Hello all, I'm Skellum, I found this site when looking into the idea of bringing my filipino girlfriend over to the UK. I know this will take time and a lot of funds which I'm fortunate enough to have both of but it's not something I'm looking to rush into. A bit about me: 34, not married nor have been but have 3 estranged children here. Visiting the Philippines for the first time last month, was speaking to my girlfriend online for many months before and agreed to meet her, we spent 2 weeks touring around different areas of the Philippines with her as my guide, sampling local food, seeing attractions, and just enjoying each others company. She is a year younger than me with 4 children. She is in the process of obtaining a passport so my next plan is to fly her here for a visit so I can show her how different our countries are. Good to meet you all!
Welcome. Early days but have you got a plan for the kids in the philippines? If you are considering having them move here worth establishing whether the fathers name is on birth certificate. Also worth establishing whether she is content to leave them there and move to UK if that is alternative plan. Good luck with visit visa for her to UK. Not impossible to get but definitely needs planning in terms of evidence pack.
Getting a visit visa isnt straightforward. She will need to show good reasons for returning home. Job, property, bank a/c etc. What is the reason for the visit--has she got family or old friends over here? Has she got savings and a budget for her trip ? You need to see it through the eyes of Immigration control. Whats to stop her disappearing the moment she's through passport control at the airport ?
Her kids will be back in the Philippines and she will be wanting to return to them with a return flight ticket already booked, she is coming here to see the country and our cultural differences and will be staying with me and I'll be financially supporting her during her visit here. Hoping to meet up with a few UK filipino groups in local areas to give her an idea of the social aspect of life here too. It's a fair way off yet but my intention would be to marry her in the Philippines and apply for the spouse visa, obviously she would love to bring the kids but understands the time/financial implications of that so we have spoken about bringing them over at a later date if required. I believe the dad is named on the birth certificate but my understanding is custody defaults to the mother in the case of unmarried parents so his rights are limited (he is not a nice man).
he is not a nice man and he would be a lot not nicer if they were married. Have you worked out all the costs involved if the relationship moves forward? visas..IHS surcharges..flights..
Yes I am already working on the financial side of it, for now though we are proceeding with establishing a relationship and ensuring she wants to move here after seeing/experiencing the country. I own my home (3 bed) I earn a decent salary so easily within the affordability and have substantial savings to pay for flights, visa and the healthcare charge. I've signed up to overtime at my work to add more to the pot as well so that any surprises are covered too.
she can but try for the visit visa--but immigration are very wary of people using it as a way to get here then overstay or simply disappear. She might get lucky--but if refused a reason is given--and theres no appeal. But if she can overcome the objection she can apply again--visit visas are not expensive and usually a quick decision is given. She will need to prove she can afford the visit--but dumping a lump of cash in her bank wont cut it--needs to show savings over a period.
Welcome from me As you say the parents are not married therefore it gives the mother sole responsibility over the children. Father by Philippines law has no bearing on the children. Visit visa, don’t hang your hat on the fact she has a return ticket booked to support her visit visa application UKBF take the view it’s a small investment to lose if you can abscond. Likewise children back home UKBF are aware many mothers leave the Philippines in search of a well paid job to send money back home. There is a section in the decision makers guidelines that covers what they should look for as genuine and non genuine visitors it’s worth a look and tailor the application around the guidelines. on a long term note yes you can bring the children over later butt try it must be before they are aged 18. Also if you bring them over while mum is on her visa journey after their first application they can at the next application catch mum up on the visa this will save a shed load of money But this is for the future. In the meantime enjoy getting to know your lady friend and good luck
Thanks for your advice, I have a friend who works for border force that has advised me of the requirements also. She's coming here as a tourist and I'm telling her about the places we plan to visit and will be collecting her from the airport so I guess they can question me if required, the requirements according to the site are: You must be able to show that: you’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit you’re able to support yourself and your dependants during your trip (or have funding from someone else to support you) you’re able to pay for your return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else to pay for the journey) you’ll not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home She will have a return flight ticket, a valid passport, and a full info of where she will be staying and who with so I think the risk of overstay is mitigated, I will be her 'sponsor' so financing her entire trip per the requirements. More than happy to provide evidence, financial info etc to them if I need to. Also the kids father IS named on the birth certificates and they use his last name, not sure if that makes any difference to anything other than maybe causing the question of 'are these your children?' which would be answered by carrying their birth certificates anyway.
It makes no difference that the father is named on the birth certificate because they were born out of wedlock they are classed as illegitimate and mother has sole responsibility. My wife’s eldest is an unmarried mother fathers name on BC she has visited us here with her daughter without seeking fathers or needing fathers permission also visited Thailand Malaysia Hong Kong. The “ you’ll have to show you will leave bit” begs the question why will you leave? That’s what they look for a convincing and compelling reason(s) the applicant will exit at the end of her visit.
Does your lady have a job ?--does she have holiday leave entitlement ?--will the job still be hers when she goes back ? Out of interest --who will look after the children while shes away ? has she been away from the philis before ?
She is a full time single mum living at home with her parents, her family will care for the children whilst she is away, as they did when she was with me for the 2 weeks I visited. She has not been out of the Phils before but that was one of the questions I was planning to ask on here whether it would be better to 'take a holiday' together to a random country in between us both to get her at least some foreign travel on her passport or whether her first trip being to the UK would be ok.
Certainly travel history will help demonstrate a return to her own country Google Filipinos travel visa which countries some require no visa(mainly Asia) some will allow e visas others are like the UK full visit visas
Welcome... Singapore and HK to name but two... Good luck... It's amazing how quickly some of these absent fathers can suddenly become very interested in their ex's and their kids once they realise there's some money floating about... so take care.
We've not met in person as the guy is a bully to her but a coward in all other senses but he has messaged me a few times; He's not interested in my money though, quite the opposite, he wants me not to spend money or her or the kids so he can force a relationship on her. I won't get into it all as you wouldn't believe it if I did but it has been handled through all relevant channels and my lady is happier now.
and i bet he doesnt give anything for his kids. He will be well aware the going rate for agreeing to an annulment--if he was married to her--is a million. And hes not interested in your money ?? Just keep in mind guns are common place in the philis--if you ever set foot on the place again. Just one of the many reasons i have never been there.
You've never been to the Philippines? I presume being on this site most people would have at least once...
