UK Citizen (with Irish Passport) & working holiday S.Afr

[Chunkofpunk]

Hi I am a UK citizen (I am able to apply for a Irish passport as my Grandmother was born in Ireland and my mother has Irish Passport)
My boyfriend is a working holiday maker from South Africa, this runs out in November.
We plan to marry around Sept/Oct time
He wants me to live in SA with him but i don't want to do this, at least not for the time being.
So in the meantime for him to be able to live and work in this country what do we need to do and what forms / applications do we need to complete??
Does he need to apply to stay from outside of the UK?
I have no knowledge on Immigration and the info on other sites sometimes sounds conflicting, so i would be really greatfull of any information / experiences...

Many many Thanks,

Sarah.

[John]

Sarah, before delving into all this, can you clarify :-

We plan to marry around Sept/Oct time

-: where is it intended that the marriage should happen? In the UK? If not, where?

[Chunkofpunk]

Hi, sorry for the delay in replying...

We intend to get married in the UK.

Thanks,

Sarah.

[JAJ]

Hi I am a UK citizen (I am able to apply for a Irish passport as my Grandmother was born in Ireland and my mother has Irish Passport)

You will have to register as an Irish citizen before you can apply for an Irish passport. That is not a problem (if you can provide the documentation) but it takes time, obviously.

[Chunkofpunk]

I know. Im going to do that this week to start the ball rolling..

[JAJ]

I know. Im going to do that this week to start the ball rolling..

No need to wait for your Irish passport though. As you're a British citizen you can sponsor him for a fiance or spouse visa once you meet the requirements.

If you want to get married in the UK, you may be able to get a Certificate of Approval to marry. Others can tell you the process and requirements to obtain this.

Once married, as long as his visa is valid, he may be able to switch to spouse "in-country". Again, others will be able to tell you if this is realistic.

If you want to get married in a Church of England church you don't need a COA however the requirements to switch status in-country must still be met. Otherwise he would need to return to South Africa to get his spouse visa.

[Chunkofpunk]

Thanks for the reply.
So is there any websites where i can find a step by step...?
I dont really know where to start.
Can i apply online or do i need to contact HO??

Thanks.

[JAJ]

Thanks for the reply.
So is there any websites where i can find a step by step...?

For switching status in-country: http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk
For applying for entry clearance overseas: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk

[Chunkofpunk]

Thanks

[Chunkofpunk]

Just want to get some things straight.... sorry for harping on!!

It says we need to apply for a Certificate of Aproval..

What would happen if we didnt do this??

If i get my Irish passport malarkey sorted out wouldnt this overrule it??

I dont plan on doing this, but im just asking out of intrest..

[JAJ]

Just want to get some things straight.... sorry for harping on!!

It says we need to apply for a Certificate of Aproval..

What would happen if we didnt do this??

Then you can't get married in the United Kingdom, UNLESS you want to get married in a Church of England church.

Nothing stopping you getting married somewhere else if you meet local requirements.

If i get my Irish passport malarkey sorted out wouldnt this overrule it??

No (why should it? ... )

[Chunkofpunk]

Can anyone confirm how easy it is to obtain a COA please?

Thanks.