UK Marriage Visa

Overview of a UK Marriage Visa

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.

What Can I and Can’t I Do on 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:

• Engage in marriage or establish a civil partnership in the UK within six months of arrival, provided you use a licenced venue.
• Pass through the UK while in transit on your journey to another country.

However, you are not allowed to:

• Access public funds or benefits.
• Bring in family members (called ‘dependants’); they must submit separate applications.
• Reside in the UK for prolonged periods through frequent visits.
• Extend your visa or switch to a different type of visa.
• Engage in work, except for activities directly related to your work or business overseas, such as attending meetings.
• Pursue studies.

What Documents Are Required for a UK Marriage Visa?

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:

• Particulars related to your marriage or civil partnership, including evidence of payments made towards a venue and other arrangements.
• Evidence that demonstrates your intent to marry in the UK, such as a booking confirmation or correspondence between you and the proposed venue.
• Proof of funds to support yourself during your time in the UK

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:

• A decree absolute.
• A death certificate for a previous partner.

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.