Getting married in HK to obtain visa for other half

braddles · 03-12-2013, 05:03 PM

Hi all, just looking for a little bit of advice here.

My partner and I have been living here for 6 months or so now. I was sponsored in by a big bank and we somewhat optimistically assumed it wouldn't take long for her to pick up a sponsorship too. This hasn't been the case - she has not been able to get work as employers steer clear as soon as they find out she's not got the visa.

So - we've decided to take the dive and get married. This was going to happen at some point anyway but our hands been forced a bit. Anyway, anyone got any experience of this?is it fairly straightforward? How do we get the ball rolling?

She is Italian, I'm from NZ if that helps. Would a marriage here stand up elsewhere in the world?

Thanks,

Brad

HowardCoombs · 03-12-2013, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by braddles:

Anyway, anyone got any experience of this?is it fairly straightforward? How do we get the ball rolling?

Congrats.
Its dead easy.
Start here : http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immig...eg/?/marriage/

She is Italian, I'm from NZ if that helps. Would a marriage here stand up elsewhere in the world?

Marriage here is as valid as Italy and/or NZ - you'll be hitched as long as you can stand each other.

PS: I provide witness services in exchange for beer. If you require my services, please choose Cotton Tree Drive as your location

Trance Omega · 03-12-2013, 05:14 PM

I am guessing some non-impediment type documents would be needed from their consulates?

summerfun · 03-12-2013, 05:20 PM

just got married a few months ago in one of the HK marriage registries. It's simple and straight forward. You can go to one of the marriage registries and they will tell you what you need to do. We went and they gave us an appointment time about one wk later to return with all the docs. You need to prove that you have a place to live, a job with enough income to support your partner, etc.

At that time we had to choose a date. Your wedding ceremony lasts 15 minutes and is performed by one of the HK registrars. You need 2 witnesses to sign at that time. And that's all there is to it.

Then after that you will want to get your partner to be your dependent............have to get all the docs ready and to to HK immigration. There are forms on the internet you can download that has all the instructions. It takes 4 to 8 wks to get your partner a new HK visa.

Good luck.

kimwy66 · 03-12-2013, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by summerfun:

just got married a few months ago in one of the HK marriage registries. It's simple and straight forward. You can go to one of the marriage registries and they will tell you what you need to do. We went and they gave us an appointment time about one wk later to return with all the docs. You need to prove that you have a place to live, a job with enough income to support your partner, etc.

At that time we had to choose a date. Your wedding ceremony lasts 15 minutes and is performed by one of the HK registrars. You need 2 witnesses to sign at that time. And that's all there is to it.

You don;t have to use the registrars at the marriage registry office. there are many solicitors that are also registered to perform these.

We had ours done at one in Wan Chai. Some will offer you a package of getting the 'giving notice' form, doing the ceremony although they charge a bit steep for it. I did the giving notice bit, then took the form and made a booking at the solicitors. Three days later we turned up and did the deed.

The registry people were very insistent that I had to tell them at the giving notice appointment of the place and registrar that would perform the ceremony so they could 'liase' with them. This bit is HK process gibberish, and I refused to tell them, mostly because I hadn't gotten to that point yet. But there is nothing to liase, you take your form to the solicitor, they issue your marriage certificate there and then, and send a copy to the registry office.

I decided if I was being forced to marry because of HK's backward views on the nuclear family, then I'd do it in as irreverent manner as possible. When we got to the solicitors we roped in the receptionist to witness it, and 15 minutes later with marriage certificate in hand decamped round the corner to the pub.

Of course if you aren't a grumpy cynical divorcee like me and this is your first time of getting married perhaps you might want a bit more ceremony. Then you may want to look at some of the fancier packages or the registry office, and make like the locals with all things sugary, powder puffy and sweet.