Sham Marriages In The UK | Marriages Of Convenience

A sham marriage, or marriage of convenience, or a sham civil partnership describes a marriage or civil partnership entered into for immigration advantage by two people who are not a genuine couple.

In the UK, sham marriage is a form of immigration fraud undertaken to gain legal immigrant status. The fraud is investigated mostly by the Home Office.

Is sham marriage illegal in the UK?

Facilitation is an either-way offence which means this offence can be tried summarily in the magistrates’ court or on indictment in the Crown court and the maximum sentence on indictment is 14 years’ imprisonment. It is also a ‘lifestyle offence’ under schedule 2 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

What counts as a sham marriage?

A sham marriage is one where two people have entered into the marriage and are not in a genuine relationship but have married for financial or other gain.

A sham marriage or fake marriage is a marriage of convenience entered into without intending to create a real marital relationship. This is usually for the purpose of gaining an advantage from the marriage.

What To Do If You’re Looking To Get Married In The UK?

If you’re looking to get married in the UK, you don’t have to worry if your relationship is genuine and subsisting. If you want to marry a British citizen or a person with settled status, you need to be aware that your relationship will be investigated. You must have the evidence and documentation to prove that your relationship with your UK spouse is genuine and not fake.

Is entering into a sham marriage a criminal offence?

If you enter into a sham marriage, you are committing a criminal offence. A sham marriage is a marriage contracted to obtain a residence permit for a foreign national. Sham marriages enable people who are not eligible for a residence permit to reside in the UK. This is why the authorities investigate possible sham marriages. The same checks apply when you enter into a registered partnership.

How can Deluxe Law Chambers Help If You Want To Get Married In The UK?

Our immigration experts can help you to move to the UK and can be there to help when you need immigration support in your corner. We have helped lots of couples in the past to prove the credibility of their relationship and we can certainly assist you.

We have a strict policy against providing immigration services to those are planning a sham marriage.

Why Clients Choose Deluxe Law Chambers?

With offices in Manchester and London, Deluxe Law Chambers provides expert legal advice for all UK visa and immigration matters. Our experienced immigration lawyers are committed to making the visa process clear, efficient, and stress-free from start to finish.

• Our team has over 11 years of practical experience of working in UK immigration law firms and stays fully up to date with the latest Home Office rules and guidance, ensuring accurate and reliable legal advice.
• Every immigration case is different. Our immigration solicitors take the time to understand your circumstances and provide tailored legal solutions that meet your specific needs.
• Where eligible, we offer Priority and Super Priority UK visa services to help you obtain faster immigration decisions.
• We offer flexible video, telephone, and in-person appointments from our Manchester office, assisting clients across the UK and overseas.
• Our immigration lawyers are available seven days a week, including weekends, for urgent and time-sensitive immigration matters.
• We provide clear fixed-fee pricing, with instalment options available and no hidden costs.

At Deluxe Law Chambers, our SRA-regulated immigration solicitors are committed to delivering professional, honest, and results-driven UK immigration advice you can trust.