UK marriage visit visa

The UK Marriage Visit visa caters for those individuals whom wish to get married or register a civil partnership in the UK with a person who is not settled in the UK. For example, the fiance of a person who has limited leave to remain in the UK. This visa should not be confused with the UK Fiance visa.

Marriage Visit visas are only granted for a maximum of six months, after which you are required to leave the UK. Therefore if you intend to remain in the UK after you marry or form a civil partnership, you will need to apply for entry clearance as a fiance prior to entering the UK.

Entry clearance as a visitor for marriage

To qualify for entry clearance to the UK as a visitor for the purpose of marriage you must meet the standard UK visitor entry requirements:

  • You are genuinely seeking entry as a visitor for up to six months
  • You intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit
  • You do not intend to take up employment in the UK
  • You have sufficient money to support and accommodate yourself without recourse to public funds or taking employment
  • You can meet the cost of a return or onward journey.

Furthermore you must also show that:

  • You are free to marry
  • You intend to marry during your visit to the UK
  • You can be supported without working or having recourse to public funds during your visit
  • You intend to depart the UK before the expiry date of your visa.

Marriage visit visa - notice to marry

If you are a non EEA national and you wish to get married in the UK, you are required to give notice of your intention to marry to a registrar at a designated register office in the UK. Details of your local register office can be found at The General Register Office website.

If you are already in the UK on a visa that provides you with a long stay capacity (such as a work permit) and you wish to marry in the UK, you will need to apply to the Home Office for a certificate of approval. Certificates will only be granted to applicants who had leave given to them initial for more than 6 months with over six months valid leave to enter and who have three months or more leave remaining.

However, if you are visiting the UK for the purpose of marriage (on a UK Marriage Visit visa) and you have been granted entry clearance in this capacity, you will not be required to apply for the certificate of approval, as the entry clearance will act in lieu of the certificate.

UK marriage visit visa - additional information

Entry clearance

If you are seeking to enter the UK on the basis of your marriage to a UK national you are required to apply for entry clearance before you enter the UK.

If you are applying from inside the UK for leave to remain on the basis of your marriage to a UK citizen, you must have leave to remain in the UK on a visa that is valid for six months at the time the application is made. Please note that you cannot switch into the marriage visa category if you are already in the UK and were initially admitted to the UK for a period of less than six months, for example, as a visitor or a short-term student.


Notice to marry

If you are subject to immigration control and you wish to get married in the UK, you are required to give notice of your intention to marry to a registrar at a designated register office in the UK. Details of your local register office can be found at The General Register Office website.

Dependants

If you and your spouse have children who are under 18 years of age they are allowed to enter the UK as your dependants. You should make an application for your dependants at the same time that you make your UK marriage visa application.