Greetings and Salutations to all.

I am Stuart a mild mannered average joe trying to make ends meat and meet my head above the water in the ever increasing cost of living we all endure at present.

Just over 4 years ago I had the good fortune of meeting the most amazing women while on a business trip to the Philippines. She was the women we men dream of and I found her, after 3 years of in-line relationship and both visitor and fiance' visas being declined we took the discission and in February this year we got married in a lovely ceremony in her home village.

Now the reality of trying to get her here to the UK so that we can be together and start the life we both want to live has started and it is no easy ride....

Aiza lives in Davao and the nearest Visa Centre is Cebu so that means flights and hotels for visa appointments and interviews. Then there is the cost of the visa and all the extras if you want it process and delivered without having to stay in Cebu or doing another return trip to collect the paperwork once completed and hopefully APPROVED.

This Visa fee now has to include the new nearly DOUBLED National Heath Service contribution, paid upfront whether you use the NHS or not!!

once approved there is still the English proficiency test to do and the Medical with TB x-rays and of course to top it all off the airline tickets to get her here to London.

Following my trip in February and the Wedding these Visa fees are crippling, causing many a restless night. WhatsApp is great for chatting but it is NOT a substitute for a wife! We just want to be together and sooner rather than later. Yes saving what we have spare will get her here in the end but that could be another 6 to 10 months! We want to start our live together and maybe a family if the universe allows another Jones...

Anything spare will be hugely appreciated and all used to get the Visa completed and flights here. I already have nearly half of ALL the fees sorted but am reaching out in the hope that we can speed up the process and begin our lives together as a happy new family in the UK....

Thanks to you for taking the time to read this far and if you are able to contribute then more thanks and I salute you!