Fiancee Visa Journey
|My husband and and I had our plan of staying in the Philippines for one year or two before we permanently stay in Belgium. Unfortunately, his working commitments did not allow him so we decided to apply for fiancee visa. I had a doubt before because I thought it should be at least 2 years in relationship and more than 40 days together to be qualified for the mentioned visa. We were not yet one year together in relationship when we decided to apply for fiancee visa. We just both thought to give it a try. It was the best solution for us to be together for good at that time.
It was the last week of May 2014 when I went to Manila to start processing all my papers. I complied with all the general requirements stated in the official website of Belgium Embassy in Makati. In the mid of June I sent all the necessary papers to my husband in Belgium for him to be able to apply for our Marriage Declaration Act in the town hall. We both thought that it would not take long because some couples were able to get theirs in just a couple of days or one week. But then we realized that it depends in the town hall where the sponsor lives in. Unfortunately, the town hall in my husband's place did not release our Marriage Declaration Act in the time we expected. We waited for more than a month before we had it.
While we were waiting for our Marriage Declaration Act, I made myself busy preparing all the proofs of our relationship. It includes our pictures, e-mails, chat logs, letters, hotel reservations, money remittance, etc. I submitted more than 500 pages of proofs to the embassy when I lodged my visa. It is required to submit 1 set of original and 2 sets of photocopies. Can you imagine how thick of papers I brought all by myself to the embassy? I thought it would be better to have a lot of proofs because I was really hoping for the approval of the consul. Just my way of convincing the concerned people that my husband and I have a genuine relationship.
After more than a month of waiting, we finally got our Marriage Declaration Act. My husband mailed it to me together with his papers. The list of requirements for sponsor is also stated in the official website of the Belgium Embassy. It was August when I called the embassy to have an appointment and September was the earliest available date that they gave me.
It was September 10 when I went to the embassy to lodge my visa application. Luckily, I brought all my papers so when the visa officer asked for a certain document I was able to submit it on the same day. After one month, October 10, my reference number was already in the site where every visa applicant can check the status of their visa application. Every passing day was stressful for me and my husband because we were not 100% sure to get a visa approval.
One month had passed but still no update in the site about the status of my visa application. My husband did follow-up every now and then to the town hall and Ministry of Foreign Affairs but they told us to just wait. It was the first week of December when my husband received a phone call from the Justice Department for his interview. After his 2-hour interview, he was instructed to call on the next day for the result. He called the town hall on the next day and he was informed that everything was fine and the Justice Department gave us approval. They were just waiting for the confirmation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. So my husband called again on the next day to confirm the news. I checked my visa status in the site and it already changed from my previous status. It stated there that they would grant the visa upon the submission of additional documents. It was September 10 when I got my visa approval. It took 3 months from the date I lodged my visa. I left the Philippines last December 2014.
Applying for visa can be really stressful if it is the only possible way for the couple to be together again for good. Many factors can affect the decision for visa application. I hope this helps! Good luck to all visa applicants!Â
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||Blue Sunny wrote:Hello MissKath
Thanks for sharing your experience. I have some questions:
1. Did you prepare 2 sets of evidence of the history of your relationship. I mean when it comes to letters and postcards there is only one original. So did you put the single original or did you take photocopies of them?
What about the photographs of you? Did you print the same photograph twice and added?
2. Did your husband show an evidence that he has never got married or did they retrieve it automatically from the register?
3. Did you need to legalize the copy of your identity card?
4. Did you have something like "de coutume" and what is that exactly?
Thanks for your reply
and have a nice weekend
Hello! You are welcome,Blue Sunny! I would be glad to help other visa applicants as long as I can. With regards to your questions, here are my answers:
1. The Belgium Embassy in the Philippines requires 1 original copy and 2 photocopies. I photocopied all the originals. If the photocopy is not readable or clear, much better to provide another original copy, like what I did with all our pictures. I printed all our pictures thrice.
2. Yes. My husband just went to their town hall to get the proof that he was not married when we applied for Marriage Declaration Act.
3. Yes. I used my passport for my identification since I do not have an international identity card. I went to the lawyer's office to have an affidavit then I proceeded to Department of Foreign Affairs to have it authenticated. Lastly, I went to the embassy for the legalization.
4. Sorry but I do not understand this question. I have not encountered yet the words ''de coutume''.
I hope my answers help. Good luck and have a nice weekend too!
||||Blue Sunny wrote:Hello MissKath
Did you give original postcards and the original letters and their photocopies to the embassy?
Thanks in advance
Hello! I did not submit letters and postcards anymore. I was not sure then if the embassy would return the original copies so I did not do it. Besides I submitted more than 500 pages of proofs of relationship so I thought that would be enough.
|Blue Sunny wrote:Thank you very much for your swift reply MissKaty. I found the following information concerning "certificat de coutume" which is translated to "affidavit of law".
The answer is from a French wedding site but very informative:
"Certificat de Coutume", "an affidavit of law" and "customs" is required by some mairies. This is a notarised statement by an attorney who is licensed to practice in both France and your home country. The Certificate de Coutume certifies that you are both free to marry and your marriage will be recognised also in your country of residence.
Some mairies will also accept a notarised affidavit (attestation tenant lieu de certificat de coutume) which can be obtained by appointment from Consular Services of local Embassy or Consulate. There is a fee for this service.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Hello again! I do not remember that I submitted that kind of document to the embassy. But thank you so much for the information. I remember that we submitted a copy of "Marriage Law in the Philippines" because I am from that country. My husband is from Flanders. In the Philippines, we call that kind of document as "Certificate of No Marriage" which certifies the individual of not being married with anyone else.
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||itsme_mae wrote:Hi miss kath...its me again,i have question again its that possible that my fiancee will go with me on my intreview?
Thank you in advance...
Yes! He can go with you to the embassy on the date of your interview. But I am not sure if he can answer or interrupt with the questions of the visa officer to you. Maybe he can speak up if the visa officer asks him. If only huh? It is a good thing anyway that your hubby is with you during your interview for support. 
||itsme_mae wrote:Aah ok...thank you soo much miss kath and Godbless...
I will update you when my visa ok...
You are much welcome, Mae! Good luck and God bless your visa application!Â
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