Forum Immigration UK

[sketch13]

hey all,

I left a mesage a few weeks ago about my U.S g/f and I needing to get married in order to stay together in the U.K.
It's been a bit of nightmare to sort out because her visa expires at the end of Feb but we've figured a few things out that I would like to share with anyone who maybe in a similar situation.
Anybody who is having problems with the Certificate of Approval there is a workaround, but its not straightforward.
You can marry in the C of E without a certificate, you just need to talk with your local vicar.
Once you are married you can get an appointment within 2 weeks in person for £500 at the home office for FLR.
this is what my g/f and I have done and we can't wait for our wedding in Feb.
Hope this helps anybody having trouble with a Certificate of approval.

Sketch13

[bluekiwi]

You are absolutely right. My UK fiance and I have been advised by our local Minister that this indead is away around the COA. As we both live in Scotland, we must reside in England for at least 7 days to qualify. As I am travelling on a Tourist visa this is the only alternative bar returning to my country of origin to apply for a fiance visa. Good luck with your wedding.

[Triple H]

You can marry in the C of E without a certificate, you just need to talk with your local vicar.
Once you are married you can get an appointment within 2 weeks in person for £500 at the home office for FLR.

Let us know how you get on with FLR!

I believe this may work in some cases,others may get refused and sent to country of residence to apply for settlement/spouse visa ,thats why certificate of approval was introduced in the first place,too many people gettin married while on tourist or student visa.

[bluekiwi]

We had no intention of settling in the UK. It was just so that we could marry here with friends and family and return to New Zealand to settle. The possibility of returning in maybe 2-5 years is always on the cards but the intention to stay was not in our plans. It is easier for my partner to gain residency in NZ if we are married than it is for me to stay and the work prospects for us both there is much higher.

[Triple H]

I am realy curious what will happen in sketch13 case,rules are here

* Spouses seeking to come to the UK on the basis of marriage to a UK national should apply for entry clearance before entering the UK.

* If you have a visa valid for six months or less in the UK you cannot change status to a spouse visa.

[sketch13]

hey all,

really sorry to have been away for so long. been rather busy with weddings to arrange etc,

however, wanted to let you know that my wife recieved her FLR(M) today.
the home office had no problem with the lack of CoA as we married in church of England.
Indeed seems like the only thing that they were really interested in was whether we could support ourselves finacially!

So to anybody who is having CoA problems go speak to your local vicar, ours was extremely understanding and helpfull. I would also firmly recomend going to the home office in person if you can as it really was a rather painless process today. in under 3 hours my wife was issued her new residence permit.

Good luck all,

Sketch13

[bluekiwi]

Congratulations, We too are in the process of getting married in the COE. One question, was your girlfriend/wife travelling on a visitors visa while she was here and if so was there no problems changing from a visitors visa to permanent residence?

Good Luck

[sketch13]

Thank you,

She was travelling on a student visa beforehand. It was due to expire next week. The home office had no problems with the aplication to stay on as a spouse and had no issues with changing the status of her residence permit.
I dont see any reason why this would be any different for a vistor visa.

Good luck with your wedding.

Sketch13

[bluekiwi]

Hi

Just a quick note to say that we were married on Saturday in England with family and friends with our common licence in the COE. Beautiful day with family and friends and are now looking forward to our move to NZ next month.

[Triple H]

however, wanted to let you know that my wife recieved her FLR(M) today