Uk Visa For Thai Hubby

[Sarnian]

I really hope that someone can help as I'm going round in circles at the moment and my hair is dangerously close to being ripped out!

I am a female British National recently married to a Thai man.

We want to apply for a visa for a 2/3 month visit to the UK but are also thinking about having a small marriage ceremony for my family.

Being already married can we do this on a 'Visitors' visa or do we need to get the 'Marriage' visa?

I haven't registered the marriage with the British Embassy. I know this isn't necessary but I am considering it and would like to hear others views on this also.

Any help will be gratefully apprieciated.

[VisasPlus]

When you say that you are already married, do you mean that you have married at an amphur in Thailand, have a marriage certificate, etc ? If so, then I don't think that, legally, you can have a marriage ceremony in the UK as you are now married, and another ceremony would be "bigamous" in that you have to be single to marry. I may be wrong, though ! You could, of course, have a church blessing in the UK.

[beano2274]

You can have a blessing in a church, my Mum did the same for her second marriage, as stated above.

If you are legally married in Thailand then Family visitor is the way to go.

[Sarnian]

Thank you both for your advice.

Visaplus

Yes legally married in at an amphur in Thailand.

I hadn't actually thought through the legality side!

Beano thank you I wan't sure about the family visa....

Doubt we will the church blessing, just have to have a big party instead.

Thanks again for the quick replies.

[tw25rw]

When you say that you are already married, do you mean that you have married at an amphur in Thailand, have a marriage certificate, etc ? If so, then I don't think that, legally, you can have a marriage ceremony in the UK as you are now married, and another ceremony would be "bigamous" in that you have to be single to marry. I may be wrong, though ! You could, of course, have a church blessing in the UK.

It's only bigamy if it's to a different person. People renew their vows all the time so I don't see it being a problem.

[VisasPlus]

When you say that you are already married, do you mean that you have married at an amphur in Thailand, have a marriage certificate, etc ? If so, then I don't think that, legally, you can have a marriage ceremony in the UK as you are now married, and another ceremony would be "bigamous" in that you have to be single to marry. I may be wrong, though ! You could, of course, have a church blessing in the UK.

It's only bigamy if it's to a different person. People renew their vows all the time so I don't see it being a problem.

You may well be right, but I have no idea what "renewing your vows" means. Isn't that the same thing as a church blessing ? All I said was, it does not seem legally possible to marry when you are already married. The marriage certificate surely has to say something similar to " bachelor", spinster", previous marriage dissolved" for marital status ?

[theoldgit]

You may well be right, but I have no idea what "renewing your vows" means. Isn't that the same thing as a church blessing ? All I said was, it does not seem legally possible to marry when you are already married. The marriage certificate surely has to say something similar to " bachelor", spinster", previous marriage dissolved" for marital status ?

Most people will find that this Christian service provides a special opportunity to celebrate their renewed commitment to each other. The service is not a marriage service, it is the declaration of continuing love and devotion rather than a legal ceremony. Therefore the only condition placed upon those seeking this service is that they are already legally married.

http://thisischurch.com/helping_you/renew_your_wedding.htm

[VisasPlus]

You may well be right, but I have no idea what "renewing your vows" means. Isn't that the same thing as a church blessing ? All I said was, it does not seem legally possible to marry when you are already married. The marriage certificate surely has to say something similar to " bachelor", spinster", previous marriage dissolved" for marital status ?

Most people will find that this Christian service provides a special opportunity to celebrate their renewed commitment to each other. The service is not a marriage service, it is the declaration of continuing love and devotion rather than a legal ceremony. Therefore the only condition placed upon those seeking this service is that they are already legally married.

http://thisischurch....our_wedding.htm

There you go, then. Clarification. Thanks !

[7by7]

The possibility of re-marring in the UK when already married in Thailand (or elsewhere) comes up from time to time, and it seems even registrars in the UK are confused!

Some registrars will tell you that it is not a problem.

Most registrars will give you a reply similar to VisasPlus' above; you're already married and can't marry again unless you divorce each other first.

Attempts to obtain a definitive response from the appropriate authorities have. if I remember correctly, been unsuccessful.

What all registrars will do, though, is hold a ceremony where you renew your vows to each other. This is essentially identical to an actual marriage, except you wont sign the register and you wont get a UK marriage certificate.

This should be simple to arrange with the registry office local to where you will be staying; an actual legal wedding is a bit more complicated to arrange: see Marriage and civil partnership: your legal obligations.

Remember that your Thai certificate, plus a certified translation, is acceptable for all purposes in the UK where a marriage certificate is required.

[Sarnian]

7by7 many thanks for the information. A regilous ceremony is a definate no no for me but I will look into renewing our vows with the registrar back home. I just think it would be nice for my mum as she never thought she'd see me married

Thank you everyone for the feedback.

[7by7]

You're welcome.

I missed the last bit of your OP

I haven't registered the marriage with the British Embassy. I know this isn't necessary but I am considering it and would like to hear others views on this also

You can't actually register your marriage with the British embassy.

What you can do is deposit a copy of your Thai marriage certificate with a General Registry Office in the UK via the embassy. See Depositing marriage documents in the UK.

This may be useful if you are in the UK, have lost the original and want to get a copy. Whether you consider this is worth the 1750 baht fee is up to you. We haven't done it and I don't know of anyone who has.

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