Leaving the UK

[Terry P]

 When the restrictions are over I'm moving to the Philippines permanently

I'm considering entering on 30 day visa free extending and going on visa trips

I have a Filipina partner and our intention is to marry when her annulment is sorted at which time we will be married there

I'm investing the vast majority of what I have in the family's business so my solvency will be hard to prove

I've researched extensively and came up with confusing information about what documents and other requirements there are

so has anyone done this already and what's the best way forward

[GeoffH]

I have to ask, how much time have you spent in the Philippines?  And are you aware you’re not allowed to be involved in a business on a tourist visa.

[Eddie1]

48 minutes ago, TerryP said:

I have a Filipina partner and our intention is to marry when her annulment is sorted at which time we will be married there

I'm investing the vast majority of what I have in the family's business so my solvency will be hard to prove

Hi TerryP

Welcome to the forum mate, you made a good choice.  Lots of good advice to be found here via the members and using the search engine at the top of the page.

As GeoffH asks, have you been to the Philippines before, if yes how much time have you spent here?  Your answer is relevant as if you have spent time here you will already have an idea how things work. 

Annulments are time consuming and expensive. Many filipinas want them but often never achieve in getting an annulment. As your partner is still married you have to be careful if you choose to cohabitate, if she has a husband that wants revenge/money etc you could both find yourself in prison if he was to pursue things through the authorities.  

Am i correct in reading that you are intending to invest your money in her family's business?  I truly hope that is not the case but it's probably best if you can give some more information on the subject before we wade in with advice.  Out of curiosity, whereabouts are you from in the UK?

[Jollygoodfellow]

3 hours ago, TerryP said:

I'm considering entering on 30 day visa free extending and going on visa trips

OK even though this info has been said many times that part is simple. Just arrive here and as a UK citizen you get a visa waivior for 30 days, then at some point you go to immigration or pay an agent and get another 29 days. Then before that is over you go again up until 36 months. That's a tourist visa in a nut shell. Don't forget you will need an ongoing ticket to anywhere which you wont normally use but you must have to say you will be leaving.

3 hours ago, TerryP said:

I have a Filipina partner and our intention is to marry when her annulment is sorted at which time we will be married there

If and when that happens other visa such as 13a become the next step.

3 hours ago, TerryP said:

I'm investing the vast majority of what I have in the family's business so my solvency will be hard to prove

Hope you thought long and hard about that. You could lose it all before you get married or after. 

3 hours ago, TerryP said:

I've researched extensively and came up with confusing information about what documents and other requirements there are

What documents are you asking about?

 

[Kuya John]

Welcome to the forum TerryP

Tread carefully, lots of experiences that forum members have had, to guide you if you sift through with the browse button top left.

[insite]

Slowly slowly to catch a monkey - do not accept things on face value - spend time here to gain an overview before  any  major decisions

[stevewool]

Wow, as others have said just be very careful, but I wish you well in all you are trying to achieve.

 

[BrettGC]

Hi there mate and welcome.

Annulment can be an expensive and convoluted exercise in PI, there are some on these forums that have gone through the process that can comment on that.  Just remember, unlike most western countries, there is no "no fault divorce" in PI, so unless certain relatively extreme circumstances can be proven, it's not going to happen.  As Eddie said, be careful of vengeful or ex's attempting to extort money; you could find yourself on the wrong end of PI's adultery laws which do carry prison terms.  

I was married in PI in February, so I can tell you to documents required:

• Certified copies of birth certificates for both of you.
• Certified copies of valid ID for both of you - we used passports 
• A Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) - Issued by your embassy in PI, it's an affadavit that you're no longer married in your country of origin.  You'll need to take originals of any proof of dissolution of previous marriages.  PI will not accept a CNI issued outside of PI under any circumstances, this is not negotiable, you must have this processed by your embassy in PI. 
• A CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage Record) for both of you - This is issued by Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) proving that neither of you are married within PI. 
• In our case, a death certificate of The Angry Midget's (my wife) first husband, also issued by PSA.
• Proof that one of you permanently resides in the barangay you wish to be married in.  If neither of you has ID stating proof of that residence, you can obtain an affadivit from the local barangay captain in person.  Your mileage may vary as to the cost of the "donation" or his/her attitude towards westerners. 
• In the case of a civil marriage, a certificate from the local city hall that you've both been through a day long group counselling session - the content of which has to be seen to be believed.  I assume that there's a similar document that can be issued by a priest/minister in the case of church wedding.  Either way, you're going to need it to obtain:
• Marriage licence - that is issued by the local town hall 10 days after you've filed and paid for the application with all the above paperwork. 

Fees for the licence will vary by location, but the PSA fees are set.  All up we spent approximately 7k PHP wtih the actual marriage fee at the Hall of Justice.  In the case of Dumaguete, agents/fixers are not allowed, the licence phase must be completed in person, no clue about anywhere else.   Also of note, we had to present licence and all the above documents at the local Hall of Justice when organising the date and judge to conduct the ceremony, the licence alone is not enough. 

Personally, I'd allow about 2 weeks for the entire process. Once you're married, register the marriage at PSA. 

Also helpful:

• The patience of Job.
• A sense of humour.
• A good playlist on a music streaming service for the interminable waiting at various stages.
• Beer.
• Remember, it's their country, their laws and rules, you're the visitor. 

I made a series of posts in the relevant forum going into more detail on our specific experiences, if I can find them, I'll link them.  

I hope this has helped and good luck!!

Edit: In the case of a civil wedding, as @Jack Peterson witnessed at my ceromony, you may also be good naturedly  "cross-examined" by the presiding judge as to your motivations.  Make no mistake, the questions are quite probing and asked in all seriousness in their intent.  Nod, smile and be polite, friendly and respectful is the best advice I can give. 

Edited June 10, 2020 by BrettGC

[graham59]

My sincere apologs for wondering if this is a 'wind-up'. 

[OnMyWay]

31 minutes ago, graham59 said:

My sincere apologs for wondering if this is a 'wind-up'. 

I was thinking the same thing!