Have visa, what now?!

[Eljohno]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ivor&mel &#064; Mar 12 2006, 05&#58;03 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Well, I booked a single flight to Cebu for 22nd March [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img] Had to use Singapore though because Qatar arrival time is problematic. I got (I think) a reasonable price direct from the Singapore website: £316 + taxes = £387. What I would like to know now is how can I pay for the 2 tickets back when I am in Cebu? Do travel agents there accept credit cards or must it be done in cash? I would prefer to use Visa...

Mel rang CFO in Cebu the other day, and she was told that they handle UK leavers on Monday TO Friday, rather than Monday AND Friday as it says on the website. I&#39;m still not convinced by that, so I&#39;ve asked her to call them again tomorrow to confirm which is correct.

Ivor
[/b][/quote]

Ivor when i asked about paying for my wife&#39;s ticket at her local travel agent they would not let me pay for it over the phone but if i was there in person they would have allowed me to pay using the swipe machine...

[ivor&mel]

Ivor when i asked about paying for my wife's ticket at her local travel agent they would not let me pay for it over the phone but if i was there in person they would have allowed me to pay using the swipe machine...

OK, so I'll just try and add it to my ever-growing Visa bill

I'm now starting to look into the CFO process in detail... is there anyone who has had recent (2006) experience of this, especially in Cebu? And does anyone get refused the certificate, and if so, on what grounds? Also, what docs are necessary to take to CFO? We are planning on taking all the docs that the Embassy gave back, plus the ticket stubs/boarding cards I will have from my flights there next Wed/Thu, and a photocopy of the entry stamp in my passport.

I'm going to go with Mel to the CFO place, but I suppose I will not be allowed in? So how and where to pass the waiting time? I hope we have time to follow the suggestion of buying a Simcard there so that Mel can call me when she has finished, but not 100% certain that we will have enough time for that.

Ivor

[Eljohno]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ivor&mel &#064; Mar 14 2006, 11&#58;20 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
OK, so I&#39;ll just try and add it to my ever-growing Visa bill [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

I&#39;m now starting to look into the CFO process in detail... is there anyone who has had recent (2006) experience of this, especially in Cebu? And does anyone get refused the certificate, and if so, on what grounds? Also, what docs are necessary to take to CFO? We are planning on taking all the docs that the Embassy gave back, plus the ticket stubs/boarding cards I will have from my flights there next Wed/Thu, and a photocopy of the entry stamp in my passport.

I&#39;m going to go with Mel to the CFO place, but I suppose I will not be allowed in? So how and where to pass the waiting time? I hope we have time to follow the suggestion of buying a Simcard there so that Mel can call me when she has finished, but not 100% certain that we will have enough time for that.

Ivor
[/b][/quote]



Ivor if you send a personal message to my wife "rhearose" she will tell you what is needed and the cfo should be straight forward but rhea will be able to tell you exactly what happens....






John

[ivor&mel]

Well, we&#39;re back...

All the tedious bits are over now, and Mel is here at last [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img] Both rather tired though after an arduous journey home. Anyway, I&#39;ll just try to summarise the salient points of the trip and the CFO experience...

A pretty bad start really... The taxi driver to Manchester seemed to delight in telling me how unreliable his car was... Then Singapore Airways check-in came on heavy: they refused to allow me to travel to Phil on a single ticket&#33; They said it was a requirement to have a ticket out of Phil. This was all news to me, and maybe they were right - but they had no objection to selling me the single ticket in the first place&#33; Anyway, to cut a long story short, I ended up having to pay out 320 quid for a ticket from Cebu to Singapore that I would never use... Of course, when I got to Cebu, they had no interest at all in whether I had a ticket back... Still, I have 30 days to get a refund on the ticket - once I can find it again&#33;

But after that, everything went very well. I made an online booking for 4 nights at the Cebu Midtown Hotel that Pete recommended, and the place was fine for what we needed. Not the Bohol Tropics, but more than adequate [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img] I thought we&#39;d best try to book tickets to England as soon as possible, so we set out to do that (almost) immediately. There used to be a Travel Agent in the Robinsons Mall, but that is now closed. The next place we tried was just a joke - a real-life Computer Says No situation... all they could offer was a possible flight with Cathay during the second week in April (this was on 23rd March):

"On what date would that be?"
"The second week in April"
"But what date exactly?"
"We don&#39;t know yet... but it will cost 800 dollars each"
"And will it be to Manchester?"
"Yes"
"Via Hong Kong?"
"Yes"
"And then where?"
"Europe"
"Europe? Whereabouts in Europe?"
"Just Europe"
"Does it go direct from Hong Kong to Manchester?"
"It will go to Europe"
"Thank you... we&#39;ll let you know..."

Seems funny now, but it wasn&#39;t at the time&#33; Anyway, the next place we found was excellent, and immediately got us 2 seats with Qatar on 31st March, for 500 dollars each. The only downside was that the flight was at 3am, and the last ferry from Tagbilaran would arrive at 7pm. If anyone else needs tickets in Cebu, I&#39;d recommend this outfit: Nautica, just a couple of minutes&#39; walk from Midtown at 144 Raintree Mall, 528 General Maxilom Avenue (phone (032) 2549644. Excellent apart from them telling us there was no need to reconfirm the flights - I phoned Qatar anyway and they said it IS essential...

That was Thursday. Friday was CFO day. Do try to have your brain in gear for this - we didn&#39;t and went to the CFO first instead of SMEF-COW&#33; Thankfully, a girl on the street there pointed out our error, and we still got to SMEF-COW before 8am. The registration all went smoothly, but I had to wait for Mel outside on the street, as I was told that there was no waiting on the bench outside the room until 10am... Still, the registration took only half an hour - form-filling, photo, and payment of 250 pesos. Then shopping and lunch to return for the 1pm guidance session. The horror film was from 1-2, and Mel had the interview about 2:30. Very straightforward, but we took all the docs that the Embassy returned just in case they were needed... So... we now had the certificate, so on to the CFO, more form filling, another photo, another 250 pesos... and that was that&#33; Apart from 2 full days of shopping in Cebu to look forward to [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

After that, on to Tagbilaran for packing and farewells - and the luxury of the Bohol Tropics hotel. I&#39;d really missed that place because we had become friends with many of the people that work there over our 2 previous stays there.

Oh... and for any smokers, Cebu airport now seems to have done a U-turn over its "we-are-a-no-smoking-airport-and-we-will-nick-your-lighters" policy: there is an airside cafe by the check-in desks that allows smoking... The Qatar flight experience was good, but spoiled by things beyond their control. Like at the stopover in Singapore, we all had to leave the plane for a security check which caused a delay of one hour, and a further hour&#39;s delay at Doha as their computerised check-in system was down. Plus we had seats at the Nursery End from Doha to Manchester, which made any chance of sleep impossible [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

On arrival at Manchester, I went to the non-UK area of passport control with Mel and was amazed at how smoothly it went: very charming and friendly officer there, no need for any medical at all, a very quick process.

I&#39;m sure there&#39;s more, but my brain needs a rest now. Mel feels really good about being here, even though the temperature was a bit of a shocker to her [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img] Anyway, finally just to thank everyone for their invaluable help and support on our mission. It&#39;s been a slog and stressful at times, but all that pain has gone now. We&#39;re there... and she&#39;s here [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

Ivor

[ginapeterb]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ivor&mel &#064; Apr 2 2006, 08&#58;57 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Well, we&#39;re back...

All the tedious bits are over now, and Mel is here at last [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img] Both rather tired though after an arduous journey home. Anyway, I&#39;ll just try to summarise the salient points of the trip and the CFO experience...

A pretty bad start really... The taxi driver to Manchester seemed to delight in telling me how unreliable his car was... Then Singapore Airways check-in came on heavy: they refused to allow me to travel to Phil on a single ticket&#33; They said it was a requirement to have a ticket out of Phil. This was all news to me, and maybe they were right - but they had no objection to selling me the single ticket in the first place&#33; Anyway, to cut a long story short, I ended up having to pay out 320 quid for a ticket from Cebu to Singapore that I would never use... Of course, when I got to Cebu, they had no interest at all in whether I had a ticket back... Still, I have 30 days to get a refund on the ticket - once I can find it again&#33;

But after that, everything went very well. I made an online booking for 4 nights at the Cebu Midtown Hotel that Pete recommended, and the place was fine for what we needed. Not the Bohol Tropics, but more than adequate [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img] I thought we&#39;d best try to book tickets to England as soon as possible, so we set out to do that (almost) immediately. There used to be a Travel Agent in the Robinsons Mall, but that is now closed. The next place we tried was just a joke - a real-life Computer Says No situation... all they could offer was a possible flight with Cathay during the second week in April (this was on 23rd March):

"On what date would that be?"
"The second week in April"
"But what date exactly?"
"We don&#39;t know yet... but it will cost 800 dollars each"
"And will it be to Manchester?"
"Yes"
"Via Hong Kong?"
"Yes"
"And then where?"
"Europe"
"Europe? Whereabouts in Europe?"
"Just Europe"
"Does it go direct from Hong Kong to Manchester?"
"It will go to Europe"
"Thank you... we&#39;ll let you know..."

Seems funny now, but it wasn&#39;t at the time&#33; Anyway, the next place we found was excellent, and immediately got us 2 seats with Qatar on 31st March, for 500 dollars each. The only downside was that the flight was at 3am, and the last ferry from Tagbilaran would arrive at 7pm. If anyone else needs tickets in Cebu, I&#39;d recommend this outfit: Nautica, just a couple of minutes&#39; walk from Midtown at 144 Raintree Mall, 528 General Maxilom Avenue (phone (032) 2549644. Excellent apart from them telling us there was no need to reconfirm the flights - I phoned Qatar anyway and they said it IS essential...

That was Thursday. Friday was CFO day. Do try to have your brain in gear for this - we didn&#39;t and went to the CFO first instead of SMEF-COW&#33; Thankfully, a girl on the street there pointed out our error, and we still got to SMEF-COW before 8am. The registration all went smoothly, but I had to wait for Mel outside on the street, as I was told that there was no waiting on the bench outside the room until 10am... Still, the registration took only half an hour - form-filling, photo, and payment of 250 pesos. Then shopping and lunch to return for the 1pm guidance session. The horror film was from 1-2, and Mel had the interview about 2:30. Very straightforward, but we took all the docs that the Embassy returned just in case they were needed... So... we now had the certificate, so on to the CFO, more form filling, another photo, another 250 pesos... and that was that&#33; Apart from 2 full days of shopping in Cebu to look forward to [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

After that, on to Tagbilaran for packing and farewells - and the luxury of the Bohol Tropics hotel. I&#39;d really missed that place because we had become friends with many of the people that work there over our 2 previous stays there.

Oh... and for any smokers, Cebu airport now seems to have done a U-turn over its "we-are-a-no-smoking-airport-and-we-will-nick-your-lighters" policy: there is an airside cafe by the check-in desks that allows smoking... The Qatar flight experience was good, but spoiled by things beyond their control. Like at the stopover in Singapore, we all had to leave the plane for a security check which caused a delay of one hour, and a further hour&#39;s delay at Doha as their computerised check-in system was down. Plus we had seats at the Nursery End from Doha to Manchester, which made any chance of sleep impossible [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

On arrival at Manchester, I went to the non-UK area of passport control with Mel and was amazed at how smoothly it went: very charming and friendly officer there, no need for any medical at all, a very quick process.

I&#39;m sure there&#39;s more, but my brain needs a rest now. Mel feels really good about being here, even though the temperature was a bit of a shocker to her [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img] Anyway, finally just to thank everyone for their invaluable help and support on our mission. It&#39;s been a slog and stressful at times, but all that pain has gone now. We&#39;re there... and she&#39;s here [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

Ivor
[/b][/quote]


Ivor and Mel,


A very warm welcome back to Sunny Sheffield, read your report with interest, glad the Cebu Midtown was adequate for your needs, funny how you went to CFO first, everyone does that, I think reading your story, brings back the memories for the rest of us, well done Ivor, and glad you got your girl back to UK, I suppose once she has rested, it will be down to Meadowhall for a browse will it ?

AND YES IVOR, THE PAIN HAS GONE FOR YOU NOW,

Now its time to help others &#33;&#33; HAHAHAH dont leave the forum, as so many do, we need you in it.
when you have rested, we will send you a few e mails to deal with, is that ok ?

Gina sends her regards to Mel.

Pete and Gina

[ivor&mel]

Ivor and Mel,
A very warm welcome back to Sunny Sheffield, read your report with interest, glad the Cebu Midtown was adequate for your needs, funny how you went to CFO first, everyone does that, I think reading your story, brings back the memories for the rest of us, well done Ivor, and glad you got your girl back to UK, I suppose once she has rested, it will be down to Meadowhall for a browse will it ?

AND YES IVOR, THE PAIN HAS GONE FOR YOU NOW,

Now its time to help others !! HAHAHAH dont leave the forum, as so many do, we need you in it.
when you have rested, we will send you a few e mails to deal with, is that ok ?

Gina sends her regards to Mel.

Pete and Gina

Thanks for your kind thoughts and words, Pete and Gina. Mel was very happy to read what you say - and even happier when we discovered the update to your website That was a lovely touch - thank you. Just keep quiet about Meadowhell, will you! - I've managed to avoid mentioning it to her so far

I have no intention of leaving this forum It has been so very helpful since the day I first found it, and I want to keep giving back as much as I can to show my appreciation and to help anyone else who has to go through all this procedural nonsense. Postings, e-mails, whatever - I will help in any way I can.

Now we are off for our first visit to the bustle of Sheffield city centre - primarily to set off the arrangements for the wedding, sort out Council Tax, probably go fishing in Castle Market...

Ivor and Mel

Welcome back and a warm welcome to Mel.

Thanks for your welcome And Mel needs all the warmth she can get at the moment!

Welcome back guys!!!!

I am glad things went well for you both!!

I am flying via Doha myself on tuesday which will be a change from Singapore.

As Pete says keep in touch..
John

Thanks very much, John. Be warned that Doha airport is very much still under construction and can be very difficult to move around in if you hit it at a busy time like we did... But it's still quite small, so not far to move

Anyway, enjoy your flight. I would choose Qatar over Singapore now... I just wish the flights were at more convenient times!

Ivor and Mel

Welcome back Ivor. And welcome to the UK Mel. I hope it isn't too cold for you.

Best wishes

Brian

Thanks Brian. Actually, Mel has dealt with the cold far better than I feared. She even managed to feel hot for a while yesterday

[mupsuit]

Council Tax


I suggest that you do notify the council immediately - they will issue you an invoice at the mulit-occupancy rate

KEEP THE INVOICE AND THE RECEIPT - this is important - then in two years time when you apply for ILR for your wife - you have proof positive that she has been staying with you at that address and for the full two year period

and by the way - it would be a good idea for you to Google SET (M) - then download the form and you will see all the requirements that you need to meet in two years time when she makes the visa application

you then know what to do now in preparation