Hello. I'm new here so apologies if I'm posting in the wrong forum.
I'm married to a german national (we got married in the philippines, december last year). I live in the philippines and he frequently visits. We've had this arrangement for almost 6 years (5 years as girlfriend/boyfriend). The plan is for him to settle here eventually. But since he's an only child and his mom is really old, he can't permanently settle in the philippines yet so he could care for his mom. Plus, he hasn't found a job here yet. This is quite challenging since he's already quite old.
He's not really financially stable in germany either. Due to his frequent visits here in the philippines, he can't really go and find a regular job. But he survives.
Now, the problem is I promised to visit his mother this christmas to celebrate our first anniversary as a married couple. Although I've had shengen visas before (i've been to germany 3 times and went to finland once), this would be the first time I would be applying for a visa as a tourist visiting a family member. All my previous visas were granted under the invitation of a festival (I'm a filmmaker who competes in festivals abroad).
Because of the new situation, me being married to him and applying now as a tourist, my husband is quite worried that I won't be granted a visa for the following reasons: 1) the embassy will check his financial capacity to support me there during my stay, 2) since I am already married to him (with no child), I'm considered a candidate for overstaying illegally. Is this true? How else can I prove that I won't be overstaying aside from the documentary requirements listed already?
I work as a director in a major television network here in the philippines. But, since this is the third world, I don't get paid as much (but enough at least for me). I have no plans of overstaying. We both love the philippines and the plan is for both of us to settle here eventually because most of our friends are here. My family is here. I have no plans to give up a job I love to do some babysitting job or whatever just so I can stay in germany. No way. But we're both not rich or moneyed enough so this worries my husband.
I believe that once my application for visa gets rejected, the record would be permanent. So I really need all the help/tips I can get to lessen the risk of getting rejected. Can anyone help?