MARRYING IN THE UK - NEW PROCEDURES

From 1st of February 2005, foreign nationals who intend to get married in the UK must:

· hold entry clearance (visa) as a fiancé(e) or
  marriage visitor, or
· hold a Home Office certificate of approval, or
· be a person with settled status in the UK  
  (e.g. indefinite leave to remain)

The new Rules will not affect European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals or anyone who has already given notice to marry to a registrar before 01.02.05.
Individuals entering the UK as a visitor or for any other reason for 6 months or less will not be able to obtain a certificate of approval from the Home Office. Individuals who intend to get married in the UK should therefore apply for a visa (fiancé(e) or marriage) prior to travelling to the UK.
Individuals who intend to stay in the UK for longer than duration of their visa (fiancé(e) or marriage), must return to their home country to apply for a visa as their spouse’s dependant once the marriage has taken place.

Individuals who are currently in the UK and have leave to enter/remain in visa categories other than fiancé(e), or  marriage (e.g. work permit holders), will need to make individual applications for certificate of approval for marriage.