Marriage On Tourist Visa

[scottjbarrow]

Hi,

As you may have seen on my previous post, my girlfriend is over in the UK on a tourist visa and we have just found out she is pregnant.

We have decided to go back to Thailand to have the baby before returning to the UK. However we are trying to decide if it is best to get married before the berth.

Also is it possible to get married in the UK on a tourist visa and what information would be needed. If we get married in Thailand, what information would I need to provide.

Any help would be appreciated.

Regards

Scott.

[lopburi3]

I expect the child might appreciate it at some point but do not believe it is a requirement for anything - if you are listed as father on birth certificate and married later believe you can register for British citizenship from other reporting.

Not sure of UK marriage requirements but seem to recall a recent post that tourist visa would no longer be enough to marry (but it may have been proposal as am not sure).

To marry in Thailand consult the UK embassy Bangkok web site. You will need proof you not married and have a paper drawn up by the Embassy that is translated and then registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here in Bangkok to take to a District Office to register you marriage. Not hard but may take a couple of days.

[Crossy]

UK rules changed in February. You can no longer marry on a tourist visa, period

You have to get a fiance visa from the embassy in BKK, get married within 6 months, and then apply for a change of status with the authorities in the UK.

Alternatively get wed in Thailand and apply for a settlement visa, less hassle in the future IMHO.

We just made it, got hitched in November, phew.

Edited June 11, 2005 by Crossy

[the scouser]

Hi scottibarrow,

Yes, Crossy is right, a foreign national on a visit visa can no longer marry in the UK. You have to have either entered the UK for a period in excess of 6 months and have at least 3 months remaining, have indefinite leave, or have a fiancé(e) visa.

Marrying in Thailand and applying for a spouse settlement visa saves a few hundred quid as it obviates the need to apply to the Home Office to extend a fiancé(e) visa.

Cheers,

Scouse.

[scottjbarrow]

Thanks All,

Looks like we may get married in Thailand then :-D

[CarlBkk]

I've just got married in Thailand and our baby is due at the end of the year. We've decided to have the baby here in Thailand as that's where my wife feels more comfortable having it. However, as the baby will be born here I assume it will be a Thai national and not dual nationality? Can I apply for a British passport for it before we travel back to the UK for a visit after the birth?

Ideally we'd like to be able to stay in Thailand and UK for a few months at a time each year (I have a Non-Immi B visa as I import products from LOS for my UK business), so I guess I should now start applying for a 1 year marriage visa for here (even though I won't be "supporting" my wife as an alien...her job provides more than her fair share), whilst she should apply for a UK settlement visa for our regular vists?

Still in the initial state of mass confusion, sorry for the random questions!

[the scouser]

Hi Carl,

I am assuming that you were born in the UK prior to 1.1.83. If that is so, you are British otherwise than by descent and as you are married to the mother, your child will be automatically British. You can register the birth and obtain a British passport at the embassy in BKK. Further details are available at the embassy website.

With regard to the choice of visa for your wife, if you are only going to spend short periods of time in the UK then a multiple entry visit visa may be more appropriate.

Cheers,

Scouse.

[Crossy]

Hi Carl

Agree with Scouser, you should get a visitor visa for your lady, all are multi entry and are available for 6 months, 1 year, 2 year, 5 year and (I think) 10 year.

Up to 6 months stay in the UK per visit.

I don't think you will be able to comply with the requirements of a UK settlement visa with your continual in and out visits.

DC

[expatgaz]

Quick question.Iam married in Thailand but only traditional marriage, nothing registered at Embassy as yet.My child is due in 4 weeks time.After the birth can I register my marriage and then also apply for U.K citizenship for my child ? The reason I've not married at the Embassy is purely down to time.

Serious answers are most welcome

[the scouser]

Hi Gary,

A traditional wedding is not recognised under either Thai or British law. It has to be registered at the amphur. Registration at the amphur is acceptable to the Britsh authorities. It is not possible to marry at the British embassy. What you can do is to have the details of your amphur marriage recorded by the embassy, a copy of which is then placed on record in the UK. However, there is ultimately no benefit in this. The upshot of all this is, basically, if you want your child to be automatically British, you'll need to get yourself down the amphur.

Scouse.

[CarlBkk]

Thanks Scouser & Crossy, very useful info. Wife will apply for the multi-entry visa next week. I suppose without a settlement visa there's no chance of her getting a British passport even though the baby will have one?

[the scouser]

Hi Carl,

Yes, that's correct, but even if your wife got a settlement visa she still might not ultimately qualify for a British passport as, from what you've posted, you would be splitting your time between Thailand and the UK, so she probably wouldn't fulfil the "time spent in the UK" condition.

Scouse.