UK Visa ECO-Friendly
Visit our Facebook page
  • Home
  • Settlement Visas
    • Spouse Visa
    • Fiancee Visa
    • Unmarried Partner Visa
    • Visit/Study Visas
  • UKonsulta
  • UKay
  • Our Services
  • True Blue Honest Reviews
  • ECO-Friendly Blog
  • Contact

PREPARING FOR YOUR PARENTS VISIT IN THE UK

1/11/2023

0 Comments

 
(A Brinay’s Story on How to Cope With Missing Her Family in the Philippines)
PictureMina and Craig on their wedding day! Mabuhay ang bagong kasal!!!
Manila, Philippines - One of the most persistent struggles besetting Brinays and Brinoys (British-Pinays and Pinoys) when they start settling in the UK is missing their beloved family members who they leave behind in the Philippines when their UK Settlement Visa application is approved.

Though their lifelong dream of settling in Britainia has finally become a reality, still, once they are in the Land of the Rose, the fact remains that they are still Filipinas and just like any other OFW successfully employed and established abroad, the fact remains that after years or months or even just weeks of stay in the UK, most of them grieve deep inside longing for the touch and feel of their parents, kinsfolks and close friends at home.

One solution would be to go for a vacation and revisit their homeland so they can hug their loved ones once more. Thus, once in a while they get the chance to go home and embrace their parents and siblings. This, however, is just a short-lived solution because when they return to the UK and after a prolonged absence from their nearest and dearest, the longing creeps back in.

It’s not that Brinays hate their new life in the UK. Not at all!  Of course they love their newfound life with their new and growing family and being settled in Great Britain. They are very happy in the UK, undeniably! They will never regret being there and will never yearn to revert to their former life in Las Islas Filipinas.

It’s just that they long for their parents, their close relatives. The point is they miss their family so much!


PictureMina and Craig with proud parents Aling Nenita and Mang Galicano.
BEST SOLUTION

ECO-Friendly suggests the best solution would be to bring the Brinay’s family in the UK for a grand vacation. This way their family from the Philippines will have a most memorable vacation and in turn Brinays and Brinoys can spend quality time with their Pinoy families for an unforgettable and splendid holiday.

And this was exactly what Craig and Mina did!

Mina initially filed for a UK Fiancée Visa with the help of ECO Immigration Consultancy in order to celebrate her marriage with boyfriend Craig and eventually settle in the UK. Long story short, the application was approved and she flew to the UK to start the wedding preparations.

Before the wedding, however, the couple decided to bring in Mina’s parents for the wedding. Another reason was that Mina truly missed her parents when she arrived in the UK and also so that Craig’s parents could finally meet Mina’s.

They then filed for a UK Visit Visa for the mother and father and again we guided Mina’s parents’ application process so that they can attend the wedding which was scheduled merely weeks ahead.

The UK Visit Visa application was approved and when the parents arrived, they had a grand time celebrating the nuptials.

Mina admits she initially missed her parents when she first arrived in the UK, but their personal appearance for her wedding slowly eased her yearning for them, and after seeing them and spending time with them before, during and after the marriage, she now feels better knowing that if and when they want to see each other again personally, her mom and pop can visit her anytime.

She started to realize that it was not that hard for her parents to visit her anytime in person.

So for Brinays wanting to apply for their family’s UK Visit Visa application, please do not hesitate to contact us. Just click the ECO-Friendly contact box below to talk to a qualified and knowledgeable immigration consultant.

On another happy note: Mina’s Further Leave to Remain (FLR-M) has just been approved so this means, she will be considered a UK resident for another 2.5 years on her way to eventually becoming a British citizen. Congratulations Mina!


0 Comments

OVERSEAS DOMESTIC WORKER VISA

12/13/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Manila, Philippines - If you plan to visit the UK with the whole family and want to bring along your house helper, there is a visa that allows the applicant to stay in the UK for as long as six (6) months with their employer’s family.
 
The Overseas Domestic Worker Visa is offered by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for families who want to spend six (6) months in the UK together with their nannies, cleaners, chauffeurs, cooks or those providing personal care for the employer and their family.
 
ECO Immigration Consultancy explains that according to UKVI rules, domestic workers can apply for a visa to visit the UK with their employer if they possess the following qualifications:
  1. Live outside the UK
  2. Are a domestic worker in a private household
  3. Have worked for your employer for at least one year
  4. Possess other requirements provided by the rules
 
Before the overseas domestic worker visa became available, the Au Pair visa was the go to visa applied for by families who want to bring their domestic helper with them during their vacation in the UK. This visa, however, is not available anymore and has been replaced by the ODWV.
 
The rules also allow the visa holder to travel abroad and return to the UK to complete their stay as well as change employers to another job as a domestic worker in a private household, on the condition that they do not stay longer than the 6 months.
 
The visa holders, however, are not allowed to work except as a domestic worker in a private household, to live in the UK for long periods of time through frequent visits and obtain public funds.
 
The visa applicant must comply with the following requirements:
 
  • 19 or older
  • Have worked for the employer for at least 1 year
  • Work in the same household as the employer or one they use regularly
  • Plan to travel to the UK with the employer, their partner or children
  • Intend to work as a full-time domestic worker in a UK household where the employer will live in
  • Plan to leave the UK at the end of 6 months
  • Ere able to support themselves in the UK without the need for public funds
 
With respect to the employer, the latter shall be eligible by proving either of the following:
 
  • British citizen who usually lives outside the UK and who does not intend to remain in the UK for more than 6 months
  • foreign citizen who is coming to the UK on a visit and who does not intend to remain for more than 6 months
  • The employer must also pay the applicant at least the UK national minimum wage.
 
For a more detailed information on how we at ECO Immigration Consultancy can help you file for the Overseas Domestic Worker Visa, please do not hesitate to contact us.
 
Just click the ECO-Friendly contact box below or go to our “Contact Us” Page.


Picture
Click this ECO-Friendly contact box for your queries

Picture
0 Comments

UKonsulta

11/9/2022

0 Comments

 
PictureMr. & Mrs. Panghulan on their way to Glasgow, UK to attend their daughter Mina's wedding to Mr. Craig Lockie. Mina is likewise a client of ECO-Friendly whose fiancee visa was approved last July.
MANILA, PHILIPPINES. For the past 11 years, we at ECO-Friendly have been serving our clients by helping them file a hassle-free and less stressful UK visa application to achieve their ultimate desire of one day migrating to or visiting the United Kingdom.

One very important lesson we’ve learned from helping out clients/applicants all these years is the importance of making sure we have in our possession a complete knowledge of all the facts pertinent to the application before lodging it at the local visa application centre.

We must possess all the details and facts surrounding the lives of both the applicant and the sponsor like the story of their relationship, how they met, how he or she proposed, their future plans.

In short… the overall personal details and a comprehensive understanding of the whole picture -- their love story.


But the success of an application does not only depend on the genuineness and authenticity of the relationship between the applicant and the sponsor/partner. The financial standing of the sponsor and their future accommodation in the UK are equally very essential factors in the attainment of a positive outcome.

Nothing beats a deep understanding of the individual circumstances of the applicant and the sponsor, and we discuss this subject matter with them even before they become our client and prior to the contract signing.

During the preliminary stage of the application process, we conduct a comprehensive interview with the applicant (and with the sponsor as much as possible). This initial meeting is the most critical stage as it is at this moment that we can have a better feel of whether the applicant is truly qualified, a little bit qualified or not eligible at all.  Whatever the conclusion of the interview may be, we make it a point to explain the situation to both the applicant and the sponsor.

Not only will this information aid them in deciding whether they want to continue and acquire our help, all information gathered from this interview will likewise greatly aid the firm when formulating the checklist of supporting documents and accomplishing the online application.

Before covid-19 hit the world, we discouraged meeting prospective clients online as we believed that personally meeting and communicating with the client to discuss the details of the application was the best and only manner of obtaining all information relevant to the application.

But when the lockdown went full blast, the entire human race shifted to the internet for safe and fast communication and we were no exception. The firm’s only recourse was to go with the flow and adapt to the changing times and evolve with the rest of the world.  

Now almost half our contracts are agreed upon, perfected and signed online. Meetings have mostly been conducted by WHATSAPP, VIBER and MESSENGER. We realized that meetings and consultations over the internet can be as productive and constructive as those carried out face to face.  

Although based on our experience, onsite and personal meetings are still the main choice of clients when it comes to initially talking with our knowledgeable staff. However, for those in the province, prospective clients now tend to talk to us online than book a flight to Manila and meet us at the office for their initial consultation or meeting.

For more information on how you can have an initial consultation online, do not hesitate to contact us:
+63 9175273009 - Mobile
+63 0285465440 - Landline
ECO-friendly UK Visa - FB Page
joel1@ukvisa-eco-friendly.com



Picture
UK Fiancee Visa holder former Ms. Mina Panghulan arrives in the UK welcomed by her then fiance Craig Lockie on August 28, 2022. The two celebrated the wedding last October 27. Mina's parents arrived a few days before the big day, just in time for the celebration. Again congratulations to the newly weds Mr. & Mrs. Lockie! Mabuhay ang bagong kasal!

Picture
Click this ECO-Friendly contact box for your queries
0 Comments

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FUTURE MRS. CHARITY ECOT DAVIES!

2/17/2022

0 Comments

 
Twice, ate Charity Ecot applied for a UK Visit Visa and twice the applications were approved.

So twice she visited the love of her life Jeff Davies in the UK.

Now, finally, a UK Fiancee Visa has been approved and issued in favor of Ms. Charity, the future Mrs. Charity Ecot Davies! 

Best wishes to Mr Jeff Davies and future wife ate Cha! Mabuhay ang bagong ikakasal!!!
Picture
Ate Cha (right) receives her Philippines passport with the UK Fiancee Visa vignette from Ms. Jaz. Congrats again ate Cha!!!
Picture
0 Comments

CONGRATULATIONS ATE MAE LYN AND KUYA MICHAL!

2/9/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
0 Comments

NEW UK ARRIVAL RULES FROM 11 FEBRUARY 2022

1/26/2022

0 Comments

 
PictureCongratulations to ECO client Mae Lyn Talagon for the approval her UK fiancée visa application. Photo shows her friend Joel accepting Mae's passport with the visa vignette from Ms. Jazmin Ceria
Good news for those applying for a UK Spouse Visa, UK Fiancée Visa or any other type of UK Settlement Visa!

The UK Home Office recently announced that starting 11 February 2022, fully vaccinated travelers entering England (including holders of the UK Spouse Visa and UK Fiancée Visa) will not be required to take a COVID-19 test anymore and will likewise not be obligated to quarantine themselves upon arrival.

ECO-Friendly would like to stress that this policy will be effective starting only on 4:00 am on 11th February 2021. This means that from today until 3:59am of February 11, the present rules shall still apply.

PRESENT RULES
Under the current rule (according to the UKVI website), the following rule applies:
Before you travel to England – fully vaccinated
Before you travel to England you must:
•             book and pay for a COVID-19 test – to be taken after you arrive in England
•             complete a passenger locator form – to be completed in the 48 hours before you arrive in England
You will need to enter the booking reference for your COVID-19 test in the UK passenger locator form.
If you’re in England for less than 2 days, you still need to book and pay for a COVID-19 test to take after you arrive.
When you arrive in England – fully vaccinated
You do not need to quarantine when you arrive in England.
You must take a COVID-19 test. This is the test that you booked before travel. You can book either a lateral flow test or a PCR test.
You can take the test any time after you arrive and before the end of day 2 at the latest. The day you arrive is day 0.
If your test result is positive, you must self-isolate.
If your lateral flow test result is positive, you must also take a PCR test.
 
Thus, if a UK Spouse Visa holder or a UK Fiancée Visa holder enters the UK from today until the 3:59 am of the 11th of February, the abovementioned steps (taken from the UKVI website) must be followed by the traveller from the Philippines.
 
But if the Filipina holder of the UK Spouse Visa or UK Fiancée Visa flies to and enters the UK from 4:00 am on the 11th of February, they shall not be required to book and pay for the COVID 19 test but merely need to complete the passenger locator form.
 
FOR THOSE NOT FULLY VACCINATED
 
The UK website added that for those not fully vaccinated, the traveler needs to, “show proof of a negative COVID-19 test – to be taken in the 2 days before you travel to England; and book and pay for a COVID-19 PCR test – to be taken after you arrive in England. The traveler will need to book the PCR test before you travel.”
 
The applicant need not quarantine, unless the PCR test result is positive.
 
In all of the above cases, whenever a UK Spouse Visa or UK Fiancée Visa enters the UK, they need to complete a passenger locator form.

According to the UK website, "The changes announced on 24 January 2022 mean that the UK has one of the most free-flowing borders across Europe in addition to having the most open economy and society.

"The simplification of travel rules comes just before half term, providing welcome news for families looking to travel abroad during the school holidays, as well as an extra boost for the tourism industry.

"Thanks to the success of the UK’s vaccine and booster rollout, the government is now able to reduce the number of travel restrictions, ensuring there is a more proportionate system in place for passengers. Before the end of February, eligible fully vaccinated travelers will only need to fill out the passenger locator form (PLF), which will be simplified, confirming their vaccination status, travel history and contact details, and people will have an extra day to fill it out before travelling," the website said.



Picture
0 Comments

BRP VALIDITY PERIOD – WHEN TO FILE FLR-M

1/2/2022

0 Comments

 
PictureECO client Cat with daughter Sundae at the airport. Cat arrived in the UK more than a year ahead of Sundae. When Cat's BRP expired after 2.5 years in the UK, Sundae's BRP also expired despite being in the UK for less than a year. Both had to file for their FLR-M at the same time. Congrats Cat and Sundae for a successful FLR-M application!
Manila, Philippines - When a UK Spouse Visa application is filed and approved here in the Philippines, the applicant is given 30 days to fly to the UK.

Some successful applicants worry upon seeing this 30-day validity period believing that this is the period for which they are allowed to stay in the UK and after the 30 days, they have to return to the Philippines.

ECO-Friendly however, would like to emphasize that this 30-day validity period printed in the UK spouse visa vignette and affixed in the passport is merely with respect to the amount of time the applicant from the Philippines is allowed to enter the UK from the Philippines. Therefore, if the successful applicant fails to fly to the UK within the 30-day period, they have to get another vignette stamped by the UKVI.

Once the applicant enters the UK, a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) in the form of an identification card shall be issued to the applicant which will serve as a confirmation that he or she is allowed to stay in the UK for a period of two and a half (2.5) years or 30 months or more.

During this time, the BRP holder is allowed to work, study and receive any other benefit entitled to a BRP cardholder.

The BRP indicates the following details of the applicant:
  1. Name
  2. Date and place of birth
  3. Finger pints
  4. Photo of face
  5. Immigration status and conditions of the stay
  6. Whether the holder can access public funds like benefits and other health services

If the main applicant who is a parent from the Philippines includes his or her child in the application and are both approved, they will both be given a BRP valid for 2.5 years and extendible for another 2.5 years.

Once the BRP holder completes five years stay in the UK, they are eligible to apply for an indefinite leave to remain (ILR) via the Five Year Route.

It is worthy to note, however, that if the parent applicant files ahead of the child and the application is approved, should the minor child decide to follow the parent and apply later, the child’s BRP shall only be valid for the remaining period as the parent’s BRP.

Thus, the validity of the BRP issued to the child shall follow the expiration date of the parent, the latter being the primary applicant. Let’s say for example that the mother has been living in the UK as a spouse visa holder for one year. She therefore only has one and a half year before her BRP expires.

At this moment, if the child’s application is successful and he or she is likewise issued a valid BRP, the validity period of said BRP will usually be the same as the mother’s remaining validity period as the latter is the primary applicant. Thus, the child shall be given only a period of 1.5 years instead of the original 2.5 years as this is the remaining period of lawful stay for the parent.

It is but logical that the secondary applicant’s stay shall only be valid as long as the stay of the primary applicant is valid.  If this logic is not followed and the parent’s BRP is already expired, how can the child’s BRP continue to be held valid when the main applicant’s (parent) allowed stay in the UK has already expired?

Picture
Tony and Cat enjoying an after Christmas walk in the city.
It is therefore very important that the validity period of the daughter’s BRP be checked frequently to be sure that her stay in the UK is not interrupted and be held unlawful.
​
When the parent files for Further Leave to Remain (FLR-M) - an application for extension in order to stay in the UK for another 2.5 years to complete the required five (5) years, the child’s application must likewise be filed and included in the parent’s application.

Under the rules, the period to file the extension or the FLR-M, shall be within 30 days before the expiration date indicated on the BRP (this will be the subject of our next article).
Picture
Click ECO-Friendly Contact Box for your queries
0 Comments

SHAM MARRIAGE

11/21/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Manila, Philippines - In filing for a UK Spouse Visa, the first thing that the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) must establish is the legality and legitimacy of the marriage between the applicant from the Philippines as well as the British sponsor.
 
In determining this, it must be ascertained and verified whether or not there is likelihood that the applicant is involved in a sham marriage.
 
The standard of proof used by the UKVI in determining the existence of a sham marriage is the balance of probabilities, which in layman’s term means, “it is more likely than not” (ECO-friendly will explain and delve more on this principle in a later article).
 
Under the Immigration Act of 1999, a sham marriage is a marriage or civil partnership between two parties where one of the following conditions is present:
  1. One or both of the parties is not a relevant national
  2. Either or both of the parties enter into the marriage or civil partnership for the purpose of circumventing UK immigration controls
  3. There is no genuine relationship between the parties
 
And what, you may ask, is a relevant national? The Immigration Act of 2021 as amended enumerates a relevant national as the following:
  1. a British citizen
  2. an Irish citizen
  3. a person with settled status or pre-settled status granted under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  4. a person with a decision pending on an application for EUSS leave submitted before 1 July 2021
 
According to the Home Office, a caseworker, “…may refuse or cancel permission where, on a balance of probabilities, it is considered that the individual has knowingly entered, or attempted to enter, into a sham marriage or civil partnership, or has assisted another person to enter into, or attempt to enter into, a sham marriage or civil partnership (whether or not they were successful).”

It is therefore very important that at the outset of the application for the UK Spouse Visa or even for a UK Fiancée Visa or Civil Partnership the applicant gets and submits each and every document that will show that the marriage is legitimate and authentic so that the caseworker has all information and eventually decide in favour of the application.
 
In the case of a UK Fiancée Visa applicant, the Filipina applicant must show that a valid marriage is scheduled to be performed within six (6) months from her arrival in the UK. It is therefore very essential that the schedule for the impending marriage is attached with the application as part of the supporting documents.
 
But ECO-Friendly would like to emphasize that a valid scheduled marriage in the UK alone is not sufficient to prove that the wedding will be legal and authentic.
​
It is but natural that the ECO will need corroborative proof and so it must be coupled with other evidence of relationship which may be in the form of photos together, letters, emails and other forms of supporting documents showing relationship of the applicant with the British sponsor.
 
It must be stressed that the provisions on sham marriages also applies to applications for civil partnership.
 
In a news article which was published by The Guardian, it came out with an exclusive story detailing how, “Home Office investigators” demanded “intimate sexual details” as well as “halted genuine wedding” celebration in what the news agency called a sham marriage crackdown.
 
According to The Guardian news article, “…genuine couples are being prevented from getting married and are subjected to “insulting” and “gruelling” checks as part of a government crackdown on sham marriages.”
 
“Couples and lawyers described wedding ceremonies being interrupted so that the Home Office could question people about their sex lives, an official finding a nude picture on a person’s phone and showing it to others in the room, and dawn raids carried out to check if couples were sharing a bed,” the story disclosed.
 
The Guardian article added that, “…in one case, a couple were told their relationship could not be genuine because they were wearing pyjamas in bed. In others, people have been detained for months after being wrongly accused of entering into a sham marriage.”
 
For more details on how to avoid being tagged as involved in SHAM MARRIAGES please do not hesitate to contact ECO Immigration Consultancy. 
​

Picture
Click ECO-Friendly Contact Box for your queries
0 Comments

UK Graduate Route – Gateway for Eventual Settlement to the UK

8/19/2021

1 Comment

 
PictureECO client Marites Gaoiran and her family gives an emotional goodbye to a relative as they depart from the Philippines to the United Kingdom in 2019 (SCROLL BELOW TO SEE HOW THE GAOIRAN FAMILY IS DOING AT PRESENT IN THE UK)

Manila, Philippines – A new immigration route called the GRADUATE ROUTE has been created by the UK government for aspiring graduate students who wants to stay longer in the country and which could eventually lead to settlement.

At present, most applicants from the Philippines who want to settle in the UK file for the settlement visa like the UK spouse visa, UK fiancée visa or child dependent visa among others.

Now, the graduate route is made available by the UK government to give an opportunity for the best and brightest from all parts of the world to stay and commence their career in the United Kingdom.

According to the UK website, “… the Graduate Route provides an opportunity for talented international graduates who have been awarded their degree from a UK university to stay in the UK and work, or look for work, at any skill level for at least 2 years.

“The new route, part of the points-based immigration system, will help attract the best talent from around the world and ensures that businesses can recruit the most highly qualified from across the globe to complement the skills already in the UK, helping drive the economy forwards as Britain builds back better from the pandemic.

“The Graduate route will work for all corners of the UK, ensuring that communities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can benefit from talented individuals who want to build their careers in the UK after their studies,” the UK government said.

ECO-Friendly stresses however, that as a general rule, the Graduate Route does not count towards settlement rights and the applicant therefore cannot apply for settlement after the expiration of their allowed stay, unlike the UK spouse visa, UK fiancée visa or other UK settlement visas where the applicants may file for an indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and eventually apply for citizenship after the required number of years stay in the UK.

Read until the end of this article to get information on how the Graduate Route may lead to settlement rights in the UK.

According to the rules, the applicant for the Graduate Route must first complete a course from a UK higher education provider. This means that the applicant must have been a UK student visa (Tier 4) holder and finished his or her course with the said university.

But unlike the Tier 4 requirements where the applicant for the student visa needs to show financial capacity, job offers in the UK, minimum salary requirement, the Graduate Route is unsponsored meaning the applicant for the Graduate Route shall be qualified regardless of whether or not they possess the requirement mentioned above.

Here are some of the policies and regulations in the implementation of the Graduate Route:
  1. The applicant can apply to the Graduate route once their university (where they studied on a Tier 4 visa) has sent them their final course results, but not before this.
  2. The university also needs to tell the applicant that they have successfully completed their course before they can consider the application (the applicant, in turn will forward this information to the UKVI).
  3. The applicant, however, does not have to wait until they have graduated to apply for the Graduate Route.
  4. The applicant is allowed to take up extra study, but they cannot study with a student sponsor on a course which would meet the requirements of a Student visa
  5. Applicants cannot study at a state school.
  6. Applicants are not allowed to bring new dependants, but dependants already in the UK as a Student dependant may apply as a dependant of a Graduate at the same time the Graduate applies to the route
  7. The Graduate route is non-extendable and does not count towards settlement.
  8. However, if they find suitable employment, they will be able to switch into various work routes from the Graduate route

From the Graduate route, applicants may be able to switch to the Skilled Worker route if they comply with the requirements which allow them to stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer for a maximum of five years.
And this five year period as a Skilled Worker contributes to SETTLEMENT RIGHTS which means they may apply to live permanently in the UK after five years.


For more information regarding the Graduate Route, please do not hesitate to contact our firm at these numbers: 
+63 2 85465440 / + 63 9175273009

Or just click the contact box below to go directly to our contact page: 
​

Picture
NOVEMBER 2019: Gaoiran family headed by their padre de pamilya Mr. Jeffrey Gaoiran arrives at the UK airport
Picture
PRESENT TIME: Years later, the happy Gaoiran family visits a castle at Arundel, West Sussex
Picture

Picture
Click ECO-Friendly Contact Box for your queries

1 Comment

FURTHER LEAVE TO REMAIN - FLR(M)

7/25/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
In August 2016, Madonna Sandison filed and got her UK Spouse Visa with the help of ECO Immigration Consultancy.  Now, five years later, she is set to file for an Indefinite Leave to Remain.
See John and Madonna's ECO post here five years ago.
​Manila, Philippines - After receiving the UK Spouse Visa here in the Philippines and the Filipina wife is now in the UK, she is given an initial two and a half years to stay which is extendible to another two and a half years.

According to UKVI rules, a UK Spouse Visa holder who stays in the UK for a period of five (5) years shall be eligible to file for an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

After staying for another year, the ILR holder, should she opt to, may now file for British citizenship.

It is very important, therefore, that the Filipina spouse be acquainted with the important steps and basic procedures to take once she enters the UK.


​What is FLR-M?
FLR-M stands for Further Leave to Remain. It is the next application which the UK Spouse Visa holder from the Philippines must apply for to lawfully continue staying in the UK after she initially enters on a UK Spouse Visa.

If she applies and the application is approved, she will then be given another two and a half years in order to comply with the five year residency in the UK and then file for the ILR.


For the applicant to be qualified to apply for FLR-M, The applicant partner must either be:

Picture
​This year Mr. and Mrs. John and Madonna Sandison welcomes the newest member of their family baby Elias. Congrats John and Donna!!!
•a British citizen in the UK
•present and settled in the UK
•in the UK with refugee leave or humanitarian protection

​The applicant must also be inside the UK in order to be allowed to apply.

ECO-Friendly reminds that the applicant spouse may also include their children below 18 years of age before the filing. However, children over 18 years old are not permitted to file except if they were initially granted leave in the category at a time when they were under 18.

This application must likewise be filed before the expiration of the applicant’s allowed stay in the UK.

According to the UKVI website, in order to make sure that the application is valid, the applicant must:
• Apply on the current version of form FLR-M.
• Pay the specified fee by one of the methods specified in the payment guidance.
• Provide photographs of the applicant and her British partner and any children under 18 together. Said photos must be attached in the application form and must meet the mandatory format standards specified in the photograph guidance.
• Complete sections 1, 9 and 10 of the form as required and section 4 if the applicant and/or the sponsor have any dependent children in the UK.
• Make sure the relevant declarations in section 14 are signed by the applicant and the partner.
• Send the application by prepaid post to the Home Office or make it in person at a Premium Service Centre.
If the applicant fails to do any of these things, the application will be invalid and will be returned to the applicant. This could result in the loss of appeal rights if the permitted stay has run out by the time a valid application is made.
 
ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS:
According to the UKVI rules, all documents attached to the application must be in the original form.

UKVI rules state that, “Copies of any kind are not acceptable unless there are valid reasons for not being able to provide the original document. In such circumstances, we may accept a copy certified by the body or authority which issued the original (for example, a copy of a savings book certified by the building society or bank), or by a notary.
​
“The reasons for not being able to provide the original document must be explained in a covering letter. We are unlikely to grant your application without the original document…Any documents which are not in English must be accompanied by a reliable English translation… Make sure passports or travel documents are signed.”
Picture
Tulog na baby. John with baby Elias
Picture
​ECO client Madonna Sandison with hubby John in the UK. Five years later, Donna is set to file for her ILR. Click to see original online post of John and Donna here at ECO webpage.

Picture
Click ECO-Friendly Contact Box for your queries
0 Comments
<<Previous

    ECO-Friendly

    A satisfied and informed ECO (Entry Clearance Officer) issues a favorable and friendly decision.

    Picture

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    June 2013
    March 2013
    August 2012
    July 2012
    April 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    June 2011

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly