The UK marriage visa, which is also known as the Spouse Visa in the United Kingdom, allows individuals to join their British or settled partner in the UK legally, without the need of going through the immigration stress, among others.
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To be eligible for the UK marriage visa, the applicant must be able to show that their marriage is genuine and subsisting relationship, meet financial requirements, and demonstrate proficiency in English.
Take note that this visa typically grants leave to remain for 30 months, with an option to extend for another 30 months. However, after residing in the UK for five years via the Marriage Visa, applicants can apply for indefinite leave to remain, paving the way for permanent residency within the country.
Before applying for this marriage/spouse Visa, I recommend that you strictly adhere to the guidelines provide throughout the application process. Seeking legal advice and careful preparation enhance the chances of a successful application if necessary. However, we covered every basic we can think of, in this article.
You must apply for a Marriage Visitor visa if:
- you want to get married or register a civil partnership who is already residing in the UK.
- you want to give notice of a marriage or civil partnership in UK.
- If you’re already a citizen but you’re not planning to stay or settle in the UK after your marriage or civil partnership.
- you meet the other eligibility requirements/eligibility qualities approved by the Law.
Important Note: I think it is 100% crucial to know that you do not need a Marriage Visitor visa to convert your civil partnership into a marriage, all you need to do, is simply apply for a Standard Visitor visa.
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Also take note that you also do not need a Marriage Visitor visa if any of the following listed below is true:
- you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
- you have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, and have not got a decision yet.
- you’re an Irish citizen.
It is likewise, crucial to know here that you cannot apply if you qualify for British citizenship – including if you can have dual nationality. If you are qualified to have a British Citizenship, then it is mandatory that you must rather apply for British citizenship instead.
What you Can and Cannot Do When Applying for UK Marriage Visa.
You can:
- marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months of your arrival, you must use a venue licensed for this purpose.
- Likewise, it is acceptable that you pass through the UK in transit (on your way to another country)
But these are the “You Cannot” When applying for a Marriage visa in the UK:
- get public funds (benefits)
- bring in family members (‘dependants’), they must apply separately for their own Visa.
- live in the UK for extended periods through frequent visits.
- extend your visa or switch to another visa.
- work – except for permitted activities related to your work or business overseas, such as attending meetings
- study.
How Long You Can Stay with the Marriage Visa?
Spouse holding the marriage visa are allowed to use this visa to visit the UK for up to 6 months. It has a validity period of 6 months (180 days).
When to Apply?
If you have a spouse already in the UK and want to visit him/her/them, the UK government has made it mandatory that you apply for a Marriage Visitor visa before you come to the UK if you need one.
You’ll also need to go to an appointment at a visa application center. You may have to travel to get to your nearest center, which is likely in your country’s capital. Only a few country have the UK Visa application center in another country.,
At the center you will be required to do the following as listed below:
- have your fingerprints and photo (bio-metric information) taken.
- need to take your passport with you (Note that you’ll be able to collect the passport on the same day).
However, the visa application center staff will notify you if they will be keeping any of your other documents when you apply. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.
However, I advise and recommend you apply earlier.
How long it Takes to Approve Marriage Visa.
Once you’ve applied online via the official Portal, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks or less, depending on how busy the center is and their workloads.
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.
If you’re eligible to apply for this Marriage visa, you can choose the ‘priority service’ when you apply. You’ll need to pay an extra £500 to the application fee.
This will hasten the process, and you’ll get a decision within 5 working days. If you want a supersonic fast reply, which is called the ‘super priority service’, you’ll need to pay £1,000 in addition to the application fee. You’ll get replied within 24 – 48hrs.
UK Marriage Visa Application Fees.
You will be charged and must pay the application fee of £127 before you can commence your registration.
Qualification Process.
You must prove the following, to ensure that you are eligible to apply, and this will guarantee whether your application is successful or rejected:
- you’re 18 or over.
- you’re free to give notice of marriage, to marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months of your arrival.
- you’re in a genuine relationship.
- you’re visiting the UK for less than 6 months.
- you’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit.
- you’ll not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home.
- you’re able to support yourself during your trip (or have funding from someone else to support you).
- you’re able to pay for your return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else to pay for the journey).
- you have proof of any other activities you want to do in the UK, as allowed by the Visitor Rules.
Documents Required for UK Marriage Visa.
You must provide a passport or travel document. Note that this document should be valid for the whole of your stay in the UK.
You can supply the following documentsto support your application:
- details of the marriage or civil partnership and proof that you’ve paid money for some of its costs.
- You can also provide proof that you’re planning to get married in the UK, for example a booking confirmation or emails between you and the venue.
You’ll need to provide a certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh Language.
If you’ve Been Married Before, Do this Before Applying.
You’ll need to show proof that you’re free to re-marry or enter into a civil partnership again, for example, you’ll need to provide either a:
- decree absolute.
- death certificate of a previous partner.
You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances that made you want to remarry.
For Anyone Applying from outside the UK.
If you need a visa, you must apply online before you travel to the UK.
Check what documents you’re required to submit when applying.
You must provide a passport or travel document. Note that the document, either Passport or Travel document should be valid for the whole of your stay in the UK.
You can supply the following to support your application:
- details of the marriage or civil partnership and proof that you’ve paid money for some of its costs
- proof that you’re planning to get married in the UK, for example a booking confirmation or emails between you and the venue
Crucial Details: Note that you’ll need to provide a certified translation of any documents if your documents are not in English Language or Welsh.
What to Do If you’ve been Married Before.
You’ll need to show proof that you’re free to marry or enter into a civil partnership again. for example you’ll need to provide any of the following:
- decree absolute.
- death certificate of a previous partner.
You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.
Proving your identity and providing supporting documents
As part of your application, you’ll need to go to an appointment at a visa application centre. You may have to travel to get to your nearest centre – it could be in another country.
At the centre you will:
- have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken
- need to take your passport with you – you’ll be able to collect it on the day
You’ll be told if the visa application centre will keep any of your other documents when you apply.
Apply for a Marriage Visitor visa
Once you’ve started your application you can save your form and complete it later. CLICK HERE to commence your Registration.