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tintinto
United Kingdom
105 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Mar 2010 : 13:31:31
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Hi, I have my Gambian wife here in UK on Settlement visa, We wish in May to visit Belguim for a few days for her Auntie's childs naming ceremony. I rang the Schengen Belgium Embassy in London, and they told me that one document to be produced is a Marriage Certificate, but because ours was done in Gambia they dont reconise it,so they told me we have to go back to Gambia, to the Belguim Embassy there, for them to authorise it? For us this is not possible. can anyone advise anything please?
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Momodou
Denmark
11713 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2010 : 14:02:14
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Perhaps you should meet there in person instead and just apply if I were you. Take along your marriage certificate and a declaration by a notary public that the Marriage certificate is a legal document. I am sure the British authorities would not have given her a visa in the first place if your marriage document wasn’t verified and accepted.
Did you inform them that your wife is already with you in the UK?
I think you should be able to move freely with your family in Europe as a European citizen without such restrictions especially when it’s just for a short visit.
By the way, there is only a Belgian consulate in the Gambia (http://www.accessgambia.com/information/belgium-consulate-banjul.html). The embassy is in Dakar Senegal.
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2010 : 17:18:32
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| Tintinto..Jack on here is Belgian. Perhaps he could help you find out more information? Good luck. I hope you manage to get there. |
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tintinto
United Kingdom
105 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2010 : 21:22:38
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| Thanks for advice Momodou, problem is for me to go there, especially with uncertanty, London is a long way to go.They was told that my Wife is in UK with me now. Thanks Bev maybe Jack will help? |
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sab
United Kingdom
912 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2010 : 21:45:01
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I always find the path of visa's interesting & had a look around your problem.
Maybe there is a solution to be found in the questions & answers below;
http://www.vfs-be-uk.com/faqs.aspx
Q. What if I do not have all the documents?
Ans. If your application is not accompanied by the documents that are recommended by the Embassy, you will be asked if you wish to proceed with the application as it is, i.e. without all the recommended documents. Should you consent to this, your application will be registered in our system and accepted for visa application submission. Incomplete applications will lead to processing delays.
Q. What should I provide as proof of relationship or my spouse's nationality?
Ans. Photocopies of your Marriage Certificate or Birth Certificate are the only documents that will be accepted as proof of relationship. Photocopies of your spouse's national passport can be accepted as proof of nationality.
Q. I don't live in the UK, can I apply for my Schengen visa from the Belgium Visa Application Centre in London?
Ans. The Belgium Visa Application Centre in London is available to all UK Residents. If you are a visitor in the UK, you are free to make your application too; however, you need to ensure that your UK Visa or UK Resident Permit (if resident in the UK) needs to be valid for 03 months longer than your intended Schengen visa. Applications from visitors may take upto 15 working to be processed.
Q. What are the documents required for a Belgium Visa?
Ans. After deciding the eligible visa category, applicants can log on to http://www.diplomatie.be/london or on to the Belgium Visa Application Centre’s website http://www.vfs-be-uk.com/visacategories.aspx to check the recommended documents for the Visa category they have chosen. Photocopies are recommended as documents will not be returned. Submit originals only where specified.
Q. What is procedure to get my passport back?
Ans. You will need to bring your receipt and submission proof (the Belgium Visa Application Centre stamped passport Bio/Data page) with you on the second day after submission anytime between 1300-1400hrs, Monday to Friday except declared holidays, to check for the status of your application
Sometimes u can find relevant info from other people on this site: http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewforum.php?f=13&sid=80bf690d050042a09c60d0878cf9f263
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Edited by - sab on 29 Mar 2010 21:49:32 |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2010 : 11:20:41
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| hmm, they do not recognise the marriage certificate from gambia. read between the lines. |
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2010 : 11:59:32
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quote:
Originally posted by tintinto
Hi, I have my Gambian wife here in UK on Settlement visa, We wish in May to visit Belguim for a few days for her Auntie's childs naming ceremony. I rang the Schengen Belgium Embassy in London, and they told me that one document to be produced is a Marriage Certificate, but because ours was done in Gambia they dont reconise it,so they told me we have to go back to Gambia, to the Belguim Embassy there, for them to authorise it? For us this is not possible. can anyone advise anything please?
This can be confusing sometimes. MY Gambian marriage for example is fully recognized in the U.S. but a Kenyan friend of mind told me he and his wife could not get theirs recognized. They had to remarry here. Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it?
My suggestions:
1. consult a family attorney
2. consult your Home (or Immigration)-foreign marriages- Department
3. have a U.K. court issue you a 'certificate of marriage' based on the prove of your marriage in the Gambia.
Perhaps, this way a solution will be found for Belgium to welcome you. I am not sure...
Kayjatta is not an atty.and has no legal qualifications whatsoever. Thank you. |
Edited by - kayjatta on 30 Mar 2010 12:06:08 |
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tintinto
United Kingdom
105 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2010 : 17:43:49
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| jambo, i cannot "read between lines"? not as clever as you! please help! |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2010 : 13:38:29
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to make yourself legal and recognised by the different authorities, why not get married here. Church or register office can be arranged quite easily.
Once you have that done, no-one can question the legality of your marriage.
Reading between the lines, ONE DOCUMENT TO BE PRODUCED IS A MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE, because ours was done in Gambia.
IF YOU PRODUCE WHAT IS ASKED for, no questions can be asked.
SIMPLES
hope that helps. |
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