Deli123

Unfortunately the UK work visas on exist for highly skilled workers now. Meaning experienced specialists chefs and medical workers. If this was an option we would have most definitely tried this a couple of years ago.
With me going to the Philippines I believe it would be hard for me to get a job there, and as the pay is so low we would not be able to save for the visa.

quiltman

That's so true! Beyond the fact that it is difficult (nearly impossible in fact) for foreigners to get work visas here, a GOOD pay rate is around 40,000pesos a month (£600 roughly). Unless you qualify for an Alien Employment Permit - usually working on secondment , the only areas are in the tax free manufacturing zones or working under a foreign contract in a call centre , mainly in Manila. The legal minimum wage here in Cebu by the way is 360pesos (£6.00) a DAY!!!! you'd never earn enough to meet the £18,600 a year for 6 months part of the UK spouse visa even if you were married. I'm afraid you're in for a long slog unless you just live together to meet the EEA family permit rules.

quiltman

There are thousands of bigamous "marriages' here. Well, one legal marriage and the others are just living together as man and wife because divorce is illegal and an annulment is beyond the financial reach of the vast majority. Many Filipinas have "boyfriends" and many Filipinos have "girlfriends".

quiltman

I don't know how the Philippines government would reconcile things if someone obtained a divorce overseas, but I imagine it could be messy.[/QUOTE]

The law here is fairly straightforward Pulaski. A Filipino couple, married in the Philippines cannot get divorced even if they can obtain a "divorce" from another country.(UNLESS the petitioner has obtained legal residence in that country) It is not recognised here. If a Filipino citizen is married to a foreigner and the FOREIGNER files for and obtains a divorce in another country, the Filipino citizen can then apply to the courts here to have the foreign divorce recognised and approved. If it is , then they will be free to marry again. The problem is it costs money which most folks don't have. An annulment can cost up to 200,000pesos (£3500 , or US$4250) plus can take years to obtain. There are more complications regarding split of property etc but in all cases the foreigner comes off worst! Don't forget this is still primarily a third world country and is Catholic , the Church having a massive influence on both the Government and the "followers".

Dorothy

Just throwing it out there, but could the 2 of you both apply independently for residence in a third country and live together there for the required 2 years? IEC to Canada or temporary resident visa to Australia? What is his/your occupation?

moneypenny20

WHV could work if they do the 3 months in a regional area, they'd get two years. Depends on their ages obviously.

Deli123

We do not have any specialist occupations. He is a front of house manager in hotels and cruise ships. I am a travel agent, and was previously a hairdresser. We did look into different countries but even that seemed like a difficult move

moneypenny20

How old are you both?

Deli123

I am 24, he is 31.

moneypenny20

WHV is out then. Sorry.

Pulaski

Why didn't I think of that?
Which is all highly relevant if he was continuing to live in the Philippines, but he is trying to relocate to the UK, so it is, at best, of marginal relevance. So my question was along the lines of "What do the Philippines authorities do with his marriage, and wife, if he divorces overseas and does not return?" I presume "not much", and his wife is left in legal limbo unless she can afford the fees for annulment or to get her (ex-)husband's foreign divorce recognized.

DaveLovesDee

Now is the start of the tourist season in many Mediterranean and Southern European regions.

My wife and I lived and worked in hospitality in Malta for the tourist season a few years ago.

As a travel agent, hospitality reception work isn't a great deal different in customer service, and there are plenty of other jobs. Hotel and hospitality jobs - MaltaPark

Deli123

Thank you 😊 we will check this.

DaveLovesDee

Also, when tourism shuts down for the winter, hotels tend to do upgrades and maintenance, and additional security work tends to be available. And a Maltese Security Licence is pretty straightforward.

Englishmum

I know that a lot of Filipinas work in Cyprus.....you could check job vacancies there too.