What is a UK Fiancé Visa?

A UK fiancé visa, sometimes called a prospective marriage visa, allows a non-UK national to enter the United Kingdom to marry their partner (the sponsor), who must be either a British citizen or a person with settled or pre-settled status. The visa is issued for an initial period of six months and can then be extended into a spouse visa after the marriage has taken place. The rights and requirements of a fiancé visa shouldn’t be confused with those of a spouse visa, which are far more extensive and allow you to work, study, and live within the UK. After five years on a spouse visa, the foreign partner can then apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

To be eligible for a UK fiancé visa, the applicant must provide evidence of their intention to marry their British partner within six months of entering the UK. They must also demonstrate that they are in a genuine relationship with their partner and have met each other in person. In addition to these relationship requirements, the applicants must meet the financial and accommodation requirements set by the UK government. This includes providing evidence of their sponsor’s ability to support themselves and their partner without recourse to public funds.

The UK fiancé visa is a useful option for many couples, but your circumstances will dictate whether this visa is correct for you. Throughout this guide, we’ve sought to provide as much information as possible to help you make an informed decision. However, it is important to note that the application and the process are complex, so you might want to consider getting expert advice based on your situation.

If you’re coming to the UK as the proposed civil partner of a British Citizen or resident, you should see our separate visa guide for tailored and specific information.

UK Fiancé Visa Requirements

There are eight major requirements that applicants will need to satisfy to be eligible for a UK fiancé visa. These requirements are as follows:

• Age: Both partners in the relationship must be aged over 18 at the time of application.
• Relationship: The applicant must be engaged to be married to a British citizen or a person with settled or pre-settled status. They must also have met each other in person at least once.
• Intention to marry: The applicant must provide evidence that they intend to marry within six months of arriving in the UK and have made the necessary arrangements for their wedding.
• Financial requirements: The applicant’s sponsor must meet the financial requirements, which include showing that the UK sponsor earns a minimum income of £29,000 per year or has sufficient savings to support the applicant.
• Accommodation: The applicant and sponsor must have suitable accommodation in the UK for themselves and any dependents without recourse to public funds.
• English language: The applicant must pass an English language test unless they are exempt on nationality or education grounds. The test must be undertaken with an approved provider to demonstrate their ability to speak and understand English.
• Health: Some applicants may need to provide medical documentation, such as a TB Clearance Certificate
• Character: All applicants must meet the character requirements set by the UK government.

Each of these requirements can vary based on your circumstances, such as your nationality, country of residence, and whether any dependents are involved. Depending on the information you disclose in the application, there may also be additional requirements and complexities.

We take a look at some of the more complex requirements in further detail below.

UK Fiancé Visa Proof of Relationship and Intention to Marry

To be granted a UK fiancé visa, the applicant must demonstrate their genuine intention to marry their partner within six months of arriving in the UK. The requirements for demonstrating this intention include an overview of the past, present and future of the relationship. Therefore, it is important to provide the following evidence:

• Proof of a genuine relationship: The applicant must provide evidence of their genuine and subsisting relationship with their UK-based partner. This should include photographs, joint travel itineraries, a record of communications (text, email, WhatsApp, etc), testimonies from friends and family, as well as any other relevant documents.
• Confirmation of an impending marriage: The applicant must provide evidence that they and their partner have made plans to get married in the UK within six months of the applicant’s arrival. This can include a letter from the registrar confirming the date and location of the wedding, as well as other relevant supporting documents.

UK Fiancé Visa Financial Requirements

To obtain a UK fiancé visa, the applicant and their UK partner must meet specific financial requirements set down in Appendix FM. Specifically, they must demonstrate that they can support themselves financially without relying on public funds. This is assessed by seeing whether the UK sponsor earns a sufficient income or whether the couple has adequate savings to support themselves.

Applicants must meet one of the following financial requirements to qualify:

• Income threshold: The UK partner must have a gross annual income of at least £29,000. This can be income earned from employment or self-employment.
• Savings: If the UK partner does not meet the income threshold, they may be able to rely on cash savings to meet the financial requirement. The savings must amount to at least £88,500 or more and have been held in the UK for at least six months.
• Combination of income and savings: If the UK partner does not meet the income threshold but has some savings, they may be able to combine their income and savings to meet the financial requirement. Get in touch with us to discuss how this approach works.
• Sponsorship from a third party: If the applicant or their partner does not meet the financial requirements, they may obtain sponsorship from a third party, such as a family member or friend.

The income requirement changed on 11 April 2024, and it is expected to increase again. Statements by the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, suggest the minimum income requirement will increase to £34,500 later in the year and to £38,700 in early 2025. This aligns it with the skilled worker visa threshold and the amount stated in the original policy statement on 4th December 2023.

UK Fiancé Visa Accommodation Requirement

To obtain a UK fiancé visa, the applicant and their UK partner must demonstrate that they have adequate accommodation in the UK and intend to live together. The requirements for suitable accommodation typically include:

• A place to live: The applicant and their partner must have a place to live in the UK that is suitable for them as a couple. This can be a rented or an owned property, or it can be with family or friends.
• Adequate space: The accommodation must be large enough to accommodate the applicant and their partner without overcrowding.
• Safe and habitable: The accommodation must be safe, habitable, and not pose a risk to the health and safety of the occupants.
• Documentation: The applicant and their partner must provide documentation to demonstrate that they have suitable accommodation. This can include a tenancy agreement or proof of ownership, as well as evidence of bills and other utilities.

UK Fiancé Visa Document Checklist

The following is a list of the necessary documents that you will typically need to provide when applying for a UK fiancé visa:

• Valid passport: You must provide your current and valid passport or travel document.
• Proof of relationship: You must provide evidence to show that you and your partner are in a genuine and subsisting relationship. This may include photographs, emails or messages, travel documents, and other evidence demonstrating that you have been in a committed relationship for a reasonable period of time.
• Proof of intent to marry: You must provide evidence to show that you intend to get married within six months of arriving in the UK. This may include a letter from a registrar or venue confirming your booking or evidence of arrangements you have made for your wedding.
• Evidence of financial support: You will need to provide evidence that you and your partner can meet the financial requirements for the visa. This may include payslips, bank statements, and tax documents. Further information is available in our Appendix FM Guide.
• Accommodation details: You must provide evidence of suitable accommodation for you and your partner in the UK, such as a tenancy agreement or a letter from your host.
• English language ability: You must provide evidence that you meet the English language requirement for the visa. This may include a test certificate or evidence of an exemption.
• Tuberculosis (TB) test results: You may need to provide evidence that you have been tested for TB if you are from a country where TB is prevalent.

It’s important to note that the specific requirements and documents needed for a UK fiancé visa will vary depending on the individual circumstances of the applicant and their partner. While the documents listed above meet the standard requirements, further evidence may be necessary, depending on your circumstances.

UK Fiancé Visa Cost and Application Fees

All fiancé visa applications must be made from outside the UK. If you are already inside the UK, depending on the visa type, it may be possible to get married on your existing visa. If you’re in any doubt, get in touch with us, and we can advise you further.

The application fees for a UK fiancé visa are as follows:

• Standard Application: £1,846 (outside of UK)
• Subsequent spouse / civil partnership visa: £1048 (inside of the UK)

These fees are just for the standard service. If you want to use a priority service to expedite your visa, additional fees will be payable. Other fees may also be associated with the application, such as the cost of a tuberculosis test, an English language test, or a biometric appointment, which are not included in the application fee.

UK Fiancé Visa Processing Times

The processing times for a UK fiancé visa vary depending on several factors. Some of the biggest factors include the volume of applications being processed, the completeness of the application, and whether additional information or documentation is required. Generally, the UK government aims to process 90% of fiancé visa applications within 12 weeks of submission. However, some applications are currently taking up to 24 weeks to process.

Several factors can affect processing times. For example, the processing time may be longer if the application is incomplete or the applicant needs to attend an interview or provide additional information. Processing times can also fluctuate throughout the year, with peak periods, such as the summer months, experiencing longer processing times due to the higher volume of applications.

Therefore, it is always recommended to submit the application as early as possible and to ensure that all the required documentation is provided with the initial submission to avoid unnecessary delays.

Transferring from a Fiancé Visa to a Spouse Visa

Once you are in the UK and legally married, you can apply for a Spouse Visa. The process and documentation are similar to a Fiancé Visa, and you’ll need to once again prove the legitimacy of your relationship, financial stability, and plans for the future. You can find out more information on applying for a Spouse Visa in our dedicated Spouse Visa guide.