For couples dreaming of a memorable wedding in the United Kingdom, obtaining the appropriate visa is essential. Choosing between a Marriage Visitor Visa is key to your wedding plans, as the type of visa you select impacts the duration and conditions of your stay.
This comprehensive guide breaks down the requirements and steps for each visa type, helping you determine which visa aligns with your plans to marry in the UK. Additionally, the experienced team at DJF Solicitors is here to expertly guide you through the application process, ensuring that your journey to the altar is as smooth as possible.
The UK Marriage Visitor Visa: An Overview
The Marriage Visitor Visa is designed for couples who intend to hold their wedding ceremony in the UK but do not plan to settle in the country afterward. This visa category, a subset of the Standard Visitor Visa, allows you to enter the UK solely to marry or enter a civil partnership. The visa is valid for up to six months, after which you must leave the country.
Key Points to Know About the Marriage Visitor Visa
- No Work or Study Permitted: The Marriage Visitor Visa restricts the holder from working or studying during their stay.
- Limited to Wedding-Related Stay: Holders of this visa must leave the UK after the wedding. Should you wish to settle in the UK with your spouse afterward, a separate spouse visa must be applied for from your home country.
- No Dependents Allowed: You cannot bring family members under this visa, so any relatives attending the wedding must apply for separate visas.
Eligibility Requirements for the Marriage Visitor Visa
To qualify for a Marriage Visitor Visa, you must meet the following conditions:
- Age Requirement: Both partners must be 18 or older.
- Intention to Marry in the UK: Proof of a committed relationship and intent to marry is required.
- Proof of Return to Home Country: Applicants must demonstrate strong ties to their home country, ensuring they intend to return after the wedding.
- Financial Means: Proof of financial self-sufficiency during the stay is necessary.
- Organisational Evidence: Documentation showing concrete wedding arrangements in the UK, such as venue booking and accommodation details.
By working with DJF Lexvisa Solicitors, you can ensure that all requirements are properly addressed, reducing the risk of delays or complications with your application.
Document Requirements for the Marriage Visitor Visa
Applying for a Marriage Visitor Visa involves gathering and submitting a range of supporting documents:
- Passport: A valid passport for both partners.
- Proof of Wedding Arrangements: This may include a wedding venue booking or correspondence with a UK registry office.
- Financial Documents: Evidence of funds to support your stay.
- Return Travel Plans: Confirmed travel bookings to leave the UK after the wedding.
- Proof of Legal Capacity to Marry: Documents showing marital status, such as divorce or death certificates if previously married.
For peace of mind, consider DJF Lexvisa Solicitors to handle your document review, ensuring every detail meets UK immigration standards. With our expertise, you avoid common application errors that may lead to processing delays.
How to Apply for a Marriage Visitor Visa
- Submit an Online Application: Applications can be completed through the UK government’s official portal.
- Pay the Visa Fee: A fee of £115 applies to Marriage Visitor Visa applications.
- Upload Supporting Documents: Professional English translations of all documents are required.
- Biometrics Appointment: Visit a UK visa application centre for fingerprinting and photographs.
Working with DJF Lexvisa Solicitors provides assurance that all documentation is correctly submitted and that you’re prepared for each application stage.
Difference Between Marriage Visitor Visa and a UK Fiancé(e) Visa
Purpose and Duration
- Marriage Visitor Visa: This visa is ideal for those who wish to enter the UK solely to get married or enter a civil partnership. It allows a stay for up to six months, during which the visa holder can marry but must then return to their home country. It is not intended for those planning to settle in the UK after marriage.
- Fiancé(e) Visa: This visa is intended for those engaged to a UK citizen or settled person and plan to marry and remain in the UK. It also allows for a six-month stay but includes the option to apply for a Spouse Visa after marriage without needing to leave the UK, which provides a path to residency.
Residency and Settlement Options
- Marriage Visitor Visa: Does not grant residency rights in the UK. The holder must leave the UK after the marriage ceremony and apply for a separate visa if they later wish to settle.
- Fiancé(e) Visa: Provides a pathway to stay in the UK after marriage, allowing the visa holder to switch to a Spouse Visa, which can lead to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) over time.
Eligibility and Relationship Requirements
- Marriage Visitor Visa: Applicants must demonstrate that they intend to leave the UK after marriage, have strong ties to their home country, and have funds to support themselves. This visa does not require the partner to be a UK resident or citizen.
- Fiancé(e) Visa: Requires that the partner be a UK citizen or have settled status. The couple must also demonstrate a genuine relationship, provide evidence of intention to marry within six months, and meet certain financial and accommodation requirements.
Financial Requirements
- Marriage Visitor Visa: Financial requirements are limited to showing sufficient funds for the duration of the visit, with no minimum income threshold.
- Fiancé(e) Visa: The UK sponsor must meet a minimum income requirement (currently £29,000) or show sufficient savings to support the applicant without accessing public funds.
Work and Study Restrictions
- Marriage Visitor Visa: Holders cannot work or study while in the UK.
- Fiancé(e) Visa: Although holders cannot work while on a Fiancé(e) Visa, they may work once they switch to a Spouse Visa after marriage.
Cost
- Marriage Visitor Visa: £115 application fee, similar to a tourist visa.
- Fiancé(e) Visa: Significantly more expensive, with a current application fee of £1,846. Additional costs may include document processing and immigration health surcharges when switching to a Spouse Visa.
In summary, a Marriage Visitor Visa is for those planning to marry in the UK but not intending to stay, while a Fiancé(e) Visa is suited for couples aiming to marry and establish a life in the UK.
DJF Lexvisa Solicitors: Your Trusted Partner for UK Marriage Visa Applications
Choosing the right visa is the first step in your UK wedding journey, but ensuring a seamless application process is just as vital. With DJF Lexvisa Solicitors, you gain access to experienced professionals who provide in-depth guidance, meticulous document review, and personalised support. Entrusting your visa application to us means placing it in expert hands, leaving you to focus on planning your wedding while we handle the complexities of UK immigration. Contact DJF Lexvisa Solicitors today to make your UK wedding dream a reality.