[Rambo]

Originally Posted by hullexile

I wouldn't ask for an extension this time though. You will not get a concrete answer from them as to whether a visitor visa will be granted or not in the future but at least it will go on her file that you made an enquiry and are being upfront. Any chance of a marriage? It would sure make things easier in the future (at least in terms of immigration!)

i was actually just going to ask for an extension of one day so i can fly with her to BKK and get her to her mums safely, would you still not recommend this? other than that i was just going to enquire about her future stays for the reason you state, being upfront and transparent.

In actual fact we have spoken about the possibility of marriage, however it wasnt in reference to obtaining a visa, rather because we want to, but not yet. Are there minimum relationship lengths for getting a dependency visa for spouse?

[PDLM]

No minimum length per se, but the more proof that you have of the relationship being "serious" the better. Photos with each other's parents, evidence of holidays together, etc, etc.

And you do have to be legally married.

When applying for my (Filipina) wife's visa it took 10 weeks and several visits by me to Immigration with more documents and evidence. They somewhat quaintly asked for any letters, with postmarks. The best I could do was a printout of a Skype log, which the officer seemed amused by!

[Rambo]

Originally Posted by PDLM

No minimum length per se, but the more proof that you have of the relationship being "serious" the better. Photos with each other's parents, evidence of holidays together, etc, etc.

And you do have to be legally married.

When applying for my (Filipina) wife's visa it took 10 weeks and several visits by me to Immigration with more documents and evidence. They somewhat quaintly asked for any letters, with postmarks. The best I could do was a printout of a Skype log, which the officer seemed amused by!

hahaha not bad .... may struggle on the letter front, dont even write to my mum

Sorry, questions abound, Was your partner in HK during the application? and can you apply for an extension of stay for them whilst appilcation is being processed?

[hullexile]

Originally Posted by PDLM

No minimum length per se, but the more proof that you have of the relationship being "serious" the better. Photos with each other's parents, evidence of holidays together, etc, etc.

And you do have to be legally married.

When applying for my (Filipina) wife's visa it took 10 weeks and several visits by me to Immigration with more documents and evidence. They somewhat quaintly asked for any letters, with postmarks. The best I could do was a printout of a Skype log, which the officer seemed amused by!

Yes also had the letters request! Luckily had a couple of old valentine's cards - though of course you could just write them and shove a date on them I suppose. Plus even if you did still write letters I can imagine they would include stuff you would not want others to see

Yes you could ask for a day's extension, I can't see that being any problem.

[hullexile]

Originally Posted by Rambo

hahaha not bad .... may struggle on the letter front, dont even write to my mum

Sorry, questions abound, Was your partner in HK during the application? and can you apply for an extension of stay for them whilst appilcation is being processed?

No she was not in HK. You can apply for an extension of stay while the dependant visa is in process but not a visitor visa I think.

Honestly if there is no impediment to getting married it really sorts out all the problems and so would recommend that route if you are sure it is a long term relationship.

[PDLM]

Originally Posted by Rambo

Was your partner in HK during the application? and can you apply for an extension of stay for them whilst application is being processed?

She was in HK on a normal 14-day visitor visa when we applied (the day after we got married). She then went back to the Philippines while it was being processed. I think she came over on a visitor visa once or twice during the 10 weeks. She'd been over probably 10 times in the previous year, but often just for 3 or 4 days at a time. I think it's the in-to-out ratio that Immigration look at rather than the number of entries per se. Fortunately she never had any difficulty from Immigration (she even got a HK Airport Frequent Visitor Card so she could get through there much more quickly!)

[Rambo]

thanks all so much, appreciated