Hi There
I’m on the same route as you, Like Rob said its a tough and painful journey with highs and lows along the way.
I would just like to stress this is my advice from what i have read, and learned from experience but as you know im sure everyone’s own experience will be different
From what i learned the actual money you earn is not the deciding matter, but more if you have enough to support you and your Wife. If you have 100k pounds a year salary but it all goes out of the bank every month on outgoings you maybe in a worse off situation than someone on 10K who lives within there means.
I read that in appeal cases it is claimed that when deciding if a sponsor can support an applicant that the figure taken is the amount given for income support. Which is approximately 54.65 a week for a single person.
So if you have 50 pounds a week free or thereabouts then you should be ok. So that’s 200/220 pounds a Month free.
As you are presently sending about 80 pounds a month, your almost there just with that.
If not do you have savings? It’s a good thing to ensure your Bank Balance looks healthy i.e. staying in the black at least.
Another way of showing that your wife will not need Public funds, is for her to have a job once she is here. What skills does your Girlfriend have, how good is her English? Do they need workers where you work?
A lot of Wife’s i have noticed have taken “Care worker” courses while in the Philippines. I think Rob could give more advice on this route.
My Wife has been improving her English skills, by talking/e chatting to me and simply by watching BBC News Channel and any English Film programme she can on TV.
She then took recently an ILETS Exam which is an exam which tests in Reading, Writing, Listening and speaking. She more recently prepared for the Exam with the help of books and cds which can be obatined from Amazon among other places.
Colleges, universities and organizations like the NHS, use this exam and others, to see the level of a person’s English language skill.
Sorry for the rambling just some ideas which may or may not be of use to you.
Its a good Idea to Meet your Girlfriend a few times, however well you think you know your Girlfriend via chats, its vital both of you spend as much time together as possible.
Yes of course it looks good for the Embassy and CFO interview, but more importantly for the two of you to see if you’re a match.
Good Luck to the two of you.I'm also going in October to Phill, it’s my Fourth trip and I can't wait to get back.
I would just like to add I am no expert on this subject; I am like you trying to work out things as I go along.
