The recent coronavirus outbreak has thrown our daily lives into chaos. Impacting everything from food supply to entertainment, life as we know it has changed dramatically in the past three weeks.
For those planning on getting married this year, the virus has caused particular concerns. Will you still be able to get married, especially if you were planning on tying the knot abroad?
Here, you’ll discover everything you need to know about how foreign marriage plans have been affected by the Coronavirus crisis.
How has the coronavirus impacted the industry?
The wedding industry has been significantly impacted by the coronavirus. As large public gatherings are banned and non-essential businesses have been closed, couples across the UK have been forced to cancel, postpone or rush their upcoming nuptials.
For weddings which have taken place during the lockdown, couple’s have been forced to get creative. With news that one couple got married and then jailed on the same day, due to breaking lockdown rules, you need to ensure you’re tying the knot legally during these difficult times. The couples who have tied the knot have taken advantage of video streaming software such as Zoom to keep their families involved from a distance.
Weddings abroad have been cancelled, with very limited flights operating, particularly to Europe. So, what can you do if your wedding day looks set to be cancelled?
Can insurance protect you?
It is important to note that most companies have suspended new wedding insurance policies. So, if you didn’t already have insurance then there’s a big chance that you’ll miss out the cover you need.
However, if you did have insurance, you should be able to claim money back if your big day has been cancelled. However, this will largely depend upon the company you have booked with. You may need to seek legal advice to see where you stand if a lot of money will be lost.
How will it impact immigration visas?
It is estimated that 14% of the UK’s population is made up of migrants. This equates to 9.3 million people who weren’t born in the UK. While the most common reason people migrate to the country is to work, many others come due to marrying a UK national.
So, how will the coronavirus impact foreigners coming over to live in the UK after getting married? Well, making sure you apply for any visas you might need before they expire is crucial. In terms of getting into the UK, weddings aren’t currently considered essential. This means many venues have postponed or cancelled weddings that were due during the lockdown period. You may need to delay coming into the country until the lockdown has lifted.
It is a good idea to seek advice from immigration lawyers to ensure you’re meeting the full legal requirements during the coronavirus outbreak.
Overall, the wedding industry has been thrown into turmoil due to the coronavirus crisis. The above are just some of the things foreigners need to know if they were planning to get married in the UK.
