Divorce

[sparky]

Not sure what Section to put this in so please mods feel free to move to the relevant section.

So, a friend of mine got married in the Philippines and his wife is now in the UK with full UK Citizenship

However, as can happen, things haven't worked out between them so they have agreed to separate and divorce - which raises a couple of questions:

1. Can they legally divorce in the UK?

2. Would the Philippines accept a divorce from the UK or would they also need an annullment there?

3. Since the Philippines don't do divorce, would he be able to marry again to another pinay once the divorce in the UK has been finalised (in the Philippines or UK)?

Thanks in advance

[raynaputi]

To answer your questions:

1. Yes

2. Yes (they don't need to have an annulment, your friend's wife is already British and this won't cause any problems for both of them)

3. Yes

[mickcant]

To answer your questions:

1. Yes

2. Yes (they don't need to have an annulment, your friend's wife is already British and this won't cause any problems for both of them)

3. Yes

I can confirm that, I married in the Philippines and divorced her here in the UK with a few problems as she ignored the solicitors and court letters, but it went through without her agreement in the end.

I would have sooner saved our marriage, but she just used me to fund her coming to the UK.

She is, as far as I know, still here illegally.

Mick.

[bigmac]

To go off topic a bit...

Under the 5 year rule---what would happen if a new marriage failed in that time---does the wife/partner have to go back?---and---what about if the husband-sponsor dies in that time?

[mickcant]

to go off topic a bit...

under the 5 year rule---what would happen if a new marriage failed in that time---does the wife/partner have to go back ?---and---what about if the husband-sponsor dies in that time ?

In theory, yes, if they do not have "Leave to Remain". In practice, they did not bother about my ex, in Jan 2011 despite my giving UKBA the details.

Mick.

[sparky]

If the wife now has British Citizenship, would the 5-year rule still apply tho?

[bigmac]

The rules changed dramatically in July 2012--before that it was only 2 years--and no earnings rules.

[Terpe]

If the wife now has British Citizenship, would the 5-year rule still apply tho?

No. British Citizens are not under any immigration rule whatsoever.

[sparky]

Thanks all - I will pass the info on

[London_Manila]

I can confirm that, I married in the Philippines and divorced her here in the UK with a few problems as she ignored the solicitors and court letters, but it went through without her agreement in the end.

I would have sooner saved our marriage, but she just used me to fund her coming to the UK.

She is, as far as I know, still here illegally.

Mick.

I would have written to Lunar House and informed them of the details and maybe they could have reviewed her case and status in the UK

Why not if she has played the system and there must be some means of redress

This would put off future scammers also

[gWaPito]

I would have written to Lunar House and informed them of the details and maybe they could have reviewed her case and status in the UK

Why not if she has played the system and there must be some means of redress

This would put off future scammers also

Many do play the system. It's such a shame there are no stats for failed non European/British marriages when the magical 3 years clicked in.

The pen pushers wont get involved, they've all got their roles to play whilst counting down to their pensions I wrote such a letter when my first filipina wife took to her toes, sending a copy to her employer. She then promptly married another!

[Dedworth]

I would have written to Lunar House and informed them of the details and maybe they could have reviewed her case and status in the UK

Why not if she has played the system and there must be some means of redress
This would put off future scammers also

Mick actually did that and a lot more but the system failed miserably