Last updated: 11 April 2024
While it is not possible to get married in the UK on a standard visitor visa (tourist visa), you can apply for a marriage visitor visa. The UK marriage visitor visa is for overseas nationals who wish to come to the UK to:
- get married or register a civil partnership here, or
- give notice of the intention to get married or enter into a civil partnership here, and
- do not intend to remain or settle in the UK.
In the UK, couples who wish to get married or enter into a civil partnership must give official notice of their intention to do so at a local register office in the UK at least 29 days before the planned ceremony.
It is important to note that the marriage visitor visa cannot be extended further. Overseas nationals who would like to stay or settle in the UK after getting married or entering a civil partnership and whose partner is a British citizen or a settled person have the option of applying for a fiancé visa as an alternative to the UK marriage visitor visa.
Marriage visitor visa requirements
To be eligible for a marriage visitor visa in the UK, you must be:
- aged 18 years or over
- free to give notice of marriage
- free to marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK within six months of your arrival here
- in a genuine relationship
- intending to visit for less than six months and depart the UK before the expiry of your visa
- not intending to reside here for extended periods by making frequent or successive visits
- not intending to make the UK your main place of residence
- able to financially support yourself during your trip (it is also possible to receive funding from another person for this purpose, but you will need to prove this is the case)
- able to fund your return or onward journey
Marriage visitor visa vs fiancé visa
Overseas nationals who wish to get married or enter into a civil partnership have the option of applying for a UK marriage visitor visa or a fiancé visa.
The marriage visitor visa is only for overseas nationals who wish to get married or enter into a civil partnership but do not intend to live in the UK after the ceremony. The fiancé visa, on the other hand, is specifically for overseas nationals whose partner is a British citizen or a person who is settled in the UK (e.g. indefinite leave to remain or EU settled status) and will remain in the UK under a spouse visa to live with their partner after their ceremony.
To be eligible for a fiancé visa, you must be able to prove that any previous marriages or civil partnerships have now ended and that you intend to marry or become a civil partner within 6 months of arrival in the UK; in addition, you and your partner must:
- be 18 years or over
- and have a combined income of at least £29,000
- have suitable accommodation in the UK
Fiancé visa applicants must also have sufficient knowledge of the English language (to CEFR level A1).
If your UK marriage visitor visa has been denied, speak to an immigration solicitor who will be able to advise on the best steps to take and the options available to you.
Speak directly to one of our immigration lawyers for a free telephone consultation on 020 3744 2797 or complete our enquiry form.
Marriage visitor visa UK documents required
To apply for a marriage visitor visa, you will need to complete and submit the online application form1, and this must be done from outside of the UK. As part of this process, you will need to pay the marriage visitor visa UK cost of £127 and provide certain documents to prove your eligibility; these may include:
- Your passport proving your identity and age
- Proof of relationship (e.g., tenancy agreement or joint bank statement)
- Evidence that you intend to give notice, marry or enter into a civil partnership – e.g., confirmation of appointment with a registrar in the UK, email correspondence with the venue, or a booking confirmation for your reception.
- Proof that you’ve paid money towards the costs of your marriage or civil partnership in the UK
- A decree absolute or death certificate of a previous partner if you have been married previously
References
1 GOV.UK: Marriage visa online application
