Can I still go to the Philippines for Christmas to be with my wife who Iv not see since the lockdown ? And if I can how do I get my visa for 59 days any info would be much appreciated, Thank you
To get a visa you need to apply to the Philippine Embassy in London. You are getting tight on time so I would call them immediately and explain your situation. As a husband you should be able to travel under current rules if you are granted a visa, however all of this could change at short notice. Be aware that you will very likely need to quarantine on arrival for something like two weeks and that will likely be in a hotel, not cheap, don't treat this advice as gospel as this is just from my memory and I might be misinterpreting things. And you will probably have to self isolate on return as well. Me, I am separated from my children because of this crisis and I really want to get back out there to spend some time with them but I have bigger issues as I am not married to their mother so I am barred from travel to the Philippines at this point in time. Given Duterte's extension of the 'state of calamity' to Sept 2021 who knows when I will be able to return, but under current rules you are allowed to visit if you can get a visa.
this link https://www.balglobal.com/bal-news/...:~:text=Key points:,from their port of origin. may help, I think it is how you interpret the rule and term foreign spouse, which you are! but are they saying a) foreign spouse who is resident in the Philippines or b) a foreign spouse (wanting to visit) I would check real well before travelling also double check your travel insurance as at present UKGOV is advising against all but essential international travel Good Luck
Thanks I did not realise that, I just checked Jim's link and yes it says 'Foreign parent of minor Filipinos but there are these 4 IATF conditions that must be met. So I tried to look up the IATF conditions. https://mb.com.ph/2020/07/17/iatf-allows-entry-of-foreigners-with-long-term-visas-starting-august-1/#:~:text=But the IATF has set conditions prior to,shall be accepted,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said. Now Jim's link seems to state that applications for a 59 day entry visa is possible as detailed below, but Harry Roque's quote then lacks clarity, to me it reads that people with an existing long term visa such as residents or spouses or those on long term work visa's would be allowed in and that visa had to be valid prior to the relaxation on entry policy, but Jim's link just says you need to get a visa. Quite confusing. For me I need to assess the Covid situation both the danger of me bringing it to them if things are still bad in the UK and the danger to myself from the levels of Covid in the Philippines. I had been planning a short visit in February but I think that's not really possible now, but this news is great as it means I have options for next summer (April-May) I do really want to get back over but it has to be safe for everyone in the family.
i havnt seen my son and family since last xmas. i was all booked to see them on my birthday in feb this year--but a bad storm meant no ferries that day. then the lock down. they kept themselves occupied in the time honoured fashion--and a new grandchild is expected next month. but i doubt very much i will go this year the way the covid situation is developing.
Ah the 4 IATF conditions are these detailed below and include quarantine, so it would cost me 2 weeks of three weeks annual leave to spend one week with my kids. And probably another two weeks quarantine on return although for me that is no big problem as I have worked from home for the last 6 months and I expect the work would allow this.
O my god it is a really bad time especially for you not being able to be with your children my heart goes out to you. It is painfull not being with my new wife we only got married in January this year thank you for your reply take care
Cheers My kids are 12 and 14 years old, I spent three weeks with them last Christmas but I don't know when I can get back, I am nearly 62 and I am obese and I have one additional health problem and I am their only support (their mother is not there) so I need to be very careful regards Covid-19 and if the cost of that is not seeing them so I can keep earning and supporting them then that's what I have to do, but it hurts.
My heart goes out to you all, I am scared of going I don't want to catch or do give the virus to anybody, thank you all for all your kindness and help, bless you all and I hope we all will see our loved ones again soon,
