Tourist - visit visa ..

[Arthur Little]

currently engaged and due to marry in the near future, then we will be applying for a spouse visa ...

in the meantime so we are able to spend as much time as possible together we where thinking of trying to obtain a tourist/visit visa to enable her to come to the uk and visit me, rather than me go to the phills all the time ...this would be a much cheaper option for us both ...and of course this will enable her to spend a few weeks in england ..

my question is, is this type of visa easy and quick to obtain or is just a difficult as obtaining and finacee/spouse visa ...

thanks ...

Ahhh, my friend ... if I might be permitted to address your last paragraph first:
Whilst Tourist/Visitor's Visas cost only a fraction of the Fiancee and/or Spousal versions - and are processed much faster - they are extremely difficult to obtain UNLESS your good lady [and yourself, as her sponsor] can demonstrate (a) that, between you, you have the financial capacity to support her stay in the UK for a period up to 6 months without recourse to public funds. And (b) there is *sufficient evidence to prove - beyond reasonable doubt - that she fully intends returning to the Philippines WITHIN the timescale imposed by the conditions of the visa. *This could take the form of a letter signed by her current employer, duly certifying her leave of absence, and confirming that she will have a job to go back to.

So, on balance, you have two - infinitely more viable - options:

(i ) Apply for a Fiancee Visa ... which would enable her to come
HERE to be married ... so long as the wedding took place
within the approved six months' validity period, and she then
*petitioned the Home Office for 'Further Leave To Remain'
as soon as possible after the ceremony - *but again within
the allotted timeframe.

(ii) Marry in the Phils and THEN apply for the Spouse Visa.

Personally, I tend to recommend the latter because, with the cost being the same - and just the one single cash outlay involved - it definitely works out by far the cheaper of the two alternatives. Indeed, it is the route my wife and I chose ourselves earlier this year. But then, a great deal depends upon individual circumstances; for instance, I'm retired and could therefore spare the time needed to collate the required documentation while remaining in the Phils. And I'm well-aware that the majority of British sponsors are NOT in this fortunate position.

I hope the foregoing is of some help, and wish you luck with whatever you decide to do!