Overview of the UK Marriage Visitor Visa and Fiancé Visa
If you plan to marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK, the visa you need depends on your circumstances and future plans.
There are two main options for couples wishing to marry in the UK:
• the UK Marriage Visitor Visa, and
• the Fiancé Visa.
Both allow you to legally marry or form a civil partnership in the UK, but they serve different purposes.
The UK Marriage Visitor Visa is ideal if you only intend to visit for your ceremony and then return home. It’s a short-term visa and doesn’t allow you to stay or switch routes after your wedding.
The Fiancé Visa is for those who plan to settle in the UK after marriage. It lets you enter the UK, marry within six months, and then apply for a Spouse Visa without leaving the country.
Choosing the correct route from the start helps you avoid delays, refusals, or reapplications later in your immigration journey.
Requirements for a Marriage or Civil Partner Visitor Visa
To qualify for a Marriage or Civil Partner Visitor visa, you must meet the following requirements:
• You are at least 18 years old.
• You intend to give notice of marriage or civil partnership, or to marry/form a civil partnership in the UK within six months of arrival.
• You are in a genuine relationship and not entering a sham marriage.
• You are genuinely seeking to visit the UK for a permitted purpose.
• You have sufficient funds to cover travel, accommodation, and other expenses without working or using public funds.
• You intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit.
• You do not plan to live in the UK through frequent or extended visits.
• You meet all general suitability requirements for UK visa applicants.
This visa is valid for up to six months and cannot be extended or switched into another category from within the UK.
Requirements for a Fiancé Visa
The Fiancé visa is designed for individuals who plan to marry and then settle permanently in the UK. To qualify, you must show that:
• Your partner is a British or Irish citizen, is settled in the UK (holding indefinite leave to remain or permanent residence), has pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or holds refugee or humanitarian protection.
• You are both over 18 years old.
• You have met in person and are in a genuine, ongoing relationship.
• You intend to marry within six months of arrival in the UK.
• Any previous relationships have ended permanently.
• You intend to live together permanently in the UK after marriage.
• You can be financially maintained without relying on public funds.
• There is suitable accommodation available for both of you.
• You meet the required English language level.
Once married, you can apply to switch to a Spouse visa from within the UK.
Key Differences Between the Two Visa Routes
The main difference lies in your long-term intentions:
• The Marriage Visitor visa is for short visits only — you must leave the UK after your wedding.
• The Fiancé visa is for those who plan to stay and settle in the UK with their partner after marriage.
If you get married on a Marriage Visitor visa, you cannot remain in the UK to apply for a Spouse visa. You must leave and apply from outside the UK.
In contrast, the Fiancé visa allows you to stay in the UK and transition directly into the Spouse visa route after marriage.
Applying for a Spouse Visa from Within the UK
If you entered the UK on a Marriage Visitor visa, you are not allowed to apply for a Spouse visa from within the UK. You must return to your home country and submit a new application.
However, if you entered on a Fiancé visa, you can apply to remain as a spouse once you are legally married, provided you apply before your Fiancé visa expires.
Applicants already in the UK under another valid visa (for example, student or skilled worker routes) may also be able to switch into the Spouse route, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
Financial Requirements
For the Marriage Visitor visa, you must demonstrate that you can fund your trip, accommodation, and return travel without using public funds.
For the Fiancé visa, you must meet the Home Office’s minimum financial requirement — typically £18,600 per year (higher if dependent children are involved) — and show that you and your partner will be adequately maintained and housed in the UK.
Visa Fees
Here are the current Home Office application fees (as of October 2025):
| Visa Type | Application Fee | Notes |
| Marriage Visitor Visa | £125 | Valid up to 6 months, no IHS fee |
| Fiancé Visa | £1,938 | Valid for 6 months, switch to Spouse Visa after marriage |
| Spouse Visa (from within UK) | £1,321 + £1,035/year IHS | Apply after marriage while in UK |
| Spouse Visa (from outside UK) | £1,938 + IHS | Apply after leaving UK if married under a visitor visa |
These are the latest fees as per the Home Office update, effective from April 2024. Fees are subject to change, and additional costs may apply for priority services or dependents.
Getting Married or Forming a Civil Partnership in the UK
Once you have the correct visa, you can give notice at a designated register office in the area where you plan to marry. This involves providing identification, confirming your immigration status, and setting a wedding date at least 29 days after giving notice.
It’s crucial to ensure that your ceremony takes place before your visa expires — whether you’re entering on a Marriage Visitor or Fiancé visa.
How LawSentis Can Help
At LawSentis, we specialise in guiding couples through every stage of the UK marriage and family visa process. Whether you’re planning a short visit to marry in the UK or preparing to settle here with your partner, our team provides expert advice, tailored application support, and complete document preparation.
We ensure your application is accurate, compliant, and supported by the right evidence to maximise your chances of success.
Contact LawSentis today to book a consultation and receive professional guidance on the right visa route for your relationship and future in the UK.