How to get married in the UK: What is the correct visa?

Getting married in the UK as a foreign national

Whether you are coming to the UK from South Africa, or another country to say “I do”, your wedding day can be an unforgettable, if stressful, ordeal. Dealing with immigration problems because of applying for the wrong visa type should not be part of anyone’s marriage plans. Reading our guide and seeking immigration advice in good time before you plan to get married is highly recommended.

What visa you should apply for depends on where you are travelling from, and what your long-term plans are after your wedding. The main two visas that will allow you to get married in the UK are the Marriage Visitor visa and Fiance visa, which we will describe below.

Applying for a Marriage Visitor visa 

If you and your partner only want to come to the UK to get married or enter a civil partnership and you do not have plans to stay in the UK afterwards, you should apply for a Marriage Visitor visa. You will also only be able to stay in the country for six months, after which time you must leave.

You will generally be able to follow the process below if you are eligible:

• Assemble all of your relevant documents
• Apply online via the government website – three months or less before you plan to travel from outside the UK
• Book an appointment at a visa centre to give your biometric information – fingerprints and photograph
• Receive your visa if successful in around three weeks

Both you and your partner will need to apply for your own Marriage Visitor visa separately, not one between you as a couple.

What are the eligibility and document requirements? 

For a Marriage Visitor visa it is extremely important, as with any visa, to check you meet all the eligibility requirements before applying. Furthermore, being able to assemble a documentary evidence portfolio that meets the Home Office’s standards will also stand your application in good stead.

Eligibility requirements applicants must meet are as follows:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Able to prove you and your partner are in a genuine relationship
• You are able to marry or enter into civil partnership within six months of entering the UK
• You will visit the UK for six months or less and have plans to leave the country at the end of your stay
• You’re able to support yourself while in the UK, including funding your return trip

Document evidence could include but is not limited to:

• Evidence of your wedding booking – confirmation from a venue for example
• Your travel document/passport
• Evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself while in the UK
• Proof of the marriage or civil partnership

Once inside the UK, you will need to give notice to the registrar, which will have 28 days to approve or deny you notice. The Home Office could extend it to 70 days if they have to further investigate you and your partner’s relationship.

Applying for a UK Fiance Visa 

On the other hand, your plan may be to stay in the UK at least for the foreseeable future, and potentially to apply to settle here indefinitely. If you and your partner want to live in the UK together once married, applying for a Fiance visa may be more appropriate.

Like the Marriage Visitor visa, you can still only stay in the UK for six months on a Fiance visa. However, you can switch from this visa once you are married to a Spouse visa, which will then give you two years and nine months leave to remain.

What are the eligibility requirements? 

The Fiance visa route is not just open to anyone. To apply, your partner must either be:

• A British or Irish citizen
• Already have settled status or indefinite leave to remain in the UK
• Have refugee or humanitarian status
• Have pre-settled status if they are from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland and have been living in the UK from before 1 January 2021

You must be able to prove: 

• You plan to get married in the UK within six months
• Financial capability to support yourself whilst in the UK – proof of income and bank statements
• English language skills up to A1 level – you will need to pass an English language test to apply

The “genuine relationship test” is an important part of the Fiance visa application requirements – you and your partner must be able to show photographs, chat logs, and other communications and evidence of shared accommodation and finances.

How do I apply for a Fiance visa to get married in the UK?

As with the Marriage Visitor visa, you will need to apply online and you will need all your documents to hand when you do so. Information you must provide should also include:

• Your personal details
• Current passport and travel ID
• A copy of your biometric residence permit if you have one – if not you will get one as part of the application process
• Previous immigration applications and any criminal convictions
• Parents date of birth and nationality if you’re applying from outside the UK
• Tuberculosis test certificate

You’ll need to have relevant documents to prove your relationship and that your partner meets the minimum income requirement of £29,000 to sponsor you. This is due to the fact that on most visas you have no access to government support.

Knowledge of your partner’s details will be required, as well as any children either you or your partner have together and separately.

The Fiance visa costs £2,064 if you’re applying from outside the UK and £1,321 if you’re applying from inside the UK.

What if I’ve been married before? 

In this instance, you will need to provide evidence of all previous relationships being over, including certificates of divorce to the Home Office.