Visa is finally on it's way...

[ivor&mel]

Great news indeed - it's about time the Embassy ventured the real world! I just wish I could understand their criteria for deciding who to interview and who not... So many people seem to be getting visas sans interview now, which is making me wonder more and more why they have "chosen" Mel... I still have a feeling that maybe they are concerned about the age difference. When I brought this up in my original post, Pete said it is unlikely to be a reason to deny the visa, but in the transcript of the ECO's Interview Summary for Gina, I notice the words "the age difference is acceptable" - implying that there IS an unacceptable age difference? Hmmm... one more week and then maybe all will be clear.. But it's bloody nerve-wracking!

Ivor

[ginapeterb]

Originally posted by ivor&mel@Feb 28 2006, 01:41 PM
Great news indeed - it's about time the Embassy ventured the real world! I just wish I could understand their criteria for deciding who to interview and who not... So many people seem to be getting visas sans interview now, which is making me wonder more and more why they have "chosen" Mel... I still have a feeling that maybe they are concerned about the age difference. When I brought this up in my original post, Pete said it is unlikely to be a reason to deny the visa, but in the transcript of the ECO's Interview Summary for Gina, I notice the words "the age difference is acceptable" - implying that there IS an unacceptable age difference? Hmmm... one more week and then maybe all will be clear.. But it's bloody nerve-wracking!

Ivor

Quoted post

Well Spotted Ivor, yes it is on the interview summary, hmmmmm you have been researching very hard, remember of course Ivor, Ben Croucher was a stick in the mud, he is not at the British Embassy Manila anymore, he has been posted elsewhere, so its unlikely you will have the pleasure of him on your Fiancee's interview.

Pete

[ginapeterb]

Just to support Ivor here in his quest, I would like to re-iterate that age difference in itself, is no reason to deny a visa, Let me take this further, and ECO cannot deny a visa simply because he or she thinks the age difference is too great.

The only way this could be expressed is if the ECO thought the age difference would be likely to have a greater chance of the relationship not subsisting in the future, Gina and I were discussing this earlier, when we commented on the High Divorce rate in UK, 1 in 4 ends in Divorce, the national trend is higher than the British-Filipino trend which actually has a very low drop out rate, (if thats the right word to use).

In Gina's interview transcript, which by the way was not supposed to be given to us, it was a mistake, and got caught in the middle of our paperwork, the age difference was referred to as accetable ? although no one knows what determines whether age is acceptable, again this refers to the inbuilt personal prejudices of each individual Entry Clearance Officer, this is why the whole system stinks, as they are allowed to act arbritarily, Ive always said, the key to decisions made in the affirmative are always based on best evidence and probability of a subsisting relationship.

Whenever a refusal is made, the reasons for a refusal, starts with a preamble, like this:

"The Entry Clearance officer is not satisfied that xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"

Again clear proof of an arbitrary decision making based on each individual officers prejudices and quirks.

But that is sadly the system, its one we all have to deal with, the song "Always Look on the Bright side of Life" springs to mind especially the lyrics that read "Lifes a peice of s.....when you look at it " would probably be sang at just about the moment a visa denial is issued.

[andypaul]

Originally posted by ivor&mel@Feb 28 2006, 02:41 PM
Great news indeed - it's about time the Embassy ventured the real world! I just wish I could understand their criteria for deciding who to interview and who not... So many people seem to be getting visas sans interview now, which is making me wonder more and more why they have "chosen" Mel... I still have a feeling that maybe they are concerned about the age difference. When I brought this up in my original post, Pete said it is unlikely to be a reason to deny the visa, but in the transcript of the ECO's Interview Summary for Gina, I notice the words "the age difference is acceptable" - implying that there IS an unacceptable age difference? Hmmm... one more week and then maybe all will be clear.. But it's bloody nerve-wracking!

Ivor

Quoted post

Like Pete has written so well age difference is no reason to deny a visa application.

But common sense says your Wife has to put over to the ECO, that she is a mature woman who is deeply in love with her Husband. Making sure the ECO knows the common intrests you both have, that Mel is aware what awaits her in the UK.

All the best with your Interview, im sure your both practising hard with the Interview. if i can help in any way just shout

[ivor&mel]

Originally posted by andypaul@Feb 28 2006, 07:21 PM
Like Pete has written so well age difference is no reason to deny a visa application.

But common sense says your Wife has to put over to the ECO, that she is a mature woman who is deeply in love with her Husband. Making sure the ECO knows the common intrests you both have, that Mel is aware what awaits her in the UK.

All the best with your Interview, im sure your both practising hard with the Interview. if i can help in any way just shout

Quoted post

Thanks for the encouraging words. And to Pete too, of course. I'm just stumped as to what the Embassy are so unsure about that they have to call Mel in for a grilling - the age difference seemed the obvious suspect. As I've said before, I wish I had found this and Pete's site earlier! We had to do the application form and supporting docs without the aid of this site, so maybe there is something they think is dodgy there? But, as far as I know, we have provided plenty of supporting evidence. So perhaps it might be that I didn't give date/location for the marriage in my supporting letter, as Pete kindly enlightened me earlier If so, Mel is genned up on that now.

Yes, we are practising hard, just trying to get her in the right frame of mind for the interview. Not easy when I'm half a world away, but I hope we've got the basic principles established. For the next few days. it will be just revision... revision.. revision... and bon voyage into the dark

Ivor

[mupsuit]

Originally posted by ivor&mel@Feb 28 2006, 11:42 PM
Thanks for the encouraging words. And to Pete too, of course. I'm just stumped as to what the Embassy are so unsure about that they have to call Mel in for a grilling - the age difference seemed the obvious suspect.
Ivor

Quoted post

Age Difference

My wife is 21 years younger than I - I have known her since 1990 - we had supporting documentation/ photos since then which she showed at interview

I believe age is a factor in the process but if you can show evidence of a lasting the relationship then you "pass" the interview