sham marriage

sham marriage

A legal marriage that happens primarily or solely for practical purposes, rather than love. Any couple suspected of entering into a sham marriage to bypass the need for work permits may be investigated and have their marriage license revoked at any time. Back when homosexuality was illegal, many gay men and women entered into sham marriages to protect them from public scrutiny.
See also: marriage, sham
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • marriage of convenience
  • a shotgun wedding/marriage
  • shotgun marriage
  • mariage blanc
  • be one flesh
  • become one flesh
  • one flesh
  • till
  • till death do us part
  • until death us do part
References in periodicals archive
But Mr Vine warned that more reports from register offices and the Home Office's increasing focus on tackling sham marriage will pile pressure on the 19 enforcement teams around the country as they will not have enough resources.
I do...or do I? A shock rise in sham marriages
The "ruthless" mastermind behind the sham marriage scam is already serving nine years in prison after he was convicted in August..
FAMILY IN HUGE BRIDAL FRAUD; BROTHERS AND SISTERS JAILED FOR IMMIGRATION SCAM
Two people, a 24-year-old Romanian woman and a 21-year-old man from Pakistan, were arrested at Larnaca airport on Sunday evening on suspicion of being involved in a sham marriage.
Two arrested for sham marriage
AN alleged sham marriage groom met his French brideto-be at a Belfast airport on the morning of their planned wedding, the High Court heard yesterday.
Groom 'met his new bride at airport'
AN "INTELLIGENT" teenager told a jury she had no idea she had travelled to the South Wales Valleys to see her pregnant SlovaKian best friend wed a Nigerian student in a sham marriage.
Teen denies role in fake marriage
A FAILED asylum seeker, who tried to remain in the UK by using a fake name and taking part in a sham marriage, was rumbled after officers spotted his "wedding" pictures on a camera while investigating another case.
Failed asylum seeker caught after officials found 'marriage' pictures; ALGERIAN TO BE DEPORTED AFTER ADMITTING CHARGES
IMMIGRATION officers swooped to arrest an bridegroom moments before he was due to take part in a suspected sham marriage ceremony at St George's Hall.
'SHAM' WEDDING: GROOM ARRESTED; Man held at St George's Hall ceremony
A MAN has denied helping to arrange a sham marriage after the whole wedding party were arrested by Border Agency officials.
Man denies role in 'sham' marriage
IRELAND is the sham marriage capital of the world, with shady human traffickers forcing desperate girls here to tie the knot...
HERE COMES THE BRIBE; ireland's secret sham wedding scourge
When questioned at the police station, Kozlovskaja admitted being paid money for the sham marriage.
Wedding day blues for bogus bride and groom; She married him for pounds 5,000 so he could stay on Tyneside
ldp For Sport Business on your phone The scam was described by a Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) spokesman as the largest sham marriage racket his team had ever prosecuted.
Vicar guilty of 'massive and cynical' sham marriage scam
Natalie Williams, a 26-year-old from St Johns Road, Dudley, pleaded guilty to taking part in a sham marriage with a
Family admits 'green card' marriage scam
John-Paul finds out about Jacqui's sham marriage but even he can't persuade her to stand up to Davey.
tv & soaps: Money with menaces; hollyoaks
The post Husband and wives remanded in sham marriage case appeared first on Cyprus Mail .
Husband and wives remanded in sham marriage case
A JUDGE has launched a scathing attack on a second controversial bishop after a court heard he charged a teenage couple [euro]100 for a sham marriage.
2nd 'fake marriage' bishop is probed; Sham 'groom' in court