<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ginapeterb @ Jun 6 2006, 07:00 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Your Customer Ivor ??
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Cheers, Pete [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/Erm.gif[/img]
Well, JB, Keith's already posted some useful advice [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img] The thing is, no matter how much you want it (and we've all been there!, there's no short-cut to getting your lady here. Basically, you need time and evidence on your side, and that means "knowing each other" for a minimum of a year if, as you say, you "want to make sure we apply for the right one and get it right first time". And you also say "I`d rather do things properly than rush it just for a quick visa fix". That's the approach that is necessary when dealing with the beloved ECOs in Manila. You're thinking on the right lines, so stay on track; and you're already collecting evidence, which, if you read other threads on the Forum, is paramount. Start accumulating your pay slips, bank statements etc., as you're going to need at least 6 months' worth as part of the evidence.
A Tourist Visa sounds an excellent option... like "try-before-you-buy"... but, unfortunately, the Embassy won't view it that way [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/Grin.gif[/img] Applying for a Tourist Visa at the moment is probably 100% guaranteed failure - you've only known her for 4 months? And you say that if you got a Tourist Visa, you would then go to Phil to meet her family and get engaged? So why not cut out the idea of the Tourist Visa, and use the money to fund a couple of trips to her place over the next 9-12 months? That would be a more conventional and acceptable method as far as the Embassy is concerned, I think? Of course, if she was to stay at home and not return to Singapore, and be out of work, you would be expected to provide regular "financial support" to her as part of your commitment; but that does not cost a fortune - cheaper than supporting her in London for 6 months [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]
What I'm trying to say is take your time and work towards a Fiancee Visa! You can go see her as much as possible during the coming months, and it's all adding to evidence of commitment and building of a genuine relationship. If she's concerned about what life is like in the UK (all Mel's friends told her that England was full of vampires! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/yikes.gif[/img] ) then I'm sure some of the Filipinas on the Forum would be happy to chat to her about it on Yahoo or whatever - or even on the phone now we know how to get the cheapest rates [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/Grin.gif[/img] If you want to make sure of getting it right first time, your best bet is to wait and apply for a Fiancee (or even Spouse) Visa. But, be aware that a Fiancee Visa is a bit of a misnomer: in reality, it's a Marriage Visa - leave of entry granted in order for a marriage to take place in the UK. But more about that when you've weighed up the options and decided what your course of action will be [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]
Ivor and Mel
