UK Fiance Visa 2026: Requirements & Application Guide

What Is a Fiance Visa?

A fiance visa, also referred to as proposed civil partner visa, grants entry to the UK for the purpose of marriage or civil partnership registration within 6 months of arrival. Upon arrival in the UK, you are not yet married or in a civil partnership, you marry or register within the visa validity period, and then apply to switch to spouse visa status (FLR(M)) from within the UK.

Appendix FM of the UK immigration rules provides the framework for people who wish to join their family members in the UK, including those who are applying as a fiance. 

Fiance Visa vs Spouse Visa: What Is the Difference?

Some couples have not yet married but are certain of their commitment and wish to come to the UK to marry. Others may prefer to marry in the UK for practical or ceremonial reasons.

Who Can Apply for a Fiance Visa?

You (the applicant) can apply if you and your partner are over 18 years of age and your partner is:

• A British citizen
• A person with indefinite leave to remain (ILR / settled status)
• A person with pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (with certain restrictions)
• A refugee or person granted humanitarian protection
• A Turkish businessperson or worker visa holder (with sponsorship eligibility).

UK Fiance Visa Application Requirements

You and your partner must demonstrate that you satisfy all of the following requirements:

• You and your partner must intend to marry or register a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months of your arrival
• You must have a genuine and subsisting relationship with your partner
• You must have met your partner in person (face-to-face)
• Neither you nor your partner can be already married or in a civil partnership to another person
• Any previous relationships must have permanently broken down
• You must not be related to your partner in a way that would prevent marriage under UK law (e.g., you cannot be siblings or parent and child)
• You must meet the financial threshold of £29,000 per annum
• You must demonstrate English language ability at CEFR A1 level or be exempt
• You must have suitable accommodation to live with your partner in the UK
• You must not have serious criminal convictions or immigration violations.

For advice specific to your circumstances, call the Whytecroft Ford Team on +44 (0) 208 757 5751 or use our contact form to get in touch.  

Financial Requirement: £29,000 Annual Income

You and/or your sponsor must have a combined gross annual income of at least £29,000 (as of April 2024).

Permitted income sources include:

• UK Partner’s Employment income (PAYE or self-employed, with recent tax returns)
• Pension income
• Rental income from property
• Cash Savings

Certain income sources may be combined to satisfy the minimum income requirement. Where the sponsoring partner’s employment income falls short of the £29,000 threshold, overseas bank savings may be used to make up the difference or to meet the requirement in full. See our guide on using foreign cash savings for a UK partner visa. The income requirement may also be satisfied solely with cash savings.

Applicant’s often experience refusals not because they could not meet the income threshold, rather they were not aware of the evidential criteria for demonstrating their income.

If you are unsure whether you satisfy the financial requirement, contact our team to discuss your case. You can reach us on +44(0)208 757 5751 or use our Contact Form to get in touch.

Proving a Genuine and Subsisting Relationship

The Home Office UKVI requires you to prove that your relationship is genuine and subsisting, that is, real, ongoing, and sincere. UKVI uses this requirement to prevent sham marriages arranged solely for immigration purposes.

Evidence of a genuine relationship includes documents that demonstrate your wedding plans as you intend to marry in the UK within 6 months of arrival, relationship history showing consistent communication of shared plans, bank statements showing joint spending or financial support, travel bookings of shared plans, photographs together with family and friends. 

A pattern showing that you have invested time, money, and emotional commitment in the relationship over a sustained period. One holiday together or a few emails is not enough. Aim to demonstrate regular contact, evidence of cohabitation or extended time spent together.

You must have met your partner face-to-face. A relationship conducted entirely online or by phone will be refused. Provide evidence of the first meeting and subsequent in-person contact (photographs, travel documents, witnesses). 

The English Language Requirement: CEFR A1 Level

You must demonstrate that you can speak and write English at CEFR A1 level (the lowest level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

You can prove your English ability in the following manner:

• Pass an SELT test: Take a SELT (Secure English Language Test) from an approved testing body at A1 level. Approved providers include Trinity College London, IELTS (International English Language Testing System), and others.
• Qualification exemption: You do not need to take a test if you hold a degree or other academic qualification taught in English from a recognised higher education institution in specific countries (Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, USA, and others). If your degree was taught in English and was not awarded by a UK institution, you’ll need to apply for an assessment from Ecctis.
• Nationality exemption: You are exempt from the language requirement if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country. These include the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, and several others. 

Level CEFR A1 requires that you can understand simple sentences, introduce yourself, answer basic questions about your name and address, and express simple present or past activities. You do not need to be fluent; the test simply verifies a basic ability to communicate.

The Accommodation Requirement

You must demonstrate that you have adequate accommodation in the UK where you and your partner will live together, and that you have the legal right to be there, as the owner, the named tenant, or with the property owner’s written permission.

UKVI assesses three aspects of the accommodation requirement: whether the property provides sufficient living space for all occupants, meaning it is not overcrowded; whether it is in a safe and habitable condition; and whether your right to occupy it is properly established.

An entry clearance application may be refused if the home is not considered to be adequate accommodation.

Fiance Visa UK Cost & Processing Time March 2026

The Home Office Fiance Visa application fee is £1,938. 

Standard service: Up to 12 weeks from the date of your biometric appointment.

Priority service: Faster processing up to 6 weeks may be available and incurs an additional fee.

Note that processing times fluctuate depending on UKVI workload. 

How to Apply for a UK Fiance Visa

Step 1: Prepare your documents

Gather the following documentary evidence:

Applicant’s evidence of identity:

• Your valid passport
• Biometric information page

Sponsor’s proof of identity and immigration status

• British passport, or 
• Non-British passport along with eVisa status

Evidence of relationship and intention to marry in the UK:

• Wedding bookings/receipts
• Correspondence (emails, letters, WhatsApp messages)
• Photographs together (a collection showing the relationship over time)
• Airline tickets or travel records
• Statutory declarations from friends or family

Financial evidence if relying on 6-months employment income:

• Employer letter 
• 6-months payslips
• Bank statements showing income deposits (last 6 months)
• Employment Contract 
• P60 Certificate, if available

Accommodation evidence:

• Mortgage statement or deed
• Tenancy agreement
• Letter of permission from the property owner
• Council tax bill or utility bill

English language evidence:

• SELT certificate (if taking a test)
• Or original UK degree certificate 

Tuberculosis Test:

• TB Test Certificate from an approved clinic

Other documents:

• Home Office consent declarations

Do note that the documents required in your application will vary depending on your circumstances. 

Step 2: Complete the online application

Visit the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website and begin your entry clearance application. You will be asked to provide information about yourself, your relationship, your sponsor, your financial circumstances, and your accommodation. The form is completed entirely online.

Step 3: Pay the application fee

Pay the visa fee and any relevant surcharges online. You will receive a payment confirmation.

Step 4: Submit supporting documents

You will be instructed to upload your supporting documents. These can be scanned PDFs, JPEGs, or other digital formats. Ensure that all documents are clear, legible, and in the correct order as per the application checklist.

Step 5: Book and attend a biometric appointment

You will be asked to attend a biometric appointment (fingerprints and photograph) at a visa application centre in your country. Book your appointment online and bring your confirmation letter and valid passport. The appointment usually lasts 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 6: Wait for a decision

UKVI will review your application and make a decision. Standard processing times typically range from 8 to 12 weeks, though this can vary by location and individual circumstances.

Step 7: Receive your decision

You will receive an email notifying you of the decision. If approved, you will be issued an eVisa (digital visa) that you can view online. Print a copy to bring to the UK with your passport.

What Happens After the Wedding: Switching to Spouse Visa (FLR(M))

Once you marry, you must apply for Further Leave to Remain as a spouse (FLR(M)) before your 6-month fiance visa expires.

The FLR(M) application:

• Must be submitted while you are in the UK (you cannot apply from abroad once your fiance visa has expired)
• Must be submitted before your fiance visa expiry date
• Requires the same financial evidence and accommodation evidence as the original fiance application
• Now requires that you pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), approximately £1,035 per year for the duration of your spouse visa (normally 2 years 6 months)
• Requires require updated relationship evidence showing that the marriage is genuine and subsisting

FLR(M) processing time is usually up to 8 weeks.

For a detailed guide on what to do when you first arrive, see our guide to fiance visa steps after arriving in the UK.

What if you do not marry within 6 months?

If your 6-month fiance visa expires before you have married, you will be in breach of immigration law if you remain in the UK.  You should seek professional advice on the best course of action. 

The Path from Fiance Visa to Settlement and British Citizenship

Switching to spouse visa is just the beginning of the journey to permanent settlement and citizenship. 

When you successfully switch to a spouse visa (FLR(M)), you will be granted 2 years and 6 months to live in the UK alongside your partner. When your spouse visa is nearing expiry, you must apply to extend your leave for another 2 years and 6 months. After five continuous years of continuous residence in the UK, you become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain on the family route for permanent settlement in the UK. If you are married to a British citizen and meet the residency and good character requirements, you may apply for British citizenship by marriage.

Note that time spent on a fiance visa does not count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK. 

What to Do If Your Fiance Visa Is Refused

If your application is refused, you have limited options:

• Administrative Review: You can request an Administrative Review (formerly called an “appeal”) within 28 days of the refusal letter.
• Reapplication: You can withdraw the Administrative Review request and reapply with new or additional evidence. This is sometimes the best option if you can address the core deficiency (e.g., you gather more evidence of relationship authenticity or resolve a financial shortfall).

If your fiance visa has been refused, it is strongly recommended that you seek professional guidance.

Next Steps

A fiance visa is designed for couples who are not yet married but wish to marry in the UK. Before you apply:

• Confirm that your sponsor meets the eligibility criteria
• Gather comprehensive evidence of your relationship 
• Calculate your financial position and confirm you meet the £29,000 threshold and prepare the relevant evidence 
• Arrange suitable accommodation in the UK
• Book and pass an approved English language test
• Check if you need to pass an approved Tuberculosis test
• Set a realistic wedding date within 6 months of your planned UK arrival and make provisional bookings for your wedding. 

How Whytecroft Ford Can Help

We are an regulated immigration advisory firm with extensive experience in fiance and spouse visa applications. We will review your circumstances, identify any potential issues, gather your evidence, and guide you through the application and switch process.

Reach out to our friendly professional team on +44(0)208 757 5751 or use our Contact Form to get in touch.

Useful Links

Glossary

The terms below appear throughout this guide and in the Home Office’s assessment of your application. Understanding them will help you prepare your evidence and interpret the decision.