You must apply for a UK Marriage Visitor visa if:
- Do you want to get married or register a civil partnership in the UK
- Do you want to give notice of a marriage or civil partnership in the UK
- you’re not planning to stay or settle in the UK after your marriage or civil partnership
- you meet the other eligibility requirements
You do not need a UK Marriage Visitor visa to convert your civil partnership into a marriage – you can apply for a standard Visitor visa.
Find out how to apply for the UK Visa Work Permit Application For Citizens Outside Europe
You also do not need a Marriage Visitor visa if one of the following is true:
- you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
- you have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, and have not got a decision yet
- you’re an Irish citizen
You cannot apply if you qualify for British citizenship – including if you can have dual nationality. You must apply for British citizenship instead.
What you can and cannot do
You can:
- marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months of your arrival – you must use a venue licensed for this purpose
- pass through the UK in transit (on your way to another country)
You cannot:
- get public funds (benefits)
- bring in family members (‘dependants’) – they must apply separately
- live in the UK for extended periods through frequent visits
- extend your visa or switch to another visa
- work – except for permitted activities related to your work or business overseas, such as attending meetings
- study
How long you can stay
You can use this visa to visit the UK for up to 6 months.
When to apply and how long it takes
If you need a visa, you must apply online before you come to the UK.
As part of your application, you’ll need to book an appointment at a visa application centre to prove your identity and provide your documents.
Allow time to attend your appointment, as the visa application centre could be in another country.
The visa application centre may keep your passport and documents while processing your application.
The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.
Getting a decision
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
Fees
- It costs £100 to apply.
Eligibility
You must prove that:
- you’re 18 or over
- you’re free to give notice of marriage, to marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months of your arrival
- you’re in a genuine relationship
- you’re visiting the UK for less than 6 months
- you’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit
- you’ll not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home
- you’re able to support yourself during your trip (or have funding from someone else to support you)
- you’re able to pay for your return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else to pay for the journey)
- you have proof of any other activities you want to do in the UK, as allowed by the Visitor Rules
Documents you’ll need
You must provide a passport or travel document. Your passport should be valid for the whole of your stay in the UK and contain a blank page for your visa.
You can supply the following to support your application:
Also Read: UK Visa Sponsorship for Employers – How to Apply
- details of the marriage or civil partnership and proof that you’ve paid money for some of its costs
- proof that you’re planning to get married in the UK, for example, booking confirmation or emails between you and the venue
You’ll need to provide a certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.
If you’ve been married before
You’ll need to show proof that you’re free to marry or enter into a civil partnership again, for example, a:
- decree absolute
- death certificate of a previous partner
You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.
UK Marriage Visitor visa
Apply from outside the UK
If you need a visa, you must apply online before you travel to the UK.
Proving your identity and providing supporting documents
As part of your online application, you need to book an appointment at a visa application centre. You’ll have your fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information) taken at your appointment.
Allow time to attend your appointment, as the visa application centre could be in another country.
The visa application centre may keep your passport and documents while processing your application.
Apply for a UK Marriage Visitor visa
Once you’ve started your application you can save your form and complete it later.
Continue your application
You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it. Check your email and follow the link to return to your application.
Apply with family members
Your partner must apply for their own United Kingdom marriage visitor visa and pay the fee if you both need one. Your child will need to apply as a standard visitor if they need a visa.
You can apply on behalf of your partner and child if they cannot apply for themselves.
They must attend their own appointment at a visa application centre.
How long it takes to get a decision
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks. Find out more about the UK visa sponsorship for employers
You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.
If you need to change or cancel your application
If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if the application has not been processed yet.
