UK Marriage Visitor Visa
If you’re planning to marry in the UK, it’s important to choose the right visa. The Marriage Visitor Visa allows you to stay in the UK temporarily for your wedding, but you must leave the country afterward.
Awards and Accreditations
UK Marriage Visitor Visa v UK Spouse Visa
This page covers the Marriage Visitor Visa — a short-stay visa for people travelling to the UK to marry, with no right to remain afterward. If you want to live in the UK with your British partner after marriage, you need a UK Spouse Visa, not this visa.
UK Marriage Visit Visa Requirements
To be eligible for a Marriage Visit Visa, you must demonstrate to UK Visas & Immigration that:
- You are at least 18 years of age,
- You are free to marry or enter a civil partnership in the UK within six months of your arrival,
- You are in a genuine relationship and will not be entering a marriage of convenience,
- You will leave the United Kingdom at the end of your authorized period of stay,
- You will be in the UK for a maximum of six months,
- You will be adequately maintained and accommodated throughout your stay in the UK and have sufficient funds available to you for the duration of your stay, and
- You are able to meet the cost of the return or onward journey.
What Activities Are Permitted to UK Marriage Visit Visa Holders?
A UK Marriage Visitor Visa allows individuals to visit the UK specifically for the purpose of getting married or forming a civil partnership. The visa is typically valid for a period of six months.
Activities permitted on a UK Marriage Visitor Visa include:
- Getting married or registering a civil partnership: The primary purpose of the visa is to enable individuals to legally marry or form a civil partnership in the UK. You can do this at a registry office or any other licensed venue.
- Planning the wedding or civil partnership: You are allowed to make arrangements, organize venues, and coordinate other aspects of your marriage or civil partnership ceremony.
- Attending pre-wedding events: You can participate in events such as engagement parties, bridal showers, or stag/hen parties that are related to your upcoming marriage or civil partnership.
- Celebrating the marriage or civil partnership: Following the ceremony, you can participate in post-wedding or civil partnership celebrations, such as receptions or parties.
- Civil Partnership or Marriage Visitors may also engage in other activities permitted by other Visitor routes, although they are not permitted to study.
It’s important to note that a UK Marriage Visitor Visa does not grant the holder the right to live or work in the UK beyond the visa’s duration. The visa is solely for the purpose of getting married or forming a civil partnership. If you intend to reside in the UK after your marriage, you would need to apply for a different visa, such as a UK Spouse Visa, which have separate eligibility requirements. You would need to return to Canada or the U.S. to apply for a UK Spouse Visa as you cannot change status from inside the UK.
Key Evidence in UK Marriage Visit Visa Applications
If you apply for a UK Marriage Visitor Visa to marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK, you must submit proof that you have made plans for your marriage or civil partnership to take place in the UK. An email confirmation of the church or registration office booking, or a receipt for payment of the venue where the marriage/civil partnership will take place, are examples of appropriate supporting documents.
The Home Office will evaluate all evidence supplied in determining whether the proposed marriage or civil partnership is genuine or whether it is a marriage of convenience, including the marriage or civil partnership arrangements, your and your partner’s relationship history, your future plans, and living arrangements. If the Home Office does not believe you are in a genuine relationship, your application will be denied.
In addition to demonstrating to the Home Office that you are genuinely seeking to enter the UK for a permitted purpose, you must also demonstrate to the Home Office that you will leave the UK at the end of your visit and will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home.
The Home Office will consider several factors when evaluating your application, including:
- Your immigration history, including travels to the UK and other countries,
- Your financial circumstances,
- Your family, social, and economic background; and
- Your personal and economic ties to your place of residence.
Evidence of Previous Marriages
If you have been married before, you will need to provide evidence that you are free to marry. Depending on your circumstances, you may need to provide a decree absolute or death certificate for your former spouse to demonstrate that you are free to remarry or enter into a civil partnership.
Financial Requirements in UK Marriage Visit Applications
Financial considerations and rules are an important aspect of UK Marriage Visitor Visa applications. Financial considerations include:
- Proof of financial ability: As an applicant, you will be required to demonstrate that you have enough funds to cover your expenses during your stay in the UK without relying on public funds. This typically includes providing bank statements, pay slips, or other financial documents as evidence of your financial capacity.
- Accommodation and maintenance: You need to show that you have suitable accommodation arranged for your stay in the UK. This could be a hotel reservation, a letter of invitation from a family member or friend with whom you will be staying, or proof of ownership or rental agreement if you have your own accommodation. Additionally, you must demonstrate that you can financially support yourself or be supported by your partner without relying on public funds.
- Sponsorship: If your travel, maintenance, and accommodation is being covered by someone in the UK, such as a British citizen or settled person, they will need to provide financial evidence including bank statements, payslips, employment references and tax returns to demonstrate that they can support you during your stay.
- Future financial intentions: It is important to provide information regarding your future financial plans after the marriage or civil partnership ceremony. If you intend to reside in the UK, you may need to show evidence of your ability to meet the financial requirements for a Spouse Visa or other relevant visa categories.
It is important to note that your or your sponsors funds must be kept in a regulated financial institution.
What Activities are Prohibited on a UK Marriage Visitor Visa?
On a UK Marriage Visitor Visa, there are certain activities that are prohibited. While the primary purpose of this visa is to allow individuals to get married or enter into a civil partnership in the UK, it does not grant the holder the right to engage in other activities. Here are some activities that are not permitted on a UK Marriage Visitor Visa:
- Engaging in paid employment: The visa does not allow you to work in the UK, whether it is paid or unpaid employment. It is strictly for the purpose of getting married or forming a civil partnership.
- Extending your stay or switching to a different visa category: A Marriage Visitor Visa cannot be extended beyond its duration, and it does not provide a route to switch to another visa category within the UK. If you wish to reside in the UK after your marriage or civil partnership, you would need to apply for a separate visa, such as a UK Spouse Visa or a Civil Partner Visa, which have their own eligibility criteria.
- Undertaking courses of study: The Marriage Visitor Visa does not permit you to enroll in a course of study, whether full-time or part-time, in the UK. If you plan to study in the UK, you would need to apply for a Student Visa or an appropriate study-related visa.
- Accessing public funds: While on a Marriage Visitor Visa, you are not eligible to access public funds or welfare benefits provided by the UK government.
- Living in the UK for an extended period: The visa is granted for a specific period, usually six months, and it is intended for temporary stays for the purpose of getting married or entering into a civil partnership. It does not grant the right to reside in the UK beyond this period.
Please note that the rules and regulations regarding visas can change over time, so it is crucial to consult with an experienced UK immigration attorney for the most up-to-date and accurate information pertaining to your specific circumstances.
UK Marriage Visitor Visa Application Fee
The current UKVI application fee for a UK Marriage Visitor Visa is £100 for a maximum of six months stay.
What does it Mean to Give Notification of Intention to Marry or Form a Civil Partnership in the UK?
In the context of marriage or civil partnership in the UK, giving a “notification of intention to marry” or “notification of intention to form a civil partnership” refers to a legal requirement where individuals must formally declare their intention to marry or form a civil partnership to the appropriate authorities in the UK.
Here are some key points to understand about giving notification of intention to marry or form a civil partnership in the UK:
- Legal requirement: In the UK, it is a legal requirement for individuals to give notice of their intention to marry or form a civil partnership. This applies to both UK residents and individuals from overseas who plan to marry or form a civil partnership in the UK.
- Notice period: There is typically a notice period that must be observed before the marriage or civil partnership ceremony takes place. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the usual notice period is 28 days. However, in Scotland, the notice period is 29 days.
- Registration office: The notification is given at a local register office or a designated location for marriage or civil partnership registrations. You need to contact the relevant register office in the area where you plan to marry or form a civil partnership to schedule an appointment to give your notice.
- Required information and documents: During the notification process, you will need to provide certain information and documents, such as proof of identity, proof of address, and details about the proposed marriage or civil partnership. The exact requirements may vary depending on the specific location and circumstances.
- Fees: There is usually a fee associated with giving notice of intention to marry or form a civil partnership. The fee amount can vary depending on the region and local authority.
- Waiting period and validity: After giving notice, there is a waiting period before the marriage or civil partnership can take place. This waiting period allows for any legal objections to be raised. Once the waiting period has passed, the notice is valid for a specific period of time (usually 12 months), during which the marriage or civil partnership ceremony must be conducted.
It’s important to note that the process and requirements for giving notice of intention to marry or form a civil partnership can vary between different parts of the UK. It is recommended to consult the official government websites or contact the appropriate local authorities for accurate and up-to-date information regarding the specific requirements in your desired location.
How Our Immigration Lawyers Can Help
Our immigration lawyers have extensive expertise assisting people from all over the world in obtaining visas to enter the UK for the purpose of marrying or forming a civil partnership in the UK or giving notice of a marriage or civil partnership in the UK.
Our immigration lawyers can help you whether you need advice on the merits of applying for a UK Marriage Visitor Visa, help preparing an application, or legal representation to challenge a decision to refuse an application for a Marriage Visit Visa.
For further information, please schedule a consultation.
UK Marriage Visitor Visa Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can apply for a UK visa if you marry a UK citizen. The specific visa you would apply for depends on your individual circumstances and your intention to live and settle in the UK. The two common visa options in this situation are:
- UK Spouse Visa: If you are married to a UK citizen or a person with settled status in the UK, you can apply for a Spouse Visa. This visa allows you to live and work in the UK for an initial period of 30 months. After this period, you can apply for an extension for another 30 months. Once you have completed a total of 60 months on a Spouse Visa and meet the other requirements, you may be eligible to apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) in the UK.
- UK Fiancé Visa: If you are engaged to be married to a UK citizen or a person with settled status in the UK, you can apply for a Fiancé Visa. This visa allows you to enter the UK to marry your partner within a specific time frame. Once married, you can then apply for a Spouse Visa from within the UK to extend your stay and continue your relationship.
Both the UK Spouse Visa and UK Fiancé Visa have specific requirements regarding financial thresholds, proof of relationship, accommodation, and English language proficiency. It’s crucial to carefully review the official UK government guidelines and consult with a qualified UK immigration lawyer to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and provide the necessary documentation for your visa application.
The Marriage Visitor Visa and the UK Spouse Visa are two different types of visas with distinct purposes and eligibility criteria. Here’s a breakdown of the differences:
Marriage Visitor Visa:
- Purpose: The Marriage Visitor Visa is designed for individuals who want to come to the UK to get married or enter into a civil partnership.
- Duration: It allows a stay of up to 6 months in the UK.
- Residency Requirement: There is a requirement to spend at least 7 full days in the UK before giving notice of marriage.
- Intent to Leave: You must demonstrate that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit.
- Conversion to Spouse Visa: It’s not possible to switch to a Spouse Visa or extend the stay beyond 6 months while in the UK on a Marriage Visitor Visa.
UK Spouse Visa:
- Purpose: The UK Spouse Visa is intended for individuals who are married to or in a civil partnership with a person who is already settled in the UK (a British citizen or a person with settled status).
- Duration: Initially granted for 30 months, with the possibility of extending it for another 30 months.
- Residency Requirement: There is no specific residency requirement before applying for a Spouse Visa.
- Intent to Leave: You need to demonstrate a genuine intention to live permanently with your spouse in the UK.
- Eligibility Criteria: There are specific financial and relationship requirements that must be met, including proving a genuine and subsisting relationship.
In summary, the Marriage Visitor Visa is for individuals who want to get married in the UK but do not intend to settle permanently, while the UK Spouse Visa is for individuals who are already married to a British citizen or a settled person in the UK and wish to join them in the country for a long-term basis.
The UK Marriage Visitor Visa and the UK Fiancé Visa are two different types of visas with distinct purposes and eligibility criteria. Here’s a breakdown of the differences:
UK Marriage Visitor Visa:
- Purpose: The Marriage Visitor Visa is designed for individuals who want to come to the UK to get married or enter a civil partnership.
- Eligibility: You must intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit, be free to marry or enter into a civil partnership and have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay.
- Duration: It allows a stay of up to 6 months in the UK.
- Residency Requirement: There is a requirement to spend at least 7 full days in the UK before giving notice of marriage.
- Conversion to Spouse Visa: It’s not possible to switch to a Spouse Visa or extend the stay beyond 6 months while in the UK on a Marriage Visitor Visa.
UK Fiancé Visa:
- Purpose: The UK Fiancé Visa is intended for individuals who are engaged to be married to a UK citizen or a person with settled status in the UK.
- Eligibility: You must have a genuine intention to marry within 6 months, prove a genuine and subsisting relationship, meet the financial threshold, and provide suitable accommodation.
- Duration: The initial visa is granted for 6 months, during which you must marry your UK partner.
- Conversion to UK Spouse Visa: After getting married in the UK, you can apply to switch to a Spouse Visa from within the UK. The Spouse Visa allows you to live and work in the UK for an initial period of 30 months.
In summary, the UK Marriage Visitor Visa is for individuals who want to get married in the UK and then leave, while the Fiancé Visa is for individuals who are engaged to a UK citizen or a person with settled status and plan to get married within the UK. The Fiancé Visa allows for a subsequent switch to a Spouse Visa after the marriage takes place.