My thai GF is visiting the UK for the 2nd time on a standard six month tourist visa. We have come to the conclusion that it is probably time to get hitched. Is it possible to get hitched in the UK with her on a standard tourist visa or is a trip back to thailand for a new visa required?

Vilan,

You can get married in the Uk on a standard visit visa, however your wife will still have to leave the Uk before her visa expires, If you want her to stay on a permanent basis, she will have to return to Thailand and apply for a settlement visa.

Good luck

Mark

To come to UK to get married and subsequently return to Thailand to live your g/f should have applied for a "visit for marriage" visa.

As your g/f does not have settled status in UK and no "visit for marriage" visa you may find that a registrar will not marry you. According to the Borders and Immigration Agency you can apply for a certificate of approval from the H.O.

I stand corrected.

Mark

She needs a 6 month fiance visa you CANNOT get married on a hol/visit visa thats why its called a holiday visa the other is a fiance visa.

She needs a 6 month fiance visa you CANNOT get married on a hol/visit visa thats why its called a holiday visa the other is a fiance visa.

Paragraphs 56D and E of the Immigration Rules refer:-

Visitors seeking to enter for the purposes of marriage

Requirements for leave to enter as a visitor for marriage

56D. The requirements to be met by a person seeking leave to enter the United Kingdom as a visitor for marriage or civil partnership are that he:

(i) meets the requirements set out in paragraph 41 for entry as a visitor; and

(ii) can show that he intends to give notice of marriage or civil partnership, or marry or form a civil partnership, in the United Kingdom within the period for which entry is sought; and

(iii) can produce satisfactory evidence, if required to do so, of the arrangements for giving notice of marriage or civil partnership, or for his wedding or civil partnership ceremony to take place, in the United Kingdom during the period for which entry is sought; and

(iv) holds a valid United Kingdom entry clearance for entry in this capacity.

Leave to enter as a visitor for marriage or civil partnership

56E. A person seeking leave to enter the United Kingdom as a visitor for marriage or civil partnership may be admitted for a period not exceeding 6 months, subject to a condition prohibiting employment, provided the Immigration Officer is satisfied that each of the requirements of paragraph 56D is met.

So a visitor may get married in the UK, but only if the visit visa specifically allows it. Also, this type of visa does not lead to settlement.

Scouse.

She needs a 6 month fiance visa you CANNOT get married on a hol/visit visa thats why its called a holiday visa the other is a fiance visa.

Did you read the link above from the B&IA?

There is no such visa called a 'holiday' visa. She can apply for a 'visit' visa but if she wishes to get married while she is visiting UK she applies for 'visit for marriage' visa both of which are non settlement visas (ie she must leave after 6 months).

It is even possible she will get approval to marry if here on a visitors visa but she must apply to the HO.

If she wishes to get married in UK and remain in UK she applies for a Fiancee visa

Edited July 22, 200718 yr by Mahout Angrit

She needs a 6 month fiance visa you CANNOT get married on a hol/visit visa thats why its called a holiday visa the other is a fiance visa.

Did you read the link above from the B&IA?

There is no such visa called a 'holiday' visa. She can apply for a 'visit' visa but if she wishes to get married while she is visiting UK she applies for 'visit for marriage' visa both of which are non settlement visas (ie she must leave after 6 months).

It is even possible she will get approval to marry if here on a visitors visa but she must apply to the HO.

If she wishes to get married in UK and remain in UK she applies for a Fiancee visa

SAME SAME HOL VISA VISIT VISA WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT, BUT YOU CANT MARRY.

She needs a 6 month fiance visa you CANNOT get married on a hol/visit visa thats why its called a holiday visa the other is a fiance visa.

Did you read the link above from the B&IA?

There is no such visa called a 'holiday' visa. She can apply for a 'visit' visa but if she wishes to get married while she is visiting UK she applies for 'visit for marriage' visa both of which are non settlement visas (ie she must leave after 6 months).

It is even possible she will get approval to marry if here on a visitors visa but she must apply to the HO.

If she wishes to get married in UK and remain in UK she applies for a Fiancee visa

SAME SAME HOL VISA VISIT VISA WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT, BUT YOU CANT MARRY.

Just wondering if you have read Post 6?

Moss