I'm going to visit my boyfriend in the UK in about 3 weeks, but as a tourist/visitor, I can only stay 6 months. Does anyone know if we would be able to marry while I'm there, and if I would have to leave afterwards, or, as a spouse, I would be able to stay? Is there anyone who's married a Brit, or someone from another country who could also help me out? As you can imagine, this is a big deal, so any help would be very much appreciated...
Usually marrying enables you to stay. But you don't want to marry just that you can stay right? If you want to stay longer, a lot of countries where you can get tourist visas without applying, require no specific time that you have to stay out of country. So if you are in the UK, why not spend a few days in Ireland, and return.
I'm gussing you're in California? I think Britain would be tough on people from troubled countries, but if you are indeed from the OC then it would be easier.... I don't see a problem to it, but there might be legal things to get through first. But I'm not in Britain so I couldn't be sure..
I almost did the same thing in 89. Papaerwork was a bitch! Call the British embassy. Find out current rules.
Yes, I'm from OC California. No, I'm not doing it just to stay, we're in love (we met on here in fact!), that's why I don't want to leave. Well, that and my home situation's a mess...That's a good idea, going to the Republic of Ireland for awhile, would be less expensive than flying back home, but I have to get accomedation, food,things like that, so we'd have to think about it...
Why don't you try doing a search online for that country's immigration policies/rules/restrictions? I was planning on moving to the UK and found that doing OFFICIAL research is a hell of a lot better than asking people on a hippie site. As for your question, no,, marriage is not an instant visa. It makes the process much simpler, but alot still needs to be done. You can marry him over there, likewise he can marry you over here, but again, going to a site like this for your info is the wrong move. All the official CORRECT information can be found on government websites. Go to Google and do A SEARCH to get the ironclad info not someone's guesswork. Good luck to you.
oh, one thing I didn't know and it screwed up plans, is Americans and duals on US passports must have a visa for France! I was just across the channel, but didn't get to go!
Here's some good links for ya http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/content/ind/en/home.html (should help with the hard to find details) http://www.americanexpats.co.uk/ (very cool site) http://britishexpats.com/forum/ (for Brit expats,but it has tons of good info for any expats) Good luck to you....
Don't you think the test would be easier.... then marriage? As a joke I said I would marrying to become Canadian.... if worse comes to worse... it will happen.
You will have to be very serious and committed if your marriage is to be taken seriously by British immigration authorities -- especially now in the wake of the July 7 terrorist attacks in London. It's no secret that many countries are encountering a problem with foerigners marrying citizens of Country X solely to live in Country X. The INS constantly tests the legitimacy of foreigners' marriages to American citizens -- and since 9/11, is openly challenging such marriages involving foreigners from the Middle East. With Canada about to legalize same-sex marriage, the U.S. faces an additional problem. Under a 1924 treaty between the U.S. and Canada, married Canadian citizens visiting the U.S. have a right to have their marriages recognized and respected by the U.S. In the case of same-sex couples in which both spouses are Canadian citizens, the U.S. is obligated by that treaty to recognize their marriage when they visit the U.S. The unknown gray area here is whether the treaty will apply to same-sex couples in which one spouse is a Canadian and the other is an American. So before you even consider marrying your British lover, you'd got to weigh the legal pros and cons first. -- Skeeter
