Help please

I have a couple of questions regarding the process of bringing my future wife back to the UK after we get married in the Philippines in December.

First of all... Do I have to be earning a certain amount here in the UK before she would be allowed to join me? I've heard rumours that I need to be earning over £18k a year. Is that correct?

Last one. According everything is fine, once she submits her papers what's the average processing times?

Gaz

Take a look at the link below, this outlines the visa process;

http://www.british-filipino.com/ind...r-a-partner-spouse-visa-under-new-rules.5740/

You have to be earning £18,600 or above and once the visa is submitted it could take up to three months for a decision.

Hope this helps.

Ohh ok.. So, if I'm not earning over £18,600 there's no chance that she would be eligible to come here?

I'm currently on the £16k mark :-( grrrrr lol

You could do overtime to make up for the shortfall as you're only £2,600 away or get a part time job in addition to your regular job.

The decision by the government to set the limit to £18,600 was contested recently but a few weeks ago the government won the case and it remains at £18,600.

The UKBA gives no leeway regarding the financial part of the application I'm afraid, they need to be confident that you can look after your spouse/girlfriend without recourse to public funds.

Thats £18600 before tax.

Any chance of doing some overtime or getting a second job, Gaz? It would be worth it.

Also it is possible to make up the shortfall in cash savings....

There is a useful table that explains that route ...Section 7.2.4 :

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...337420/Annex_FM_1_7_Financial_Requirement.pdf

Hmm, I'm already doing 10 hours a day, 5 days a week. I guess it's possible.

How about if I had a home that was mortgage free? Would that be considered

Can you release some equity in your property? That could then be counted as cash savings.

I noticed on the GOV website about the "2, 5 and 10 year route" but it only mentions earning £18,600 on the 5 year route.... Nothing about earnings on the 2 year route.

Regarding the cash savings.. How much would I need to show I have?

If you look at the link above they give you a formula to work it out. So for someone on £15000 per year they would need to have cash savings of £25000. So for your self, you would need in the region of £23000 in cash savings. I will sit and crank it out later. I beleive that needs to be held for 6 months (need to check that).

Not sure what they mean by the 2 year route. If your future wife applied for a spouse visa it would be a 5 year route to ILR and the £18600 threshold would apply (unless you have cash savings to help).

My wife took the 2 year route but that has been phased out.

Yes it needs to be held in your personal account for 6 months, you also need traceability through your bank statements and so on.

Basically I think the UKBA are just making sure you don't borrow the money.

Yep, almost £23000 in cash savings.

(23000-16000) / 2.5 = 2800

2800 + 16000 = £18800

Thanks John. You have been most helpful

Is it do-able for you Gaz?

With the help from my parents I could possibly get help with the cash savings.. Regarding overtime, it's a little tricky as the company doesn't open on weekends and I'm already there from opening to closing.

I'm considering getting my HGV 2 licence - that can be completed in a week and I already have a lot of driving experience.. Just not heavy goods.. lol

Well, best of luck with it all Gaz

Thanks Timmers - I'll try my best

If I can get the £23,000 that should be ok right??

You will be laughing Gaz

Gaz. You can run the calculation off yourself. Just so that you are happy in your mind.