I shall be 81 in August, came here to the Philippines in 2006 at 76 to marry a Filipino widow, I wanted to settle down to a nice quiet life for my last years. I have failed. The heat has broken and destroyed my health, spent months in and out of hospital and haveing loads of medicines, all having to be paid for, now I can hardly walk, certainly have to have help, apart from my weekly UK pension we are broke. We would like to go back but do not now if my wife wuld be accepted, she is a BSc Accountancy with a Masters, so no fool nor incompetent.
I have no relatives in the UK to help or anyone who might with accommodation.
I am only on the net three days a week prepaid now, so cannot check every day replies.
Anyone help me with information whether I could get back with my wife.
We have a 5yr adopted daughter, we have made the heartrending decison to leave her behind.

Gavin - I was about to offer some suggestions.

But then I read your last sentence. I'm beyond disgusted. How dare you and your wife even think about leaving behind an adopted child, as if she was a pet dog or cat which is seen as unwanted baggage.

PS: yes I am aware of the culture, I've stayed with friends in the Philippines and had holiday there, lived in Singapore and employed Filipina maids who leave their tiny children to work overseas to support their families. I'd do the bloody same if I came from a Third-world country too - but I would *never* consider emigrating and leaving the child behind for good.

Shame on you!

Well said hun , altho i think he's a troll...smells like a troll to me

I hope no one helps this guy out and he stays and finishes what he started children aren't like pets, I would never abandon my dog, let alone someone i adopted to give them a better chance in life

Actually he smells of stale urine and Murray mints if you ask me.

Brilliant! x

My goodness if i returned to the UK i wouldn't even leave my cats never mind a 5 year old...........shame on you (and if you are a troll shame on you as well don't you have better things to do )

Thank you for all your comments they ae appreciated and understood and I AGREE WITH YOU ALL!!!!!!
So, lets finish my request like this: We also have a 5yr old daughter we want to take with us.
NOWwill she be aloowed to go? Will my wife be alowed to go? Will I be allowed to go?
I am broke, no relations in the UK, no support, no sponsors, nothing

Can any of YOU or anyone now give me advice or help?

If anyone thinks I want to dump a brilliant child then they are wrong

6 Hours and 22 minutes

So now I have blown any help I will get from you guys by puttting in one line which needed explaining and I was short of time and room I left it.

Sorry we were only going to leave her until we had managed to settle a bit, got a flat or something where we were going to live, made certain I had travelled ok, it would only have been like a long holiday away from her. My wifes youngest sister was to have looked after her, she likes her and her daughter. When I have bee away in hospital my wife is always with me and her sister goes to our house and sees to the little girl, some times the sister will sleep there.

If you legally adopted your daughter she should be able to get a UK passport. Your wife could get a UK spouse visa but you have to prove certain things like that you can keep her without her needing public funds (benefits). You would still be entitled to the family allowance for your daughter though. You also have to prove you have somewhere to live.

Is your pension just the state pension or have you got other pensions income? Any savings? Any property to sell?

Lolo Gavin,

Okay, let's cut to the chase! – This posting appeared to get off on the wrong foot! I am currently twixt the Middle East and The Philippines. I am happily married, and intend to settle there permanently. I have spent the best part of 20 years outside of the UK and have only been back for occasional visits. My last trip was in 2007, which really made-up my mind not to return there. I felt that it would be difficult to 'Fit-In,' and I suspect the same would apply to you too. You must also consider not only your own 'Culture Shock,' when returning, but how this is likely to affect your wife and daughter, who have known only The Philippines.

The Philippines is probably one of the most beautiful countries on earth. Unfortunately, people tend to judge the whole country on the basis of the reputation of Manila. Whilst others might be quick to reach for the 'Third World' label, my experiences of Bristol, Birmingham and Wolverhampton in 2007 were reminiscent of a bad day in Tondo or Divisoria! – I had to pick my way between people sleeping rough in cardboard boxes at the Railway Station, and I was not used to seeing young people 'Begging' on the streets; or the abuse I got if I did not give them money, or cigarettes. The only thing missing was the 'Pag-Pag Lady!'

You have the benefit of a UK Pension and Philippines Expenditure. Whilst we might grumble about Trikes, and Jeepneys, at least getting on a train does not need a Second Mortgage!

Having been out of the country for so long, you would (like other returnees), become entangled in the (Joseph Heller Catch 22) bureaucracy. No Address, No Credit History, etc. Without any relatives or contacts back in the UK this would be exceptionally difficult for you all. I would also suggest that it would be near impossible for your wife and daughter to enter the UK until you have re-established your own residency.

From what you describe, it sounds as though you are in Manila. The environment there is not conducive to Good Health due to the combined effects of Pollution and Climate. Personally, I try to restrict visits there, unless they are absolutely necessary. When I stop for a 'Jingle Break' on SLEX down to Batangas, the 'Fresh Air' is the first thing that I notice.

My advice would be to move out of the city (if that is where you are), and plan the remainder of your retirement with your wife and daughter. We were lucky in that my wife inherited a House half way between Manila and Batangas, on the coast. Fresh Air, Good Climate (No need for A/C), Fresh Food, and a good lifestyle. After some renovation work at the house, our expenditure there is minimal. Where else could you buy a Bucket of Oysters for £7.50?

Salamat Po!

If your daughter is legally adopted you can apply for her to be registered as a UK citizen it does cost quite a bit and you will get an official citizenship certificate for her with that you can apply for her UK passport. You'll need a visa for your wife.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/br...ritishcitizen/
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/ecg/settlement/spouses

The adoption may not be as straightforward as it seems as shown in part on :
http://ukinthephilippines.fco.gov.uk...adopt-a-child/. The child may not get British Citizenship as of right.

From what you have said so far - unless your wife is of an age where she can get a good job to support you all, (you have not said how old she is but I wonder is she is a lot younger if you were legally permitted to "adopt" such a young child) It may be almost impossible to show that you will be able to support yourselves and hence get a visa for your wife.

If you wish to proceed you will need expert immigration help, which may be very costly.

Sadly, I have to report that Gavin died at 04:00 this morning in Manila; less than two weeks after his 81st Birthday.