Marriage Visitor Visa
With a marriage visitor visa, one can marry or enter a civil partnership within the United Kingdom.
If you need assistance with marriage visitor visas, prenuptial agreements, or any other issue concerning the United Kingdom, do not hesitate to contact one of our legal consultants at +442080162308 or through our website.
UK Marriage Visitor Visa
Britain’s Marriage Visit Visa falls under the specific category of Standard Visitor Visas. It encompasses various activities such as attending a marriage or civil partnership ceremony, or notifying the authorities of one’s engagement.
A marriage visit visa is generally valid for six months. After your visa expires, you cannot stay or live in the United Kingdom.
Suppose any of the following conditions apply to you. In that case, there’s no need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa to get married or enter a civil partnership within the United Kingdom:
- Under the EU Settlement Scheme, you are a settled or pre-settled person.
- You are now waiting to receive the outcome for your application to the EU Settlement Scheme.
- Your nationality is Irish.
- You may apply for British citizenship.
To qualify for a marriage visitor visa to the UK, you must:
- Any person who is legally a permitted participant and 18 years of age or older may give a marriage notice.
- In contrast, a person in a legally contracted relationship may marry or form a civil partnership in the United Kingdom, including six months after their arrival.
- This will not be possible for those intending to temporarily leave the country within six months before their visa expiry.
- Not seeking to take up permanent residence via sustained travel during this journey.
- You do not intend to make the United Kingdom your main home. Still, you must be able to conditionally support yourself without work-related activities while travelling (someone else can provide this sponsorship, as explained).
- Which are sufficient for the cost of your trip, backward or forward.
You can apply for a Marriage Visitor Visa beforehand if you meet the requirements. Remember to submit your application online to the UK Home Office at least three months before your intended travel date.
Application processing steps must be followed during the appointment, and these are available at the visa application centers closer to your area. It is essential to bring the needed documents and answer questions raised during the visit. In this case, provide details of your fiancé(e), your intended civil partner, and other possible plans.
To apply at the visa application center, you must capture your image and fingerprints, known as your biometric data.
The application center has rightfully consented that your passport may be kept in their custody until the process has been finalized, which entails holding onto it until the procedure is concluded.
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A Marriage Visitor Visa application requires many pieces of evidence to show that the applicant is eligible, such as (but not limited to) the following:
You must hold a recent passport with at least one blank visa page, which does not expire before or during your entire UK trip. You might also need to submit other passports to show your travel history. Ensure you apply for the visa online. Be attentive while filling it out, as mistakes can result in processing delays or application rejection.
You will need documents showing your intention to marry in the UK or enter a civil partnership. Such documents include official confirmation from the register office or venue, correspondence outlining the event, and a receipt for the ceremony payment. These documents help to affirm the genuine reason for your visit.
You need to verify that you can financially support yourself in the UK. Acceptable documents include recent pay slips, a letter from the employer, or bank statements for the last six months. Should an individual sponsor your trip, you must include a letter of financial support alongside this document. Additionally, documents relating to accommodation, such as hotels or a letter from your host, should also be included.
To mitigate any concerns an immigration officer may have regarding your intention to leave the UK, you must show strong ties to your home country. Acceptable evidence includes a job contract, family obligations, or proof of property ownership. These documents support the argument that the individual has incentives to return home.
You must provide evidence of the relationship with your fiancé(e), including photographs, letters, and statements from friends and family. If you come from a country that mandates tuberculosis (TB) testing, a valid TB test certificate from a UK Home Office authorized clinic must be submitted. This also should have been done within the past six months.
You must provide information regarding your travel back to demonstrate that you will leave the UK after the visit. This can be a return ticket or a detailed plan of the visit. In some situations, other materials, like marriage or divorce documents, references, or other supporting documents, could be necessary. Our specialists can assist you with any additional requirements for your unique situation.
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The choice of visa type is essential and needs to be precise for a foreign national intending to get married or enter into a civil partnership in the UK. For this purpose, the standard options are the Marriage Visitor Visa and the Fiancé Visa, offering distinct functionalities.
A Marriage Visitor Visa is for people who want to get married or register a civil partnership in the UK but do not intend to live there afterwards. This visa suits couples who wish to have their wedding in the UK but plan to return to their country or elsewhere after the wedding.
- You are expected to exit the United Kingdom post-marriage or civil partnership.
- The visa is usually valid for a maximum of 6 months.
- You cannot change from one visa category to another in the UK.
The UK Fiancé Visa is designed for people who want to marry a British citizen or someone with Indefinite Leave to Remain or EU Settled Status and remain in the UK afterwards on a Spouse Visa.
To qualify for a Fiancé Visa, applicants must:
- Be 18 years or older
- Plan for a marriage after entering the UK within 6 months
- Provide evidence that any past marriages or civil partnerships have legally concluded
- Show a combined income of 29,000 pounds or more
- Have a bank statement that shows their expenses are reasonable
- Fulfill the English requirement (Cambridge English A1, or CEFR Level A1)
You can switch to a Spouse Visa after you marry and are already in the UK, allowing you to begin permanent settlement.
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Once your application for a Marriage Visitor visa is processed, we will notify you via email or postal mail about the decision on your application—whether it has been approved or denied.
Throughout the application process, you may confirm your identity using the app or obtain a sticker (vignette) that illustrates passport immigration completion. You can also check your immigration status online.
The documents provided should contain details about your visa, including the type of visa, the date given, and other limitations.
A rejection letter or email will detail pertinent information about the reasoning and steps behind the decision.
Moreover, if you believe your visa denial was unjust, this letter explains the grounds for administrative reconsideration or appeal against the immigration decision.
For more information on how to appeal or what steps to take, speak with an immigration advisor at +442080162308 or fill out an online form.
Once you’ve filled out the online application form, verified your identity, and uploaded the required documents, the Marriage Visitor Visa processing takes an average of three weeks. It’s subject to change based on the Home Office’s workload or if any additional checks are required.
While there is a standard application fee, it’s best to check the UK government’s upcoming announcements to ensure the cost hasn’t changed. If you decide to withdraw your application before it is processed, you may get a refund, depending on the application status.
Important Reminder:
To ensure your ceremony is scheduled correctly, contact a UK register office at least 28 days before your intended travel date.
For up-to-date and correct timelines and fees, always refer to UKVI official guidance; otherwise, speaking to an immigration advisor will offer personalized assistance.
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Need Help with Your UK Marriage Visitor Visa Application?
Our professional immigration solicitors work tirelessly for clients trying to navigate the ever-changing and ticking clock of the UK immigration visa system. Suppose you are planning on visiting the UK for the purposes of marrying or entering a civil partnership. In that case, the legal experts on our team will help ensure your application for the Marriage Visitor Visa complies with all specifications set by the Home Office. We appreciate the significance of milestones such as these and understand how difficult delays and errors can make things. This is why we pull out all the stops to ensure that your plans proceed smoothly without any complications.
UK Solicitors have gained our trust, and that’s because we guide clients in every step of the visa application process, including walkthroughs for documents, queries to the Home Office, and more. We have covered everything from receiving the photos to the final application submission. Whether you are stuck in the I don’t know if I’m eligible phase, gathering the evidence, or trusting that everything is managed by a professional, Davidson Morris is here to help. For guidance with the Marriage Visitor Visa or any other UK immigration issue, please contact us as soon as possible.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a UK Marriage Visitor Visa?
A UK Marriage Visitor Visa enables a person to travel to the UK to get married or enter into a civil partnership. This is a temporary visa that does not allow the applicant to have indefinite leave to remain.
Who is exempt from applying for a Marriage Visitor Visa?
You do not need to apply for this visa if you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, are awaiting a decision regarding your application for an EU Settlement Scheme, hold Irish nationality, or are eligible to be issued British citizenship.
What are the eligibility criteria for a Marriage Visitor Visa?
For this visa, a person has to be over 18 years of age. They need to be legally able to marry or enter a civil partnership in the UK within a six-month window. There should be no plans to settle in the UK after the ceremony. Furthermore, the individual needs to be able to support themselves financially without needing to work during their stay in the UK.
What are the required documents for the Marriage Visitor Visa?
Submission of a valid passport, proof of their intention to marry, financial proof, accommodation information, evidence of ties to their home country, TB test results (if necessary), confirmation of the relationship, and return travel information.
How can I apply for a UK Marriage Visitor Visa, and when should I do it?
You must apply using the UK Home Office’s online portal and book an appointment at a visa application center. At least three months before the intended travel date is when the application should be made. Biometric data capture alongside required documentation will be done during the appointment.
How much does it cost to acquire a UK Marriage Visitor Visa?
The fee for the marriage visitor visa costs £127. Refunds may be available if the application is annulled before processing under certain conditions.
How long will it take to decide on a Marriage Visitor Visa?
It averages around 3 weeks after submission of identity verification and necessary documentation for online requests. Processing times depend on the Home Office’s workload.
What steps can I take after my Marriage Visitor Visa application is turned down?
You will get a letter or email detailing your denial when your application is denied. This correspondence will also inform you of your eligibility for administrative review or appeal, along with the following actions to take.
