Visitors Visas for purpose of entering the United Kingdom for Tourism - but the real intention is for settlement or marriage.


Time and Time again this is coming up by interested readers and becomes a FAQ (Frequently Asked Question)

so Can a UK Resident apply for Visitors Visa for a Philippine National to visit the UK for tourism.

The answer to this quetion is Yes they can, however their is no guarantee that the British Mission in the Philippines will grant such a visa.

It is true to say that anyone in any country in the world can apply for a visitors visa for tourism, however the point of this FAQ is that if your intentions are:

(a) To apply for a visitors visa for your Filipina girlfriend to come to the UK to live with you for a few weeks to see if she likes it, etc, or it is for you to have your girlfirend come and live with you.

(B) To apply for a visitors visa for your Filipina girlfirend to come to the United Kingdom and then whilst she is here on a tourist visa, decide to marry at your local registrar office.


If you are contemplating either of the above, our best advice is this:

IN NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU ATTEMPT TO APPLY FOR A TOURIST VISA WHERE YOU HAVE ULTERIOR MOTIVES AS THIS WILL BE SPOTTED BY THE ENTRY CLEARANCE OFFICERS WHO DEAL WITH THESE APPLICATIONS EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THEIR LIFE.

Even if a tourist visa was granted for a 30 day visit, and you married your Filipina girlfirend, she would have to return at then end of her 30 day visa, and then you would have to go through the procedures of applying at the British Embassy Manila and once it has come to light that she married you during a 30 day visa for tourism purposes, it is likely that any future visa's would be declined, leaving you married to a woman that cannot come to your country of residence, if that is your object, then fine, go ahead, but be warned that the British Embassy ECO'S can take a dim view of you trying to get around UK Immigration Rules.

If you wish to bring your Filipina girlfriend to the UK to live with you, then apply for the following:

A Fiancee Visa on Form VAFW2 (2003)

Details of this procedure is under

Courting and Relationships "Spouse and Fiancee visas"