New marriage registrars

The Immigration and Asylum (Treatment of Claimants) Bill has passed Commons and is now awaiting its 4th reading in Lords.  On face of it, the bill does not sound totally relevant, does it?

Except that they have bolted on an amendment that affects any Brit wishing to marry a non-EEU national in England or Wales.  It is to the effect that before the marriage can take place, one of the following conditions must hold:  [1] the non-EEU national must have a fiance visa; *OR* [2] the couple must have an approval certificate from the Home Office (cost £150, or £200 in person).  CofE ceremonies are exempt from needing a certificate.

They have not yet hammered out which nationalities are to be exempt from this requirement, if anyone; and there's some likelihood that the amendment will not be put to consultation.  If it's put to consultation, it will go on for another 2 - 3 months, otherwise it will simply move towards enactment.

Of course, it's a long way off from Royal Assent, but it's certainly worth keeping an eye on it if you are planning to marry a non-EEU national in England in 2005 or beyond.

Wow...interesting stuff.  I reckon this is a further way to try to crack down on visitors who come to the UK and get married so that they can stay in the country.  Definitely something to keep an eye on!

So Garry, you don't think this will be an issue for any of us in the coming, say, 2 - 3 months? We've got a wedding date set for 2 October (though are thinking of eloping much sooner) and are giving notice tomorrow!

So Garry, you don't think this will be an issue for any of us in the coming, say, 2 - 3 months?

It's easily not foreseeable before Q2 of 2005, and that's if they RUSH.  There's a transcript of the last debate at http://www.londonelegance.com/transpondia/lordsamendments.doc and the debate on the new registrars begins about 1/2 way through.