Marriage in Moldova, outside the EU, and UK citizenship

[ukthesis]

I plan to marry a lady living in Moldova, outside of the EU (above the Ukraine) this year or early in 2015. I am a UK citizen by birth and living in the UK all my life.

Once we marry in Moldova, and after a 3 years wait in Moldova, I become a dual nationality citizen. Of the UK and of Moldova. Aside from getting a Moldovan passport if I apply, this seems to mean very little. The government over there collects little tax and the laws in the country are laxly enforced and people there basically have to protect themselves.

However, once we marry in Moldova, would this mean that my bride becomes a UK citizen? Or she automatically achieves some sort of higher UK status but short of UK citizenship? If so, if we want to live in the UK at some later pouint, will it be easier for her to get a UK visa to make this possible?

I do know that citizens from Moldova, as with other former USSR countries, have a hard time getting visas to the UK, through fears they will overstay. But if she is married to me for let's say 2-3 years in Moldova, would this make it easier for her later to get a visa to join me as husband and wife in the UK?

[chaoclive]

No way. She has absolutely no status in the UK based on marriage...it takes a lot more than that! She will still need a visa to enter the UK!

[Casa]

The process isn't any easier or shorter. It simply strengthens evidence of a genuine relationship. The fact that she is married to a British Citizen doesn't give her any special rights in the UK. If you returned to settle with her here in the future the route to citizenship would be a minimum of 5 years as the regulations stand at present. It's not likely to get any easier in the future. The same financial and language conditions would need to be met before the initial application, again at the 2.5 year point when a further 2.5 year extension is applied for and at the end of the 5 years on qualifying to apply for permanent residence (ILR). Substantial visa fees have to paid at each stage.
I can see that you've disregarded Wanderer's advice about settling in Moldovia. You'd be wise to at least consider his advice as he has more experience on this board on the way of life in this part of Eastern Europe. Last month Moldovian loyalists from Trans-Dniester (sharing a border with Ukraine) formally requested to join Russia. But then your lady must already have discussed the pros and cons of this with you.

[chaoclive]

If you're worried about the situation in Moldova you could always take your wife to another EEA country after you get married. That way she would be able to get residence under the EEA laws. This wouldn't work for the UK or any other country of which you hold citizenship.

[askmeplz82]

How about Romania? It's nearest and easy to travel. Many Moldovan living in Romania. Language is smiler. if you live in Romania and work there for 6 months or more you can then bring her here in the UK

I heard Moldovan can apply for Romanian citizenship then any other countries ( a Romanian friend told me )

[toofan]

How about Romania? It's nearest and easy to travel. Many Moldovan living in Romania. Language is smiler. if you live in Romania and work there for 6 months or more you can then bring her here in the UK

I heard Moldovan can apply for Romanian citizenship then any other countries ( a Romanian friend told me )

on what basis Moldovan can apply Romanian citizenship?

[chaoclive]

It is quite a common thing. I heard about it about 5 or 6 years ago.

See: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8029849.stm
"Anyone with a great-grandparent who was once a Romanian national can apply and expect an answer within five months." Apparently there are a million Moldovan who meet this requirement. Not sure if the law has changed since 2009.