Mind boggled - seeking advice! [Archive]

ssbib

27th August 2016, 22:22

Hell0 everyone, I hope you're all well and enjoying a bank holiday weekend with your loved ones. I stumbled across this site the other day and decided to join it to ask for some advice.

I'm 30 and last year I met a girl online who I fell in love with. She is 26 and from the Philippines. Cut a long story short we have met several times and gotten engaged in July this year when she came to visit me here in England. We are slowly planning a marriage and want to be living together in England before too long. I am slowly working my way through all the information on the process of applying for her settlement visa for when we are married. I have had a free 20 minute consultation with an immigration solicitor earlier in the week who has confirmed what I thought to be true, namely that we can marry in the Philippines and it will be legal here in England (providing it is done properly there too) and then we can apply for the visa.

I have a good understanding of the visa process from jumping through all the hoops that were laid out before us when we applied for a UK visit visa earlier in the year. I learned a lot from that and although I know it will be in greater detail I am not too concerned about it as we have lots of documentation, proof of relationship, financial requirements and so on and so forth. However one thing I didn't think about (and so didn't ask about at the solicitors meeting) was English tests!

Now my fiance speaks very good English and is excellent at reading and writing so I am sure she will pass the tests but can someone please explain to me WHAT exactly the tests are, where can we go about getting information on what to revise, booking etc etc. A friend of mine (who is married to a Russian girl) says that there is also a "life in the UK" test where you have to answer general knowledge facts about England and memorise names and dates and so on. Can anyone confirm that this is true and also what kind of material we should be revising as well as ways to book etc. Lastly, are these tests part of the visa process or do we need to arrange and pass them first before starting the visa process, then just submit the certificates?

I am so happy to have finally found the love of my life (it's freaky sometimes how similar we are, especially in humour) but thinking of this visa process, as well as planning a wedding, is making my brain go haywire. I'm trying to take things one step at a time and not get bogged down on looking at the whole process, but this is something I have no knowledge on and would appreciate some help. Also, any advice from you fine folks who have completed this process and how things went for you would be great.

Thanks for reading,

Phill

raynaputi

27th August 2016, 22:29

Yes, she needs to take and pass an approved English test before she applies for a visa. Here's the latest document about that https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-applying-for-uk-visa-approved-english-language-tests . You can search in the approved list for the Philippines to know where she can take it. Don't worry about the Life in the UK test yet. She'll have to do that when she's already here in the UK as a requirement for the future visa Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and citizeship.

Also, I advise for her to take the B1 test because it will be the requirement for ILR in the future to save her retaking the English test.

ssbib

28th August 2016, 10:41

Thanks so much for this information. It's clarified things for me greatly. Is there any recommended reading material that we could buy before the test or is her knowledge of English enough? She can read, write and speak English very well (better than some actual English people I know) so will that be sufficient to just take the test whenever she is ready?

Also, is ILR the same as citizenship or are those 2 seperate things? She can apply for that in the future when she has been living her for so many years?

ssbib

28th August 2016, 10:48

Thank you very much for that advice. It has cleared things up for me. I think when she returns home in October we might look at getting this test booked in, and I will recommend she does the B1 version. Is there any recommended study material we could buy or is there no real way to study for it. Her English is very good, in reading, writing and speaking.

Also, is ILR and citizenship the same thing? She can apply for those once she has been living here for several years?

raynaputi

28th August 2016, 12:46

Here are some test samples. Take note that Academic training is for someone who would be for professionals (i.e. nurse, doctors, etc.) and not for settlement visas. She can also just search more in Google coz there are plenty of samples. https://www.ielts.org/about-the-test/sample-test-questions

Anyway, she can either take the Life Skills test or the General Training..it's really up to her. But B1 level for these 2 tests would be better. You can skim through the IELTS website for further details of these tests.

She would be able to apply for ILR after 5 years or living here (2.5 years of her entry settlement visa + 2.5 years of another visa extension called FLR). Then she would be qualified for citizenship after ILR (not sure though how many years required for that because they keep on changing the law!).

ssbib

28th August 2016, 13:41

Hi Rayna, thanks for the link and the practice exams. Apologies for the double post, I didn't know they needed moderating before they published and I thought I hadn't sent the first one, haha.

Can I ask what is the difference between life skills or general training tests? Also, does she need to do both of these or just one?

ssbib

28th August 2016, 13:50

Steve.r

28th August 2016, 14:21

Also, I know that I have to be earning over £18,600 to bring my future wife here. This is not an issue but I hear that figure increases if you have children together, is that right?? If so when does this financial commitment no longer apply? After ILR?
I don't believe this to be true. Any children you have will be by decent half British and are able to be duel nationality, so they are free to live in the UK. If there are previous dependent children this might be the case, I will wait for Peter to clear this up.

raynaputi

28th August 2016, 14:33

Life Skills - tests speaking and listening (this is the basic requirement for settlement visas)

General Training - tests listening, speaking, reading & writing (this used to be one of the only 2 IELTS tests available until the introduction of Life Skills last year)

I think the price for both is different as well.

ssbib

28th August 2016, 15:03

Ahh, ok. I thought that might be the case as I re-read the stipulation but I wasn't sure. I will wait and hopefully get confirmation on here soon. THanks for that. I was worrying that my low salary might prevent us from having children in the future but hopefully that wont be the case. On a settlement visa can you work?

Thanks Rayna, sounds like life skills will be the one to go for. We will be ok for visa requirements that we just take that one test, we don't need both?

grahamw48

29th August 2016, 10:43

lordna

29th August 2016, 12:17

Hi Phil,

Best not to worry about ILR & citizenship at the moment as it will be a few years till you get to that stage. Life in the UK test also comes later.

One important thing you should be aware of now is to collect as much evidence as you can that you are in a genuine relationship. This will all help once you apply for your visa. Photos (dated), letters to each other, tickets to/from philippines and anything that proves time you have spent together.

It's a long time since we married in the Philippines (7 years) but back then you needed a document from the registry office here showing your intent to get married in the Philippines. This takes some time to get after you apply so best to enquire about that so you can plan dates. This document was then exchanged at the British embassy in Manilla for another document/permit which will allow you to get married. (this may have changed so either check with someone else who has done it recently (cheekee?) and also look on the British embassy manilla website. I can't advise on English tests as it wasn't a requirement when we married. However I believe you still need to get a CFO sticker in your wife's passport before you can leave the country. You may (both) need to attend seminars before they will issue it.

Don't bother paying a solicitor and DEFINITELY do not employ an agency in the Philippines to help you! Just ask on the forum as plenty of people on here have done it before you.

Good luck!

ssbib

29th August 2016, 13:19

Any children with a British passport will not need visas to come here of course... and no earnings rules attached to them either.

Yes, your WIFE can work straight away, but not a Fiancee (until after you're married).

So if you want her to be able to put money into the pot... marry her in the Philippines ! :biggrin:

Thats great to hear, thanks. I thought that the financial requirements applied to any children that we might have together and that had me worried as it would essentially mean we couldn't have children until I secured a better paying job. Good to know that isn't the case, thank you.

Hi Phil,

Best not to worry about ILR & citizenship at the moment as it will be a few years till you get to that stage. Life in the UK test also comes later.

One important thing you should be aware of now is to collect as much evidence as you can that you are in a genuine relationship. This will all help once you apply for your visa. Photos (dated), letters to each other, tickets to/from philippines and anything that proves time you have spent together.

It's a long time since we married in the Philippines (7 years) but back then you needed a document from the registry office here showing your intent to get married in the Philippines. This takes some time to get after you apply so best to enquire about that so you can plan dates. This document was then exchanged at the British embassy in Manilla for another document/permit which will allow you to get married. (this may have changed so either check with someone else who has done it recently (cheekee?) and also look on the British embassy manilla website. I can't advise on English tests as it wasn't a requirement when we married. However I believe you still need to get a CFO sticker in your wife's passport before you can leave the country. You may (both) need to attend seminars before they will issue it.

Don't bother paying a solicitor and DEFINITELY do not employ an agency in the Philippines to help you! Just ask on the forum as plenty of people on here have done it before you.

Good luck!

Thanks for the information. i don't know about the registry office thing here but I know that I need to attend the embassy in Manila and get an Affidavit that allows me to get married over there. I will have to have a look in to this in more detail. I might even create a thread asking of the steps required before I marry over there and see what everyone says. What is a CFO sticker exactly? I haven't heard of that.

I won't be paying for a solicitor but I have found one that offers telephone advice when needed for £150. I MIGHT take them up on that. I had a free consultation with them a few days ago and they seemed very competent. I won't be using a service in the Philippines ever again. I hired one earlier in the year to help us with a visit visa application. What a waste of money. They constantly harrassed my girlfriend, asking her for this information and then more the next day. Why they didn't ask for it all in one go I don't know. Then they asked her to doctor her wage slips so it shows she earns more money than she actually does. She brought this up to me and so I was able to tell her not to do it. I then demanded someone else work on our case but even then I had to go back through the application and re-write most of it (they listed down myinformation incorrectly and listed family members wrong etc. etc. as well as poor addition for costs and spelling) so I learned a hard lesson there. The visa was granted but through no help from the agency. I managed to get a partial refund for the shoddy service which I let my girlfriend keep rather than send back here. The only reason I didn't ask for a FULL refund was that there was a branch of this agency in London and there was one member of staff there who was very helpful.

grahamw48

29th August 2016, 16:01

ssbib

29th August 2016, 18:26

You don't need anything from a British Registry Office now... just the documents listed as a requirement for your Affirmation/Affidavit form (whichever applies) at the British Embassy in Manila, for which an appointment will be required.

See their website for latest updates etc.

I went through all this last September. Easy. No worries.

Ooh, can I pick your brain on the process then if you don't mind. I was hoping someone here could advice me if they had done it recently. So all I have to do before the marriage itself is go to the embassy (with all the documents listed on the .gov website) and make my affirmation? When this is done do I need to get married within a certain length of time? I am back in Philippines in February so might as well do it then if there is no time limit. Also, how long in advance did you need to make the appointment? When that process is done I can legally marry in the Philippines? I just need to then organise the actual wedding, haha?

lordna

29th August 2016, 20:25

Slip

29th August 2016, 21:14

You don't need anything from a British Registry Office now... just the documents listed as a requirement for your Affirmation/Affidavit form (whichever applies) at the British Embassy in Manila, for which an appointment will be required.

See their website for latest updates etc.

I went through all this last September. Easy. No worries.

In fact when I got married June 2014 I didn't need to go the registry office as it had just the previous month changed. But as it is with these sort of things, nobody knew. Even the lady in the registry office told me, off course they arenot going to do away with you needing to come here, nice little income for us.
So I went anyway and did what I had to. Good job I did, because although they were aware in some places of the change in Philippines, the middle of nowhere my wife comes from didnt know.

Off course they all know now.

All I advise is you check everything you get told, either by asking here. Or researching on the internet. As things change all the time.

It can be a big headache all the paperwork... But unless you want to throw money away I wouldn't pay anyone to do the work for you.....

grahamw48

29th August 2016, 22:46

Ooh, can I pick your brain on the process then if you don't mind. I was hoping someone here could advice me if they had done it recently. So all I have to do before the marriage itself is go to the embassy (with all the documents listed on the .gov website) and make my affirmation? When this is done do I need to get married within a certain length of time? I am back in Philippines in February so might as well do it then if there is no time limit. Also, how long in advance did you need to make the appointment? When that process is done I can legally marry in the Philippines? I just need to then organise the actual wedding, haha?

I think I made my appointment (online), maybe a week ahead ?
(Much of this stuff I've forgotten already... being a stupid absent-minded old bloke).

I know I managed to fit everything within a 30 day 'holiday'.

I would urge you to keep up to date by consulting the official government websites... both British and Philippines ones.

Your partner is probably best placed to collect her required documents, arrange wedding venues, etc.

Correct documents in hand... and a few pesos in the Philippines, and there should be nothing to get worried about. Just take plenty of copies of each important document (3 or 4).

Terpe

30th August 2016, 09:11

Ooh, can I pick your brain on the process then if you don't mind. I was hoping someone here could advice me if they had done it recently. So all I have to do before the marriage itself is go to the embassy (with all the documents listed on the .gov website) and make my affirmation? When this is done do I need to get married within a certain length of time? I am back in Philippines in February so might as well do it then if there is no time limit. Also, how long in advance did you need to make the appointment? When that process is done I can legally marry in the Philippines? I just need to then organise the actual wedding, haha?

Depending on the time of year getting an appointment might at short notice might be difficult.

If it's a decision to get married in the Philippines then you really need to make a schedule and work backwards from that. Check the British Embassy booking webpage and see how it looks.

In principle I'd suggest 21 days in the Philippines to get married. This gives time for any delays.
It's possible to get done in 14 days, but this requires a really slick project plan and some good luck to avoid any issues. Not much happens very fast here.

Your Fiancee can get a lot of preparations done and dusted before you land.

If time off work is going to be an issue then I'd suggest making 2 shorter trips. First trip to secure the marriage licence, second trip to get married. The marriage licence takes a minimum of 10 days depending.
Your Fiancee can check schedules etc to optimise and secure in 10 days with no delays.
The licence will be valid for 120 days anywhere in the Philippines.

ssbib

30th August 2016, 13:19

I think I made my appointment (online), maybe a week ahead ?
(Much of this stuff I've forgotten already... being a stupid absent-minded old bloke).

I know I managed to fit everything within a 30 day 'holiday'.

I would urge you to keep up to date by consulting the official government websites... both British and Philippines ones.

Your partner is probably best placed to collect her required documents, arrange wedding venues, etc.

Correct documents in hand... and a few pesos in the Philippines, and there should be nothing to get worried about. Just take plenty of copies of each important document (3 or 4).
Thanks for that. Hopefully I can do that on my next trip and then just aplpy for the rest of the things closer to the time.

Depending on the time of year getting an appointment might at short notice might be difficult.

If it's a decision to get married in the Philippines then you really need to make a schedule and work backwards from that. Check the British Embassy booking webpage and see how it looks.

In principle I'd suggest 21 days in the Philippines to get married. This gives time for any delays.
It's possible to get done in 14 days, but this requires a really slick project plan and some good luck to avoid any issues. Not much happens very fast here.

Your Fiancee can get a lot of preparations done and dusted before you land.

If time off work is going to be an issue then I'd suggest making 2 shorter trips. First trip to secure the marriage licence, second trip to get married. The marriage licence takes a minimum of 10 days depending.
Your Fiancee can check schedules etc to optimise and secure in 10 days with no delays.
The licence will be valid for 120 days anywhere in the Philippines.
Thank you for this information. Do we BOTH need to be present to get the marriage license or can my fiance get it before I arrive for the wedding? I don't know if I can afford multiple trips back and forth.

grahamw48

30th August 2016, 13:34

You'll both need to present yourselves to the registrar... before any licence processing can begin.

(I'm referring to Civil Marriage, incidentally).

ssbib

30th August 2016, 13:48

You'll both need to present yourselves to the registrar... before any licence processing can begin.

(I'm referring to Civil Marriage, incidentally).
It will be a civil marriage (non-church) for sure as neither of us are particularly religious. I might have to arrive early before the wedding and get this done. Can somebody also confirm that I understand the process of things we NEED to do before the marriage as the following:

1. Affirm or affidavit at English Embassy (take all my personal documents) Can I do this in February for a wedding in July?

2. Get marriage license from the Filipino government

Are these 2 things the only things we need to do other than organise the actual wedding itself?

Terpe

30th August 2016, 15:10

It will be a civil marriage (non-church) for sure as neither of us are particularly religious. I might have to arrive early before the wedding and get this done. Can somebody also confirm that I understand the process of things we NEED to do before the marriage as the following:

1. Affirm or affidavit at English Embassy (take all my personal documents) Can I do this in February for a wedding in July?

2. Get marriage license from the Filipino government

Are these 2 things the only things we need to do other than organise the actual wedding itself?

In principle yes.

There are details.....as always...

Do be aware that some authorities issuing the Marriage Licence also request sight of the CENOMAR of both parties. Mean the foreign partner also.
Means just one more thing to check. Your Fiancee can do this. It's not a legal requirement but if the authorities demand it then you must obey.

You might also be requested to attend the "Pre-Marriage Seminar" counselling sessions prior to being allowed to be married. Have your Fiancee check this at the place you intend to marry and ask when you apply for
the marriage license.
You should also ask about using a marriage contract expedite service to secure the marriage certificate asap otherwise you could end up waiting for ages (months) which#
is something you don't need if waiting to apply for a visa.

After you first apply for the license there is a mandatory 10 day waiting period while the marriage bans are published. Remember this.

How much time off work can you realsitically secure for this wedding ???

Terpe

30th August 2016, 15:18

Generally, with good organisation, and things go fairly smooth along the way, you should have no problems getting married within a 20-30 day timeframe.
I'm sure there are many who will say you can achieve it in only 14 days, and in my opinion that can be done if you are very lucky and the organisation is real slick.
Most folks will tell you that 21 days is enough time, and I think on balance that's a reasonable time without major problems, but not much time left for honeymoon.

I suggest you always check the latest information for paperwork needed etc but in principle to apply for the Marriage License you should consider having the following:-

Your birth certificate
Your passport
Your British Embassy Affidavit
Your NSO CENOMAR
Your Divorce decree asbsolute (if applicable)

Certificate of 'Pre-Marriage Seminar' (if needed, please check well beforehand)

Her N.S.O. birth certificate (This should be fresh from NSO on latest type of security paper. Check)
Her Passport (or other appropriate ID)
Her Barangay clearance (if needed, please check well beforehand)
Her community tax certificate (often called Cedula)
Her postal I.D. Address
Her CENOMAR
Her Parents signed advice form (if under 25 years age)
Her Parents I.D.

Seems a lot. So much better your fiancee will double check exactly the documentary requirements from the place and those people who will administer the marriage.

Not worth trying to avoid a few hundred Peso.
Just spend it and if the docs don't get demanded, just smile. You had them in your back pocket anyway.

ssbib

30th August 2016, 20:09

In principle yes.

There are details.....as always...

Do be aware that some authorities issuing the Marriage Licence also request sight of the CENOMAR of both parties. Mean the foreign partner also.
Means just one more thing to check. Your Fiancee can do this. It's not a legal requirement but if the authorities demand it then you must obey.

You might also be requested to attend the "Pre-Marriage Seminar" counselling sessions prior to being allowed to be married. Have your Fiancee check this at the place you intend to marry and ask when you apply for
the marriage license.
You should also ask about using a marriage contract expedite service to secure the marriage certificate asap otherwise you could end up waiting for ages (months) which#
is something you don't need if waiting to apply for a visa.

After you first apply for the license there is a mandatory 10 day waiting period while the marriage bans are published. Remember this.

How much time off work can you realsitically secure for this wedding ???

I think that I could get a month off work realistically. Thats half paid and half unpaid. I don't get many holidays with my job. Should this be enough time if we have a date set for the start of the month and start getting the paperwork the day I arrive?

Generally, with good organisation, and things go fairly smooth along the way, you should have no problems getting married within a 20-30 day timeframe.
I'm sure there are many who will say you can achieve it in only 14 days, and in my opinion that can be done if you are very lucky and the organisation is real slick.
Most folks will tell you that 21 days is enough time, and I think on balance that's a reasonable time without major problems, but not much time left for honeymoon.

I suggest you always check the latest information for paperwork needed etc but in principle to apply for the Marriage License you should consider having the following:-

Your birth certificate
Your passport
Your British Embassy Affidavit
Your NSO CENOMAR
Your Divorce decree asbsolute (if applicable)

Certificate of 'Pre-Marriage Seminar' (if needed, please check well beforehand)

Her N.S.O. birth certificate (This should be fresh from NSO on latest type of security paper. Check)
Her Passport (or other appropriate ID)
Her Barangay clearance (if needed, please check well beforehand)
Her community tax certificate (often called Cedula)
Her postal I.D. Address
Her CENOMAR
Her Parents signed advice form (if under 25 years age)
Her Parents I.D.

Seems a lot. So much better your fiancee will double check exactly the documentary requirements from the place and those people who will administer the marriage.

Not worth trying to avoid a few hundred Peso.
Just spend it and if the docs don't get demanded, just smile. You had them in your back pocket anyway.

Thanks for this list, it's helpful. Most of those documents will be fine, but where do I get MY NSO CENOMAR from?? Also, what office do we need to go to to request a marriage license?

I think we are going to try and go for a wedding in February. Neither of us wants to hang around. I hope that gives us enough time to get a good location and caterer and then a month to get the documents before the wedding itself.

grahamw48

30th August 2016, 20:33

Terpe

31st August 2016, 02:40

It's true that the foreign partner doesn't legally need a CENOMAR. However many authorities are demanding it.

Your Fiancee needs to check the actual paperwork at the place of marriage. Everything needs to be checked.

Delays due to lack of documents isn't something you need.

The precise documentary requirement varies .....depending

Slip

31st August 2016, 08:15

Do you still need to go to the pre marriage seminar before they allow you to get married? The person taking ours told us it's a waste of time unless you are teenagers. For people our age we should know about the birds and bees etc etc...

Michael Parnham

31st August 2016, 08:17

Steve.r

31st August 2016, 09:30

Not sure if it is meant as an amusement. It is meant to teach the morals of marriage. This is something that is held in high regard by the culture in the Philippines. Not a joke imo

ssbib

31st August 2016, 09:56

Try to have a 30 day stay in the Phils. That is the maximum allowed there without a visa.

It is your partner who needs to get a CENOMAR from NSO, not you. She will also need a Cedula.

The civil ceremony would normally take place in a local (partner's ?) town/city hall . Handily, this is also normally the location of the Registrar's office.

Your partner just needs to go along there ASAP to find out what their requirements from each party will be. They will often give out a printed list.

Some Filipino documents are available online now.

Google is your friend. :smile:
What is a Cedula? Sorry for all the questions but this is all new to me. Basically we need to choose a venue for the marriage and then ask them what we need before the ceremony and then set out gathering all the evidence? We can pre-prepare and get some of this beforehand though.

It's true that the foreign partner doesn't legally need a CENOMAR. However many authorities are demanding it.

Your Fiancee needs to check the actual paperwork at the place of marriage. Everything needs to be checked.

Delays due to lack of documents isn't something you need.

The precise documentary requirement varies .....depending
If the local authority is demanding one from me, how do I go about getting one?

Do you still need to go to the pre marriage seminar before they allow you to get married? The person taking ours told us it's a waste of time unless you are teenagers. For people our age we should know about the birds and bees etc etc...
They really teach you about all that? Hopefully I don't have to sit through a sex-ed class. Had enough of that when I was in school, haha. I suppose it could be good for young couples though.

ssbib

31st August 2016, 17:03

I forgot to ask...but when you go to the British embassy with your affidavit...do you get the certificate straight away? Is this called a CNI or something??

grahamw48

31st August 2016, 18:26

Yes, they will give you the document during the appointment... and a letter to show to any Phils local registrar not up to speed with current British documents. :xxgrinning--00xx3:

raynaputi

31st August 2016, 19:29

Cedula is a community tax certificate. Your gf is the one who can get it. She'll just have to go to their city hall and get one.

http://www.aplikante.info/how-to-get-cedula/

http://asianjournal.com/news/wp-content/blogs.dir/2/files/2013/07/ctc1a-655x474.jpg

For your cenomar (or Certificate of No Marriage), your gf can get one for you from NSO. This is just to make sure that you are single and not currently married in the Philippines.

http://i426.photobucket.com/albums/pp341/PinoyINGermany/93239e1f.jpg

Terpe

1st September 2016, 08:12

CENOMAR's can be ordered online here:-

https://www.ecensus.com.ph/Default.aspx

By coincidence we popped down to our Barangay Office and got a CEDULA for my wife today. It's still a much demanded ID here.

Securing ID's and proof of address or change of address can be quite time consuming here. As I've discovered.

Thankfully though it's not at all expensive. Just a few Peso
Even for certification, notarisation affidavit etc it's really very low cost.

ssbib

1st September 2016, 16:39

Yes, they will give you the document during the appointment... and a letter to show to any Phils local registrar not up to speed with current British documents. :xxgrinning--00xx3:
Thats good that they will issue one in the meeting. One less thing to be waiting around for. Presumably if we get everything beforehand the only document we need to wait for is the marriage license.

Cedula is a community tax certificate. Your gf is the one who can get it. She'll just have to go to their city hall and get one.

http://www.aplikante.info/how-to-get-cedula/

http://asianjournal.com/news/wp-content/blogs.dir/2/files/2013/07/ctc1a-655x474.jpg

For your cenomar (or Certificate of No Marriage), your gf can get one for you from NSO. This is just to make sure that you are single and not currently married in the Philippines.

http://i426.photobucket.com/albums/pp341/PinoyINGermany/93239e1f.jpg#
Might as well get a CENOMAR for myself too, thanks for the info. If you get one of these does that mean I don't need to go to the embassy with an affidavit?

raynaputi

1st September 2016, 17:15

Cenomar is completely different from the affidavit that you need from the embassy. You have to do both.

ssbib

2nd September 2016, 08:50

Cenomar is completely different from the affidavit that you need from the embassy. You have to do both.
Thanks. I might get started on gathering these documents now. I think I will be spending all of February in the Philippines and will get married in this time I hope. Might as well start preparing now.

Terpe

2nd September 2016, 09:02

Some of the needed documents have an expiry.
Check which ones before getting them.
6 months is the usual validity period

Steve.r

2nd September 2016, 12:43

Some of the needed documents have an expiry.
Check which ones before getting them.
6 months is the usual validity period

You got there before me Peter.

Terpe

2nd September 2016, 14:13

You got there before me Peter.

Time difference Steve :wink:

ssbib

3rd September 2016, 10:28

Some of the needed documents have an expiry.
Check which ones before getting them.
6 months is the usual validity period
Thanks for the warning on this. Maybe I will have a look at collecting them in November/December time if the wedding will be in February.

So can I confirm the process as being this:
Take all my documents and affidavit to embassy and get CNI (is that what its called)
Take CNI and all other documents for me and my wife to local town hall and get certificate of marriage (pay for expidited process)
Get married!

I'm going to be there for 30 days starting at the end of January and running all through February, that should give plenty of time to get the CNI and marriage licsense (as long as I have these appointments in the first few days already pre-booekd) and then have the marriage on one of the last few days befroe I leave.

Also, the flights I have been looking at would mean that my return flight would be at 12:15am on the 31st DAY of my stay!! Would this be allowed as long as I am at the airport and clear security checks on the 30th day (last day allowed without a visa)? I asked the embassy this in London and they said to contact the department of immigration. When I go to their website it doen't load.

grahamw48

3rd September 2016, 11:01

ssbib

3rd September 2016, 12:31

Last September I arrived at NAIA Manila September 2nd.

Embassy appointment Sept 3rd (commencement of 30 days visa waiver)... Affirmation etc expedited.

Up to province.

Organised everything associated with getting married at local municipal hall (by the mayor).

Wedding Sept 26th.

Plane back home, departed Oct 2nd.

Doesn't the 30 day window start the second you arrive? I am planning arriving at about 11pm on January 28th, wouldn't that be day 1, january 29th day 2 and so on and so on?

Ako Si Jamie

3rd September 2016, 13:06

30 days begins the day after your arrival I think

grahamw48

3rd September 2016, 13:22

Doesn't the 30 day window start the second you arrive? I am planning arriving at about 11pm on January 28th, wouldn't that be day 1, january 29th day 2 and so on and so on?

Jan 29th will count as your first day.

Terpe

3rd September 2016, 13:51

Make a plan.... with dates.
Organise your documents.
Book appointment slot at the Embassy in Manila to coincide with your arrival best as possible.
Organise the wedding date early. Important as sometimes it's tricky to find someone available for the wedding.

30 days should be plenty.....but do have a prepared plan and a check list.

Double check each and every document for any errors and spelling mistakes at the time of issue and get corrections made at that time.

ssbib

3rd September 2016, 16:35

Jan 29th will count as your first day.
Where does it state that for certain? If I have it wrong it could have a massive impact on any potential returns to the country if I accidentally outstay my welcome/

Make a plan.... with dates.
Organise your documents.
Book appointment slot at the Embassy in Manila to coincide with your arrival best as possible.
Organise the wedding date early. Important as sometimes it's tricky to find someone available for the wedding.

30 days should be plenty.....but do have a prepared plan and a check list.

Double check each and every document for any errors and spelling mistakes at the time of issue and get corrections made at that time.
The wedding itself and dates should be set well in advance. All I need to worry about is getting the actual marriage license. Good to know 30 days will be enough. Cheers.

grahamw48

3rd September 2016, 18:09

Sorry. If you doubt my word, there is always google. :smile:

marksroomspain

3rd September 2016, 22:50

Where does it state that for certain? If I have it wrong it could have a massive impact on any potential returns to the country if I accidentally outstay my welcome/

The wedding itself and dates should be set well in advance. All I need to worry about is getting the actual marriage license. Good to know 30 days will be enough. Cheers.

There would be no impact on further return to the Phils aa long as you go to the Bureau of Immigration Office if you think your stay may be beyond 30 days.

Myself and my wife did it all in just 14 days with careful planning good luck...:xxgrinning--00xx3:

ssbib

4th September 2016, 18:50

Sorry. If you doubt my word, there is always google. :smile:
It's not that I don't believe you. It just seems like the kind of thing that I should be 100% about before risking it.

There would be no impact on further return to the Phils aa long as you go to the Bureau of Immigration Office if you think your stay may be beyond 30 days.

Myself and my wife did it all in just 14 days with careful planning good luck...:xxgrinning--00xx3:
I've been trying to contact them but their website doesn't load. Tried it on loads of different devices and asked my fiance to try accessing it in the Philippines but no luck. Good to hear you did it all in 14 days. I'm sure I can manage in 30.

jonnijon

4th September 2016, 22:44

If you are not sure, you can extend your visa on arrival at the airport. When you show your passport just say I want to extend my visa, and you will be directed where to go.

ssbib

5th September 2016, 18:11

If you are not sure, you can extend your visa on arrival at the airport. When you show your passport just say I want to extend my visa, and you will be directed where to go.
Really? Its that simple? Have you done this yourself, what is the process? If it's easy I might do it just to be on the safe side.

On a side note...do people think that Brexit will make it any easier/harder for us to bring our wives over or allow them to stay etc.

raynaputi

5th September 2016, 19:33

Really? Its that simple? Have you done this yourself, what is the process? If it's easy I might do it just to be on the safe side.

On a side note...do people think that Brexit will make it any easier/harder for us to bring our wives over or allow them to stay etc.

Loads of people have done it (what jonnijon was saying). You have to pay a fee though. My husband has done it thru the hotel reception where we once stayed and we only have to wait a day at an extra fee.

Regarding Brexit, visa processing for non-EU residents won't be affected in my opinion. It's already hard enough as many would say. :anerikke: Brits taking non-EU spouse/partner here are mainly scrutinised more compared to the ones from EU countries. You need to have plenty of money :REGamblMoney01HL1: to be able to nowadays.

ssbib

5th September 2016, 20:05

Loads of people have done it (what jonnijon was saying). You have to pay a fee though. My husband has done it thru the hotel reception where we once stayed and we only have to wait a day at an extra fee.

Regarding Brexit, visa processing for non-EU residents won't be affected in my opinion. It's already hard enough as many would say. :anerikke: Brits taking non-EU spouse/partner here are mainly scrutinised more compared to the ones from EU countries. You need to have plenty of money :REGamblMoney01HL1: to be able to nowadays.
Haha, that's great to know. Seems like it's just an exercise in filling out s form and paying a fee. I might just do that if I can't find concrete confirmation of the rule. Can you remember how much the fee was exactly?

And as for money, you're right about that. I wouldn't be able to do it if I wasn't still living at my parents house and could save some money specifically for this purpose.

raynaputi

5th September 2016, 20:28

Haha, that's great to know. Seems like it's just an exercise in filling out s form and paying a fee. I might just do that if I can't find concrete confirmation of the rule. Can you remember how much the fee was exactly?

And as for money, you're right about that. I wouldn't be able to do it if I wasn't still living at my parents house and could save some money specifically for this purpose.

We paid around PHP3,500 that time (that's including the fee charged by the hotel).

According to Google:

The cost for this first extension is 3,030 Pesos. When you are already 59 days in the Philippines and want to stay a bit longer, then your regular extension series starts. You have to show up at an office of the Bureau of Immigration a couple of days before your Visa Waiver expires.

https://www.silent-gardens.com/visa.php

Read more from here: http://www.immigration.gov.ph/visa-requirements/non-immigrant-visa/temporary-visitor-visa/visa-waiver

ssbib

5th September 2016, 20:34

We paid around PHP3,500 that time (that's including the fee charged by the hotel).

According to Google:

The cost for this first extension is 3,030 Pesos. When you are already 59 days in the Philippines and want to stay a bit longer, then your regular extension series starts. You have to show up at an office of the Bureau of Immigration a couple of days before your Visa Waiver expires.

https://www.silent-gardens.com/visa.php

Read more from here: http://www.immigration.gov.ph/visa-requirements/non-immigrant-visa/temporary-visitor-visa/visa-waiver

That ain't bad, thanks for the info. Where did the get the 59 day figure from that quote, I thought the maximum you can stay without a visa is 30?

Ako Si Jamie

5th September 2016, 20:35

59 day Visa is just over P3000 which is roughly £45

ssbib

5th September 2016, 20:47

59 day Visa is just over P3000 which is roughly £45
Is that 30 days original with 29 top up?

Michael Parnham

6th September 2016, 07:45

You can get a 59 day visa by calling Philippine Embassy London and you will get it within three days, they will explain what to do. You pay your fee, send a prepaid addressed envelope and Passport, 'Bingo' your visa and Passport arrive more quickly than you can say Jack Robinson. Tel, 02074511814, 02074511805 or 02074511800. Good Luck:xxgrinning--00xx3:

ssbib

6th September 2016, 08:05

ssbib

8th September 2016, 08:35

ssbib

8th September 2016, 10:17

Sorry. If you doubt my word, there is always google. :smile:
I've had this confirmed now by the Philippines Bureau of Immigration. I'll keep the email...just in case.

Harry T

8th September 2016, 12:54

Iv sent you a message Phil with regards to the Cathay 7 Day Sale, and also the link to PIC, i forgot to say with PIC there is an option for an Instalment method.. ie book your Flights, and pay over a period of time before you go.. :xxgrinning--00xx3:

Terpe

8th September 2016, 12:59

Right, looks like a plan is coming together. Wedding is going to be in February, I plan on arriving on 28th January and wil have embassy appointment booked for 30th January, marriage certificate appointment for 31st and then the wedding on 25th February that is the 28th day of my visit. Will this be enough time for the marriage license to process etc you think?

Try again.
Ideally you need to work your project plan backwards from the wedding day taking account of your departure date.

Once you've made eligible application for the marriage licence you need at least 10 days for the bans before the wedding can take place.

Your eligible application may well involve a counselling session. Take heed.
Have your fiancee check out the local requirement and have confirmation.

On the other hand, if you're able to stray beyond your 30 days and you can manage the extra days from work then go ahead.

Do check everything and maker sure it all fits.

Harry T

8th September 2016, 13:06

Michael Parnham

8th September 2016, 13:17

Michael how do i get this Notary Public or Commisioner of Oaths for my Postal Application ?

It was 2011 when I did mine but I seem to remember using a local solicitor and it cost me a fiver, I just called in a couple of solicitor's on chance and of course the second one obliged.:xxgrinning--00xx3:

ssbib

11th September 2016, 11:05

Try again.
Ideally you need to work your project plan backwards from the wedding day taking account of your departure date.

Once you've made eligible application for the marriage licence you need at least 10 days for the bans before the wedding can take place.

Your eligible application may well involve a counselling session. Take heed.
Have your fiancee check out the local requirement and have confirmation.

On the other hand, if you're able to stray beyond your 30 days and you can manage the extra days from work then go ahead.

Do check everything and maker sure it all fits.

My leave from work hasn't been approved yet but I think it will be but I don't think I will be able to take any more time off. My fiancé is going to go to the courthouse on Tuesday and find out more about the marriage licence, ie. Can we pay money to get it quicker etc. And then we are going to book a wedding date around that. Then I will book flights, book the embassy appointment (how far in advance can I do this?) and make an appointment for th marriage licence too. Then we will work around that. The current plan gives us 25 days from licence application to the wedding so that should be plenty shouldn't it? We are thinking of having the wedding 17 days after the licence application...would this be enough time? That would leave us a week to spend together after the marriage whereas having it 25 days later would mean that I have to go straight home the following day.

ssbib

14th September 2016, 18:04

Things are coming together. My leave from work has been approved and I have my flights booked (£502 with Etihad via Philippine Island Connections). I arrive at 11pm on Saturday 28th January. I have my appointment booked at the embassy to hand in my affirmation on Monday 30th January. My fiancé and I then want to go to municipal hall to get the license on Tuesday 31st but that is not yet booked. I leave the Philippines at 6pm on Sunday 26th February, which is the 29th day of my stay. I'm then back in work on 1st March (boo!!)

One thing I want to ask if how much is the fee for the affirmation certificate? I have seen a price list online and I can't figure out which is the correct price. Also my appointment is with the Oaths, Affirmations and Affidavit department, is this right? Thanks in advance for all the help.

Michael Parnham

15th September 2016, 09:03

Well done and your very welcome, good luck for the future enjoy your trip.:xxgrinning--00xx3:

Terpe

15th September 2016, 14:22

One thing I want to ask if how much is the fee for the affirmation certificate? I have seen a price list online and I can't figure out which is the correct price. Also my appointment is with the Oaths, Affirmations and Affidavit department, is this right? Thanks in advance for all the help.

The Consular Fee Table can be found here:-
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/537646/Consular_Fee_Table_2016-17_wef_13_Jul_2016.pdf

You need to look under 401 (4) "Administering an oath, declaration or affirmation" which indicates a fee of (£50) Local P3,300

This can be confirmed if you review the British Embassy "Explanatory Notice to British Nationals Planning to Marry in the Philippines"
Look at the "checklist of supporting documents" on page 2 where it states:-

" Payment of consular fee #4 for administering an affidavit or affirmation. Please refer to the
table of consular fees for current rates in local currency. We accept cash payment only"

Take note of the caution NOT to sign your affirmation or affidavit before your appointment. You will sign this in the presence of consular staff.

Terpe

15th September 2016, 14:32

My fiancé and I then want to go to municipal hall to get the license on Tuesday 31st but that is not yet booked.

Be sure you and your Fiancee know beforehand extactly the processes and documents needed by the authorities where you'll apply for the marriage licence.
Including whether or not you'll be expected to attend the counselling session.

One the application for marriage licence can be submitted it will take at least 10 days before release.

Anyway, it looks like you have plenty of time if you need it.

Good luck.
Do check, double check and triple check.
Do check all forms for mistakes and errors especially with spelling of names.

ssbib

18th September 2016, 14:48

The Consular Fee Table can be found here:-
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/537646/Consular_Fee_Table_2016-17_wef_13_Jul_2016.pdf

You need to look under 401 (4) "Administering an oath, declaration or affirmation" which indicates a fee of (£50) Local P3,300

This can be confirmed if you review the British Embassy "Explanatory Notice to British Nationals Planning to Marry in the Philippines"
Look at the "checklist of supporting documents" on page 2 where it states:-

" Payment of consular fee #4 for administering an affidavit or affirmation. Please refer to the
table of consular fees for current rates in local currency. We accept cash payment only"

Take note of the caution NOT to sign your affirmation or affidavit before your appointment. You will sign this in the presence of consular staff.

Thanks, I read through the paperwork on that site but I never saw the bit that said you are paying for Fee #4. I DID see about not signing it before the appointment, thanks for the reminder though. I need to print off my Affirmation in the next few days and then its sat waiting in the envelope with all my other paperwork.

Be sure you and your Fiancee know beforehand extactly the processes and documents needed by the authorities where you'll apply for the marriage licence.
Including whether or not you'll be expected to attend the counselling session.

One the application for marriage licence can be submitted it will take at least 10 days before release.

Anyway, it looks like you have plenty of time if you need it.

Good luck.
Do check, double check and triple check.
Do check all forms for mistakes and errors especially with spelling of names.

My fiance has been to the municiple court in Bulacan and already got the list, so we are well prepared in that regard. We are slowly getting all the paperwork together now. She is coming back to England on Friday so we will talk some more about the wedding plans. We have found a nice place to stay in Quezon City, close enough for her to get to work and so on. I think I might book that in the next few days. Things are really starting to come together. Thanks again to everyone for all the advice and support. You lot are lifesavers!!!

ssbib

13th October 2016, 16:23

Terpe

14th October 2016, 13:48

I have been told that after the wedding ceremony I need to go to the registry office and officially register the wedding there. This ensues it will be recognised as legal here in England for visa purposes. Is this correct? I was told by a friend but he says he is unsure if that was the Philippines or Thailand.

Phil,
In principle your overseas (Philippine) marriage will be recognised as legal in the UK as long as you follow all the needed/legal/protocols in the Philippines, without any 'short cuts' or under the table expediting etc. (You know, that nudge nudge, wink wink stuff won't hold)
There's no requirement to register the marriage in the UK. Actually, there is no way you can register an overseas marriage in the UK anyway.

My wife and I first got married in Japan under traditional Japanese style and rules. The British Embassy wouldn't accept the marriage as legal since we married in a way only legal for Japanese nationals.
Eventually my wife entered UK as Fiance and we got married again once in UK.

She eventually convinced me to have a full blown Philippine wedding here. Actually a renewing of vows, but followed precisely the same protocols.

So I've been married 3 times to the same lady :Cuckoo:

Enjoy your wedding day Phil :xxgrinning--00xx3:

I'd strongly suggest having the marriage certificate/contract expedited (at small extra fee) or it could take a long long time to come through.
See here:-
http://filipinaroses.com/showthread.php/44671-Advance-Endorsement-Birth-Marriage-and-Death-Certificate

ssbib

14th October 2016, 14:48

Phil,
In principle your overseas (Philippine) marriage will be recognised as legal in the UK as long as you follow all the needed/legal/protocols in the Philippines, without any 'short cuts' or under the table expediting etc. (You know, that nudge nudge, wink wink stuff won't hold)
There's no requirement to register the marriage in the UK. Actually, there is no way you can register an overseas marriage in the UK anyway.

My wife and I first got married in Japan under traditional Japanese style and rules. The British Embassy wouldn't accept the marriage as legal since we married in a way only legal for Japanese nationals.
Eventually my wife entered UK as Fiance and we got married again once in UK.

She eventually convinced me to have a full blown Philippine wedding here. Actually a renewing of vows, but followed precisely the same protocols.

So I've been married 3 times to the same lady :Cuckoo:

Enjoy your wedding day Phil :xxgrinning--00xx3:

I'd strongly suggest having the marriage certificate/contract expedited (at small extra fee) or it could take a long long time to come through.
See here:-
http://filipinaroses.com/showthread.php/44671-Advance-Endorsement-Birth-Marriage-and-Death-Certificate

Hi. Thanks for the reply. I know that the marriage doesn't need to be registered in England, but I meant registering it in the Philippines. A friend of mine seems to think that after the actually wedding day you need to go somewhere and then register the marriage in front of a judge or something?? So is this right? Are there any steps to take after the marriage ceremony itself? The ceremony will be complete by a proper priest (girlfriends choice) and we will have the marriage licence by then also.

Speaking of the marriage licence I don't think the district where she lives offers any sort of expedited service, my fiancée asked when she went to meet with them a few months ago. They have said that the process is always quick when a foreigner is involved. Plus we plan on going to apply on 31st January and then the wedding will take place on 23rd February so I think that we should have plenty of time for it to arrive.

dunstun365

15th October 2016, 01:28

ssbib

17th October 2016, 11:59

A good idea is to speak to each other on skype (if u don"t already) because and save screenshots. Skype"s good because it tells you how long a call lasts & you can post photos or msgs on there too.
My filopine neigbour here in UK had her husband"s (who"s still in phillipines) visa refused because they only spoke on mobile phones so couldn"t easily prove they communicated
Thanks for the advice. We do talk on Skype but we mainly use Viber. What's good about Viber is it allows you to save your conversations, which I have been doing since day 1 for this same reason. It will be thousands of pages to print though so not sure whether to just print a selection of it.

Terpe

17th October 2016, 12:35

Take some time to look here:-
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/263237/section-FM2.1.pdf

Terpe

17th October 2016, 12:56

My filopine neigbour here in UK had her husband"s (who"s still in phillipines) visa refused because they only spoke on mobile phones so couldn"t easily prove they communicated

That was real hard luck to be assessed solely on communication and then refused.
So sad.

Slip

17th October 2016, 13:37

Thanks for the advice. We do talk on Skype but we mainly use Viber. What's good about Viber is it allows you to save your conversations, which I have been doing since day 1 for this same reason. It will be thousands of pages to print though so not sure whether to just print a selection of it.

Just print a selection, it's what I did, around a dozen pages, none of the 50 shades of grey stuff! But stuff that shows you are committed also helps to put in a few pictures of you together at different times.

ssbib

17th October 2016, 14:14

Take some time to look here:-
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/263237/section-FM2.1.pdf

Thanks, just had a look through that. Everything should be fine I think. There are plenty of photos of us together, loads of messages to show them, me meeting her family, her meeting mine, both families will be at the wedding (apart from my mum who is too sick to travel) so I think we will be ok. The only thing that has me worried a little after reading that is the bit about money. I've just sent a large amount to her for down payment of our wedding planner and to pay the wedding venue. There will be more sizeable deposits to her account soon. I'll have to keep copies of the receipts for those things and also make a note of our conversations on Viber that confirms that these deposits were for the venue and wedding planner etc.

Just print a selection, it's what I did, around a dozen pages, none of the 50 shades of grey stuff! But stuff that shows you are committed also helps to put in a few pictures of you together at different times.

Choosing selections of that would be difficult. I might just print off some random ones or go through to find the most relevant etc. That's s problem for another day, but good to know I don't have to send them all, thanks.

Can anyone please confirm or deny that I need to register the marriage after the ceremony in the Philippines? Thanks.