marriage visa, thoughts & tips please

[TonyG]

I'm looking to start the process of applying for a marriage visa for my wife and step-daughter in the new year and would like to give a brief outline of our circumstances and would appreciate any thoughts or tips that other board members may have to pass on that might help. I'm a British Citizen and we met in 2009 via a Christian dating site, I've visited the Philippines 3 times since then each time for between 3 weeks and a month, we were married during the 3rd visit after being engaged for a year. I've been providing financially for her for the last two years and increased the amount to cover healthcare and schooling costs for my step-daughter. I earn £24,000 p.a. at the moment and have been with same company for almost 10 years now. I will also have about £7000 savings by this time. My wife also has savings as she has a degree and works as a P.A. in a Japanese company so she is relatively well off by Filipino standards, she also owns her own house there. She has also already taken and passed the English language test. I have receipts for all the money transfers made by me to her as well as all electronic correspondance going back to when we first met. I think the only possible fly in the ointment may be regarding accomodation. I don't have a proper tenancy agreement, I rent a two bedroom flat but this belongs to an old friend and the rent is paid directly into his bank account each month. Should I move into a flat using a letting agent thus having an legal tenancy agreement which covers boths sides or get my friend to draw up an agreement to put everything on a proper footing? I don't want to jepordize our application in any way as we have both worked hard towards this. I would also appreciate any advice re my sponsorship letter as letters are really not my strong point.

[Lucapooka]

You don't have to move if your landlord can provide a legal tenancy agreement. However, for this there are mandatory H&S conditions and obligations that have to be met by the landlord such as gas inspection et al. At the moment your arrangement is informal and he may not be willing to take (pay for) the necessary steps that will protect him from any legal action (for failing in his statutory landlord duties).

[TonyG]

Thanks for the reply, I'm also thinking that if I moved then my new accomadation would be deemed as not being "stable" if that makes sense, whereas I've been in my current address for over 2 years so obviously it looks better on an application.

[Lucapooka]

No, that does not make any difference. There is no residence period requirement with accommodation; it just needs to be suitable and secured.

[TonyG]

Thanks for the reply. How is suitability determined? Is it purely by number of rooms divided by the number of inhabitants as I saw in another thread or do room measurements play a part? Also are such things as pictures of the accommodation helpful in order to show the size, state of the rooms. Can anyone provide a link for some templates re sponsorship letters as I want to make it look as professional, concise and orderly as possible.

[geriatrix]

Overcrowding

[olawest]

Thanks for the reply, I'm also thinking that if I moved then my new accomadation would be deemed as not being "stable" if that makes sense, whereas I've been in my current address for over 2 years so obviously it looks better on an application.

I have first hand expereince. I moved accommodation to a new flat within a month and applied with the tenancy agreement, immigration accommodation report, council tax proof of address, gas bills etc and spouse visa was approved within 6 business days!

[TonyG]

Thanks for your replies guys, that's really put my mind at ease, we've got just about everything in place just waiting a little while to bump up my savings a little more, we've been working towards this for a long time so a little longer won't do any harm.