UK Citizen marrying a non-UK citizen

[aidy]

Hi,

I am a U.K. citizen and my girlfriend is from Mexico and living with me. She is on a six month holiday visa and we plan to get married.

We had a look at the Certificate for Approval (of marriage) and that informs us that to complete this form, the visa that has been given must be over six months. Not sure on what we do now?

Aidy

[HRY2005]

Hi,

I am a U.K. citizen and my girlfriend is from Mexico and living with me. She is on a six month holiday visa and we plan to get married.

We had a look at the Certificate for Approval (of marriage) and that informs us that to complete this form, the visa that has been given must be over six months. Not sure on what we do now?

Aidy

The CoA for marriage is being abolished by the end of the year or early next year. If you can wait, you might not need one to get married. Alternatively, you can still get a CoA even if your gf's visa is not more than six months or have no visa at all(that depends on your relationship)

Your gf could also return home and apply for a fiance(e) visa, you wont need a COA to get married after that. Another option is to return home with your gf and get married in Mexico, then apply for a spouse visa(that saves you money). you wont need to submit further application after the fiancee visa.

[aidy]

Thanks for you prompt reply. From your information we will still apply for a CoA, and if that fails, we will go to Mexico to get married. Thank you again.

[HRY2005]

Thanks for you prompt reply. From your information we will still apply for a CoA, and if that fails, we will go to Mexico to get married. Thank you again.

No. I mean if your gf returned to Mexico and apply for a fiancee Visa, you wont need a COA. If you return with her to Mexico and get married in Mexico, you can apply a spouse visa directly(as fiancee visa would allow you to get married in the UK without a COA but must get married within six months and apply for a spouse visa which would cost you double fees)

Depending on the extents of your relationship, you can still a COA now without your gf returning to Mexico but would still need to return home for a spouse visa.