Marriage Visitor Visa: Get Married in the UK

If you’re planning to visit the UK to get married or enter into a civil partnership, you will need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa.

On arrival in the UK, a visitor coming to marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of this, must have a valid visa endorsed for this purpose, with the name of your fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner.

The Marriage Visitor visa caters specifically for individuals who wish to get married or register a civil partnership in the UK with a person who is not settled in the UK, i.e. they do not hold indefinite leave to remain and are not a British citizen.

It is not possible to get married if you have entered the UK on a standard visitor visa.

 

Section A: Do you need a Marriage Visitor Visa?

 

If you are planning to marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK you will need to carefully consider whether or not the Marriage Visitor Visa is the right visa for you.

A Marriage Visitor Visa is needed if you are a foreign national wanting to travel to the UK to get married or register a civil partnership, or to give notice of your intention to do so, and you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit. You cannot get married in the UK under the Standard Visitor Visa. The Marriage Visitor Visa is designed specifically to allow foreign nationals to have their ceremony in the UK, and leave the country within a period of six months.

You will not need a Marriage Visitor Visa to get married in the UK if you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or you have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme but the decision is pending, or you are an Irish citizen. It is not available to individuals who qualify for British citizenship.

The Marriage Visitor Visa is not suitable for individuals who plan to stay or settle in the UK after they are married or have registered a civil partnership. If you are looking to remain in the UK after you get married or form a civil partnership, the Marriage Visit visa would not be appropriate and you will need to consider alternatives. For example, if your partner has settled status in the UK, such as ILR, you would instead look at the fiancé(e) visa.

If you are unsure about your visa options to get married in the UK, and these how your future plans, speak to our UK immigration experts to help you understand the routes available to you to meet your immediate and long term needs.

 

Section B: UK Marriage Visitor Visa Conditions

 

Under the Marriage Visitor Visa, you are permitted to marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK within six months of arriving. The ceremony must take place at a licensed venue. You can also travel through the UK in transit to another country.

A Marriage Visitor Visa will only be issued for a maximum of six months. During that time, you will be expected to marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK and then return to your home country or country of residence. However, entry clearance officers have the discretion to issue a multiple entry visa, valid for up to one year, in cases where there will be a delay between giving notice and the marriage or civil partnership taking place.

With a Marriage Visitor Visa, you must not intend to live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or undertake any activities prohibited under the visa, such as work or study.

A Marriage Visitor Visa will also not permit you to switch to a different visa category while in the UK, nor to extend your visa. You will be required to leave the UK and return home to apply for a different type of visa once your existing visa expires.

There may be other visa options available to you in the event that you wish to live and work in the UK after you get married or enter into a civil partnership; take advice on your circumstances and potential alternative immigration routes.

As a Marriage Visitor Visa holder, you will also not be allowed to work, access public funds, or study for more than 30 days (although studying cannot be your primary reason for travel) during your stay.

 

 

Section C: Marriage Visitor Visa Requirements

 

To be eligible to come to the UK under the Marriage Visitor Visa, you must be aged 18 or over. This is a mandatory requirement and applies to both the applicant and their partner. Both individuals must also have the legal capacity to marry or enter into a civil partnership. You must also be free to marry or enter into a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership, in the UK within the validity period covered by their visa.

You must be in a genuine relationship with your fiancé(e). You will need to provide evidence of your relationship to support your application. This can include photographs, correspondence, or statements from friends and family confirming the relationship and the intention to marry or enter a civil partnership in the UK.

You must also intend in to marry or enter into a civil partnership within the six-month period of the visa’s validity. Applicants must provide evidence of their planned ceremony, such as booking confirmations from a venue or correspondence with a UK registry office. This demonstrates a genuine intent to carry out the marriage or civil partnership during the visit. Remember also that it is a legal requirement in the UK to provide at least 28 days’ notice of a marriage or civil partnership at a designated registry office.

You will also need to show you plan to leave the UK at the end of yourvisit. This can be demonstrated through return travel tickets or evidence of ties to your home country, such as employment, property, or family commitments. .

You will have to prove you have sufficient funds to support yourself throughout your stay in the UK, including covering accommodation and living expenses without relying on public funds. Bank statements, pay slips, or a letter from a sponsor can serve as proof of financial stability.

You may also need to provide tuberculosis (TB) test results if they are from a country where TB screening is required for UK visa applicants. The test must be from a clinic approved by the Home Office.

 

 

Section E: How to Apply for a Marriage Visitor Visa

 

Provided you meet the eligibility requirements, you apply for a Marriage Visitor Visa before you visit. You should apply via the UK Home Office website no more than 3 months before you intend to travel.

The application process involves making and attending an appointment at a visa processing centre, which will be local to you. At the appointment, you will be required to provide your supporting documents and to explain, amongst other things, the purpose of your intended visit, together with details of your fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner and your future plans together.

You will also need to have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre. This is known as your ‘biometric information’.

Note that the application centre may retain your passport while your application is being processed.

 

Section F: Marriage Visitor Visa Documents Required

 

When applying for a Marriage Visitor Visa you will be required to submit a number of documents to prove you meet the eligibility requirements, including but not necessarily limited to, the following:

 

a. Valid Passport or Travel Document

The passport must be current and contain at least one blank page for the visa, and be valid for the entire duration of the stay in the UK. Your previous passports may also be required to provide a travel history.

 

b. Visa Application Form

The visa application form must be completed accurately and in full, to avoid delays or refusals.

 

c. Proof of Intention to Marry or Enter a Civil Partnership

Provide evidence that you plan to marry or enter a civil partnership in the UK, such as booking confirmations from the registry office or wedding venue, letters or emails confirming the arrangements for the ceremony, and any receipts for deposits paid.

 

d. Financial Evidence

Demonstrate your ability to support yourself financially during your stay in the UK. Submit bank statements for the past six months, pay slips, or a letter from your employer. If you have a sponsor providing financial support, you’ll need to provide a letter confirming their support and financial documents proving their ability to fund your stay.

 

e. Proof of Accommodation

 

Evidence of accommodation arrangements in the UK must be provided. This could be a hotel booking, a rental agreement, or a letter from a host confirming you are staying with them.

 

f. Evidence of Ties to Home Country

To show the intention to leave the UK after the visit, you have to show evidence of ties to your home country, such as your employment contract, property deed, or documentation of family commitments.

 

g. Relationship Evidence

Evidence of your relationship with your fiancé(e) will also be required, such as photographs, correspondence, and statements from friends and family.

 

h. Tuberculosis (TB) Test Results

Applicants from certain countries must provide a tuberculosis (TB) test certificate. The test must be conducted at a clinic approved by the UK Home Office. The certificate is valid for six months and must show that the applicant is free from TB.

 

i. Travel Plans

Details of travel plans, including return tickets or a travel itinerary, also have to be provided, to confirm the duration of your stay and your intention to return to the home country after your visit.

 

j. Additional Documentation

Depending on individual circumstances, additional documents may be required, such as character references, previous marriage certificates, or divorce decrees if applicable. Our experts can provide guidance on your specific application, particularly if your circumstances  are more complex and may require additional evidence to establish eligibility.

 

 

Section G: Marriage Visitor Visa Fee & Processing Times

 

It costs £115 to apply for a UK Marriage Visitor Visa.

You can submit your application for a Marriage Visitor Visa three months ahead of your intended date of travel to the UK. This is the earliest that you can apply . You should usually get a decision within 3 weeks, although processing times can vary depending on the caseload of the application centre or other issues impacting service delivery such as backlogs and any public health restrictions that may be in place at the time of your application.

Some processing centres offer fast-tracked processing for an additional charge.

 

 

Section H: UK Marriage Visitor Visa Denied?

 

UK Marriage Visitor Visa applications can be refused for many reasons. One common reason is insufficient evidence of the intention to marry or enter into a civil partnership within the UK. Applicants must provide concrete proof, such as booking confirmations from a registry office or a wedding venue, and failing to do so can result in a refusal.

Another frequent issue is inadequate financial evidence. Applicants must demonstrate they have enough funds to support themselves without recourse to public funds during their stay. This includes covering accommodation, living expenses, and travel costs. If the provided financial documentation, such as bank statements or pay slips, is deemed insufficient or inconsistent, the visa application may be denied.

Inadequate ties to the home country can also lead to refusal. Applicants need to convince the authorities of their intention to leave the UK after the marriage or civil partnership. Evidence such as employment contracts, property ownership, or strong family connections must be robust. Without this, the Home Office may suspect that the applicant intends to stay in the UK beyond the permitted duration, leading to a denial.

If a Marriage Visitor Visa application is denied, the applicant will receive a letter outlining the reasons for the refusal. It is important to review this letter carefully to understand the grounds for denial. This information can guide the next steps, whether that involves addressing specific issues or gathering additional evidence for a future application.

One option is to request an administrative review if there is a belief that a mistake was made in processing the application. This involves asking the Home Office to reconsider its decision. The administrative review process must be initiated within a specified time frame, typically 28 days from the date of the refusal notice, and requires a fee. This process focuses on identifying any errors in the application assessment rather than submitting new information.

Alternatively, reapplying for the visa may be the best course of action. This requires addressing the reasons for the initial refusal by providing additional or clarified evidence. For instance, if the denial was due to insufficient financial documentation, submitting more comprehensive bank statements or a letter from an employer might strengthen the new application.

 

 

Section I: Need Assistance?

 

DavidsonMorris is a law firm specialising in UK immigration. We help individuals with their UK immigration needs, and can guide and support you through any Home Office process, including an application to visit the UK to get married. If you have a question about the Marriage Visitor Visa, please contact us.

 

Section J: Marriage Visit Visa FAQs

 

Can I marry in the UK on a visitor visa?

No, one of the conditions of the Standard Visitor Visa is that you must not intend to marry or enter into a civil partnership while in the UK. You must instead apply for a Marriage Visitor Visa, which is a separate visa specifically designed to allow foreign nationals to come to the UK to get married, and then to leave the country, within a period of sux months.

 

What is a Marriage Visitor Visa?

A Marriage Visitor Visa is a type of UK visa that allows individuals to visit the UK for the purpose of getting married or entering into a civil partnership. It is specifically for those who intend to leave the UK at the end of their visit and do not plan to settle or live in the UK permanently.

 

Who is eligible to apply for a Marriage Visitor Visa?

To be eligible for a Marriage Visitor Visa, applicants must be over 18 years old, intend to get married or enter a civil partnership within six months of arriving in the UK, and plan to leave the UK after the visit. Applicants must also have sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay and meet the general requirements for UK visitor visas.

 

How long can I stay in the UK with a Marriage Visitor Visa?

A Marriage Visitor Visa allows you to stay in the UK for up to six months. This period is intended to cover the time needed for the marriage or civil partnership ceremony and any related activities, such as a honeymoon within the UK.

 

How long does it take to get a marriage visitor visa?

It typically takes 3 weeks to get a Marriage Visitor Visa, although applicants should check with their local application centre to confirm current processing times, and ensure that their application is complete and accurate to avoid delays in processing.

 

How much is a marriage visitor visa UK?

A Marriage Visitor Visa for the UK currently costs £115.

 

Can I work in the UK on a Marriage Visitor Visa?

No, you cannot work in the UK on a Marriage Visitor Visa. The visa is strictly for the purpose of getting married or entering into a civil partnership. You are not permitted to take up employment, do any business activities, or access public funds during your stay.

 

What documents do I need to apply for a Marriage Visitor Visa?

When applying for a Marriage Visitor Visa, you will need to provide several documents, including a valid passport, evidence of your relationship with your partner, proof of your intent to marry or enter a civil partnership in the UK, financial evidence showing you can support yourself during your stay, and details of your travel plans. Additional documents may be required depending on your specific circumstances.

 

Can I extend my stay in the UK on a Marriage Visitor Visa?

No, you cannot extend your stay beyond the six-month period allowed by a Marriage Visitor Visa. If you wish to stay longer or change your immigration status, you would need to leave the UK and apply for a different type of visa that suits your new circumstances.

 

What happens if my Marriage Visitor Visa application is refused?

If your Marriage Visitor Visa application is refused, you will receive a letter explaining the reasons for the refusal. You may have the option to request an administrative review if you believe a mistake was made in processing your application. Alternatively, you can reapply for the visa, addressing the reasons for the initial refusal. Our UK immigration specialists can advise on your specific circumstances and the options available to you.

 

Do I need to register my marriage or civil partnership in the UK once I arrive?

Yes, if you are marrying or entering into a civil partnership in the UK, you will need to give notice of your marriage or civil partnership at a designated register office. This must be done at least 29 days before the ceremony and may require both partners to be present in the UK during this notice period.