process for the visa is much the same.
Long before you apply for the visa you should be collating evidence to support the application. It will be your responsibility to prove that you have a genuine relationship with items such as photos, e-mails, chat logs, phone bills, evidence of trips to the Philippines/UK, reciepts from money transfers (including western union etc). Without enough evidence, there is a good chance your application will be refused.

The information and guidelines on settlement visas for Husband, Wives and Partners is available on the Border Agency website here: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf4husbandswivespartners

Two extracts which I feel are the most important from this are


One of the important points to take away from this is the 'no help from public funds', this means that if you are claiming benefits, then you fiance/spouse cannot be dependant on you. This is a point which can be very challenging to overcome.

Apply for the visa
When you apply for the visa, the application is firstly made online at the UK Border Agency website and is printed out. Then you need to schedule an appointment to submit the application and supporting documents at VFS in Makati, Manila. VFS is a private agency that processes the applications for the visas. This appointment is NOT an interview, it is simply where you attend to submit the documents and have you biometrics taken.
Your visa application will be sent to the British Embassy by VFS, where an Entry Clearance Officer will assess that the documents and evidence submitted meets its requirements for the issue of the visa. If they need more information, they may ask you to attend the British Embassy for an interview. Normally within a month you will receive a text message to collect your passport, and only once you have collected your passport from the Embassy will you know whether you have been granted the visa or not. If the visa has not been granted, this could be because you cannot show enough funds to support yourselves, or did not show enough evidence. You do have the opportunity to appeal, and that information will be given to you with a letter that explains why your application was rejected.

On the VFS website is a full guide to the application:

http://www.vfs-uk-ph.com/applying.aspx



Gather evidence pertaining to your relationship
Read the guidance on http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf4husbandswivespartners
Complete the application form accurately at http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/applyonline
Schedule an appointment to submit your documents at https://www.vfs.firm.in/pl-apptsystem/appscheduling/appwelcome.aspx
Prepare the evidence and documents as per your relevent checklist http://www.vfs-uk-ph.com/images/Settlement_sponsored_by_fiance.pdf or http://www.vfs-uk-ph.com/images/Settlement_sponsored_by_spouse.pdf
Read through your application again, checking for mistakes or inconsistancies. Check that you have all the documents and evidence as per the checklists. Have as much evidence as you can provide, it's better to have too much and them reject it. Organise the evidence into neat files, which make it easy to find information.
Have your sponsor write a good letter to the Embassy supporting your application, and outlining how long you have been together and important events and meetings between yourselves. He will also have provide copies of his passport and the stamped pages.
Attend the VFS Appointment and submit your documents, then wait for upto 30 days. Prepare yourself and consider what kind of questions might be asked should you be called for interview.



I hope this brief guide makes it a little easier for those people applying for visas, and makes it seem a little easier. The information is correct as of 2nd September 2010, but I'd recommend you always check and read the latest guidance on the VFS and UK Border Agency website to make sure that you have the correct information to hand.

couldn't thank you enough for this :xxgrinning--00xx3: I'm so glad that there are so many great people around here in this forum. May God bless you all :)

[BriaNoreen]

hi imagine.

The sponsor will be you and no body else as you are the husband.

The fact that you're on benefits might make her application difficult. It would be best if you have a job before she applies.

Although you may sufficient amount of savings, the embassy wants to know that your partner won't depend on public funds (maybe for the rest of her life, not just when she arrives) and £12,000 wont really last more than a year with you not having a job right?.

The best way of proving that she wont recourse to public funds is for you to have a stable job of which you have to show 6 months payslips. Which means you have to be working for at least 6 months. Some people have submitted 3 months payslips and were approved their visa, but 6 months is your best bet.


You cannot be denied a visa simply because you're on benefits - you have the same rights as a citizen whether you are unemployed, disabled, working, or very rich and living off your own private income.

Recourse to public funds is your only sticking point - in your case you can show you have adequate funds and both of you are willing to work in future.

If you were refused on some odd grounds that "well, you know, uh, your benefits or employment circumstances might change in the future or your bank could collapse [not impossible!] so you'll have no savings - therefore we're not satisfied you can afford this" is unreasonable - for who can predict the future except people with crystal balls and magical powers?

And that would mean only the very wealthy with funds in Coots bank could afford to marry whoever they wish, wherever and whenever.

[Terpe]

You cannot be denied a visa simply because you're on benefits.....................

True in principle, but you still need to prove ability to support yourselves without recourse to public funds or additional public funds, just the same as every applicant.

Currently you would need to show evidence of £105.95 per week for a couple and £62.33 pounds per week for a dependent child after any regular non-discretionary expenditure.

If the govt actually presses ahead with expected changes it could prove to be much more difficult.
Watch this space!!

[tiger31]

stuart are you saying you got a settlement visa for your partner even though she has,nt got annullment .if so you have just givin me hope although im divorced we have been together 2 years ive lived with her for 1 year in phillipines and just returned to uk .can you give me some idea on what to say in letters etc and do i apply on her behalf or does she have to do it from cebu thanks

[ghen]

this thread is very much helpful to me..im new here and i was married with an english girl from chester last year...im still here in manila and we are planning to file my spouse visa soon..pls give me some advice regarding to all the papers i need to submit in the embassy and is it ok that we are one year away from each other before applying?

thanks everybody and looking forward for your response:Wave:

[maya12]

hi everyone i am new to the site and i find it very helpful. I am applying for a fiancee visa but i dont have a job at the moment. I was in the UK for 5mos been in PH for almost 6mos now.My fiancee has a permanent job, is it still possoble to get a visa if i dont have a job here and i dont have that much money in my account. need advice pls....


I am looking for advice/tips pls. Thanks and godbless

[songz777]

Quote: you have suitable accommodation, which is owned or lived in only by you and your household, and where you and your dependants can live without any help from public funds

Question? I live in a nice country cottage with my parents more than enough space for my future wife to have our own spacy room for privacy. The kitchen would be shared with my folks. According to guide lines 1 room = max 2 people apart from under 1 years old child. Can you clarify that my abode would be ok for us both? We also have 2 other rooms which are storage at the monent but will be made smart for when she lives with us.
Mnay thanks John

[Terpe]

Quote: you have suitable accommodation, which is owned or lived in only by you and your household, and where you and your dependants can live without any help from public funds

Question? I live in a nice country cottage with my parents more than enough space for my future wife to have our own spacy room for privacy. The kitchen would be shared with my folks. According to guide lines 1 room = max 2 people apart from under 1 years old child. Can you clarify that my abode would be ok for us both? We also have 2 other rooms which are storage at the monent but will be made smart for when she lives with us.
Mnay thanks John

John take a look here:-
http://filipinaroses.com/showthread.php/36554-How-To-Apply-For-A-Spouse-Visa

Scroll down to "- Evidence of your accommodation"

You should be fine according to existing rules (which are not planned for any changes)

[Mrs.P]

Hi guys do u think it will be helpful to get immigration advisers to assist in the application documents? My husband had a meeting with a member of this reputable immigration company in the UK and he was charged of £125 for the consultation and if we choose to continue it's going to be £1500.

And since then I've tried harder to look for some info on how to apply and maybe rather than getting their service we can just save it instead. And this is how i came across to this site, i had confidence we can get this done without the advisers. however, i'm nervous. questions like, do we have enough docs when we apply? will these be enough to convince them? so the burden is on me because i convinced my husband not to get advisers anymore.

and here's the documents we plan to supply when we submit our application


2. evidence of your age and your partner's age
o (BIRTH CERTIFICATE)
3. your marriage or civil partnership certificate
(MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE NSO copy and CIVIL REGISTRAR copy)
4. evidence that you were both free to marry or enter your civil partnership, if either of you was previously married or in a civil partnership
o (CNI/CENOMAR CERTIFICATE)
5. evidence that you have met
o (PHOTOS)
6. evidence of your English language ability
o (ENGLISH EXAM)
7. evidence that you can can maintain yourselves and any dependants adequately without needing public funds
o (BANK STATEMENT)
o (LETTER FROM THE BANK)
o (Certificate of Employment if possible salary is mentioned)
8. evidence of your accomodation
o (PICTURES)
o (MORTGAGE TITLE)
o (LETTER FROM LAND OWNER)

[cheekee]

Thank you so much.

I really learned a lot from this post.

[Pippa]

Hi

Could anyone offer me any advice

I met my Filipino boyfriend over 2 years ago when we worked together on a cruise ship, I am a British citizen. We are now a couple and next year want to try and apply for him to come to the uk. I don't know which visa would be the best option for us, is it better to marry in the Philippines and then try for a spouse visa or is it better to apply for a fiancé visa.

I am aware of the fianancial requirements and have a job due to start that will give me the 18,600 salary that I require. I live at home with my parents who have met my partner and this is where we will be living, they have a 4 bedroom house and it would just be the 4 of us living here.

Any help or advice would be very much appreciated

Thanks

[Bluebirdjones]

Horses for courses..... as the ECO (Entry Clearance Officer) will not discriminate betwen the fiance or spouse route.
If you conform & comply with the regulations and your proof of relationship is strong, then either way should guarantee success.

FYI ... via a spouse visa, can he work immediately upon arrival in the UK.
Under the fiance route, you'll first have to comply with the visa conditions (ie you get married), then you have to apply for FLR (more money !), and only after approval of the FLR can he work.

Hope this is of help

[waytogo297]

This was exactly the information I was looking for thank you very much for this post.

[Terpe]

This was exactly the information I was looking for thank you very much for this post.

Be aware that it's now completely out of date.

[desmortess]

all of your replies really helps :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[RickyR]

Thread Closed.

The information is now outdated, and other threads have more upto date information.