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If you intend to relocate to the UK to begin a new life with your UK-based partner, you could be eligible for a Marriage Visitor Visa. The Marriage Visitor Visa is designed to enable non UK nationals to enter the UK to marry/enter into a civil partnership with their UK-based partner, and to begin a new life here.
You must apply for a Marriage Visitor visa if:
- you want to get married or register a civil partnership in the UK
- you want to give notice of a marriage or civil partnership in UK
- you’re not planning to stay or settle in the UK after your marriage or civil partnership
- you meet the other eligibility requirements
You must provide a passport or travel document. Your passport should be valid for the whole of your stay in the UK and contain a blank page for your visa.
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
See the full list of documents you can provide to prove your eligibility.
You’ll need to provide a certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.
Eligibility
You must prove that:
- 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
What you can and cannot do
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
- pass through the UK in transit (on your way to another country)
You cannot:
- get public funds (benefits)
- bring in family members (‘dependants’) – they must apply separately
- 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
FAQs:
You cannot apply if you qualify for British citizenship – including if you can have dual nationality. You must apply for British citizenship instead.
You will not need a Marriage Visitor visa if you come to the UK on or before 30 June 2021.
If you come to the UK from 1 July 2021 you’ll need to apply for a visa, unless one of the following applies:
- you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
- you have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, and you have not got a decision yet
- you’re an Irish citizen
Read the guidance for more information about what you can and cannot do with a Marriage Visitor visa.
You can use this visa to visit the UK for up to 6 months.
You’ll need to show proof that you’re free to marry or enter into a civil partnership again, for example a:
- decree absolute
- death certificate of a previous partner
Your partner must apply for their own Marriage Visitor visa and pay the fee if you both need one. Your child will need to apply as a standard visitor if they need a visa.
You can apply on behalf of your partner and child, if they cannot apply for themselves.
Contact White Horse Solicitors & Notary Public for expert advice by experienced professionals on all areas of Immigration law. The many conditions and immigration requirements that must be met are handled by White Horse Solicitors and Notary Public with excellent professionalism, reliable conduct and integrity. We will ensure that our advice focuses on your personal circumstances and will always aim to achieve brilliant results for our clients.
White Horse Solicitors & Notary Public is well placed and highly qualified in providing professional advice and assistance on making an application for a Marriage Visitor Visa. We recommend getting in contact with us on 020 7118 1778 for our specialist and professional advice on such an application before any action is taken.
The information contained on this page is sourced from UK Visas and Immigration and is subject to change. White Horse Solicitors & Notary Public makes every effort to keep this information current, however prices and information cannot be guaranteed and should always be checked on www.gov.uk.
