Tourist Visa

Please settle an argument!

I've always thought it's difficult for a visa national (in this case from former Soviet Union) to get a tourist visa to visit a boyfriend/girlfriend. I assumed the ECO would assume they intend to marry especially if one is sponsoring the other.

I've heard however that to visit ones boyfriend/girlfriend is a perfectly valid reason for a tourist visa, providing the test are pased, ie intends to retirn, sufficient funds etc.

I'm not so sure but I wonder how the ECO's think? If folks intend to marry surely they'd do it the proper way, with the almost guarenteed Fiancee/Spouse visa? But to get that u have to show you've met, and if every country has the same visa rules you can't meet unless on a toursit visa! Catch 22. ie there is no 'prospective engagement/marriage visa'.

Reading back this sounds like one on those 'my mate has...' questions when it's really me!

Steve

Wanderer wrote: I've heard however that to visit ones boyfriend/girlfriend is a perfectly valid reason for a tourist visa, providing the test are pased, ie intends to retirn, sufficient funds etc.

Correct

Wanderer, an applicant for a visitor's visa needs to provide adequate "reason to return" evidence. As long as that is done then the application should be successful.

If folks intend to marry surely they'd do it the proper way, with the almost guaranteed Fiancée/Spouse visa?

Picking up on the words you use ... proper way ... it is worth mentioning that it is no longer possible to do it in the .... improper way! That is, someone who is not an EEA Citizen cannot give the required Notice of Intention to Marry in the UK unless they hold either a fiancé(e) visa, or a marriage visitor's visa, or they have Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, or they have applied for and obtained a Certificate of Approval to Marry. Nothing to stop the holder of a visitor visa applying for a CoA but guidance issued by the Home Office says in effect it would be a total waste of the £120 application fee ... that application would be refused.

This change of legislation took effect on 01.02.05.

As a matter of interest what is the status of a marriage on a tourist visa?

Is it still valid?

Steve

Wanderer wrote:As a matter of interest what is the status of a marriage on a tourist visa?

Is it still valid?

Steve

You canot get married on tourist visa - unless you have a marriage Visitor Visa

or get married in Church of England