Marrying in the UK

UKHopeful91 · Post by **UKHopeful91** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 11:30 am

I am a US citizen currently living with my fiance who is a citizen of the UK (We are both currently in the UK).

We want to get married but we're not sure if it would be legal as I am not a UK citizen.

So, my questions are as follows:

1. Would we be allowed to marry?

2. If we marry, would I be allowed to remain in the UK indefinitely?

3. If I am provided a preliminary Visa prior to being allowed to stay indefinitely, would I be permited to seek work in the UK?

We are both 20 years old (I'll be 21 come May 11, he Feb 10.)

Post by **Greenie** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 11:33 am

what is your current immigration status in the UK?

UKHopeful91 · Post by **UKHopeful91** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 11:36 am

I am on a general visit to the UK. I informed the border officials that I was here to visit my fiance.

Post by **Casa** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 12:08 pm

You can marry, but you'll have to return to the US to apply for a Spouse settlement visa. You can't switch from visitor to spouse from within the UK.

UKHopeful91 · Post by **UKHopeful91** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 12:15 pm

Casa wrote:You can marry, but you'll have to return to the US to apply for a Spouse settlement visa. You can't switch from visitor to spouse from within the UK.

Could I go to another country to marry him or apply for a Spouse Visa in another country than the US?

Post by **Greenie** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 12:27 pm

a general visitor must not intend to marry in the UK, so whilst there is not a restriction on you marrying, if you came here with the intention of marrying then you may be considered to have misled the immigation officer when seeking leave to enter as a visitor.

you can only apply for a spouse visa in a country where you are resident. if you were just in another country, say France as a visitor, you couldn't apply for a spouse visa from there.

see where to apply - the policy

UKHopeful91 · Post by **UKHopeful91** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 12:30 pm

Greenie wrote:a general visitor must not intend to marry in the UK, so whilst there is not a restriction on you marrying, if you came here with the intention of marrying then you may be considered to have misled the immigation officer when seeking leave to enter as a visitor.

you can only apply for a spouse visa in a country where you are resident. if you were just in another country, say France as a visitor, you couldn't apply for a spouse visa from there.

see where to apply - the policy

I did not intend to marry upon coming here, that idea came about later. I see what you mean though.

Thanks for your assistance. I think my questions are answered.

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Marrying in the UK

Marrying in the UK