Post
by Liberal Immigrant » Thu Apr 24, 2008 9:20 pm
your nikah (islamic marriage) with your partner is not recognised as a "marriage" in the eyes of English law as far as immigration law is concerned.
you should therefore consider applying for a CoA i.e. certificate of approval which the Home Office MAY grant you. this will allow you to marry in the local council registrar's office. your chances of being granted CoA should be very high bcoz u claim u have evidence of 9 years relationship but before you apply, you need to appreciate that they may, on refusal of the CoA, take removal action against you!
once you do this (marry at registrar's office), then all u gotta do is apply for a spouse visa, although you would probably have to return to algeria to apply from there.
you have other options too e.g. both of you emigrating to another EU state and then returning to UK but for allllllllllllll options, you need to be married i.e. married in the eyes of law, not in the eyes of islam.