Snap! Just this morning - as it happens - my Filipina wife received an email from her *niece in Hartlepool, England ... informing her that *her daughter's Filipino boyfriend had been refused a visa for a number of reasons similar to those you've received yourself.

Like you, he doesn't have a job at present [he's a student] ... and, even though his family were going to be funding his [proposed] trip, the ECO "wasn't satisfied that once here, he'd be in a position to support himself financially" ... ... despite his girlfriend's mother (my wife's niece) and myself acting as his joint sponsors.

Now the thing is, this young couple are planning to marry next year in the Philippines. But, as his co~guarantors, neither the girl's mother nor myself wished to divulge their relationship in our covering letters - being only too well aware that the Embassy would likely suggest the guy should defer any application until nearer the time of their wedding and then apply for either a Fiance or Spouse Visa instead. Which, of course, considering that one or either of the partners MUST earn a minimum income of £18,600 a year, would've been completely out of the question.

So if this response of mine comes across as somewhat negative. Tbh ... I'd wanted to apply for a Visitor's Visa on behalf of my [then] lady friend after we'd met for the first time only to be told such visas were "a bit of a lottery" since applying for one was akin to "getting blood out of a stone" - and that was almost 8 years' ago!!

Oh yes, one can reapply, ... nonetheless, there's no guarantee a SUBSEQUENT outcome would be any different, bearing in mind your current situation. Whilst there is a 'Right Of Appeal' with Settlement Visas ... with Tourist Visas NO such right exists, unfortunately.

Alas, there have been very MANY changes to the Settlement Visa System since my wife applied for her Spousal Visa back in January 2009 ... the introductions of the aforementioned Minimum Income Level, English Language competency and the need for Tuberculosis Testing among them.

However, DON'T be put off by the rather gloomy picture I've painted, ... we're lucky, in that, one of my fellow Moderators - who posts under the pseudonym Terpe - is extremely well~versed in ALL sorts of visa issues, and I'm sure he'll be delighted to advise you on your BEST way forward.