Hello all, I am just starting the labourious journey of bring my Filipina girlfriend to the uk, i have looked at various visas, none are all that straight forward. Any comments welcome.
Thanks, Im not sure which is best, i dont want to go the wrong way if it causes problems later with leave to remain visa
She could apply on her own for a visitor visa but if your sponsoring her i believe you would have to show some evidence off meeting her. That may not be a requirement but it helps if you have met. You can get a flight to the Phils now for around 500 quid my advice and that of many others on here would be to go and meet her first.
y you must have met your sponsor in person--at least once--to qualify for a settlement-marriage ( fiancee ) visa. anyone can apply for a visit visa--whether they have a sponsor or not.
Meeting in person is one requirement before you can apply for any settlement visa. Tourist visa might be tricky to obtain but not impossible. Suggest to go visit the ph first and meet her in person and decide from there.
I agree with the above you will be unable to obtain a settlement visa of any type because you have not met. It is often hard for Filipino people to obtain visitor visa. Far easier and cheaper for you to visit her because you will not incur the visa cost and flights to the Philippines are cheaper from London than flights to London are from the Philippines.