UK Marriage question Assistance

[HOMEJOY]

Hey People,

Just came across this forum in my research and seems like I missed a trick not looking at it before. Some very informative stuff on here.

Im not a total newbie having been a Tier 2 Licence holder and issuing COS for many years. But regardless need some advice.


Im PHD Educated UK Born British Pakistani.
Few years ago got married under Islamic Marriage (Nikkah)to a British Girl not UK recognised as such, no UK registration was completed. Lived together for a brief period, had a child but decided to separate.
I’ve been through Family courts twice to get access to my child, during in between we did reconcile for a few months before marriage defiantly ended.

Family court last ended on DEC 18 and now I have verbally and by text given her a divorce. Nothing I can do via UK legal system as its not registered but we both agree that we are divorced and have moved on in our lives.

There is a strong possibility I will look to get married again but in Pakistan during this year and I wanted to know how I will approach the Divorce situation and previous Islamic marriage to the UK Visa Application given I understand they ask have I been married before.

Is it yes as islamiclly I have? Or No as it wasn’t registered?

If yes then is it a case of accepting religiously and texts are sufficent to show im divorced alongside family court docs or will I need to get something in legal certificated writing to say we have divorced in Islam?

Also I note mention of spouse visa and fiancé visa, what is the easier route to take and timescales? Ideally if i was to marry i would want my partner beside me at the earliest possibilities.
My salary is excellent, paid into the bank, Have savings, and accommodation. I will obviously have communications, provide financial support and photos with the person I look to marry with and ensure they pass a ielts UK VI Liffe skill English test.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated as my aim is to have a smooth process but prepare all possibility’s and obstacles in advance.