I want to marry my boyfriend from UK before we set off.

[Sweetiepie]

2 questions: i understand with the red tape is better to marry in US.

Can I still become a citizen if i am not living in the UK for that 27 month period period the VAF4A requires, or can we live in an EU country? .What about an EU country...ie: St Martin...french side?
Thanks...hope it makes sense

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by Sweetiepie

...hope it makes sense

Not really. You haven't mentioned what citizenship either one of you are. CF is probably not the best place to get advice on this immigration question.

[Sweetiepie]

He is from Britain, I am from US. Thought someone might be able to give me some kind of clue what I'm dealing with

[Eleven]

Well, if your Mom was a naturalised Aussi from england, and you was her little boy, you are no longer entitled to live in Aussi, or to citizen ship, unless you are of a useful age (under 45 I think).
Most countries are tightening up. Talk to the Embassy.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Sweetiepie

2 questions: i understand with the red tape is better to marry in US.

Can I still become a citizen if i am not living in the UK for that 27 month period period the VAF4A requires, or can we live in an EU country? .What about an EU country...ie: St Martin...french side?
Thanks...hope it makes sense

depends on your boat and anchor

[twistedtree]

I still don't understand what you are asking. He's a UK citizen, and you are a US citizen. And what citizenship do you and or your man what to acquire? Or is this about getting a marriage license in which case it will depend on the state. I think you need to back up and explain what you are trying to accomplish.

[David_Old_Jersey]

You really need a more specialised forum - but for sure the UK (and Germany) does not automatically grant citizenship (Passport) or residency to a spouse, I rather suspect the rest of the EU is the same (and no doubt the US also makes spouses jump over a few hurdles).

In the case of the UK that much to do with certain "cultures" marrying their cousins - and shipping 'em over by the plane load. Apparently that means have to treat everyone as 3rd world peasants to be "fair" .

Will likely be some sort of Visa required, especially if wanting to work - in practice will probably find that means having to stay in one country as a resident (including for tax purposes!) for a fixed period (UK 2 years +) to become a citizen (passport) - and then you can do WTF you want (within whole EU)......but, as I said, you do need a more specialized forum - what info I had is now 5 years out of date (Missus was non EU).

[SaucySailoress]

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

In the case of the UK that much to do with certain "cultures" marrying their cousins - and shipping 'em over by the plane load. Apparently that means have to treat everyone as 3rd world peasants to be "fair" .

Say it like it is, why don'cha?

[atoll]

if you want to get married to get residence in the uk,then uk citizenship you need to contact the home office first,
normally you have to be a resident for 5 years before you are eligable for a uk passport.

UK Border Agency | British citizenship

[Sweetiepie]

I'm asking if I have to live with him in England to get a marriage visa, or if we can live in the Caribbean. We want to cruise. We also want to get married, and I want to be able to work in a EU country if we need to along the way. That's all. There is a 27 month requirement to get residency...I havent come across anything that states whether you MUST live in England or not.

[Sweetiepie]

Thanks for that..do I have to reside in England for the entire time, or can I be cruising...?

[Sweetiepie]

Lol...thanks!

[atoll]

Originally Posted by Sweetiepie

I'm asking if I have to live with him in England to get a marriage visa, or if we can live in the Caribbean. We want to cruise. We also want to get married, and I want to be able to work in a EU country if we need to along the way. That's all. There is a 27 month requirement to get residency...I havent come across anything that states whether you MUST live in England or not.

unfortunately the uk is not a shengan country,so any time outside of the uk will not count towards your residency there.
though check the website,as there may be loop holes,like living in nigeria......might count

UK Border Agency | British citizenship

[Sweetiepie]

Thank you. That was helpful!

[atoll]

Residential requirements


In order to demonstrate the residential requirements for naturalisation you need to:
have been resident in the United Kingdom for at least three years (this is known as the residential qualifying period); and
have been present in the United Kingdom three years before the date of your application; and
have not spent more than 270 days outside the United Kingdom during the three-year period; and
have not spend more than 90 days outside the United Kingdom in the last 12 months of the three-year period; and
have not been in breach of the immigration rules at any stage during the three-year period.


but once you have residence in the uk this applies but only to eu citizens
European Economic Area nationals and Swiss nationals


If you are a European Economic Area (EEA) national or a Swiss national or the family member of such a person, you will automatically have permanent residence status if you have exercised EEA free-movement rights in the United Kingdom for a continuous five-year period ending on or after 30 April 2006. You do not have to apply for leave to remain.

If you have been outside the United Kingdom for six months or more in any one of the five years of the residence period you will have broken your residence. This does not apply if:
the absence was due to military service; or
all absences were for under 12 months and were for important reasons such as pregnancy, childcare, serious illness, study, vocational training or an overseas posting.

If you leave the United Kingdom for a continuous period of two years or more you will lose your permanent residence status.

If you have indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the United Kingdom you will be considered settled providing you have not been away for two years or more since you received ILR.