Can Foreigners Get Married in Pakistan?
Yes, foreigners can also get married in Pakistan. If a person who is not a Pakistani citizen can still get his marriage registered in Pakistan. Pakistani law does not stop a male or a female from getting married to a foreigner.
A foreigner can get married in Pakistan by physically being present in Pakistan, or they can also avail the services of online marriage in Pakistan and can register their marriage without their presence in the country.
Physical Presence in Pakistan
A foreigner who wants to get married in Pakistan can be physically present in Pakistan for the marriage. To be in Pakistan, they need to hold a visa for the country.
When they come to Pakistan and get the marriage registered in their presence, then the passport copy and visa page copy of the foreigner will be required.
Duly Appointed Attorney
A foreigner, instead of being in Pakistan, can also get the marriage registered in the country by a duly appointed attorney.
To appoint an attorney, they need to send a Special Power of Attorney attested by the Pakistani Embassy or Consulate, who will represent the foreigner client in their absence.
The signature and the registration process will be done by the duly appointed attorney on behalf of the foreigner client. In this way, they can register their marriage in the country without their physical presence.
The marriage through a duly appointed attorney without the physical presence in the country is also called online marriage.
Online Marriage for Foreigners
The online marriage in Pakistan is valid. This online marriage can not only be done by overseas Pakistanis, but can also be done by foreigners.
A foreigner who cannot visit Pakistan can avail the services of online marriage in Pakistan.
For the online marriage, the Nikah ceremony is conducted digitally on a call or a video call through different apps. The registration process in the online marriage is done through a duly appointed attorney hired by the foreigner or overseas Pakistani who is not present in Pakistan.
Court Marriage for Foreigners
The foreigners also have the option to avail the services of court marriage in Pakistan.
To do the court marriage in Pakistan, a foreigner needs to be physically present in the country, as a presence will be required in the court and for the registration process.
Documents Required for Foreigner
When a foreigner wishes to get married in Pakistan and when the foreigner wants to register his marriage, the following documents will be required for a foreigner to get married in Pakistan:
- Passport copy.
- Visa page copy.
- Entry stamp copy, which is affixed on the passport at the airport.
- In case of online marriage, a Special Power of Attorney attested by the Pakistani Embassy or Consulate will be required.
Foreigner Marriage According to Muslim Law
The Muslim law does not debar a foreigner from getting married in Pakistan.
If a foreigner is a Muslim male and he wants to get his marriage registered in Pakistan, then the Muslim law will apply to him and the marriage will be registered in Pakistan according to the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961.
Foreign Marriage According to Christian Law
If a foreigner Christian wants to get married in Pakistan, Christian law will apply.
A foreigner Christian male can marry only a Christian female in Pakistan. However, a Christian female can also marry a Muslim male in Pakistan.
In case of a Christian male who is a foreigner and wants to get his marriage registered in Pakistan, then the Christian law will apply.
Legal Rights of Foreigner After Marriage
The legal right of a foreigner after marriage is that, after the registration of the marriage, he can apply for a spouse visa.
He can also apply for a residence visa in Pakistan.
By long residence in Pakistan, he can also apply for Pakistani citizenship by way of naturalization.
The children born in Pakistan out of this foreigner’s wedlock will also be considered Pakistani citizens.
Relevant Law
The relevant law for the registration of marriages in Pakistan for a foreigner is Section 5 of the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961.
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