Hi All, just seeking some advice really. I am in a relationship with a beautiful girl from Cebu. We have been chatting online for the last year and a half and I visited her recently in Cebu for 10 days. Now I want her to come and visit me in the UK. How easy is it to get a tourist Visa? She will have return flights, she will be staying with me and I will be covering the costs of her stay for 2 weeks. The only problem I see is that currently she does not work but is in the process of looking and has had several auditions. If someone could provide some advice on the general visa then please reply Cheers Andy
Not likely I am afraid! Usually they look at the possibility that the person actually has to return home to the Philippines (such as owning a business over there) versus the possibility they might stay in the UK as an illegal immigrant. It has too often been the case that people have been denied the visa for fear they might go underground. I looked into this a couple of years ago, but too many people tried and failed for me to bother with it as my mahal would not have qualified. We will see if others disagree, but for Philippine nationals it is very difficult to get tourist visas to most western countries unless they have too much to lose in not going back. Oh, and welcome..
I have to agree with Kuya, like many others will.... It is a virtual impossibily for a Filipina to obtain a tourist Visa, unless she has a well paid and steady job, property, extremely good bank balance, reasons for which she would not try to abscond and become an overstayer, for work. There is still a chance that an overworked or trusting ECO will accept the application, as it happened in some cases, but the chances do not warrant the risk of refusal. I would strongly suggest that you do meet in some country where Pinays don't need a visa for visits, like Singapore, Hong Kong or Thailand (I believe).
Yeah I agree with Dom and Kuya, even reasonably well off families have difficulty getting visa's without a UK sponsor. My friends son's in-laws wanted to visit my friend in the UK, they are fairly wealthy, probably better off than my pal but he still had to provide a sponsors letter for them along with proof of his own mortgage regards their accommodation and details of his income and all that nonsense. They got the visa in the end, but I would be very surprised if your girlfriend were granted a visa given your description of the circumstances.
All the above comments are valid. The ECO does need to feel that, on the balance of probabilities the reasons to return home outweigh those to stay in UK beyond visa expiry. However..................... where I differ on this, is that I would say why not try it. The risks are very very small. The visa costs around £80 and in the case of refusal will not impact any subsequent visa applications. (well as long as there's not a history of desperate attempts to seek entry to UK) Make a good effort, write a really great supporting letter. who knows what may happen. In my view nothing to lose.
Would it work better if I was the sponser? Would it also be better if she had a job to go back too in Cebu? Cheers Andy
A visit visa is not easy to secure. It's down to a discretionary decision by the ECO. The ECO needs to be convinced that your g/f has more reasons to return home than to stay in UK beyond her visa expiry. Without a doubt Yes. Unless your g/f can show that she has sufficient funds to cover the trip. I think you already said you will cover all the costs and she will be staying with you? She needs to convince the ECO that she has strong ties to Philippines. The questions around the issue of just what constitutes "strong ties" certainly differ from country to country, city to city and individual case to case. Typical examples could include employment, social and family relationships and possessions. Really it comes down to the various aspects of your life that really bind you to your country. It was never my intention to suggest a visit visa is easy, it's not. It's notoriously problematic. I was just indicating that the risks and cost are very low. Give it a good shot with a good sponsor supporting letter and see what transpires. However, if there really is no evidence at all to work with in convincing the ECO she has reasons to return home then it's really not worth doing. There needs to be something to work with.
A visit visa is not easy to secure. It's down to a discretionary decision by the ECO. The ECO needs to be convinced that your g/f has more reasons to return home than to stay in UK beyond her visa expiry. Without a doubt Yes. Unless your g/f can show that she has sufficient funds to cover the trip. I think you already said you will cover all the costs and she will be staying with you? She needs to convince the ECO that she has strong ties to Philippines. The questions around the issue of just what constitutes "strong ties" certainly differ from country to country, city to city and individual case to individual case. Typical examples could include employment, social and family relationships and possessions. Really it comes down to the various aspects of your life that really bind you to your country. It was never my intention to suggest a visit visa is easy, it's not. It's notoriously problematic. I was just indicating that the risks and cost are very low. Give it a good shot with a good sponsor supporting letter and see what transpires. However, if there really is no evidence at all to work with in convincing the ECO she has reasons to return home then it's really not worth doing. There needs to be something to work with.
Visit visa is very tricky. The girl I met in Manila, just texted me few days ago. she was refused. She had no work and less savings. Her bf was so disappointed. They wanted to re apply, but i don't think its not a good idea for now.
I am from uk, i married a filipno in the philippines, unfortunately finances dictated i had to come home and leave her in the philippines, now, she is expecting child in oct/nov, if i wanted her to visit here, which is best way to go about it? I dont think visit visa, anyone any suggestions? I dont think possible for her to come here, her english not up to the standard there looking for. Any help would be grateful
Some on here have some knowledge of getting into the UK, following a short period living in an EU country, effectively bypassing the UK restrictions (including any requirement for an English test)
hi i need help for my son's visit visa for UK. He is 20 years old and currently enrolled in an international school ( college and graduating student). i wanted him to spent his semestral break in london (2 weeks) as his birthday gift. can you tell me what are the documents needed for him to be submitted together with his visa application form. i will shoulder all his expenses for the duration of his 2 weeks stay. is it helpful to ask my friend to give him an invitation letter. note that he usually spend his school vacation in bahrain and qatar and travelled in Hongkong, Thailand and Singapore ( for the past 3 years). Any help and advise will be highly appreciated.
