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Marriage to a Colombian girl?

hi there everybody,

firstly its a great site, lots of info and great all round.

I have a question regarding a few things concerning visas etc etc. I am a South African national, but have been in London for 5 years, and i have indefinite leave to remain, and next year will be applying for my british passport.

I met my girlfriend here in London over a year ago.
She is from bogota and we fell in love the moment we saw each other. Shes now in bogota studying, but getting student visas to come here is so difficult. I am intending to ask her to marry me, and I will probably go to Bogota for the wedding. I was just wanting to know the legal procedures (if anybody knows), what she needs or we need, as well as how to get it valid for the UK. Also, what visa will she obtain from a spouse who is a UK resident with leave to remain in my passport. Will she just receive the same status in her passport as I have in mine? Will that allow her to have same status here in UK, and also will she be allowed to study for the same price as a resident of UK? IM asking cos shes wanting to finish her degree here , shes studied there for 4 years at Uni and wants to transfer her credits to a Uni here in London.

I am sorry, i dont know much about marriage between colombians and UK residents. I have looked on the net and found some things but still need clarification. Also, what advice do you have on marrying in Bogota, places, prices and how long does it take to marry and obtain the visa for her.. I just need to know how long i need to be there to obtain all and do all.

Thanks for your help and feedback. I really appreciate it.
regards
cade hannan

By cadeyboy on May 1, 2005, 17:05 in Visa & paperwork.

sandramoreno80 says on May 1, 2005, 18:57:

Hi my sister and her husband has been in a similar situation as yours, the only difference being that she is a British citizen. However this is of no matter to the UK authorities.

They were also married in Colombia through a Civil ceremony. For the authorities it is really important to them that they are able to support themselves financially, without claiming State benefits so to speak, so a good solid financial background is required. My brother in law did have to show that she was working, and that the relationship was real and had been so for some time, this was proven with payslips, letters and phone bills. It was not necessary for them to have their own place, they still live at my parent's house.

When his entry clearance was given, it said that no State benefits could be claimed on it. It is a spouse visa, given for 2 years with multiple entries allowed. This is what your wife will be given. She will be entitled to register at NHS, get a National Insurance Number and work, open a bank account etc.

After the 2 years is up and you are still together, then she should then apply for either an extension to this visa or the indefinite leave to remain, you have both show financial independance and show proof that you are both living together.

On the studying at a UK university you are considered a "home" student if you have been living in the UK for at least three years before the date of application. A home student is then eligible for assessment of their paying of tuition fees and student loans.

You can get more information from:

www.ucas.co.uk (on home and other status of residence for universities)
www.ukvisas.gov.uk
www.britishembassy.gov.uk

Put a search into the google search button above on marrying in Colombia because there should be tonnes on what is needed for a foreigner to get married there.

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cadeyboy says on May 4, 2005, 14:38:

marriage to colombian girl Hi thanks for your quick reply.

It was a lot of info thanks alot. I have just a few more questions.

How long does one need to be in the country before you are allowed to apply for marriage certificate and also get married, and how long it takes for the process.

Also, how long does it take to apply for the visa for my wife after the marriage.

I am wanting to being organising things for november and how it works so I know how long i can go for and how long it takes to get the visa, the costs of a marriage in a church or for a civil marriage. Of course its more expensive in a church etc, but of course if its quite expensive in a church, then how much is it for a civial marriage..

The documents proving our relationship to be real, is no problems. We have emails, videos, pictures, phone records, letters, as well as me already going to colombia to visit her in january, etc. So now it would be just organising the wedding, and documents.

I would love to be able to go, and have the wedding and then be able to have her return with me to the UK as soon as possible.
Do you know of any good lawyers in bogota who can assist, or do you think that we wouldnt need a lawyer for it if its quite straightforward.

Thanks again
cade hannan

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lpdiver says on May 5, 2005, 03:05:

cadey "How long does one need to be in the country before you are allowed to apply for marriage certificate and also get married, and how long it takes for the process. "

I arrived on Friday and was married on saturday.

Tony

"cook some rice!"

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lpdiver says on May 5, 2005, 04:52:

Mario Were I you I wouldn't cut it too close. It took Continental/Copa airlines three days to get me to Medellin from Houston. We bought our rings in El Centro in Medellin. Be careful leaving the shops. We were being folowed and had to chill for an hour at a restaurant until the "bad" guys moved on.

T

"cook some rice!"

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