Welcome to our comprehensive guide on the UK Marriage Visa. We hope you find this free resource helpful and informative. If you have any additional questions or need any assistance with an application, please contact us at First Migration.
A UK Marriage visa is officially known as a UK Marriage Visitor visa. It’s a particular type of visa that allows the holder (or holders) to legally get married or register a civil partnership within the United Kingdom. An example of who this would apply to is two American citizens who plan to have their dream wedding in a Scottish castle. As neither holds British citizenship, residency, or permanent immigration status in the UK, they would need to obtain a UK Marriage visa to marry in the UK lawfully. The visa allows you to visit the UK for up to 6 months.
If you intend to marry a British citizen or someone with settled status in the UK, a UK Marriage visa might not be appropriate for you. Instead, you might need to apply for a Fiancé or Spouse visa. See the section titled ‘Is a UK Marriage Visa the Right Visa for Me?’ for further details.
The eligibility criteria for a UK Marriage visa is relatively straightforward. Each applicant needs to substantiate the following:
Providing the above criteria can be met, you should be successful in any application for a UK Marriage visa.
There are some very clear criteria around what you can and can’t do under a UK Marriage visa. It’s essential to be aware of these criteria and not break them, as this would breach the UK’s immigration rules. Breaching the UK’s immigration rules can lead to a ban and difficulty in obtaining visas in the future.
Under a UK Marriage Visor visa, you have the option to:
However, you are not allowed to:
A UK Marriage visa is likely to be the right option for you if you plan to:
The UK Marriage Visitor visa won’t be the right option for you if you are:
If you intend to reside in the UK after your marriage or civil partnership ceremony, consider applying for a Fiancé or Spouse visa. A Fiancé visa allows you to come to the UK, marry a British citizen or someone with settled status, and then apply for a Spouse visa. On the other hand, a Spouse visa can only be issued once you are legally married or have entered into a Civil Partnership. A Spouse visa allows you to hold long-term residence in the UK, and live with your partner. A Spouse visa is also a route towards Indefinite Leave to Remain.
You must provide a passport or travel document as part of your application. Your passport must remain valid throughout your entire stay in the UK and have an available page for visa issuance.
To support your application, you should also present the following:
If you have had a prior marriage or civil partnership, you must substantiate your eligibility to marry or enter a civil partnership again. Documents to prove this may include:
It’s crucial to provide the correct documents for your visa application to remove any ambiguity or uncertainty the caseworker may have. Addressing any issues head-on is a far better approach than hoping they go unnoticed, as the checks conducted by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) are comprehensive.
There are a few other important details you need to know about the UK Marriage Visitor visa:
If you still have questions or want expert advice on the best option for your circumstances, please get in touch. We offer all clients a free initial consultation with a qualified and experienced immigration consultant.
