Hello all and thanks for taking the time to view my query - I met a beautiful wonderland woman whilst working in Dubai and now I'm back in the UK we would like to marry at some point (I'm still married lawfully here) My G/F and I have decided that we would like her to come to the uk to live with me and herin lies the question:- How/ what process must we follow to allow Rhoda to come and live here with me? Many thanks Derek
Divorce is the first step, Derek. First and foremost. Then after it is do able. Do you meet the £18600 pre annum income requirement? Presumably Rhoda is a Filipina?
Hi John , yes Rhoda is a filipino currently still in Dubai - I intend to apply for divorce hopefully the current will agree!! I have a good income in excess of the requirement. So for Rhoda to come here I must be divorced? Cheers
What other route could she have if my divorce is long winded which could be the 2 year wait- could she enter on a student visa if she applied to a university? I understand a visitor visa is 6 months, could she continue to re visit until my divorce is through in 2 years? Sorry for the inexperienced questions John Cheers for your help Derek
She could apply for a visit visa but as you stated they are of limited duration. Worth a shot, though not so easy to aquire.
I would say a Student Visa is probably the best option in these circumstances, as you said. You can't get a fiancee or spouse visa util you are divorced. I think that with a student visa you can actually transfer straight to a spouse visa if you get married, as it is longer than a 6 month visa. Unless that's changed of course. I met my first wife when she was here on a student visa and we just did a straight transfer later to a spouse visa, although that was about 15 years ago so things may have changed.
A work colleague of mine did that, transferred from a student visa to a spouse visa. I seem to recall him saying that.
Thanks guys - on enquiring about the student visa, the next intake for a course she is eligible for is sept 2015!! It is a 2 year course and would more than likely take me into the divorced stage and transfer as you say for a fiancé visa- are all visitors to the uk from the Philippines automatically given a 6 month visit visa? And if so could she visit home and then come back on another 6 month visit visa? Cheers Derek
I think visitor visas are multi entry, although they are notoriously difficult to obtain for Filipinas. If she goes for a visitor visa she would need strong evidence that she needs to return home afterwards, and they would be suspicious if she was in a relationship with a British man that she would overstay.
It is possible to return after the first. Yes. I believe BigMac has been doing this with his partner, successfully...
I would check to see if it is still possible to transfer across from a student visa. Not sure if it is still possible.
Thanks John phew that's good to know - this is a fantastic site so many helpful people and informative answers Many thanks Derek
But remember what Maharg said. For a visit visa the applicant has to provide compelling evidence that he or she will return to their homeland at the end of the visit visa.
I think you still can. I think if a visa is longer than 6 months then you can go straight to a spouse visa. But, yes, definitely check that first.
i met my--now fiancee--3 years ago--she was here on a student visa--which expired 2 years ago---and back she went. she applied twice for a visit visa--turned down on a technicality----but got one last august. she was here 6 months--visiting her sister here. ( ahem--say no more ) please be aware--i think now those applying for a STUDENT visa are NOT ALLOWED TO WORK--so--how do they support themselves ?
Hi Derek, at the end of the day if you have to wait two years for your divorce its not the end of the world is it Like yourself I met my girlfriend in Dubai where she had been working for 5 years to fund her three daughters university educations. I waited seven and a half years to bring her to the UK as I respected her wishes that her daughters should graduate before she left Dubai for the UK. I visited her about twenty five times in Dubai and about five times in the Philippines. Note that in the time she was in Dubai we had two UK visit visa refusals, as the chaps have said above, they are as scarce as hens teeth for Filipinas. Your girlfriend will have to prove beyond doubt that she has financial and family commitments strong enough to confirm she will return to Dubai/Philippines. Having a highly paid job in Dubai and three kids university fees to pay back in the Philippines fell on deaf ears for us. The UKBA said her ties to Dubai were not strong enough. Give it a go though by all means, you never know your luck. Good luck and keep your chin up, you will get together soon enough , till then keep on Skyping!
