Marriage Visa
A Marriage Visitor visa, often called a ‘Marriage Visa’, allows you to travel to the UK to:
- get married or have a civil partnership ceremony
- ‘give notice’ of a marriage or civil partnership to take place in the UK
Marriage Visitor visas are primarily designed to allow people to enter the UK effectively as tourists, but with the intention of getting married or entering into a civil partnership during their visit. Marriage Visitor visas are not appropriate for individuals planning to stay or settle in the UK after their ceremony, as they will be valid for a maximum of six months and you will be expected to leave the UK at the end of your visit.
In order to apply, you must be prepared to prove that:
- you are at least 18 years of age
- you are free to give notice, marry or enter into a civil partnership within 6 months of arriving in the UK
- if you have been married or in a civil partnership before, you will need to provide evidence that this relationship is legally ended
- you are in an existing and authentic relationship
- you will not stay in the UK for more than 6 months
- you do not intend to settle in the UK, nor make successive or repeated visits to the UK for extended periods
- you have funds to support yourself during your trip and to pay for your departure from the UK
- you have made arrangements for the marriage or civil partnership itself (for example, proof of a booking and payment of at least some of the costs)
Marriage Visitor visas must be applied for before coming to the UK, and within 3 months of their intended travel to the UK. Applicants will be required to attend a visa application centre in order to show their documents and prove their identity.
Decisions on Marriage Visitor visa applications are usually given within three weeks once all the necessary documentation has been provided. A quicker service may be available depending on the country from which you intend to apply.
The fee for submitting an application for a Marriage Visitor visa is £100.