Fiance Visa

UK Fiance Visa

The Fiance Visa is designed to enable non-British partners to enter the UK, and get married to their UK-based partner within six months of their arrival. Once married, you can apply inside the UK to extend your stay with an application for further leave to remain as a Spouse.  A Fiance Visa application must be submitted from outside the UK.

Fiance Visa UK Application

For a successful UK Fiance Visa application, you must satisfy the Home Office UKVI that you meet the following criteria:

• You are both over the age of 18
• You have met in person
• You are both free to marry or enter into a civil partnership
• Your relationship is genuine, and you intend to live together permanently in the UK
• Any previous relationships have broken down permanently
• You intend to marry within six months of your arrival in the UK
• Your partner is a British national, holds indefinite leave to remain or limited leave to remain under Appendix EU
• You will be adequately maintained during your stay in the UK without accessing public funds
• There is adequate accommodation for you and your partner
• You must demonstrate your knowledge of English.

Genuine Relationship Requirement

If the Home Office doubts your relationship’s genuine and subsisting nature, they may undertake further checks or interview you. They will assess whether your relationship is genuinely based on factors such as whether you and your fiance are in a long-term relationship, history of cohabitation, joint commitments such as financial responsibilities and children, how often you see each other and your proof of your future intention in the UK.

For a genuine relationship, you must prove that any previous relationships have broken down permanently and that you are free to marry each other.  Evidence of a previous relationship breakdown will usually be in the form of a court decree absolute.

Intention to marry in the UK within six months

The Fiance Visa will allow you to enter the UK for six months for your marriage or civil partnership. The Home Office UKVI will expect to see some evidence of your wedding arrangements as you must demonstrate your intention to marry within the stipulated period with supporting evidence.

Fiance Visa Financial Requirements

The financial requirement for a UK Fiance Visa application specifies that you must demonstrate an income of £18,600 a year before tax. However, if you bring children to the UK, you must earn an additional £3,800 for the first child and an additional £2,400 for each child after this. You can satisfy this requirement by relying on income and savings in the form of:

• Wages from employment or self-employment
• State (UK or foreign), occupational or private pension income
• Cash Savings
• Non-employment income such as rental payments or income from investment or shares.

You must demonstrate that you can be adequately maintained in the UK without recourse to public funds. You will need to meet the financial requirement when you first apply to enter the UK as a fiance, when you apply to extend your stay as a spouse and when you apply for indefinite leave to remain as a spouse.

Adequate Accommodation Requirement

You must demonstrate that there will be adequate accommodation for you and your family and that you can maintain yourselves and any dependents without the support of UK public funds. You must prove that your intended accommodation is not overcrowded. At least one bedroom must be exclusively available for yourself and your fiance.

Fiance Visa English Language Requirement

You can prove your knowledge of English by passing an approved English language test at CEFR level A1 in speaking and listening.

You will not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of one of the following countries – Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago or the USA.

Fiance Visa Processing Time

On average, the UK Fiance Visa processing time is around 2-3 months. However, this has been increased to 24 weeks to prioritise applications from Ukrainian nationals. You must apply from outside of the UK. Depending on the country you are applying from, you may be able to opt for a premium service; this will speed up the decision-making process.

Documents Required for a Fiance Visa

The following are some examples of documents that you can provide in support of your UK Fiance Visa application:

• Statements or letters from both the sponsor and applicant detailing the development of their relationship, their feelings for each other and their plans for the future
• Evidence of accommodation, such as a mortgage statement or lease agreement
• Wedding Plans documentary evidence such as venue bookings, etc.
• Letters from family and friends aware of their relationship
• Evidence that you meet the financial requirement criteria
• Evidence of continuing contact, e.g. emails, phone bills
• Anything sensible not in the above list that proves your relationship and intention to marry in the UK, such as photographs.

What happens after a Fiance Visa is approved?

After you get your Fiance Visa to the UK, you marry your partner as planned. Then you can apply for leave to remain as a spouse or civil partner inside the UK.

After completing the qualifying residence period for the 5-Year Partner Route, you will be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain. After 12 months with Indefinite Leave to Remain, you can apply for Naturalisation as a British Citizen.

Children of the relationship under 18 years old are allowed entry to the UK as dependants and can make their application at the same time as the applicant’s Fiance.

Fiance visa to Spouse Visa UK

To qualify for further leave to remain as a Spouse, you must prove that your marriage has taken place. You must demonstrate that you and your spouse are living together as a family.

With a Spouse Visa, you will be granted leave to remain in the UK for 30 months. During this time, you can study or work without restrictions.

What if I do not get married within six months?

You can apply for an extension for six months to get married. However, you will need to prove that there is a good reason why you couldn’t marry within the initial period and that there is evidence that a ceremony will take place within the next six months.

Fiance Visa UK Application Fees

The Home Office UKVI fee for a Fiance Visa application from outside the UK is £1,846.

The application fee to switch into the Fiance category from within the UK is £1,048.

How to apply for a Fiance Visa UK

Fiance Visa applications are made using an online application form. You must prepare your documentary evidence to support your application per the requirements of the Home Office UKVI. After submitting your application, you must submit your biometric information at an authorised visa centre. After processing your application, the Home Office UKVI will inform you of their decision.

UK Fiance Visa Advice

Our immigration advisers regularly assist foreign nationals in relocating and settling in the UK with their families. The financial requirement rules are complex and include mandatory requirements in the documentary evidence that must be provided to demonstrate access to the relevant funds. Failure to demonstrate that you meet the Fiance Visa application criteria may result in the application being delayed or even refused.

Our UK Family Visa lawyers can provide a no-obligation assessment of your prospects of qualifying for a Fiance Visa or professional advice or assistance with preparing a Fiance Visa application.

At Whytecroft Ford, we know that accurate and timely advice could make all the difference in the world. We are a highly driven professional team that provides clear and reliable immigration advice to individuals applying for a UK Fiance Visa. We apply our extensive knowledge and expertise to our client’s needs.

Frequently asked questions

Can you apply for a Fiance visa while in the UK?

You must apply for a Fiance Visa outside the UK.

Can I work on a UK Fiance Visa?

Fiance Visa holders are not permitted to work in the UK.

When can I apply for settlement?

After your marriage takes place, you will be able to apply for the 5-Year Spouse Route. After five years in the UK, you will be for permanent settlement as a Spouse.