How to apply for a marriage visa

Dear Mr Bassie:

I am engaged to be married to a British citizen and we want to get married in the United Kingdom. Will I need to get a specific visa? I would be grateful for any assistance. – TB Dear TB:

Persons must apply for a marriage visitor visa if:

1. they want to get married or register a civil partnership in the UK;

2. they want to give notice of a marriage or civil partnership in the UK;

3. they are not planning to stay or settle in the UK after the marriage or civil partnership;

4. they meet the other eligibility requirements.

Persons do not need a marriage visitor visa to convert the civil partnership into a marriage – they can apply for a standard visitor visa.

Persons cannot apply if they qualify for British citizenship – including if they can have dual nationality. They must apply for British citizenship instead.

The earliest persons can apply is three months before travelling and they should get a decision on the visa within three weeks. Persons can check the guide processing times to find out how long getting a visa might take in the country from where the application originates.

It costs £93 to apply and persons can use this visa to visit the United Kingdom for up to six months.

Persons holding this type of visa can:

1. marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK within six months of arrival – and must use a venue licensed for this purpose;

2. pass through the UK in transit to another country.

PERSONS CANNOT:

1. get public funds;

2. bring in family members (dependents), as they must apply separately;

3. live in the UK for extended periods through frequent visits;

4. extend the visa or switch to another visa;

5. work – except for permitted activities related to their work or business overseas, such as attending meetings;

6. study for more than 30 days, and studying cannot be the main reason for the visit.

With respect to eligibility, persons must prove that they are:

1. 18 years old or over;

2. free to give notice of marriage, to marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK within six months of their arrival;

3. in a genuine relationship;

4. visiting the UK for less than six months;

5. leaving the UK at the end of the visit;

6. able to support themselves without working or help from public funds, or that they can be supported and housed by relatives or friends;

7. able to meet the cost of the return or onward journey.

When persons apply they will need to provide:

1. a current passport or other valid travel identification;

2. proof that they can support themselves during the trip, for example, bank statements or payslips for the last six months;

3. proof of future plans for the relationship, for example, documents to show where parties plan to live;

4. details of where they intend to stay and their travel plans – persons should not pay for accommodation or travel until they get their visa.

Persons can also supply the following to support their application:

1. details of the marriage or civil partnership and proof of money paid for some of its costs;

2. proof that they are planning to get married in the UK, for example, a booking confirmation or emails between the party and the venue.

If the applicant has been married before, he/she will need to show proof that he/she is free to marry or enter into a civil partnership again, for example, a decree absolute or a death certificate of a previous partner.

Persons will need to provide a certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh. It is advisable that you read the guide for a full list of documents you can provide. Please note that persons may need to provide additional documents, depending on their circumstances.

The application must be made from outside of the UK and persons must apply online for a marriage visitor visa. Persons will need to have their fingerprints and photograph, known as ‘biometric information’, taken at a visa application centre as part of their application.

John S. Bassie

‘Persons cannot apply if they qualify for British citizenship – including if they can have dual nationality. They must apply for British citizenship instead.’