Marriage In Laos, Need Stay There 3 Months, Which Visa And How To Get It ?

[Shadowfyr]

There are no shortcuts to marry a Lao woman. Not even in Thailand. You require all the paper work that you would need to marry in Laos to marry in Thailand as well. The affadavit to marry has to be stamped by the Lao Embassy in Bangkok if you want to marry in Thailand. If you don't have all the paperwork from Laos then your shit outta luck here in Thailand. End of story! If someone knows something I don't, please let us all know!

[Shadowfyr]

Bangkokburning has no clue what he's talking about. It's not easy to marry a Lao woman in Thailand!

[MrOdyssey]

Hello All,

I just stumbled on this thread and thought my experience might help. I just completed the process of marrying a Lao national in Thailand (I'm from the US). It is certainly not easy. We did it this way on the advice of a lawyer in Vientiane from whom I get my visas sorted. Since we have a kid already, he said I'd be asking for trouble doing it in Vientiane. Thailand only requires proof of eligibility to marry, so I thought I'd be clever and did get that one in advance in Vientiane from the Ministry of Foreign affairs and had a translation into English which was duly stamped by the Ministry of Justice. Since that's all Thailand requires, except a valid passport, of course, all I thought I'd have to do was have it stamped by the Lao embassy in Bangkok. That cost us one trip to Bangkok. Even though Thailand only requires that document, the Lao embassy officials won't stamp it until you've spent the same sh**load of money getting many of the other stupid documents in Vientiane (an adult needs permission to marry from her parents?). We went back a second time with all that was required, had to wait a few days, but got it done. They charged us for translations of all the stupid documents that Thailand doesn't even ask for, and then the Thai Department of Legalization, or whatever, charged us for "legalizing" the unnecessary documents. Eventually we got ourselves a Thai marriage certificate. I knew that there was one more step: getting the marriage certificate translated, "legalized," and stamped by the Lao Embassy. I learned the hard way (two hours of police interrogation) that the police in Laos cannot fathom how a Westerner can marry a Lao girl in Thailand. In exasperation, I showed the lawyer's name card to the guy (who had confiscated my passport the night before), and, after about a 10-minute wait in another room (where my missus was being interrogated), suddenly my interrogator spoke as if he had always known about that and we were fine, just get your marriage document stamped in Bangkok whenever you've got a chance. No hurry. He must have spoken to the lawyer who's a well connected guy. I'm just back from my third trip to Bangkok and am the proud holder of a marriage certificate stamped by the Lao Embassy. So, with three trips to Bangkok and most of the same documentation done, there's certainly no money to be saved and likely little time.

[flashpanther]

This all sounds a nightmare for me.I believe my Laotian girlfriend (had a marriage ceremony in Isan, Thailand just 2 weeks ago) has a Thai mother but her father was from Laos so she and her daughter are Laos citizens. Wish now she was Thai. Would be so much easier. Hoped to get a marriage certificate in Bangkok on my next visit within half a days work. Not looking anywhere near likely now. Really depressed.

I have no intention of living in Laos though. I plan to gain settlement for her and her daughter to live in the UK with me.Be better with a married VISA but I'll go with the fiancee VISA if better getting married in the UK. Did prefer the Bangkok 4 hour route but seems impossible now. I am worried it will still be difficult to get the 'affirmation to marry' for her though so I can marry in UK. I am also worried as she wanted to do the wedding ceremony again in Laos on my next visit. Guessing this would get the police interested and a fine for me (that I wouldn't be able to afford at all) leading to my removal from the Country and possible blacklisted so couldn't marry her officially.

Loads going on in my head now. Really depressed. I simply want to get settlement for her to live in UK along with her daughter and a marriage that is legal in the UK. I am not bothered about Laos. I did plan to retire in Thailand but more difficult now I found she is actually Laotian and not Thai. Any help on this matter appreciated please. Can I get the affirmation to marry easy enough from Laos embassy in Bangkok. I just want the marriage certificate from Bangkok so I can register my marriage in UK for a settlement VISA. I hoped it would first make a visitor VISA easier for her to get for a 2 month visit this summer.

HELP! please. Andy.

[7by7]

If her mother is Thai, surely she is Thai?

Ditto for her daughter.

BTW, if you do legally marry in Thailand, or anywhere, then you are legally married in the UK as well. Not only do you not need to register the marriage again in the UK; you can't. You can, though, if you wish deposit a copy of your Thai marriage certificate with the General Register Office; there's a fee for this and most people don't bother.

Edited March 12, 2014 by 7by7

[flashpanther]

If her mother is Thai, surely she is Thai?

Ditto for her daughter.

BTW, if you do legally marry in Thailand, or anywhere, then you are legally married in the UK as well. Not only do you not need to register the marriage again in the UK; you can't. You can, though, if you wish deposit a copy of your Thai marriage certificate with the General Register Office; there's a fee for this and most people don't bother.

God knows. Would ask her but today she hasn't picked up her mobile. So been worried sick.

All I know was she said she is Laotian because her deceased father was.

Regards the BTW. I just need a marriage recognized in UK. That was the point I made. If I could get an affirmation to marry from Laos embassy it should theoretically be easy to get a marriage certificate in Bangkok Thailand.

I am worried with all the bad info and costs and time frame I read on forums for marriage to a Laotian. I am hoping this is just those wanting to live in Laos that have a problem.

forgive me. I am worried sick now with this issue of marriage papers and Laos extra bureaucracy. Plus my 'wife' not answering her picking up her phone today so she has a problem or an issue with her mobile.

[7by7]

If she is Laotian then to marry in Thailand she will need an affirmation of freedom to marry from the Laos embassy; just as you need one from the British embassy.

But it appears that this is not so easy! (I was going to post a link to a topic in the marriage forum, but I see you've already posted there.)

Once married, obtaining UK settlement visas for her and her daughter should be relatively simple; the biggest hurdle being the financial requirement; which you'd need to satisfy for a fiancé visa as well.

See UK settlement visa basics.

Considering the potential difficulties of marrying in Thailand maybe a fiancé visa is the better, though more expensive, option?

They will, of course, both need passports for their UK visas; do they already have Laotian ones?

As they are Thai residents, they can apply in Thailand.

[flashpanther]

If she is Laotian then to marry in Thailand she will need an affirmation of freedom to marry from the Laos embassy; just as you need one from the British embassy.

But it appears that this is not so easy! (I was going to post a link to a topic in the marriage forum, but I see you've already posted there.)

Once married, obtaining UK settlement visas for her and her daughter should be relatively simple; the biggest hurdle being the financial requirement; which you'd need to satisfy for a fiancé visa as well.

See UK settlement visa basics.

Considering the potential difficulties of marrying in Thailand maybe a fiancé visa is the better, though more expensive, option?

They will, of course, both need passports for their UK visas; do they already have Laotian ones?

As they are Thai residents, they can apply in Thailand.

Yes I know. Wondering on peoples experience getting the affirmation to marry for Laos embassy. As per my original post here.

Hoping the marriage paper business would be easier as once I've got it should be easier getting the UK settlement VISA I hoped.

Yes I think if I went the fiancee VISA option I'd be paying for a settlement VISA twice. But do I still need to get the affirmation to marry from the Laos embassy for marriage in the UK. That is the hard part I am worrying about. Once I got marriage papers should be okay. Which is why the Bangkok idea. But getting the marriage papers in Laos is such a pain prob easier getting it done Bangkok, if not in UK. But goes back again to the affirmation to marry paper from Laos embassy if still needed?

She had her Laotian passport stolen 2 months ago. Had her back snatched along with mobile phone. So she'd need to get another from Laos. Her daughter of 4 I am unsure. Guessing she is Lao also. Got to clear it up with her. She resides in Thailand most or half the time. But that will be on their 30 days VISA or boating across the Mekong as it is easily done near Mukdahan (spelling).

I got some questions to ask her for clearance on nationalities. Thankfully sounded like her on the phone a few minutes ago. Interference. But glad (if her and not someone who stolen her phone - but then why would they call me) that she sounded okay. Text to say she had gone to Laos. Would explain the interference with network.

I guess if I can easily get the affirmation to marry I will get a marriage cert in Bangkok that I hope will then be accepted in UK for settlement VISA. I am not bothered about Laos not accepting it. I will stay in UK with her. I just need that affirmation to marry I thought. Would a bribe help at Laos embassy. Seems to with other docs needed in Laos from forums. I simply want marriage papers recognized in UK and UK embassy. The VISA is straight forward then once enough documentation for the app.

[flashpanther]

If I got my Laotian partner a fiancee VISA and was to marry in the UK... would she require an 'affirmation to marry' from a Laos embassy? Is it a requirement?

[FACTOR]

If I got my Laotian partner a fiancee VISA and was to marry in the UK... would she require an 'affirmation to marry' from a Laos embassy? Is it a requirement?

No, I don't think you would need affirmation from the Lao embassy to get legally married in the UK. Marriage in the UK has nothing to do with Lao bureaucracy. It's the UK laws that matter. I got married on the USA to my now Lao wife and all she needed was her passport. Really makes you understand the concept of "freedom" when you are able to legally marry the person you love by just showing one piece of ID, paying a minor admin fee, raising your right hand and signing one piece of paper.

[FACTOR]

If I got my Laotian partner a fiancee VISA and was to marry in the UK... would she require an 'affirmation to marry' from a Laos embassy? Is it a requirement?

It's Thai law that requires that foreigners need permission from their embassies to get married in Thailand. The UK would not require that, I believe.

[flashpanther]

Thank you guys. That is great news. I will try to get the affirmation to marry in Bangkok from the Laos embassy. Worth a try on my first day back to her while in Bangkok.

If unsuccessful we will get marriage papers in the UK and I will apply for the Fiancée VISA before getting married and then the final Settlement VISA.

Will cost us twice for the VISA. Expensive. But better than going the Laos route to get marriage papers.

Sorry to ask again. But I definitely do not need an 'affirmation to marry' from a Laos embassy if going the Fiancée VISA route and marrying in the UK?

Yes I've had a Buddhist marriage ceremony already and know that will stand for nothing towards a UK VISA other than showing our continued relationship for the application.

Guess this route I get a wedding in the UK also for my family.

[7by7]

As said, the AFM is a requirement of Thai Law for all foreigners who marry in the Kingdom.

No such requirement exists in the UK. Though you will both have to confirm to the registrar that you are free to marry and provide divorce/death certificate if married before.

The procedure is slightly different depending on whether you are marrying in England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

See here.

[flashpanther]

As said, the AFM is a requirement of Thai Law for all foreigners who marry in the Kingdom.

No such requirement exists in the UK. Though you will both have to confirm to the registrar that you are free to marry and provide divorce/death certificate if married before.

The procedure is slightly different depending on whether you are marrying in England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

See here.

Thanks followed up this idea in another Forum and given some positive advice and shared experiences. I am now going to get the marriage papers done in the UK. End of stress lol. With a Laos fiancee if you're from the UK then getting the marriage made legal is easiest time wise and money in the UK. Depending on how much of a ceremony you want of course. I'll use a registry office. After citizenship is granted or a few years down the line whilst she has been in the UK, I'll consider booking a church for a vows renewal and that will be our proper wedding day in UK

[SarahN]

So glad I found this thread, I'm in a very similar situation. Looks like fiancé visa for us then marry here too. Such a complete hassle, and so unnecessary.

I was hoping a wedding in Thailand would be as easy as each getting a document from our embassies in Bangkok and heading to an amphur, but clearly it's more complicated (and expensive) than that.

Is there really no easy way around this?! I quite like the idea of getting married in Laos with his family present, but we have a baby together which all adds to the expense.

[7by7]

Sarah, you have a baby together; how long have you been living together?

If at least two years then your partner may be able to apply for UK settlement as your unmarried partner.

This is essentially the same as a spouse visa; except that instead of showing that you are married you need to show that you have been living together outside the UK in a relationship akin to marriage for at least the last two years.

If you can do this, it would save the extra in UK application necessary after your marriage if he entered as your fiancé.

If he did enter as your unmarried partner there is, of course, no reason why you could not later marry.

[SarahN]

I am currently in the uk and he is living in Thailand. We lived together for only a year and a half before I returned to England with the baby. Although to bend the truth slightly about the dates with "proof" is possible. But worth it??

Before we are married he can't work if he's on a fiancé visa, is this correct? And once we are married does he have to go through the whole application process again? From the uk or from Laos?

They don't make it easy do they?!

[7by7]

It is not worth 'bending the truth.' If caught the consequences could be disastrous; up to an including hem being banned from entering the UK indefinitely.

A fiancé visa is valid for 6 months, during which he needs to enter the UK and marry you. If he enters as a fiancé then he cannot work until after your marriage and he has extended his stay for 30 months by receiving Further Leave to Remain. At the end of this he applies for a further 30 months and at the end of that he can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Whatever type of settlement visa he applies for, you, not he, will need to meet the financial requirement.

As we are now talking about UK settlement visas, maybe better if you start a new topic if you have any further questions.