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Fiance Visas – An Overview

A UK fiance visa, sometimes referred to as a prospective marriage visa, is a type of visa that allows non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationals to enter the United Kingdom to marry their British partner (the sponsor). It’s a visa that’s issued for a period of six months, which can then be extended into a spouse visa after the marriage has taken place. The rights and requirements of a fiance visa shouldn’t be confused with those of the spouse visa, which allow you to work, study and live within the UK.

To be eligible for a UK fiance visa, the applicant must provide evidence of their intention to marry their British partner within six months of entering the UK. They must also demonstrate that they are in a genuine relationship with their partner and have met each other in person. In addition to these relationship requirements, the applicants must meet the financial and accommodation requirements set by the UK government. This includes providing evidence of their sponsors ability to support themselves and their partner without recourse to public funds.

If the visa is granted, the applicant is allowed to enter the UK for a period of six months to marry their partner. Once married, they can then apply for a spouse visa, which will allow them to stay in the UK for a longer period of time and can eventually lead to permanent residence and indefinite leave to remain.

The UK fiance visa is a useful option for many couples, however your own personal circumstances will dictate if this is the correct visa for you. Over the course of this guide, we’ve sought to provide as much information as possible to help you make an informed decision. However, it is important to note that the application and the process are complex, so you might want to consider getting expert advice on your specific situation.

UK Fiance Visa Eligibility

There are 8 major requirements that applicants will need to meet to be eligible for a UK fiance visa. These requirements are as follows:

  • Age: The applicant must be over the age of 18.
  • Relationship: The applicant must be engaged to be married or have agreed to enter into a civil partnership with a British citizen or a person who is settled in the UK.
  • Intention to marry: The applicant must provide evidence that they intend to marry within six months of arriving in the UK and that they have made the necessary arrangements for their wedding.
  • Financial requirements: The applicants sponsor must meet the financial requirements, which includes showing that the UK sponsor earns a minimum income of £18,600 per year or has sufficient savings to support the applicant. Additional income and savings are required for any additional dependents.
  • Accommodation: The applicant and sponsor must have suitable accommodation in the UK for themselves and any dependents without recourse to public funds.
  • English language: The applicant must pass an English language test with an approved provider to demonstrate their ability to speak and understand English.
  • Health: Some applicants may need to provide medical documentation.
  • Character: All applicants must meet the character requirements set by the UK government.

Each of these requirements will vary based on your individual circumstances, such as your nationality, country of residence and whether there are any dependents. There may also be additional requirements and complexities depending on the information your provide.

We take a look at some of the more complex requirements in further detail below.

UK Fiance Visa Proof of Relationship and Intention to Marry

To be granted a UK fiance visa, the applicant must demonstrate their genuine intention to marry their partner within six months of arriving in the UK. The requirements for demonstrating this intention include a past and present view of the relationship. Therefore you will need to provide:

  • Proof of a genuine relationship: The applicant must provide evidence that they are in a genuine and subsisting relationship with their UK partner. This can include photographs, travel itineraries, communication records, and other relevant documents.
  • Confirmation of an impending marriage: The applicant must provide evidence that they and their partner have made appropriate plans to get married in the UK within six months of the applicant’s arrival. This can include a letter from the registrar confirming the date and location of the wedding, or other relevant documents.

UK Fiance Visa Financial Requirements

To obtain a UK fiance visa, both the applicant and their UK partner must meet certain financial requirements. Specifically, they must demonstrate that they can support themselves financially without relying on public funds. This is assessed by seeing whether the UK sponsor earns a sufficient amount of income, or whether the couple have adequate savings to support themselves. Applicants must meet one of the three current financial requirements to qualify:

    1. Income threshold: The UK partner must have a gross annual income of at least £18,600 or more. If the partner has dependents, such as children, the income threshold will be higher.
    2. Savings: If the UK partner does not meet the income threshold, they may be able to rely on cash savings to meet the financial requirement. The savings must amount to at least £62,500 or more and have been held in the UK for at least six months.
    3. Combination of income and savings: If the UK partner does not meet the income threshold but has some savings, they may be able to combine their income and savings to meet the financial requirement.
    4. Sponsorship from a third party: If the applicant or their partner does not meet the financial requirements, they may be able to obtain sponsorship from a third party, such as a family member or friend.

UK Fiance Visa Accommodation Requirement

To obtain a UK fiance visa, the applicant and their UK partner must demonstrate that they have adequate accommodation in the UK that they intend to live in together. The requirements for suitable accommodation typically include:

  1. A place to live: The applicant and their partner must have a place to live in the UK that is suitable for them as a couple. This can be a rented or owned property, or it can be with family or friends.
  2. Adequate space: The accommodation must be large enough to accommodate both the applicant and their partner without overcrowding.
  3. Safe and habitable: The accommodation must be safe, habitable, and not pose a risk to the health and safety of the occupants.
  4. Documentation: The applicant and their partner must provide documentation to demonstrate that they have suitable accommodation. This can include a tenancy agreement or proof of ownership, as well as evidence of bills and other utilities.

UK Fiance Visa Document List

Here is a list of the necessary documents that you will typically need to provide when applying for a UK fiance visa:

  1. Valid passport: You must provide your current and valid passport or travel document, which must have at least one blank page for the visa.
  2. Proof of relationship: You will need to provide evidence to show that you and your partner are in a genuine and subsisting relationship. This may include photographs, emails or messages, travel documents, and other evidence that demonstrates that you have been in a committed relationship for at least two years.
  3. Proof of intent to marry: You will need to provide evidence to show that you intend to get married within six months of arriving in the UK. This may include a letter from a registrar or venue confirming your booking, or evidence of arrangements you have made for your wedding.
  4. Evidence of financial support: You will need to provide evidence that you and your partner can meet the financial requirement for the visa. This may include payslips, bank statements, and tax documents.
  5. Accommodation details: You will need to provide evidence of suitable accommodation for you and your partner in the UK, such as a tenancy agreement or a letter from your host.
  6. English language ability: You will need to provide evidence that you meet the English language requirement for the visa. This may include a test certificate or evidence of an exemption.
  7. Tuberculosis (TB) test results: You may need to provide evidence that you have been tested for TB if you are from a country where TB is prevalent.

It’s important to note that the specific requirements and documents needed for a UK fiance visa may vary depending on the individual circumstances of the applicant and their partner. While the documents listed above meet the standard requirements, further evidence may be necessary depending on your individual circumstances.

UK Fiance Visa Application Fees

The application fees for a UK fiance visa are as follows:

  • Standard Application: £1,538 (outside of UK)
  • Subsequent spouse / civil partnership visa: £1048 (inside of UK)

It is important to note that these fees are subject to change, so it is recommended to check the official UK government website for up-to-date information. Additionally, there may be other fees associated with the application, such as the cost of a tuberculosis test or an English language test, which are not included in the application fee.

UK Fiance Visa Processing Times 

The processing times for a UK fiance visa can vary depending on a number of factors such as the volume of applications being processed, the completeness of the application, and whether additional information or documentation is required. Generally, the UK government aims to process 90% of fiance visa applications within 12 weeks of submission. However, currently some applications are taking up to 24 weeks to process.

There are several factors that can affect processing times. For example, if the application is incomplete or if the applicant needs to attend an interview or provide additional information, the processing time may be longer. Processing times can also fluctuate throughout the year with peak periods, such as the summer months, experiencing longer processing times due to the higher volume of applications.

Therefore, it is always recommended to submit the application as early as possible and to ensure that all the required documentation is provided with the initial submission to avoid any unnecessary delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

No two Fiance Visa applications are the same, so while it’s possible to address generic questions, we’d always recommend speaking with a specialist immigration consultant on the specifics of your application. The following questions are the most commonly asked by our customers when seeking to obtain a UK fiance visa.

Can I apply for a UK Fiance Visa inside the UK?

No, you cannot apply for a UK Fiance visa from inside the UK. The UK Fiance visa is a type of entry clearance, which means it is issued outside of the UK. You must apply from your home country or a country where you are a resident and hold a valid visa.

Once your UK Fiance visa is granted, you will be allowed to enter the UK and stay for up to six months, during which time you must get married to your partner. After getting married, you can then apply to switch to a UK Spouse visa from within the UK, provided that you meet the eligibility requirements.

Which English language exams are accepted for a UK Fiance Visa?

For a UK Fiance visa, you must demonstrate your knowledge of the English language by passing an approved English language test. The following English language tests are currently accepted for UK Fiance visa applications:

  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – Academic or General Training
  • Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) – Secure English Language Test (SELT)
  • LanguageCert International ESOL SELT – Secure English Language Test

The test must have been taken at an approved test centre, and you must achieve at least a CEFR level A1 in speaking and listening. Further details are available in our English Language Test Guide.

Is it better to get a fiance visa or a spouse visa?

Whether to apply for a fiance visa or a spouse visa depends on your individual circumstances and preferences. Here are some things to consider:

Fiance visa:

  • This visa is intended for couples who are not yet married but intend to get married in the UK within six months of arriving.
  • It allows the applicant to enter the UK for a period of six months with the intention of marrying their partner and then applying for further leave to remain as a spouse.
  • It may be a good option if you and your partner want to get married in the UK but don’t have the time to do so before you apply for a visa.

Spouse visa:

  • This visa is intended for couples who are already married or in a civil partnership.
  • It allows the applicant to enter the UK for a period of 30 months, after which they can apply for an extension for a further 30 months.
  • It may be a good option if you are already married or in a civil partnership, or if you want to avoid the extra expense and stress of getting married within a short timeframe.

It’s important to note that both fiance and spouse visas have similar requirements, including demonstrating a genuine and subsisting relationship, meeting financial requirements, and providing evidence of suitable accommodation. It’s always advisable to consult with an expert UK immigration consultant to ascertain the best visa for your circumstances.

Can I work on a fiance visa?

It’s not possible to work in the UK on a fiance visa. The sole purpose of the visa is to enable you to get married to your UK partner. However once you obtain a spouse visa, you are then able to commence work within the UK.

Does a fiance visa count towards ILR?

No, a fiance visa does not count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK.

A fiance visa is a temporary visa that allows the holder to enter the UK for a period of six months for the purpose of marrying their partner and applying for further leave to remain as a spouse. After the six-month period, the holder must either leave the UK or apply for further leave to remain as a spouse.

To qualify for ILR in the UK, an individual typically needs to have been living in the UK for a certain period of time, usually five years, on a qualifying visa, such as a spouse visa or a work visa. The specific requirements for ILR can vary depending on the type of visa and individual circumstances.

It’s important to note that although a fiance visa does not count towards ILR, it may be a stepping stone to obtaining ILR if the holder subsequently applies for and is granted a spouse visa, and then meets the requirements for ILR after living in the UK for the necessary period of time.

Where do I apply for a fiance visa?

If you are outside the UK and want to apply for a UK fiance visa, you can apply online on the UK government’s website.

Before you apply, you should ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and have all the necessary supporting documents. The application process typically involves providing personal details, information about your relationship with your partner, and evidence to demonstrate that you meet the financial, accommodation, and other requirements for the visa.

After you submit your application and pay the visa fee, you will be required to attend an appointment at a visa application centre to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) and submit your supporting documents.

Why might my UK fiance visa application be declined?

A UK fiance visa application can be declined for various reasons, including:

  1. Insufficient evidence: If the applicant does not provide enough evidence to demonstrate that they meet the eligibility requirements for the visa, such as evidence of a genuine and subsisting relationship, proof of intent to marry, or evidence of financial support.
  2. Financial requirements not met: If the applicant or their partner cannot demonstrate that they meet the financial requirement for the visa, such as the minimum income threshold or savings amount.
  3. Unsuitable accommodation: If the applicant or their partner cannot provide evidence of suitable accommodation for the couple in the UK.
  4. Immigration history: If the applicant has a previous immigration history that raises concerns about their intentions, such as a previous overstay, visa refusal, or criminal convictions.
  5. English language ability: If the applicant cannot demonstrate that they meet the English language requirement for the visa, or have not provided adequate evidence of their ability to do so.
  6. Tuberculosis (TB): If the applicant does not provide evidence of a valid TB test certificate, where required.
  7. Incorrect or incomplete application: If the application is incomplete, or contains errors or inconsistencies that raise doubts about the applicant’s credibility.

It’s important to note that the specific reasons for a UK fiance visa application being declined can vary depending on the individual circumstances of the applicant and their partner. It’s always advisable to consult with an expert UK immigration consultant to avoid unnecessary visa refusals.

How do I switch from a fiance visa to a spouse visa?

If you are in the UK on a fiance visa and wish to remain in the UK with your partner after you get married, you can switch to a spouse visa.

To switch from a fiance visa to a spouse visa, you will need to:

  1. Apply for a spouse visa: You will need to submit a new visa application for a spouse visa online or by post.
  2. Meet the eligibility requirements: You must meet all the eligibility requirements for a spouse visa, including the financial, accommodation, and English language requirements.
  3. Provide additional evidence: You will need to provide additional evidence to show that you have now married your partner, such as a marriage certificate.
  4. Submit your biometric information: You will need to attend a biometric appointment to submit your fingerprints and a photograph.
  5. Wait for a decision: The processing time for a spouse visa application can vary, but it typically takes around 8 weeks.

It’s important to note that you can only switch to a spouse visa if you have married your partner during your fiance visa period, and you must do so before your current visa expires. If you do not marry your partner within the validity period of your fiance visa, you will have to leave the UK and make a new spouse visa application from outside the country.

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