Hi

[angelfingers2]

Hello everyone,

My name is Dave 42 years old and I am located in West Yorkshire.. I am semi retired after leaving mylast job last year after 22 years and am now happily settled here and in part time work.

I am single never being married and have been corresponding with a lady in Cebu for the last 4 months. I took the step of visiting her there and had a lovely 10 day holiday there with her and arrived back in UK last Thursday 22 November 2007.

I intend to visit her again next year hopefully with better weather as my trip coincided with a Typhoon arriving unanounced in Cebu which was all very interesting. I stayed at the wonderful Parklane Hotel which I can thouroughly recommend to anyone, I am sure that there are cheaper places in Cebu but i found it remarkable value for money given the type of place it is it was amazing there.

My friend has now returned to her province Massin City, Leyte, and I will hopefully visit thereand meet her family on my next trip.

My friend is very keen to visit UK and I would welcome any help on this matter and the best way of proceeding. I am aware that this can sometimes be difficult and welcome any help.

Thanks and look forward to being apart of this forum.

Best wishes

Dave

[LadyJ]

Hello Dave

First of all, Welcome to the forum!

It was good to know that you had a great time in Philippines.

A lot of people find this site very helpful about from visiting Philippines to applying a visa etc. and we have discussed so many issues here so you may want to use the SEARCH button on the top of this page to search your query or else just ask us if you are unsure.

You may also want to read the 'Costs of courtship/marriage to a Filipina' posted in here or visit Pete's helpful website at www.british-filipino.com.

[kimmi]

hi Dave,

welcome to the forum..I am pleased that u have had a great time during ur visit here in our country though there's some typhoon experience..

about ur visa queeries, like LadyJ have said we already do have lots of posts here about it..u just have to use the search button here..

if u decide to have the visit visa, ur friend should have bank accounts, properties and a stable job so to prove the ECO that she can support herself during her stay in the UK and she has the reason to come back home..u might say u are willing to sponsor her, it is ok but she really needs to have that to prove that she will not depend on public funds..

Goodluck..

[ginapeterb]

Hi Dave, a warm welcome to the forum also, our sisters LadyJ and Kimmi certainly gave you the warmest welcome, many of the ladies here at this forum are quite well up to date with visa requirements, there experiences are invaluable, it appears your wish your new GF to visit the UK, I assume from what you tell us, that its only a visit at this time.

A simple tourist visa is the cheapest way to apply, however not always the most successful, you are one of a long line of enquirers who have come to the forum over the years, and ask the same question, which visa for my girl ?

Its not always a one size fits all situation, and marriage visa's do not always suit the situation, in your case, you have nothing to loose if your GF applies for a simple tourist visa.

She is normally guaranteed an excellent chance of being issued a visa, provided her personal bank account shows a good balance, and that as Kimmi already explained to you, "Compelling reasons why she would return to the Philippines at the end of her holiday"

Sometimes applicants are refused because they are considered a flight risk, (not to be confused with getting onboard a civil aircraft).

Flight risks are those applicants who come from 3rd world countries, and are trying to obtain a tourist visa to disguise the real object of their quest to visit another country.

Sadly, London in my personal experience is full of Filipinos who came via the tourist route, or the student visa route, and then simply end up obtaining employment and become undocumented.

This system is known in the Philippines as Tago ng Tago (Hiding) or as we say in the UK (Ducking and Diving).

Entry clearance officers who will assess your GF's application will look at this as being a very good chance, your GF will not return back to the Philippines, however do not be put off Dave, I am merely trying to point out to you as will others who answer your post, that there are a certain amount of negative factors that may come into your case.

However on a positive side, should your GF apply for a tourist visa, provided as Kimmi and LadyJ have alluded to, your Girlfriend can demonstrate a willingness to return home at the end of the holiday, and provided the money stacks up, there is no reason why she would not be issued a tourist visa to come and visit you.

If your girlfriend is not a rich Filipina, or has her own business, ( and many do not) some guys from UK in the past have attempted to make their GF's application look better by bolstering the Filipina's bank account with a wad of cash, say £5000.00 so Php 400,000 to Php 500,00 always looks good, that your GF has sufficient funds for her stay.

This might get your GF a visa ok, but it is known to be a risky strategy, why am I the merchant of doom you may ask ?

My caution to you regarding doing this is simple, the temptation not to come at all, may be too great, I am not saying for a moment your GF will scam you out of your hard earned cash, many will not do that, but sadly, there is always one who might just be tempted enough not to bother, and keep your cash, it has happened.

My advice is not to go down this route, whilst it works for others, it may not work for you, unless of course, you are totally loaded, and can afford the risk that your new found lady love will not suddenly have a wealth of emergencies that must be taken care of with your money, and that she does not have utang na loob to settle.

Best of luck Dave, please ask any questions you like.

[angelfingers2]

Hi,

Thanks to all for the welcome it seems I am in the best place to sort out any questions.

I have already started looking at the search topics so as not to keep asking the same old questions I can really appreciate you must get tired of always having to help newcomers with the same issues.

Thanks once again for the welcome.

Best wishes

Dave

[aromulus]

I can really appreciate you must get tired of always having to help newcomers with the same issues.
Dave

"Tired" is not the word, really,

Mildly "frustrated" by some that don't bother reading the intros... And Rules of the forum.

you are ok.

You will find answers for all your questions.

At one point or the other of the relationships, some members will have had that particular experience you can draw help from...

A very warm welcome.

[LEAHnew]

welcome to the forum..

[Pepe n Pilar]

Hello Angelfingers2 welcome to the forum

[Alan]

Hi Dave and welcome to this great site.

I have been here since July and I'm STILL ALIVE!!!!

Al.

[andypaul]

Not an expert on getting tourist visas but at the moment its most likely far easier to vist your lady friend in phill again before both of you contemplate trying to let her vist the UK.

1 Like others say unless the paperwork looks sweet and that she is not a risk that she may dissapear it maybe refused. This will have cost you both in time and money.

2 I presume you will pay for her to apply for the Visa and flight over? We all think we know everyone in our lifes like pete hints at its a big risk. Would you lend a woman you have just met in the UK enough to buy a car?

Best to get to know one another via chat, phone, letter and in person when possible.

Whatever you decide welcome to the site and i hope you enjoy your stay here on the fil uk