Hi from a new member!

[Shalegirl]

:Wave: Hello!

I just wanna start of my first post with a big congratualtions to whoever pioneered this forum/website. The world now is so full of inter-racial couples and its such a shame that its so hard for us to actually be in the same country without stepping on immigration laws.

I have been in a long distance relationship with my English boyfriend for over 7 year now but have only been doing the Long Distance Relationship (travelled once to UK, he travels to philippines periodically for 1 month the longest. He works and lives there and i work and live here)

We've come to the point wherein we are both ready to commit to taking our relationship to the next level where one of us would move countries. IT seemed that the most reasonable way is for me to live with him in england. As i was researching on how to do this, i was bombarded with so much information from UKBA website etc. I just hope that this forum will guide me into which appropriate visa i should apply for, and process it successfully.

I am looking forward to learn from all of the lovely people here and hope that some of the insights im willing to share will help in the long run.

Best Regards To everyone!
Shale:Jump:

[raynaputi]

Hi Shale, welcome to the forum. :Wave:

There are two ways on which you can go to the UK, as a fiancee or as a spouse. Have some time to read these threads so you would have an idea..lots to read but it'll help you with your inquiries..:xxgrinning--00xx3:

Fiance(e) Visa or Spouse Visa? Which is best? (http://filipinaroses.com/showthread.php/36171-Fiance(e)-Visa-or-Spouse-Visa-Which-is-best)

How To Apply For A Fiance(e) Visa (http://filipinaroses.com/showthread.php/36523-How-To-Apply-For-A-Fiance(e)-Visa)

How To Apply For A Spouse Visa (http://filipinaroses.com/showthread.php/36554-How-To-Apply-For-A-Spouse-Visa)

Take Note: There are new changes with the settlement route effective 9th July, i.e. financial requirements, number of years before the spouse would be eligible for ILR, etc. The threads above would tell you the same process to go through though, even if it's not yet updated. If you want to have an idea about the new changes, have a read on this..http://filipinaroses.com/showthread.php/39003-IMPORTANT-READ-THIS-Statement-of-intent-Family-migration.

[mickcant]

Hello Shale:Hellooo:
Welcome to the forum
Mick.:)

[Shalegirl]

Thanks for the warm reception! I have been reading through this site for the past 8 hours and am itching to do some more!

[malchard888]

You will find plenty of useful information here from members who have a wealth of knowledge regarding spouse or fiance visa applications so dont be afraid to ask as u will find a real willingness to help u fulfill your dream.
malcolm :)

[Arthur Little]

Shale ... :welcomex: to the online filipino/uk community.

:cwm24: ... WOW ... 7 years is a considerable length of time for a long distance relationship to survive; it speaks volumes about you and your boyfriend's level of commitment to each other!!

Having said that, :iagree: there comes a point when two people in circumstances such as yours feel that it makes sense to live with one another permanently.

There are two types of Settlement Visa available for this very purpose. And, as you've seen, Rayna has kindly provided appropriate links.

:) Goodluck with your search. We're here to help and guide you in every way possible should you require further clarification. :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[Terpe]

:Hellooo: Hello Shalegirl, a warm welcome to the forum.:Wave:

[bigmarco]

Hi Shale and welcome :Hellooo:

[Shalegirl]

Thank you for the useful links reyna! :)

I actually will be visiting my boyfriend in october but under a tourist visa. This will be my 2nd time to travel there.

Do you think this will be helpful if we decide to apply for a spouse visa when i come back home from the trip? Do you think it will be a good decision to exhaust my 6 month tourist visa to stay with him in UK?

We do not know if we should get married here in the philippines or get married there to make things easier. It's a little confusing.

[Iani]

Hi there shalegirl

Well having visited your bf twice certainly won't do any harm for your eventual spousal visa. It's all evidence that it's a genuine relationship.

If you're not sure where to get married, well - I would suggest to think this - at some point you hope to live in the UK. Maybe you would want your family and friends over in Phils to see you marry?
You can still have a party in the UK afterwards - after you get the visa and move here I mean.

Sure you will make a good decision though, whichever way. Very exciting :xxgrinning--00xx3: