Hi there. I just stumbled upon this forum on the Europinoy site. Is this the actual forum for that site or a different one that's just linked to? Rhetorical question. Doesn't matter. Yup. Guess what. I've gone and got me a Filipino girfriend, who I've been with for about a year now. At the moment the relationship remains "long distance". But it's good. To be honest, I've been rather bowled over by the degree of love and devotion I get from her - even from across the other side of the world. The long distance aspect suits me to a degree anyway, because when we first got to know each other I was in the initial stages of a divorce which - amazingly and frustratingly - is still not complete even now! But we met online and for a while chatted on Yahoo while I was locked away in the back bedroom while my supposed wife decided to take on a new boyfriend and allow him to come in the house. Lord knows how I put up with that! But I was kind of weak at the time, you know. Anyway, a casual invite to visit her was accepted by me. I think I was as surprised as her when I decided to go to Manila for a week. Thinking back it was a crazy thing to do really, but I was so glad to find an escape route from a miserable homelife that I took her up on it. Turned out to be a great move. We always had a good laugh on line together, but it's always a risk doing things like this. Had I been of sound mind at the time I probably would never have done it. But I'm glad I did. It worked out well. I suppose I went over as much as a friend as anything, but from the moment we met at the airport I'd say we hit it off as much in real life as we had over a computer and by the time we left the airport we were holding hands. Aw. Ain't that lovely? This new year I took my kids over to meet her to gauge their reactions to each other. Needless to say they got on with her great. So now it's got me thinking about us being together permanently. My God! What a palava that is! Although I'm still not even divorced (Lord knows what is going on there - bloody solicitors and so on taking a mint), we decided that before anything she should get a passport. Major problem here that isn't mentioned. Late registration of her birth. It certainly makes getting documents more difficult - and for her to get a passport she needs to get so many things sorted. The only pre-registration document she can get is her school records, which she has now got. Unfortunately, when she was baptised, she never got it recorded so she has no Baptismal. So we're jumping through hoops at the moment to get everything she needs. And, on occasions, shockingly taking advantage of the widespread bribery and corruption in Phils by chucking money at people to get stuff. It would seem that a bit of cash in right direction can even get you a full driving license in the Philippines. So if you are wondering why the driving in Manila is so mental, it could well be because a lot of the people cramming onto the roads have never even taken a driving test! Anyway, I enjoyed looking through the Eurpoinoy website while googling for as much information on everything that I can. Some points based on some of the things here. Religion - she's not particularly religious but does attend church occasionally. She admitted that the day before I arrived she went to church and prayed that I'd be a decent bloke. Phew! She landed on her feet there then! It's nice though. Nice to know that when you go to another country to meet someone for the first time there are worries on both sides. Not just your own side. Chaperone - Yup. She asked if it would be ok if her sister came to the airport with her, which she did. Along with brother-in-law and two kids. They stayed the day with us, but left in the evening. And guess who paid for dinner for them! Family - her family are mainly in the Provinces but some in Manila. First time I was there her mother was there too, but spoke no English and paid little attention to me really. No doubt she was sizing me up from afar. It's the only time I met her, and I've never met her father. But have met many uncles, cousins, aunts etc and have always enjoyed such times. Nice to meet you all. And, just to prove that I'm getting into the Philippines thing, mabuhay! Or is it mabuhoy? Hold on, I'll check my Jeepnay tee-shirt from the gift shop at Mall of Asia. Aha! Mabuhay it is
I love it in Manila by the way. It kind of suits my casual outlook to life I guess. I'd like to live there. Maybe, if things turn out as I hope they will. that might happen one day. At the moment it's a case of kids and work meaning I need to be in the UK. Maybe one day I'll retire there if I last that long. Buy up one of those high rise condos with a swimming pool and live of the proceeds from the sale of my house. That'd be cool
Welcome to the forum Maharg The Euro Pinoy site used to be the home of this forum, if you check through old posts you will see members referring to it as such. It just seemed a better idea to use the name British Filipino for better Google results. Which worked.. Euro Pinoy will evolve too with more articles getting added as and when possible, it is a work in progress - but so is any website I guess. I know what you mean about being a little crazy, I am here in the Philippines getting ready to marry my girlfriend - how crazy is that!! But, we all take risks to get a better life and that is what you've done, and it is what I am doing here as well. Hope things work out for you... Look forward to reading more of your exploits.
here Maharg Thanks for your new posts. Nice to see someone join us who has a Filipina girlfriend and who knows the Philippines also. Sounds like you will both have some work to do to be together but it will all be worth it in the end. Meeting my future wife in the Philippines was the best thing that happened to me, we now have two beautiful kids also :vhappy: I know that others here also want to eventually live over there but most will probably advise you to keep a home in the UK should things go pear-shaped or if you have any health concerns for the future. Once again, welcome and enjoy your time here
Welcome aboard...!!! If your kids liked her, then half the battle is won.... LDR can be a bit stressful at times, due to misunderstandings, emergencies and what not, but it has its rewards at the end of it. Be patient, do your home work, learn as much as possible about the culture and more importantly listen to her. She will be leaving home one day, to be with you, thousands of miles away from all she knows, and such immense sacrifice needs to be respected from the onset of the relationship. In the meantime keep all records of your trips, flight tickets, boarding cards, hotel receipts, chat logs, pictures together and with her family... They will come useful for evidence of contact once you lodge the application.
Hi everyone - again! I haven't been here for a while but came back because I'm a bit excited at the moment. Last week I was scared that Theresa May was going to bugger up my entire life - but she didn't. She only buggered up the lives of some people who earn less money than me. Had the original figured quoted been brought into effect we could have been in biiiiiiiig trouble. So, last week my life was possibly in ruins. This week, not only does my "fiance" (I do hate that word - it's just so... girly) now finally have a passport. She also passed her English tests this morning. Even got a B1 in Speaking. Go her!!!! So she's done all her things that she needs to do. Over to me now. Ohhhhhh Gawwwwwd! This is it. No going back now. Holy Mary mother of God!!
HI Maharg welcome here nice intro and you sound really excited and happy of your relationship with her
So what happens next? fiance visa? if your lady is coming here she will need to do her cfo seminar to leave the Phils to marry
First of heard of a CFO Seminar, I have to say. I looked here: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/an...ND-COUNSELING-BY-APPOINTMENT-EFFECTIVE-1-JUNE and found something about it. I don't know about this, but it does say prior to getting a passport, and she has a passport now. So I don't know. I guess if hse needs to attend this someone will inform her at some stage! Makes sense, though, 'cause, like, yeah, there's clearly not enough red tape already involved with this!!! But, yeah, we're going for a fiance visa.
Maharg, if you can apply before July 8, APPLY! The rule that will affect applicants after that date as well as the cost is the change from a 2 year visa to a 5 year visa! If that is not an issue to you, then no worries.. But, it might be easier to get ILR in 2 years than in 5 I, however will have to wait till the changes have taken affect. Though thankfully I should be fine but it looks like we (myself and Joy) will have to deal with a 5 year spouse visa.
Hmmm, ignore my previous post... I forgot to include into my brain cells that you're applying for the fiance route. The new spouse visa will be 5 years though.
I hope this is not wrong, but the way I understand it is this, even a Finace(e) visa applied for before the July 9th deadline would continue to be considered under the "old" rules. I think anyway. Here's the scenario:- Before 9 July 2012 you were granted entry clearance, leave to enter or further leave to remain as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner of a British or settled person, or you have applied for this and are awaiting a decision. Here's the immigration status:- The immigration rules in force before 9 July 2012 will still apply to you from 9 July 2012. You can still apply to switch into the partner route on the basis of the existing maintenance requirement and a two year probationary period before settlement. From October 2013 you will need to pass the Life in the UK test and a B1 level English speaking and listening qualification to qualify for settlement. Does anyone see it differently? Maharg, Here's the link for the CFO (Commission on Filipinos Overseas)
You might be correct there. To be honest I have seen a few write ups suggesting both.. So I am just being cautious.. Though without a doubt the new financial limits will not apply, but the 5 year rule might! I think the UKBA need to clarify this.
Yeah, this is the problem, without seeing the actual wording of the guidance and the immigration rule it's really not clear. However that UKBA published scenaria about Fiance(e) visa application before July 9th does say:- "a two year probationary period before settlement." which indicates 'old rules' apply not a 5 year route.
As its an entry visa to the UK unless Im way off base your fiance will need to do the seminar and get the sticker in her passport AFTER the fiance visa and befor exit if Manila is nearest its also the easiest (emotionaly) by all accounts. The Nuns do it in Cebu the only other location and give your lady a horrible time telling them all the nasty things foriegners do to pinoys and ask lots of impertinate questions I was close by when my missus did hers there you go http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?opt...other-partners-of-foreign-nationals&catid=140 sorry peter i replied befor i saw your post
only just read your post but very eloquently written, a very long post but it certainly held my attention and I wsh u both a fullfilling relationship and best wishes for your future life together malcolm
Thanks for the comments everyone. I guess someone will inform her if she needs to do the seminar? Certainly something we need to find out about. Thanks for the information about it. Unfortunately I don't think I can apply for the visa by 9 July because I have to move to a different flat so I can't provide a valid tenancy contract until 10 August. I guess 5 years ILR isn't too bad. As long as she's here then that's the main thing. B1 isn't a problem. She got that in both listening and speaking. As for the "Life in the UK" test - well nobody can do that. Not even people born here. It's the most ridiculous test I've seen and clearly devised by someone with their head stuck in parliament rather than the real world.
