Spousal Visa

[Arthur Little]

Yeah, Shayla and Nids, the statement I referred to about applications being forwarded to the British High Commission is somewhat misleading. I have to admit that when Myrna first received this text message a few weeks after submitting her application, our immediate reaction was to ASSUME her visa had, at THAT stage, been granted, and that the role of the 'Commission' (as distinct from the 'Embassy' was merely to "rubber stamp" its approval for issue. So I guess our initial false optimism proved to be unfounded as PeterB implies!

Somewhat ironically, Peter also reckons the Philippine Immigration Authorities recently implemented a directive whereby it's mandatory for all spouses of foreign nationals to attend a 4-hour guidance & counselling session in either Manila or Cebu, entailing further unnecessary financial outlay for flights and overnight accommodation on top of the hefty expenditure already incurred. In Myrna's case, at least, it would seem a bit daft to impose such a requirement, since she has a lifelong fluency in the English language and even taught college students using this compulsory medium for the past 22 years. From the literature that Peter downloaded from his computer, it would appear THIS applies to those migrating to places like Australia & New Zealand, Canada & the US, Japan and a number of other (unspecified) countries as tabulated. Nowhere, can I see any specific reference to the UK.

[aromulus]

Somewhat ironically, Peter also reckons the Philippine Immigration Authorities recently implemented a directive whereby it's mandatory for all spouses of foreign nationals to attend a 4-hour guidance & counselling session in either Manila or Cebu, entailing further unnecessary financial outlay for flights and overnight accommodation on top of the hefty expenditure already incurred. In Myrna's case, at least, it would seem a bit daft to impose such a requirement, since she has a lifelong fluency in the English language and even taught college students using this compulsory medium for the past 22 years. From the literature that Peter downloaded from his computer, it would appear THIS applies to those migrating to places like Australia & New Zealand, Canada & the US, Japan and a number of other (unspecified) countries as tabulated. Nowhere, can I see any specific reference to the UK.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but it doesn't matter where a Filipina migrates to she won't be able to leave without that little sticker in her passport.

There have been instances whereas the traveller was sent back from immigration at the airport, because there was no sticker on the passport.

And that directive has been in force for many years, or so I am led to believe.


http://filipinaroses.com/showthread....ht=cfo+sticker
Don't shoot the messenger.......

[darren-b]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but it doesn't matter where a Filipina migrates to she won't be able to leave without that little sticker in her passport.

A few thousand pesos in her passport may work instead

[Arthur Little]

Ah well ... "In for a penny - in for a pound!" to quote from the *G&S light opera, Iolanthe. We all have to make sacrifices in the name of the big 'L'; After all, Myrna has already given up a rewarding career for the sake of it! Let's just hope the Counselling and Registration can be done simultaneously and she's "up in the air sky high, sky high" [another line from *same] before my Bank Manager calls in the receivers!

Cheers guys.

[Arthur Little]

I can hardly believe it! Just minutes ago (they're early risers them Filipinos!!) I received an EMail from my Dearly Beloved to say vfs Global had sent her another text message which read: "PROCESSED PASSPORT RETURNED THROUGH COURIER". So we've finally done it ... or so it would seem!! Am I correct in my assumption? Reassurance is much needed, folks.

[Shayla]

I can hardly believe it! Just minutes ago (they're early risers them Filipinos!!) I received an EMail from my Dearly Beloved to say vfs Global had sent her another text message which read: "PROCESSED PASSPORT RETURNED THROUGH COURIER". So we've finally done it ... or so it would seem!! Am I correct in my assumption? Reassurance is much needed, folks.

Hello Arthur,

Wow that's a great news if it's returned to courier. But do you mind if I'm going to ask how long did she waited for her spouse visa?..

That's too quick I think..

Congratulations in advance

[Mrs.JMajor]

I can hardly believe it! Just minutes ago (they're early risers them Filipinos!!) I received an EMail from my Dearly Beloved to say vfs Global had sent her another text message which read: "PROCESSED PASSPORT RETURNED THROUGH COURIER". So we've finally done it ... or so it would seem!! Am I correct in my assumption? Reassurance is much needed, folks.

awww lol im late,so you already got your visa,congrats Arthur and Myrna

[Arthur Little]

Hi Shayah,

Many thanks for your congrats. I agree it does seem quick, given that we only presented our papers on the 20th of last month. Oh dear ... I do hope I haven't "jumped the gun" in reaching the (possibly mistaken) conclusion that the visa HAS, in fact been granted, then. Now I've got over the initial excitement, I can't help thinking: "What if they've returned Myrna's passport MINUS the visa!" Maybe there's a covering letter inside, explaining why it's been denied or something ...

[Arthur Little]

Hi Juliet,

Many thanks for your congratulations - which, on reflection, I hope and pray turn out to be justified.

As I said in my reply to Shayla, it DOES seem rather quick for the visa to come through after only five weeks of [im]patiently waiting. So now I'm not sure - not sure at all!

[Shayla]

Hi Shayah,

Many thanks for your congrats. I agree it does seem quick, given that we only presented our papers on the 20th of last month. Oh dear ... I do hope I haven't "jumped the gun" in reaching the (possibly mistaken) conclusion that the visa HAS, in fact been granted, then. Now I've got over the initial excitement, I can't help thinking: "What if they've returned Myrna's passport MINUS the visa!" Maybe there's a covering letter inside, explaining why it's been denied or something ...

Now Arthur you can celebrate.. No more negative feelings alright???...

Have a safe journey for your Asawa to UK..

[acs]

hallo Arthur, im in perth right now...me and tiN, also a member in the forum...like your wife i also applied for spousal visa...uk is one of those countries that wives/husband and fiancee/e's of their nationals need to attend cfo seminar. I've done mine in Cebu as i lived in Cagayan de oro much nearer for me to go there than in Manila. Its really a requirement cause the Philippine immigration authorities wont let us board the plane if theres no sticker stamp on our Filipino passport. It does really dwindle our finances as besides the visa and travelling to manila/cebu and so forth fees..one needs to attend this also . It cost around 250 pesos for the seminar and the 400 pesos at the cfo office for the sticker and membership. But she can do it a day or two before she flies here in uk after she got her visa. to save for the travelling back and forth. The seminar and councelling can be done in just one day...Just let her be there early so she can be allocated a sit..sometimes many other nationalities wives and fiancees are there too. The seminar is really for us wives, fiancee to learn what to do in case if something happens to us and where we turn in the new country we are going to... and so many other things not only that, its just one of the topics.

[Shayla]

hallo Arthur, im in perth right now...me and tiN, also a member in the forum...like your wife i also applied for spousal visa...uk is one of those countries that wives/husband and fiancee/e's of their nationals need to attend cfo seminar. I've done mine in Cebu as i lived in Cagayan de oro much nearer for me to go there than in Manila. Its really a requirement cause the Philippine immigration authorities wont let us board the plane if theres no sticker stamp on our Filipino passport. It does really dwindle our finances as besides the visa and travelling to manila/cebu and so forth fees..one needs to attend this also . It cost around 250 pesos for the seminar and the 400 pesos at the cfo office for the sticker and membership. But she can do it a day or two before she flies here in uk after she got her visa. to save for the travelling back and forth. The seminar and councelling can be done in just one day...Just let her be there early so she can be allocated a sit..sometimes many other nationalities wives and fiancees are there too. The seminar is really for us wives, fiancee to learn what to do in case if something happens to us and where we turn in the new country we are going to... and so many other things not only that, its just one of the topics.

Ate ACS you're absolutely right.. I agree I agree I agree

[Shayla]

Yeah, Shayla and Nids, the statement I referred to about applications being forwarded to the British High Commission is somewhat misleading. I have to admit that when Myrna first received this text message a few weeks after submitting her application, our immediate reaction was to ASSUME her visa had, at THAT stage, been granted, and that the role of the 'Commission' (as distinct from the 'Embassy' was merely to "rubber stamp" its approval for issue. So I guess our initial false optimism proved to be unfounded as PeterB implies!

Somewhat ironically, Peter also reckons the Philippine Immigration Authorities recently implemented a directive whereby it's mandatory for all spouses of foreign nationals to attend a 4-hour guidance & counselling session in either Manila or Cebu, entailing further unnecessary financial outlay for flights and overnight accommodation on top of the hefty expenditure already incurred. In Myrna's case, at least, it would seem a bit daft to impose such a requirement, since she has a lifelong fluency in the English language and even taught college students using this compulsory medium for the past 22 years. From the literature that Peter downloaded from his computer, it would appear THIS applies to those migrating to places like Australia & New Zealand, Canada & the US, Japan and a number of other (unspecified) countries as tabulated. Nowhere, can I see any specific reference to the UK.

I think Arthur your wife's visa is really granted and the first text she received was wrong..

Anyways congratulations and kindly keep us updated.

Many thanks!

[PeterB]

Somewhat ironically, Peter also reckons the Philippine Immigration Authorities recently implemented a directive whereby it's mandatory for all spouses of foreign nationals to attend a 4-hour guidance & counselling session in either Manila or Cebu....

Err... I never said it was recent!