visa applications--submitting documents.

Hi @Mattecube , thank you and to everyone who helped me throughout my visa journey.

Hey guys I'm in great need of help. I met my filipina girlfriend this year and we are now looking to apply for the fiance visa to bring her to the UK. We have been together for over 1 year and have lots of evidence. How do I start the application process and can I also ask when supplying original documents like passports can I scan my items at vfs London and can my filipina scan hers in manila? Or does this all have to happen in the same location.
I'm very confused by the whole process can anyone break it down for me from the very first step and help we are really stuck.

Kind regards
Richard James

Hi,

It seems a lifetime ago now, but here are a few pointers that may help you get started -

Link to the online application -

https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa/partner-spouse

I did most of the process on behalf off my fiancee, online, from the UK. It maybe useful to set up a free Joint email address - GMail, Outlook or similar - that you can both access from anywhere and use it for the application process.
Rather than going into too much detail here, it would be best if you start the process and ask questions on anything you are unsure of, but the online application will walk you through step-by-step.

Thank you so much, we do have evidence built up of chats, financial support etc I believe I can get all the documents needed however if I'm in the UK can they accept photocopies of my passport or do I have to send off original documentation. Can I have documents scanned at vfs London and my filipina fiance do the same in manila for our application. I think I might be overthinking and complicating things too much.

All evidence is sent electronically nowadays. If you have a scanner you can upload yourself, otherwise it can be done for you/your fiancee at the appointment.
If - as I mentioned previously - you do the application 'on behalf of' your fiancee, remember to answer/select options as if you are them. I did a quick 'dummy' application and the first thing they ask is 'Select a country to provide your biometrics' (Philippines) - then it will provide a list of available offices. Just go 1 step at a time...

That's great news, i can do that then. I guess. My phone has a pdf scanning app and I can use a scanner at work. Me and my partner are meeting again in Oct and we will add more evidence at that time keep you guys updated. Any tips welcome with regards to evidence.

My wife and I are in a similar situation , have completed the TB and English test, just waiting on the English test certificate. I have been reading up on forum and elsewhere and not sure if I am getting my wires crossed.
Do all my side of the supporting documents (passport, bank statements etc) need to be scanned somewhere? Or can I just upload them onto the vfs global website myself and that's it complete?

Edit sorry just read post above which pretty much answers my question haha

Been 5 weeks now no news on ILR, see some have got it quicker, just a matter of luck where you are in the queue.

After the first (Fiancee) Visa application - which was a FULL 6 months TO THE DAY from submission to decision! - my wife's LTR & FLTR (both 2.5 years) Visas have come through fairly quickly. We have never paid the extortionate 'surcharges' for an expedited decision - after all, once she was here why worry how long it takes UKVI to 'get their finger (or some other body part ) out'? - but are seriously considering it for her ILR next year...

Hey guys can I ask. I've been in a ldr relationship for 1 year and looking to apply for the fiance visa for my filipina partner. We have only met twice over the year and I'm reading that we have had to have lived together for 2 years is this correct. Other websites state we have only have had to met only once face to face. Can you please help clear this up for me as I'm now very worried

The requirement to have lived together for 2 years is applicable if you’re planning not to marry and just live together in a civil relationship. If your planning to marry and therefor get a fiancé visa then you just have to prove that you have met and that it is a genuine relationship.

Thanks you so much, so to clarify I can apply for the fiance visa and once married in the UK does my partner have to return to the Philippines?

No your wife does not have to return to the Philippines. you apply for a fiancé visa, you then get married within the six months that the fiancé visa is valid and then you apply for a spouse visa. Your wife remains in the UK whilst Waiting for the spouse visa decision and issue. The spouse visa will be issued for 30 months period.

It's the 'getting into the UK' that is the relatively difficult part - potential waiting times (long separation) etc - once they are here, as long as you follow the rules and they don't do anything silly, it should be plain sailing - if a somewhat lengthy process - to remain here...

Thank you so much guys, we will be applying for the visa at the end of this month and hopefully she is here within 6 months.

Quick note to thank everyone who helped us get my wives ILR, just came through took about 9 weeks from the date of the meeting to submit documents etc, just need to ask mattecube how he went about changing wives name to married name for citizenship, as throughout visa we have kept her maiden name as is was easier not to complicate things, but we need married name for citizenship...

keep maiden name for citienship(my letter,one after y doesnt work hence spelling mistake) and change to married name when applying for UK passport, section on passport application form to do this)

thanks.

And then,obviously get her Filipino passport changed too, at that time ?

No you can retain the Philippines passport and nationality for the duration of the passport, under the republic act 9225 section 2, when the passport is due to expire you change the name when obtaining a new Philippines passport and taking the oath of allegiance.