Applying for a spouse visa in the Philippines

[waytogo297]

Hi There,
My fiancee and I plan to get married in the Philippines in January 2013. She returns to Phils in Nov 2012 when her student visa runs out. We have known each other 6 months and I easily comply with all the requirements for spousal support, plus we have enough evidence to support that our relationship is true and ongoing.

I will be visiting the Phils on holiday for two weeks (January 2013) during which time we will marry, hopefully during the first week. My questions are:

1) Can I apply in the Phils for her spouse visa after we get married and before I return?

2) How do I do this?

3) How easy is it to arrange an appointment at the Embassy in Manila for this and how best to do so?

Any help with this is appreciated.

P.S. Nice forum.

[jlags90]

Hello Waytogo ...

There is a thread started by one of our moderators (Terpe) which answers most of your questions.. Have a look at this http://filipinaroses.com/showthread.php/39740-All-New-Guide-How-to-apply-for-a-Spouse-Partner-Visa.

I think, you would be racing against the clock if you want to apply for the visa considering the length of your stay and the abundance of things you have to sort out including the wedding. But, you can always prepare the documents needed for the visa application before your trip to the Philippines so it would be all ready to go after the wedding. Visa decisions take 3 months at most so I think it is also worth considering.

Your future wife is the applicant and you are the sponsor, hence: it is only her who can attend the appointment at VFS. Arranging for an appointment to lodge her visa application is easy - it's all done online and there are loads of help available but, it depends if the dates when you are in the Philippines is available.

Good luck.

[waytogo297]

Thanks for your reply. I've already read that and it kinda does - and doesn't - help. I'm aware of all the documents etc and requirements. What I need to know is, who do I contact after the wedding? Can it be organised whilst I'm still in the Phils and how do I go about it?

I'm gonna take all the supporting evidence and docs I need. It's just the mechanics of going about it. Plus my fiance/wife will be stressing out about it (as they do) so I need to be organised and fully prepared.

Steve

[waytogo297]

Hi all, found what I was looking for in another post on this site.

Thanks all.

[jlags90]

Thanks for your reply. I've already read that and it kinda does - and doesn't - help. I'm aware of all the documents etc and requirements. What I need to know is who do I contact after the wedding? Can it be organised whilst I'm still in the Phils and how do I go about it?

I'm gonna take all the supporting evidence and docs I need. It's just the mechanics of going about it. Plus my fiancee/wife will be stressing out about it (as they do) so I need to be organised and fully prepared.

Steve

Sorry Steve, I have no idea about getting married in the Philippines as I married in UK. But your wife will know/you could ask her if a marriage certificate will be issued immediately after the wedding(like the case in UK). If not, you need to secure a copy of your Marriage Certificate as part of your supporting documents.

You can definitely organise the application before you fly back to UK...

As stated by Sir Terpe in that thread I mentioned before,

---Gather all the docs needed (which you said you already have prepared)
---Fill in the ONLINE APPLICATION FORM which can be found at UKBA website - http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/ApplyNow.aspx - you would need to print this after completion since you will include this in the documents.
---Book an appointment (a new application centre is already open in Cebu so choose which suits you best) to lodge your visa application. Here's the link - https://www.vfs.firm.in/pl-apptsystem/appscheduling/appwelcome.aspx
---Once you have secured a date, you can pay the visa fee in any branches of UNION BANK all over the Philippines. You have to bear in mind that the bank fee receipt will only be valid for ten working days from the date of payment.
---Your wife will then visit VFS during her date of appointment to lodge her visa application.


Since you said your future wife has been in UK before as a student, I assume she already has a degree recognised in UK or has took an English Proficiency Test through a recognised provider. If not she needs to take such test.

Hope this helps. x

[Terpe]

Hi all, found what I was looking for in another post on this site. Thanks all.

Why don't you want to marry in UK and have your wife switch her visa to spouse visa?
Would be cheaper and faster and much less hassle.
You could always have a marriage blessing in the Philippines at a later date.

Please don't take offence, but may I ask if you're really OK with all the documentation requirements for a Philippine wedding and visa application?

Everyone here is willing to help if you need

Do you have the documents to enable a wedding?
Do you have sufficient time in Philippines to complete the wedding?
As jlags mentions, does your lady have (need) the English Language Test certificate?
Do you have the supporting documents to comply with the Financial Requirement?