The Philippines is a popular travelers destination renowned for its many natural wonders and amazing people. Its people are often regarded as some of the happiest and friendliest people in the world. Thousands of Brits visit this magnificent country every year and come back with golden memories, and some even find themselves caught up in a romantic relationship with a local. Falling in love in the Philippines is easy but many find themselves in the situation where they have to return to the UK forcing them to temporarily separate from their Filipina partner. The technicalities involved around how a Brit can bring their foreign partner to the UK can be confusing and ambiguous. Many end up in this worrisome situation where they are unsure which path or process is necessary to be reunited with their loved one making them ask the question can I bring my Filipina girlfriend or wife to the UK?“
One way of having your Filipina partner visit you is to apply for a tourist visa on your girlfriend’s behalf. This can only be done if you are a British citizen or you have permanent residence in the UK. The application must contain a letter of invitation from yourself which states that you are inviting this person, with whom you have formed a relationship with, to the UK and the letter should also state that you have a relation with her parents. If you have lived with this partner for more than two years or she is your civil partner, fiance, or wife, then you will be able to apply for a family visa. To be able to do so, you must also be a British citizen or have permanent residence in the UK.
Proving that your relationship is genuine is one of the most important aspects when applying for a visa. This can be done by providing any evidence you find suitable. You may be asked to provide particular information or details to further elaborate on this. Furthermore, you will need to show that you are able to support your partner financially. Proof of earning a certain amount will have to be provided and this can be shown by submitting your proof of income or savings. Meeting the financial requirement is of utmost importance to the application, and if not met, you will need to find a way to prove how you will be able to support yourself and your partner during their visit. An income of £18,600 per annum, before tax, is the minimum amount. The financial requirement does not apply to anyone with refugee status or under humanitarian protection.
If you plan to marry your Filipina partner, then you may choose a different visa route. The UK Fiance visa is another route available for those who wish for their partner to join them in the UK on the basis that they will get married. The Brit will have to sponsor their foreign partner in order to obtain this visa, on the basis that you will get married within the six months first permitted for her to stay in the UK. The Filipina wife must prove that she is not in any other relationships so she will need to provide documentation of a divorce from a previous marriage, if necessary. If successful, she will be granted a six-month visa until the marriage has taken place and she can then receive the UK Spouse visa. Proving that your relationship is genuine, that you intend to permanently live together, and that your partner has a good command of the English language are just some of the requirements for this visa route.
This visa does not allow the foreign party to work or study in the UK. It is designed so that the foreigner can visit the UK to experience and understand the culture and customs before deciding to get married and permanently settle in the country.
Regardless of the situation, you find yourself in, it can be highly beneficial to seek advice from an expert team of immigration lawyers to handle your application. This will help avoid possible visa rejections and can ultimately make the process a lot more simple and straightforward. This situation is extremely common so it should not be hard to find a solicitor who has extensive experience in dealing with such matters.