Marriage Visitor Visa
What is a Marriage Visitor Visa?
A Marriage Visitor Visa allows individuals to travel to the UK for up to six months to get married or register a civil partnership. This visa is specifically designed for those who plan to visit the UK for their ceremony and then leave the country afterwards, rather than staying long-term.
The Marriage Visitor Visa is ideal for couples who wish to have their ceremony in the UK but intend to live elsewhere after their marriage or civil partnership is registered. The ceremony must take place at a venue that is licensed for this purpose in the UK.
How Does the Scale-up Worker Visa Work?
You must apply for a Marriage Visitor Visa if:
- You are not a British citizen or do not have settled or pre-settled status in the UK
- You intend to marry or register a civil partnership in the UK
- You plan to leave the UK after the ceremony
- You give notice of a marriage or civil partnership in the UK
- You meet the eligibility requirements
This visa is not appropriate if you intend to remain in the UK after your marriage. In such cases, a Family Visa or another settlement route would be more suitable.
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 received a decision yet
- You're an Irish citizen
What Can You Do with a Marriage Visitor Visa?
Permitted Activities
With a Marriage Visitor Visa, you can:
- Marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months of your arrival
- Use a venue licensed for this purpose
- Pass through the UK in transit (on your way to another country)
- Engage in limited tourist activities during your stay
Application Process for the Standard Visitor Visa
The Marriage Visitor Visa does not allow you to:
- Receive 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 category whilst in the UK
- Work – except for permitted activities related to your work or business overseas, such as attending meetings
- Study for extended periods
Book appointment with VFS Global after submitting the form. Attend with documents and submit fingerprints/photo.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
To qualify for a Marriage Visitor Visa, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old (both partners)
- Be in a genuine and subsisting relationship
- Provide evidence of your plans to marry or register a civil partnership (e.g., venue booking confirmation)
- Intend to visit the UK for less than 6 months
- Plan to leave the UK at the end of your visit
- Not intend to live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits
- Have enough money to support yourself during your stay
- Have arranged accommodation for your visit
- Be able to pay for your return or onward journey
- Demonstrate strong ties to your home country that will ensure your return (such as employment, property ownership, or family ties)
How Do You Apply for a Marriage Visitor Visa?
Application Process
Complete the online application form at www.gov.uk/marriage-visa
Pay the application fee of £127
Book an appointment at a visa application centre in your country
Attend your appointment to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo)
Submit your supporting documents (either upload them online before your appointment or bring them to your appointment, depending on your location)
Where to Apply
You must apply online from outside the UK. You cannot switch to this visa if you are already in the UK on a different visa.
The application should be submitted at least 3 weeks before your intended travel date, but you can apply up to 3 months in advance.
What Documents Do You Need?
To support your Marriage Visitor Visa application, you should provide:
- A valid passport or travel document with at least one blank page for the visa
- Evidence of your relationship with your partner (e.g., photos together, communication history, statements from friends/family)
Proof of your marriage or civil partnership plans, such as:
- Confirmation from the register office where you gave notice
- Booking confirmation from your ceremony venue
- Wedding invitations
- Evidence of wedding preparations
Financial documents to prove you can support yourself, such as:
- Bank statements
- Payslips or proof of income
- Details of where you will stay in the UK
Evidence of your intention to leave the UK after your visit, such as:
- Return travel bookings
- Proof of employment or study in your home country
- Property ownership or rental agreements in your home country
- Family ties in your home country
Documents relating to any previous marriages or civil partnerships (if applicable), such as:
- Divorce certificates
- Death certificates of former partners
- All documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by certified translations.
Duration, Extensions, and Employment Flexibility
Visa Application Fee
The Marriage Visitor Visa application fee is £127 per person.
Healthcare Surcharge
Unlike some other UK visas, the Immigration Health Surcharge does not apply to Marriage Visitor Visas.
Processing Times
Standard processing typically takes around 3 weeks from the date of your biometric appointment. However, processing times can vary depending on your country of application and the time of year.
Priority services may be available for an additional fee, offering faster processing times (typically 5 working days).
What Happens After You Apply?
After submitting your application and biometric information:
- Your application will be processed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)
- You may be contacted if further information is needed
- You might be invited to attend an interview if clarification is required
- You will receive a decision by email
If your application is successful, you will receive a vignette (sticker) in your passport valid for 6 months from your intended date of travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I extend my Marriage Visitor Visa?
No, the Marriage Visitor Visa cannot be extended. You must leave the UK before your visa expires.
Can I switch to another visa whilst in the UK on a Marriage Visitor Visa?
No, you must return to your home country to apply for a different type of visa. You cannot switch to another visa category whilst in the UK.
Can I include dependants on my application?
No, each person must apply separately. This includes your fiancé(e) or civil partner, who must also apply for their own Marriage Visitor Visa if they are not a British citizen or settled person.
Can I work in the UK with a Marriage Visitor Visa?
No, you cannot work in the UK with a Marriage Visitor Visa. You may only participate in business meetings or other permitted activities related to your overseas employment.
What is the difference between a Marriage Visitor Visa and a Fiancé(e) Visa?
A Marriage Visitor Visa is for those who plan to get married in the UK and then leave. A Fiancé(e) Visa is for those who intend to get married in the UK and then settle there permanently with their British or settled partner.
Latest Marriage Visitor Visa News
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