Marty90

Hi all,

My wife and 3 week old son are currently in the Philippines. I've been over there for a month earlier this year and would like them both to join me in the UK. I am aware that my wife requires a Spouse Visa and my son requires either a British passport OR a right of Abode stamp (we are applying for his Philippines passport next week).

Current processing times state "at least 16 weeks" for a British passport to be processed from overseas and the Spouse visa could take up to 3 months too. Because common documents are required for both, I am guessing they need to be done one after another.

Does anyone know if there is a quicker route for me to get them here?

Thanks so much in advance!

ruri

I don't think there will be a quicker route if you are going to apply for the spouse visa.

I'm in the same situation but I'm from Malaysia. My daughter and I are currently in the UK at the moment as visitors and we going back soon to apply for her passport then a spouse visa for myself after that.

Since I would need common documents I know I will have to apply them one after another.

Marty90

Yeah I think you are right ruri.

The Right of Abode certificate looks like it may take up to 6 months and cost more too anyway. I will just have to do it the way I suggested then.

Best of luck with your application too!

ruri

Thanks! since my daughter can keep both passports I thought I would just go straight for the passport.

I hope it will not take many months to get both done as this will be the first time my husband not being with our daughter. She is now 16 months old and we have lived together everyday since she was born.

I know it's depressing him a little but at least we've now meet all the requirements needed in order to apply for the spouse visa...... after a loooong years of being together

Marty90

Be very careful - Malaysia does NOT recognise dual citizenship under its nationality law. Which makes not a lot of sense considering that Malaysia is such a diverse country. This may lead to complications if you intend to take your daughter back there. I don't know the exact rules on that - so may be worth looking that up!

But I understand your worries because I think it is very clear that we are in a similar situation. Yes the Spouse visa is a tough one to qualify for. But thank goodness we also have all of the requirements.

I have never seen my son - I couldn't make it over to the Philippines in time for his birth. But that is the project now - getting them both over to the UK!

ruri

Well apparently my daughter can keep both citizenships until she's 21 then she'll have to choose one after that. That was the advice I got from the Malaysian Embassy in UK and the HMPO has confirmed that too.

I hope whatever they are telling us is the definite answer

BritInParis

Obtaining a consular birth certificate for your son may be another option to consider given that the Philippines is considered a high risk country for passport applications.

https://www.gov.uk/register-a-birth

Marty90

Yes I did look at getting one of those too. But the application form did say that it is recommended that you apply for a British Passport first.

Sorry what do you mean by high risk?

BritInParis

HMG is looking to do away with the whole system as an unnecessary expense. If tells people not to bother then people won't and then they can say it's underused and should be closed. It is however a worthwhile investment as it will give your son permanent and easily replaceable evidence of his British citizenship which you can use to obtain a passport without any further supporting documents. Useful if you require these for your wife's spouse visa.

A high risk of fraud. This is why it will take many months more and be a much more involved process to obtain a British passport for someone born in the Philippines than say, France, or the United States.

Marty90

Do you know how long the consular birth certificate takes to process? And I am guessing that if my son has one these, we won't need to submit our passports with his passport application?

Ah I understand what you are saying yes. We shall see - you can only give them what they ask for!

BritInParis

The service standard is supposedly five working days. I suspect it will take longer than that but not as long as it would be to obtain a British passport for your son.

Correct. A consular birth certificate replaces the need to send any of the parental documents listed in Table C which includes the parents' passports at the time of conception.

Marty90

Thanks. I will definitely discuss this with my lady.

Evidence list is pretty exhaustive -

https://www.gov.uk/register-a-birth/.../yes/in_the_uk

BritInParis

You will need all that for the passport application if you don't have a consular birth certificate. Good luck

Marty90

Lol. I know. I am trying to ill-fatedly weasel my way out of paying more money Thanks for your help anyway! It was very useful advice.