Fiancee visa for my Filipino girlfriend

[gravystain]

Hi All,

I'm posting on here because the complexity of all this means that frankly I could do with a helping hand...
I am a relatively successful businessman who earns way more than the financial requirements laid out in the visa requirements. My girlfriend has passed her English language requirements. I am a divorcee with all relevant paperwork. I have visited my girlfriend twice, we talk every day and I am returning to visit in a few weeks.

In a nutshell, we meet all the criteria.

We tried a tourist visa 2 months ago which failed. So now we want to get a fiancee visa. we want to be together and this seems the most mature way to be sure, with all the cultural differences etc...

I nearly used a visa specialist until I read about the many scam companies out there, so now I need some help... :-
1. Can anyone recommend a reputable visa solicitor?
2. Having been refused a visitor visa, I was told by the first visa company that I would need to use a solicitor to secure a fiancee visa - is this true?
3. If I undertake the application myself, and it fails, do I have no recourse? If this is the case, then I have to pay for legal representation, as I don't want us to not be together...

Any help you can offer would be greatfully received.

Graham.

[Lucapooka]

1. Medivisas (google it)
2. Not true
3. You can appeal or reapply. You are not obliged to use a professional, although using a good one is always a good idea.