Do we have to be married/engaged to get a visa?

I understand it as 1st, Limited Leave to Remain 2.5ys , then apply for extension and possibly entitled to apply for settlement.

If living with a partner who has 'settled' (not a British citizen from birth) and 1st visa applied before 9th july 2012, then 2 yrs together is necessary for settlement.

if 'settled' partner, but after 9th july 2012, then 5 yrs together or 10yrs together apply.

10yr route is only for application from inside the UK and cannot meet all the requirements of the 5yr route.

So when would the earliest be that you guys on the new rules can apply for citizenship?

British citizenship of a spouse requires

having been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain and lived in the UK for 3 years

But your right, since after 9th july 2012 earliest ILR can be granted is 5yrs, the earliest citizenship can be applied is 5yrs and by default would have been in uk for at least 3yrs.

i'll amend the wording of previous posting.
thanks

Seems a good idea, but guess its up to the owners of this site to implement?

Yes one of the admins may think it's worthy

Thank youfor posting this information..I got married too in May in the philippines..and we are on the same boat..my husband just recieved his renewed passport and I am still getting more info on how to go with the process ..im so glad u posted this.

I wish i had researched sooner, as wife is still awaiting passport and didn't think about any fast track option. So your probably ahead

I have to rely on the postings, as its a minefield to keep remembering things.

The sequences can change, as long as nothing expires before finally submitting application

The time wait for processing visa application when it happens will be miniscule in comparison.

Had hope to be together in UK just after New Year, but can't imagine that happening.

I am just lucky because I knew someone from work who went home last week.. so had the opportunity to send some of my documents..and send it to him through courier from manila which he received it much early than I expected...I kept reading post here too and updating myself of what to do.

I was hoping he will be here before the year end but I dont think it will happen..prayers

Thank you Oneworld for a wonderfully helpful update with all the links.

Is it a good idea to get a CNI from the local registrar in the UK anyway, just as insurance?

I wouldn't bother, Andrew. It has no legal standing here and the Embassy won't issue a replacement for one that used to be accepted. The US has also recently stopped issuing CNIs and has replaced them with an affidavit. All LCRs should now know all about the changes although there's bound to be the odd jobsworth who can not accept change.

Besides which, aren't you marrying the long-suffering lady in question in the Mission Bar?

Can be, But if anyone is considering using CNI for Philippine registrar, don't present it to the British Embassy, as they will take it. That's what happened when i went, hence having to convince the Local Philippine Registrar with NSO memorandum and then threatening to call the Embassy.

A little persuasive pressure sometimes works, especially if its gonna kibosh any plans to get married

The biggest joke is that a CNI and CENOMAR are really worthless (even affidavit and affirmation).

They offer no guarantee that someone is single......

I think the CNI even stated that???

The affidavit/affirmation at least offers a free 'go to jail/goal' card if you're found later not to have been single?

Right-oh; I will have one in my back pocket, just in case. o

To recap, to marry in the Philippines, I would need:

My Passport, with a valid visa
My Birth Certificate
Affidavit duly stamped by the British Embassy, with the lady's name correctly spelled.

It would be useful to have with me:
My Decree Absolute (original)
A CNI from the local Registrar here

She will need:
Her NSO Birth Certficate
A valid (recent!) Cenomar

At least ten days

Money!

Anything else?

Checkout the photo in my posting
http://www.british-filipino.com/ind...-engaged-to-get-a-visa.9612/page-3#post-64648

She will need Cedula too

also pre-marriage counseling
,
So 1st register, then obtain pre-marriage counseling cert, then complete registering

if your wife to be is 25yrs old or younger , then there is even more to do.....

I've heard that depending where you marry in the Philippines, you might have to learn some butchery skills and even buy a pig to slaughter!

Fortunately i married in Zambales at a resort and the buffet was included....

You mean a local Cenomar and they're issued by the NSO and not the Local Civil Registrar. You also need a Judge who is licensed to conduct the ceremony - and not all are as quite a few foreigners who were "married" in Cebu City a couple of years ago are beginning to discover. They're not.

I understand about the Cenomar, but am mystified by the Cedula?

Was just going to have a UK CNI in my back pocket.

"Certified copies" - certified by whom? A UK Solicitor? The British Embassy? A Filipino Lawyers?

The lechon baboy will not be a problem - farming family.... her brother is an excellent cook when it comes to lechon baboy.

Perusing the thread is making me thankful that we were married in the UK, getting married in the Philippines is looking even more complicated, or maybe its just me as I didn't go through the process.

Andrew, I know you were thinking of getting married in Hong Kong, has that been thrown out as an option?

Just covering all my bases