Quote Originally Posted by Terpe View Post
Firstly let me say hello and offer you a warm welcome to our online community.

Secondly, I'd like to wish you a wonderful and memorable first visit to the Philippines.
It will actually be my second. I only wish I had met her then. Needless to say I'm very much looking forward to
Quote Originally Posted by Terpe View Post
Your gf sounds very sensible. Keep an open mind, be happy and enjoy each step as it comes.

Regarding the visit visa idea, it seems you have done some research here already so you will surely realise that the approval largely hinges around the probability of your gf returning home from UK. That in turn is largely connected to strong ties to the Philippines.

My own personal view has always been that in view of the very low cost of application it's always well worth making an application. Your strategy is to convince the ECO that the visit is funded and that she will return home.
If your gf has not previously travelled outside of Philippines please do think carefully about the reasons for the visit, the timing of the visit and the requested duration of the visit.
There should be no doubt in the mind of the ECO that she will leave UK.

Any application for schenghen visa will need to be made from Philippines not from UK, so just be prepared to nail down some plans on that.

Good luck
Thanks for the advice. The visit will be of fixed duration with a mostly fixed itinerary and it is absolutely her intention to return to the Philippines. In fact we hope to see the Tour de France (100th edition in 2013, will be amazing) and a little of Paris by spending a week in France. The time before and after (maybe 1 week either side, so 3 weeks) will be spent in the UK.