Committed Partnership

[lespaul]

I've been looking at this website for some time now and would really appreciate some advice. I am in UK under a student visa issued in Pakistan(half thai/half pakistan). I have now met a lovely gentleman and we have fallen madly in love. We would like to spend the rest of our lives together and understand that we can now marry under EEU regulations. My present visa expires in 13 months time and this would not be a marriage of convenience. When we marry how do I apply for proper visa? and what status does it give us? Any advice would be welcome.

[vinny]

See Application forms, in particular, Form COA Marriage/Civil Partnership. Also Getting Married or registering a civil partnership in the UK and COA applications - Important information.

After marriage, if your spouse is an EEU citizen exercising his treaty rights in the UK (or a Swiss national), then you may apply for a residence card, using Form EEA2. Else if your spouse is a UK citizen, you may apply for Futher Leave to Remain(Marriage), using Form FLR(M).

Edited September 5, 2006 by vinny

[the scouser]

Providing that you entered the UK with permission to stay in excess of 6 months and more than 3 months of that permission is remaining, you can apply to the Home Office for a certificate of approval to marry. Once you have that, you can then arrange the marriage, and, once you're married, you apply again to the Home Office for permission to stay in the UK on the basis of your marriage.

What status you get will be dictated by your spouse's nationality. If he's British, you will be allowed to stay for, initially, 2 years; if he's a citizen of an EEA country, you will be allowed to stay without any restriction providing that your spouse is still present in the UK; if he's a national of another country, he too will require a certificate of approval to get married, unless he already has indefinite leave.

Cheers,

Scouse.

[jdinasia]

If I am reading this the OP is gay ... does this affect the situation Scouse?

[the scouser]

The thought crossed my mind, but reference is made to marriage and gay couples cannot currently marry in the UK.

Perhaps the OP can clarify, although it doesn't really change much.

Scouse.

Edited September 5, 2006 by the scouser

[vinny]

A gay relationship would be considered as a Civil Partnership.

[lespaul]

The thought crossed my mind, but reference is made to marriage and gay couples cannot currently marry in the UK.

Perhaps the OP can clarify, although it doesn't really change much.

Scouse.

As has been picked up on yes me and my partner are both male. Does this alter anything legally i see it would have to be a civil partnership and not marriage. Many thanks for advice given.

[jdinasia]

Scouse will give you all the info he can ... but look at the link above

[the scouser]

Does this alter anything legally

No. Instead of applying for a certificate of approval for marriage, you do so for civil partnership. Your ultimate immigration status will not be any different whether you're married or in a civil partnership.

Scouse.

[lespaul]

Does this alter anything legally

No. Instead of applying for a certificate of approval for marriage, you do so for civil partnership. Your ultimate immigration status will not be any different whether you're married or in a civil partnership.

Scouse.

Many, many thanks for all the advice for me. I will apply to Home Office for necessary documentation.