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Tourist visa before marriage?

Discussion in 'UK Visa and Immigration Help' started by Pedro, Feb 4, 2020.

  1. Pedro
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    Pedro Member

    Hello
    My girlfriend lives in the Philippines and we’ve known each other for 2 years. we’ve been together many times but only by me visiting to PI.
    Our situation is not simple and we know we have some hoops to jump through, but we have real strong belief and hope of being married and being together in the UK, whatever it takes.
    My girlfriend was married in Manila and has been separated for a number of years and has no children.
    So first hoop is the annulment process. And we know this can take 2 years.

    The first question I have is what are the possibilities of getting a UK tourist/visitor visa whilst we’re waiting for the annulment to go through? It would mean we could be together more and not just rely on my travels to PI.
    Thanks all :):):)
  2. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    visit visas are cheap--compared to settlement visas--but even more difficult to get. UKVI are concerned any visiting flipinas are likely to overstay given half a chance. so--if she applies for a visit visa--best not to mention you. she needs to show convincing reason to return--like a regular job or property. her visit is for tourism..a limited trip--say 2 weeks--and she has enough money in her bank account to cover her trip.
    if successful she will get a 6 month visa.
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  3. Mattecube
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    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    agreed but he could be the sponsor and therefore if she has little money he can demonstrate he has the finance to support the triplikewise the accomadation,but not mention future plans etc
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  4. Pedro
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    Pedro Member

    Thanks! Would the fact that she is married or filing annulment have any negative effect on a visit visa? And when you say visit visa, is that the same as a tourist visa?
  5. Mattecube
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    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    the marriage status shouldnt matter however the UKBA may think that she is trying to escape the marriage if you mention the annulment your invite letter will have to be very strong ............. and its visit visa (correct title) she would be coming here to visit
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  6. Pedro
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    Pedro Member

    Ok. Sounds like we should apply for visit visa and mention me as sponsor to show financial support. To be more confident of the application is there any value getting a solicitor to draw it up. Sounds like I’ll need to know exactly the things to write and what not to write to be successful.
    Really appreciate the help here.
  7. Mattecube
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    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    To be honest it is not worth enlisting the help of a solicitor based purely on the cost of the visa£95.
    If you arr unsuccessful with the first attempt you will get the reasons for refusal you then address those reasons and apply again.
    Basically you need to show she has strong links to return home at the end of the visit.
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  8. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    my--now--wife was already in the UK when i first met her. she held a student visa..and returned to the filis just before it expired--in 2012.
    a year later she applied for a visit visa--which was refused because of some bank account details error. she applied again--mentioning she wanted to visit her settled sister and other filipino friends living here. no mention of me at all. she was successful this time..and came over and lived with me for most of the 6 months visa.
    she subsequently applied for and got her fiancee visa a year later.
    Last edited: Feb 5, 2020
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  9. Pedro
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    Pedro Member

    thanks!

    Ok, so I need to provide a reason to return. May have to think about that. At the moment she is out of work as I’m supporting her studies. Maybe I can think of a family matter for her return?

    Also she doesn’t have any friends or relatives here in the UK so it would be me she’ll be staying with. I guess I’ll have to declare that, but not mention any longer term plans.

    I will be financing it all.

    It won’t be till second half of this year for the visit. So maybe I’ll apply nearer time or can you apply in advance?

    Would a return ticket say after a few weeks influence the decision compared to say 5 months?

    Sorry, loads of questions. Not sure who else to ask as I want to do this right.
    :like:
  10. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    dont buy a ticket till you get the visa !
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  11. Pedro
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    Pedro Member

    Ok gotcha. Thought it would show some commitment of a return journey.
    I guess you’d need that on entry to the UK.
  12. Mattecube
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    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    You can apply 3 months in advance no sooner, do not buy a ticket it wont influence the decision.
    If she is currently at college , how long is the course, will it run next year?
  13. Pedro
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    Pedro Member

    It will probably end before her visit.
  14. Pedro
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    Pedro Member

    Maybe we could set up and enrol on another course on her return? Also she has a daughter and family in PI so there is itself is a reason to return. I would have thought to the authorities?
  15. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    daughter..? not from the marriage i guess?
  16. Mattecube
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    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    It is a common held belief by the authorities that many Filipinos will go abroad seeking work to send money home!
    So in a way having family to return to can work against the applicant.
    Reasons for return are seen as a job, or the applicant owns property!
    Visit visas can be got but are difficult to obtain.
    Having a college course to return to will help a little in particular if its a follow on from the one shes doing this year(flower arranging course wont help lol)
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  17. Pedro
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    Pedro Member

    Previous relationship
  18. Pedro
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    Pedro Member

    Yes. It’s not flower arranging :lol:

    She does own her property in the province where she lives. Hopefully that will help then.
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  19. Pedro
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    Pedro Member

    Another thing. If we declare that I’m financing it, would the value of my income make a difference? For example if I’m on a low wage they would see a risk of her trying to work, or if I’m on a high income they would take that into account and say “no need for her to work”.
  20. Mattecube
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    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    The visit visas I have done for my wifes eldest daughter and her child I have only ever supplied my savings account,for a visit visa you do not have to prove income,only that the trip can be supported financially
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