ISLAMABAD, Feb 7: The British High Commission on Monday said a new marriage rule had come into force in the United Kingdom from February 1.

A press release said the change to the rules would apply worldwide and had been introduced in response to a substantial rise in the number of bogus marriages designed to circumvent immigration legislation.

"Under changes to the UK Immigration Rules, all non-EU citizens, both visa and non-visa nationals, wishing to visit the UK as a destination for their wedding ceremony and who have arrangements in place for the marriage to be conducted within six months of the application must obtain a visit for marriage visa."