Visitors visa query

[pennybarry]

I'm afraid I'm very new to this so apologies if this has been asked before – I did a quick search on the forum, but haven't found anything similar. It’s an issue concerning a visitors visa, that hopefully someone may known the answer too. Firstly a bit of background.

I met my Filipino lady about 2 years ago on a works trip out in China where she was singing in the band that was playing at the hotel I was staying at. We’ve been in touch regularly since then and I’ve been out to see her in China several times. She is now back in the Philippines and I’d very much like to bring her over here, but things are not quite straightforward (are they ever?). She has 2 children from her marriage though has been separated for over 10 years and despite starting divorce proceedings several times, these have stalled due to her husband’s refusal to agree to anything. As she is still legally married, a visitor’s visa seems the only option, though a section of it requires details of family and this is where the problem lies. As her children have their father’s surname, and since she’s been using her family name (which is also on her passport) following the separation, I don’t know how this will stand with the embassy. Would they require additional documents, perhaps with regard to the state of the marriage, and if so, what?

Also, with regard to a letter of invitation, how much information should I include, given the application is for a visitor's visa rather than a fiancé visa?

I’d very much appreciate any advice.

Thanks
Bruce

There are some members here who granted visit visa although her past marriage still exists.
Passport applications in the Philippines has new rules few years ago that if you are married, YOU must state in the application that you are married and you MUST use your hubby's surname. But long years ago, We have the right to use our maiden name
It might be an avenue litigation when it comes to annulment in the PhilippinesEspecially if you are married in the church so I hope you have lots of patience and perseverance
Goodluck !

[gemini63]

There are some members here who granted visit visa although her past marriage still exists.
Passport applications in the Philippines has new rules few years ago that if you are married, YOU must state in the application that you are married and you MUST use your hubby's surname. But long years ago, We have the right to use our maiden name
It might be an avenue litigation when it comes to annulment in the PhilippinesEspecially if you are married in the church so I hope you have lots of patience and perseverance
Goodluck !

im one of these staus...Im still using my ex husband surname.. But i been here in uk how many times,but stay not longer 6 mos in every visit..

[gemini63]

i applied my visa and come here with my own capability.All ive got from my fiancee is the invitation letter...I believe having addressBut its on the part of to visit is a big point..But its on the part also of the applicant to prove capability on visit visa requirements...

[joebloggs]

i applied my visa and come here with my own capability.All ive got from my fiancee is the invitation letter...I believe having addressBut its on the part of to visit is a big point..But its on the part also of the applicant to prove capability on visit visa requirements...

did you state on your VV app your sponsor is your fiancée ?

[RickyR]

BruceP, drop me an e-mail at *************. com and i'll send you a copy of the supporting documents and an example of the application my g/f sent. She is also in the process of annulment atm.

[gemini63]

did you state on your VV app your sponsor is your fiancée ?

not directly, but understandable...I put close friend..it can be, coz its understood if they ask..im capable to have bf..coz im separated long time.. only the problem im not annulled yet.. some reason i cant at this time coz of my children.For their protection...

[joebloggs]

not directly, but understandable...I put close friend..it can be, coz its understood if they ask..im capable to have bf..coz im separated long time.. only the problem im not annulled yet.. some reason i cant at this time coz of my children.For their protection...

only reason i ask, was that if you apply for a fiancée or spouse visa, and you mention you was in a relationship for x years, and you've did not mentioned this on any VV app after the start of your relationship , i don't think its a good enough reason for refusal (but another excuse for backing up and other reason why they could refuse you),. but just be careful when you do apply what dates you put down when you became more than friends

[Ady]

only reason i ask, was that if you apply for a fiancée or spouse visa, and you mention you was in a relationship for x years, and you've did not mentioned this on any VV app after the start of your relationship , i don't think its a good enough reason for refusal (but another excuse for backing up and other reason why they could refuse you),. but just be careful when you do apply what dates you put down when you became more than friends

I would re-iterate that. Please see my post after consulting an IAS advisor. When we applied for a VV, we also used the term Close Friends to describe our relationship that time - for almost exactly the same reasons as Gemini.

What we said, in our Fiancee visa application, was that the term "close friends" was more apt at that time, because we had not yet met in person. Since when, Shei has been annulled, and we have met twice - and the relationship has developed. It is 2 years since we were refused the VV, so it is natural that things have changed since then.

For dates, we said our relationship started on the day we first met in person. We explained further, in Section 7, that that was the date we first met in person, although our initial contact happened a few years earlier.

Hopefully this covers all bases for us in our application. Just thought I would bring the IAS advice to this question.

[gemini63]

only reason i ask, was that if you apply for a fiancée or spouse visa, and you mention you was in a relationship for x years, and you've did not mentioned this on any VV app after the start of your relationship , i don't think its a good enough reason for refusal (but another excuse for backing up and other reason why they could refuse you),. but just be careful when you do apply what dates you put down when you became more than friends

close friend is understood in some cases to be more than just friends between man and woman...I dont think so that the co is so thick minded about it...It can be acceptable coz eco knows that theres no divorce in phil..loads are separated and can have bf..CAn you not visit a BF? it can right? so there no reason it could be a refusal for visit visa...If u will visit a fiancee as long as the eco found out that your capable to do so...

[singkit]

It might be an avenue litigation when it comes to annulment in the PhilippinesEspecially if you are married in the church so I hope you have lots of patience and perseverance
Goodluck !

...And loads of money too Cheers!