Marriage and Fiancé Visa Regulations |
UK Marriage Visa Basics
If you are a foreign national married to a British citizen, or vice versa, and wish to settle in the UK permanently then you will need to apply for a UK Marriage / Spouse Visa to allow you to relocate. Before you attempt to apply for this visa there is a list of basic requirements and eligibilities you should see and check that you meet beforehand.
Requirements of spouse visa:
- you must have suitable UK accommodation
available
- you must have met each other in person and be able to
prove it
- be legally married and plan to remain together once
settled in the UK
- both parties must be 18 at the time of
application
- when applying for a UK Spouse Visa you must be able to
show how you will fund yourself while in the UK and prove you will not
rely on the state
Eligibility / English ability requirements:
- you are between 18 to 64 years-old you need to
pass the English language
test approved by the UK government and provide supporting documents
to prove qualifications
- are a national of a mainly English speaking
country
- have a degree that was taught or researched in English
(proof also required)
Please note: Degrees taught or researched in English must be approved by UK NARIC as being the equivalent of a bachelor’s, PHD or master’s degree in the UK
Proof of financial adequacy
To apply for the UK Spouse Visa you must prove that you are able to adequately support yourselves without having to reply on the public purse.
The minimum requirement is that you must have an annual income of at least £18,600. If you are supporting a child as well as a partner then you must have an annual income of £22,400. For each additional child you must earn an extra £2,40
Please note: If you or your partner get carer’s allowance or certain disability benefits then you will not need to prove your finances, but you will need to support and accommodate yourselves adequately.
Reasons for refusal of applications
You application could be refused if you have:
- previously broken UK immigration law
- a criminal record either in
the UK or any other country
- provided inaccurate or incomplete
information to the Home Office
To download the full form from detailing reasons for refusal of applications click here
UK Fiancé / Fiancée Visa Basics
If you are planning to visit a British citizen or someone who is permanently settled in the UK for the purpose of marriage then you are eligible to apply for a fiancé / fiancée visa.
Most other visas have stipulations for the sponsor and girlfriend or fiancé to have lived together before applying, but this is where the fiancé visa differs, as you do not. There are also no minimum annual salary requirements to apply for this type of visa. You do, however, need to be able to prove that there will be suitable accommodation provided in the UK for the duration of your stay.
Fiancé visa requirements
It is essential that you are able to prove that:
- the sponsor is either a British citizen or permanently settled in the
United Kingdom
- the proposed marriage must take place between the
sponsor and the applicant with a 6 month period
- the proposed couple
must have met each other in person and be able to prove that
- it is
preferred that you can prove your relationship is long-term and genuine
- the proposed couple must intend to live together permanently
-
there must be suitable accommodation available for the applicant in the
United Kingdom
- there must be proof that the applicant will be
either financially secure or will be supported by their partner without
relying on the state for money
- both sponsor and applicant must be over
18 at the time of application
- if either of the parties has been in a
serious relationship before that must have broken down fully
English ability requirements:
- you are between 18 to 64 years-old you need to
pass the an English language
test approved by the UK government and provide supporting documents
to prove qualifications
- are a national of a mainly English speaking
country
- have a degree that was taught or researched in English
(proof also required)
Please note: Degrees taught or researched in English must be approved by UK NARIC as being the equivalent of a bachelor’s, PHD or master’s degree in the UK
Visa conditions
If you are successful you will be granted a 6 month stay in the UK with the purpose of getting married. You will not be allowed to work at all during the stay.
If you are successful and get married in the UK you will then be able to apply for a marriage visa and if you are successful with that visa, you will then be granted an extra 60 months of stay.
However, after 33 months this has to be renewed and you will eventually be le to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
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