Hi all

[Michael Parnham]

Hi Peter, can you please clear up a problem I can't seem to get my head round. The IELTS certificate expires after two years, which means for most or all those that come to the UK that the certificate has expired by the time they put in an application for ILR, so do they have to do an IELTS exam again before the ILR application, please keep it simple such as, yes/no.

[Terpe]

Hi Peter, can you please clear up a problem I can't seem to get my head round. The IELTS certificate expires after two years, which means for most or all those that come to the UK that the certificate has expired by the time they put in an application for ILR, so do they have to do an IELTS exam again before the ILR application, please keep it simple such as, yes/no.

Can't give a yes/no answer. Too many twists and turns.
Also nothing to do specifically either IELTS or with specific certificate expiry.

All applicants for settlement will be required to demonstrate a knowledge of language and life in the UK by passing the Life in the UK test and by presenting a speaking and listening qualification at intermediate level (Common European Framework of Reference level B1) or above.

[louismc44]

Hi all
We put in our application for a settlement visa about a week ago now (for my wife Olivia)
Roughly on average how long do they take to give us an answer one way or the other?

[Terpe]

Hi all
We put in our application for a settlement visa about a week ago now (for my wife Olivia)
Roughly on average how long do they take to give us an answer one way or the other?

The majority get a decision within 6 - 10 weeks

[louismc44]

Thank you Terpe
We will just wait this one out then
Oh by the way
When Olivia was at the visa centre in Manila
Although we did ask to have the interview in English
but the officer who Olivia saw there ask her to speak in Tagalog.
And also copy all the list of her documents down in Tagalog too?
Now why would they do this when Olivia ask to be interviewed in English?
Were they checking up to see if Olivia really knew her English and could translate all her English document back into to Tagalog?
Seems strange to me, but maybe that is the way they do things over there?
Regards
Louis & Olivia

[Michael Parnham]

Been following your application story, we will keep our fingers crossed for you, let us know the outcome, Good Luck!

[louismc44]

Thank you Michael

Been following your application story, we will keep our fingers crossed for you, let us know the outcome, Good Luck!

[mickmyrna]

Hi Louis , I received my visa before and they email me like this : Dear MYRNA,

A decision on your Visa application reference number: AMAN/ XXXXXXXXXX has been made by the British Embassy. Your application has been received at the UK Visa Application Centre and is ready for collection.Please note this is an auto generated e-mail. Please do NOT reply to this email.
Wait until your wife receives the visa documents. Be positive

[raynaputi]

Read this thread regarding CFO.. http://filipinaroses.com/showthread.php/40317-Leaving-the-Philippines-as-a-Spouse-Fiancee?

Regarding TB test, since Feb 2013, new applicants in the Philippines must include a TB test certificate/result from an accredited clinic of UKBA. If your wife didn't need that when she submitted the applications, she can get a TB test from the accredited clinic of UKBA because she would be asked upon entry to UK. http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/countries/philippines/applying/tb-test/?langname=UK%20English

[louismc44]

Hi Raynaputi

Thank you very much for replying to me so quicky
I've just read section upon TB certificate
Applicants who complete an online visa application form and pay the online visa application fee before 28 February 2013 will not need to take a tuberculosis test. Online applications submitted and paid for after this date will be subject to tuberculosis testing requirements.

Olivia and I made this application and paid the visa fee before this date above here We made and paid for it before February 14th
So this could mean that we are exempt from having to get this extra certificate and by the way Olivia was not asked for the TB certificate when she had her appointment at the VFS Global in Manila
Are we Olivia and I in the clear over this, or do we still have to have this TB test?

Once again thank you very much for this information and if there is anymore documents we need to get before Olivia can catch a plane and fly to me? Please let me know as soon as possible
With kindest regards
Louis & Olivia

[louismc44]

This was posted to me by Raynaputi

Regarding TB test, since Feb 2013, new applicants in the Philippines must include a TB test certificate/result from an accredited clinic of UKBA. If your wife didn't need that when she submitted the applications, she can get a TB test from the accredited clinic of UKBA because she would be asked upon entry to UK. http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/co...e=UK%20English

I have checked this website above to read about the TB test
Upon reading it I found this part of the text here below

I've just read section upon TB certificate

Applicants who complete an online visa application form and pay the online visa application fee before 28 February 2013 will not need to take a tuberculosis test.

Can anyone put me in the picture about this a bit more?
My question is...As I said before we made our application and paid online and my wife Olivia had her appointment on the 14th of Feb 2013

Do we still need to take the TB test before my wife get her flight to the UK? It would be terrible for her to come all this way to the UK and to be refused entry

I'm a bit thick when it comes to border agency forms and all that.
I'm not getting any answers from the web site about this and I was wondering if anyone out there can help me with this?
Thank you in advance
Regards
Louis & Olivia

[louismc44]

Oh by the way, before I forget again to mention this.

WE GOT OUR VISA TODAY

Thank you all for your kind help
I have learnt a lot from this site and I hope to be able to impart my own experience onto others who will follow our steps in getting their wives, friend, family and lovers to come over here to the UK too
Regards
Louis & Olivia

[bigmarco]

WE GOT OUR VISA TODAY

Hey Louis have been following your story with interest.
Delighted for you both and all the very best for the future

[Terpe]

Oh by the way, before I forget again to mention this.

WE GOT OUR VISA TODAY

Thank you all for your kind help
I have learnt a lot from this site and I hope to be able to impart my own experience onto others who will follow our steps in getting their wives, friend, family and lovers to come over here to the UK too
Regards
Louis & Olivia

Well at long last

Many congratulations Louis and Olivia

You did it.

Louis, now take your time to get everything lined up and in place for the 'travel-part'.
Don't be in too much of a hurry, Olivia has a visa for 33 months validity and only needs 30 months in UK so there is time enough.

Once again, very well done. Enjoy you special moment.

[Dedworth]

Well done

[louismc44]

Well done

Thank you Dedworth

With warmest regards
Louis & Olivia

[Michael Parnham]

Congrats on your success Louis!

[louismc44]

Congrats on your success Louis!

Thank you Michael
Wit warmest regards
Louis & OLivia

[bigmac]

nice one louis

[louismc44]

Thank you all for your best wishes to Olivia and I.

Just one last question I have put this before the panel earlier and no one has been able to give me a answer yet I need to have answer to this before I can get a ticket for my wife to come and join me here in the UK...

Applicants who complete an online visa application form and pay the online visa application fee before 28 February 2013 will not need to take a tuberculosis test.

Can anyone put me in the picture about this a bit more?
My question is...As I said before we made our application and paid online and my wife Olivia had her appointment on the 14th of Feb 2013

Do we still need to take the TB test before my wife get her flight to the UK? It would be terrible for her to come all this way to the UK and to be refused entry

Please...
Is there anyone who can give me a answer to this?
Thank you all
Regards Louis & Olivia

[Terpe]

Thank you all for your best wishes to Olivia and I.

Just one last question I have put this before the panel earlier and no one has been able to give me a answer yet I need to have answer to this before I can get a ticket for my wife to come and join me here in the UK...

Applicants who complete an online visa application form and pay the online visa application fee before 28 February 2013 will not need to take a tuberculosis test.

Can anyone put me in the picture about this a bit more?
My question is...As I said before we made our application and paid online and my wife Olivia had her appointment on the 14th of Feb 2013

Do we still need to take the TB test before my wife get her flight to the UK? It would be terrible for her to come all this way to the UK and to be refused entry

Please...
Is there anyone who can give me a answer to this?
Thank you all
Regards Louis & Olivia

1. The requirement for TB screening is part of the visa application process since 28 February.
Means the certificate MUST be submitted as an integral part of the Visa Application.

2. Since Olivia submitted the application before 28 February she was not required to include any such documentation.

3. Even before the TB screening was included within UKBA rules many people were still being asked for X-Ray at both Heathrow and Gatwick. Sometimes the immigration staff would request an X-Ray to be undertaken at the airport and sometimes they did not.
Louis, in all honesty, no-one can say if the immigration staff will ask for X-Ray or if they will request 'On-Site' X-ray at the airport facilities.

Which UK airport do you envisage as the arrival point?

It's not a big deal anyway. Just involves a small delay if it's insisted upon.

There's been NO reports of anyone being refused entry for not having an X-Ray so please put that particular concern right out of your mind.

There's quite a few posts here in the forum outlining the experiences of many members on this subject. Please do a quick search to satisfy yourself

4. May I suggest that Olivia undertakes a chest X-Ray at her nearest convenient clinic. I believe the cost would be around
P1000
At least this way she would have an X-Ray
This would minimise any delay at UK immigration, but more importantly would be valid personal health check for TB.
There's no requirement for Olivia to use the UKBA approved centre in Manila.

Hope this clarifies

[louismc44]

Hi Terpe
Wow that is a load off of my mind...
Thank you for clearing this up for me with your outline of great helpful details

I have just pass this bit of information onto Olivia which has also taken a lot of worry off her mind too..

Right now Olivia is on her way to the local hospital to make enquires about an X-ray for herself
And as you just said here, it will show a clean bill of health too

So all we need now, is to go to the CFO for a sticker to be put upon her passport.

The CFO in Cebu is only open for 1 day a week for UK travellers from the Philippines, with only 12 slots, 1st come 1st served basic, this is a long way to go on a chance that she may be able to attend a seminar or not?

Although it does show at CFO in Manila has more days of choice and 15 slots. Does this mean 15 people only at per session?

We've never done anything like this before
It's a long and hard winding road...
I hope this will lead Olivia to my door

Thank you very much.
Regards
Louis & Olivia

[louismc44]

nice one louis

Thank you bigmac for your best wishes

With warmest regards
Louis & Olivia

[Michael Parnham]

She should have took the unclear result and sorted it when she arrived in UK!

[louismc44]

Thank you Michael

She should have took the unclear result and sorted it when she arrived in UK!

This exactly what we have already decided to do this

Regards
Louis & Olivia

[raynaputi]

We don't have any stats on how many are granted and refused. Not all members here tell their cases so we have no idea. But most regulars here who you always see posting have their or their wives' visas granted.

[louismc44]

Hi Raynaputi
Thank you for your reply, but off the chuff, how many could you say did have their visa and how many on here did not have their visa granted?

On another subject..
We, Olivia and I, sent all of our documents and photos to the Embassy for their valuation upon our visa application.
.
When we got our visa, they did not send our originals documents, i.e. my birth certificate and our photos back to us
I was lead to believe from the beginning that we would get them all back, but why have they kept them and how can we demand them back?

Thank you with kind regards
Louis & Olivia

[Terpe]

Hi Raynaputi
Thank you for your reply, but off the chuff, how many could you say did have their visa and how many on here did not have their visa granted?

On another subject..
We, Olivia and I, sent all of our documents and photos to the Embassy for their valuation upon our visa application.
.
When we got our visa, they did not send our originals documents, i.e. my birth certificate and our photos back to us
I was lead to believe from the beginning that we would get them all back, but why have they kept them and how can we demand them back?

Thank you with kind regards
Louis & Olivia

Louis, use the e-mail addresses and contacts already in this thread to contact the Embassy and request your documents back.

[louismc44]

Louis, use the e-mail addresses and contacts already in this thread to contact the Embassy and request your documents back.

Hi Terpe...

Yes that is my point, as it is no use giving us email addresses as you did before.

I have to tell you, we still have not heard from them yet.
So what other chances do we have?

Regards
Louis & Olivia

[Terpe]

Hi Terpe...

Yes that is my point, as it is no use giving us email addresses as you did before.

I have to tell you, we still have not heard from them yet.
So what other chances do we have?

Regards
Louis & Olivia

I can't do any more than provide the contact details.
Surely worth a try to contact and get your documents back though ?

I have to agree the Embassy is terribly slow in communications.

Well, I make no apologies but, here are the details to 'up-the-game' a little and escalate your valid complaint:-
(Please try)

Stephen Lillie - British Ambassador to the Philippines
Trevor Lewis - Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy Manila

Email: ukinthephilippines@fco.gov.uk

Telephone +63 2 858 2200
Fax (Management) +63 2 858 2237