I want to know if it is easier to get married to my boyfriend, a UK citizen, in South Africa than in UK? I am an South African on a working holiday visa and we want to know what is the easiest way?
2007-10-22 07:24:23 · 5 answers · asked by dee 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
im UK citizen, i just married my boyfriend, (hes Zambian), in Zambia 7 weeks ago. he was on a student visa. he is still in Zambia now waiting for his visa (we had to do it from there though because his visa run out) and he wasnt allowed to come back with me.
we decided it would be easier from there because we were visiting family anyway.
we got married in the registry office, its very easy. the judge just sighned the papers, i was only there for a few days & they could do it. but they wanted a letter from someone in my family-my mum, to say that they will allow someone from my husbands family to sighn on her behalf as a witness because my family couldnt attend.
but if you want a church wedding your boyfriend will have to be in the country for 21 days-im not sure if this applies for all SA.check with registry office.
i hope this makes sense.
if your applying for a settlement visa for yourself to live in uk u will need a lot of information to prove that you are a couple (letter,photos etc) & have been living together or will be living together, tenency agreement, house bills etc.and they like to make sure ur sponser-ur husband,has enough money in his bank account to support u both untill ur settled.
good luck, :-)
2007-10-22 08:23:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Marrying in SA does not give you right of entry into the UK and you would be required to submit an application and present yourself for interview at the British Embassy in SA.Should you marry in the Uk you will need a Fiance Visa (£500) and submit similar Documents as above.On receiving this Visa you then have 6 months to marry.During this time you are not allowed to work and after a marriage and for the next 2 years you have no recourse to public funds.Sounds tough, it is and is a hard road to go down.You cannot marry on your existing Visa.
2007-10-22 17:50:01 · answer #2 · answered by realdolby 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have 3 months remaining on your Working Holiday visa you can apply for a Certificate of Approval and get married in the UK. Once the marriage has taken place you can apply for an extension of leave as the Spouse of a British citizen. Provided you have leave remaining when the application is made.
2007-10-24 04:55:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's very difficult to get married here. You would need permission from the Home Office. A better bet would be to return to SA and apply for a fiance visa to come here and get married, or for you both to marry in SA. Marriage to a UK citizen does not automatically give you permission to live in the UK. I would advise you to go together to a Citizens Advice Bureau to make everything clear.
2007-10-22 16:04:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on where you wish to reside with your spouse. If the UK then the best move would be to marry in UK
I you will have to seek permission from the home office first. The application process can be slow and strict. But if you do not inform them of your wishes and are found out....which happens alot....you will jepoardise your immigration status all together.
Certain conditions will have to be met also. eg niether party will have recourse to public funds (welfare benefits) Both will have to prove they can be independent ...its endless
I do not know about SA but again it really depends on where you wish to live after that makes the difference
2007-10-22 17:27:13 · answer #5 · answered by stormydays 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋