One question often asked is, 'Spouse Visa or Fiance Visa?... should we marry in the Philippines or UK?'

A Spouse Visa permits entry to the UK and Leave to Remain for a period of two years after which time, an application for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) can be made. With no necessity to apply for Further Leave to Remain (FLR), you'll save a hefty application fee... plus the holder of a Spouse Visa is entitled to work in the UK. A Spouse Visa is generally considered the easier Visa to obtain. Personally, I don't think Entry Clearance Officers (ECO's) look upon Spouse Visa applications more favorably - as you're already married, there is no requirement to satisfy the ECO a wedding will take place. 

So what's the downside of a Spouse Visa. Men I know who've been through the process say it's really tough to marry then leave your wife behind in the Philippines whilst UK Entry Clearance is arranged. Bear in mind also you must wait for the Marriage Certificate from the NSO before submitting the Spouse Visa application... in some cases this can be months. For some, marriage in the Philippines is a 'Leap of Faith'. So many couples marry having only met once or twice in person...  and assume it will work. Whilst the failure rate is low, I do hear of marriages only lasting a few weeks.

A Fiance Visa permits entry to the UK for the purpose of marriage and is valid for six months. The wedding must take place and an application for Further Leave to Remain made before the Fiance Visa expires. In an ideal world, you could live together and the Filipina experience life in the UK before committing to marriage. In reality, few Filipinas are granted UK Visit Visas. At least with Fiance Visa status, if things don't work out, just cancel the wedding and she returns to the Philippines.

The downside of a Fiance Visa has to be the requirement to apply for Further Leave to Remain. My advice is this... the cost of FLR and a return flight to the Philippines to marry are roughly the same, money doesn't have to be an issue when deciding which Visa route to take.