at this moment in time you have a choice, to take her with you or leave her behind, years from now, you might not have that choice.
is the bio father named on the child's birth cert ?
as you have no contact with the bio father, and if you write a letter stating once your settled you will apply for a visa for her and on the application form (in additional info) put the same, keep a copy of each to send when you do apply a visa for her, to show you have always intended that she will join you,
http://filipinaroses.com/showthread....light=bigmarco
He mentions the abandonment of my wifes son which is tosh. Her son will be with her Parents and be well provided for and in all probability will join us once Mum has settled. He mentions the childs father who she hasn't seen since Birth and who has never seen his son
just dont leave her too long , 1 yr max and hopefully you will not have problems, and keep and collect evidence you make the decisions that effect her daily life.( school reports, doctors reports letters naming you as the contact, bills concerning her etc)