The Fiancé visa is for engaged partners of British citizens or permanent residents of the United Kingdom who wish to travel to the United Kingdom with the intention of marrying within six months of arrival. This category is only open to applicants who are not British citizens.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A FIANCÉ’S VISA

Both the applicant and their partner must be over the age of eighteen and meet the following requirements to be eligible for a Fiancé visa: The spouse or civil partner must be a UK citizen or have a permanent residence in the UK. Both have met in person, are legally married, and are engaged in a genuine and long-term relationship. Within six months of our arrival in the United Kingdom, we intend to marry. Complies with financial requirements and will be able to support themselves adequately without relying on public funds in the United Kingdom. They intend to cohabitate indefinitely and have access to suitable housing. Attain at least CEFR level A1 proficiency in English (Cambridge English Language Assessment). As explained here, the amount of money that must be raised varies according to the number of financial dependents applying concurrently.

A minimum annual income of £18,600 is required for a partner application, with an additional £3800 for the first child and £2400 for each subsequent child. The additional income requirement will apply only to children who are not British citizens or who have not established a permanent residence in the United Kingdom. Financial obligations can be met in a variety of ways, including salary or non-salaried income, company salary or dividends, self-employment income, rental income, pension income, or income from any investments, to name a few. Additionally, cash savings that have been held for more than six months and total more than £16,000 may be used to partially or completely meet the financial requirement.

Applicants may also combine a variety of different sources of income and/ or savings in order to meet the financial requirement. This is an area where applicants must exercise extreme caution, as failure to provide the correct specified documents to demonstrate income remains one of the most frequently cited reasons for refusal under this route of application.

EXTENSION AND SETTLEMENT

Applicants who submit an application are typically granted a six-month initial entry period. After the wedding, applicants will be able to apply for a spouse visa in the United Kingdom. After a spouse visa application is approved, the couple is typically granted 30 months of leave, which is renewable for an additional 30 months if the requirements are met continuously, and the couple can apply for permanent residence after five years if the requirements are met. Additionally, if leave is granted on the basis of human rights or for any reason other than meeting the requirements, applicants will be able to settle in the United Kingdom only after ten years of residence. If the spouse of a British citizen meets all other criteria, they may apply for British citizenship immediately upon settling in the country where the spouse resides. In the United Kingdom, holders of a fiancé visa are not permitted to work. In the United Kingdom, holders of a Spouse or Civil Partner visa have the full right to work, study, and engage in business activities.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: WHAT IF I CAN’T MARRY IN THE UK WITHIN 6 MONTHS?

A: The applicant may apply for a 6-month extension if there is good cause for not marrying before the initial leave expires. There is no universally accepted definition of ‘good reason’. Applicants in similar situations should seek legal advice before filing for an extension.

Q: CAN I MARRY IN THE UK WITHOUT?

A: MARRIAGE VISITOR VISA? A: Applicants can apply for a Marriage visitor visa instead of a Fiancé visa to marry in the UK. After marriage, they cannot switch to a spouse visa within the UK and must apply from abroad. Those without a British or settled partner usually apply for a marriage visitor visa.

Q: How do you show intent to marry in 6 months?

A: The applicant and sponsor may provide evidence of wedding planning such as contacting the local council to provide notice of marriage, confirmation of the wedding venue, etc.

Q: CAN I BRING DEPENDENTS ON THIS VISA?

A: Children under the age of 18 may enter the UK as dependants only in exceptional circumstances and if it can be proven that their absence would cause serious issues. Unless there is a compelling reason, it is best to apply for the children after the marriage.

Q: MUST I GET PERMISSION TO MARRY IN THE UK?

A:To marry in the UK, couples must notify the marriage registrar at least 29 days before the proposed wedding date. The Registrar should not have to refer Fiancé visa holders to the Home Office as they are exempt from this requirement.