At long last, I received a call from the Bureau of Immigration in Davao, on Monday (Oct 6), to say that my visa application has been approved. Tomorrow I will go to collect my probationary spouse visa, which will have to be renewed in 12 months time (to become permanent). My application was submitted on April 5.
I am told that most applications are currently being returned within 4 to 5 weeks. Why did mine take so long? Probably because I collected the application forms and guidance notes on Feb 20, and then worked on all the requirements ready to submit the application. Unfortunately, the procedures were revised in March 1, so the process I used was out of date by the time my application went in.
Anyway, it's all sorted now and I can progress my plans with less doubts about my future status.
I honestly don't know what I would have done had my visa been refused - I have no property of any kind in the UK - all my belongings are here, together with the houses and farmlands Ruby and I have purchased.
