Having been through the most stressful few months of my life to date, we've finally completed all the requirements and Marvie is at 35,000 en-route to the Middle East.
The paperwork and visas have been touch and go for a while, since her ex-husband (my stepdaughters father) has absolutely no contact with the child and hasn't since prior to her birth. Having had to complete affidavits by an approved lawyer, certified at the city hall, red ribbon at the DFO, and then fedex'd to me, sent to the Embassy and then finally the ministry of foreign affairs for authenticating. The Immigration ummed and ahhed over whether to issue the visa, really not sure what to do without the Fathers consent. Finally the visa has been issued and work booked Marvie and the kids flights across here, thankfully in business class so at least they can all sleep.
The final hurdle that has been stressing me was the immigration on departure in the Philippines who can be an absolute nightmare. I've had sleepless nights wondering how this would go. Unlike the UK, the visa here is issued on arrival in their passports, so I could only give them a scanned copy of the visa receipts and a letter from me. I've read quite a few horror stories online that under 'anti trafficking laws' the immigration could decide to stop the travel. I was also worried because despite Marvie attending the CFO seminar, she hadn't got a sticker because they didn't know which one to issue (Middle East or British...). Maybe i'm just nervous, but I was really expecting quite a bit of hassle. In actual fact she did get asked a lot of questions, they asked for OFW documents, which she said she obviously didn't have because her husband is British, they asked for a affidavit of support from the filipino embassy, which again she told them that a British guy can't get a filipino affidavit, they asked about the CFO sticker, they asked about the children etc etc so eventually they just stamped the passports and allowed them through.
Half of our problems have been down the Philippines awkward and complicated procedures for obtaining documents.
So now this is over, the house is all prepared for Marvie and the Children, I've bought a new car (Kia Sorento 2.4ltr petrol AWD) and am off shopping now to get all the favourite foods in the house. I'm off work for the next few days to help them settle in and get comfortable in the new life here in the Middle East. Luckily its a good time of year, the temperatures are a cool 22 degrees :-)
Party time !
Stress = no more!
You must be soooooo relieved.
Originally Posted by RickyR
