Non-EEA migrants who wish to marry their British or settled partners in the UK must apply for a UK fiancé visa. If your application is successful you will be granted entry clearance to enter the UK to marry. Your marriage ceremony must take place within 6 months from the date of your entry clearance and before the expiry. The UK fiancé visa is different from the UK a marriage visitor visa. We often receive immigration inquiries from migrants asking whether they can study in the UK on their UK fiancé visa?
What is a UK fiancé visa?
A UK fiancé visa allows a non-EEA partner to enter the UK to marry their British or settled partner. The visa will be issued for a period of 6 months. Once the marriage is solemnised, the non-EEA partner can apply for a UK spouse visa. If your partner is an EEA national you can apply for an EEA Family Permit to enter the UK and then apply for an EEA Residence Card. However, post-Brexit all applications will be made under the Immigration Rules.
What is required for a UK fiancé visa?
At the time of your fiancé visa application, your partner must be a British citizen settled in the UK or must hold Indefinite Leave to Remain and be settled in the UK. Settled in the UK means that your partner must be physically in the UK at the time of your application and must intend on staying in the UK. If your partner is coming with you to the UK you must provide evidence that your partner intends to make the UK their home if the application is successful. UK fiancé applications must be submitted in accordance with the Immigration Rules. In particular, Appendix FM and Appendix FM-SE. In order to submit a successful application you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be aged 18 or over;
- Your Sponsor must be British or settled;
- You must have met your partner in person and be in a genuine and subsisting relationship;
- You must have the intention to get married in the UK;
- You must meet the financial requirement of £18,600 through your Sponsor and show you can be maintained and accommodated in the UK without recourse to public funds; and
- You must meet the English language requirement (CEFR A1). You can also meet this requirement if you have a degree taught in English in the UK or be from a majority English speaking country.
You will need to submit the correct mandatory and supporting documents with your application. The Home Office expects to see specific documents in evidence of each requirement and a failure to submit these documents may result in an automatic refusal. Our specialist immigration team has a proven track record of submitting successful UK fiancé applications.
Can I study in the UK on a UK fiancé visa?
We regularly receive inquiries from migrants on fiancé visas asking whether they are permitted to study in the UK at college or university. Generally, it is our professional opinion that the migrants on fiancé visas should get married and then switch into a spouse visa, which will allow them to study in the UK. This is a grey area as the Immigration Rules and applicable Appendixes stay silent on the issue of studying. In terms of employment on the fiancé visa, Appendix FM to the Immigration Rules states:
“where the applicant is a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner, the applicant will be granted entry clearance for a period not exceeding 6 months, and subject to a prohibition on employment and a condition of no recourse to public funds”
However, there is nothing explicitly for study. Therefore, we often receive enquires questioning wherein the law studying is prohibited. However, the purpose of the fiancé visa is to enter to marry and then switch into a spouse visa. Further, as most educational or vocational training courses are for a period of more than 6 months it is unlikely you will be offered admission as the institution may refuse to give you a place.
Can I work on the UK fiancé visa?
All employment is prohibited on the UK fiancé visa. You may only start working when you have married and switched over to a UK spouse visa. You cannot work until you have received a new Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). Therefore, it is advised that migrants apply using a priority visa service (24-hour) for a faster decision. There is a separate fee for this service. If you decide to apply for the UK spouse visa using the standard service a decision can take anywhere between 2 to 6 months.
How much does the UK fiancé visa cost?
A UK fiancé visa cost £1523 if you are applying under the traditional entry clearance route from your country of residence. If you are switching into a UK fiancé from within the UK the fee is £1033 (this is under review). As the visa is granted for a period of 6 months there will no Immigration Health Surcharge payment (IHS). The IHS covers an applicant’s health care in the UK. The Immigration Health Surcharge is only payable for all visa routes that are valid for more than 6 months.
How our immigration solicitors can help with a UK fiancé visa application?
Our immigration solicitors in London specialise in fiancé visa applications and prepare applications to the highest standard. We have an impeccable track history of submitting successful visa applications. The key to submitting a successful fiancé visa application is being aware of the relevant Immigration Rules and submitting the correct supporting documents. Our immigration solicitors in London guide Applicants through the requirements and prepare detailed legal submissions in support of the application. In addition to the legal representations, our team of solicitors also provides multiple substantial reviews of the application bundle to ensure that the correct documentary evidence is submitted. We also prepare and assist with the submission of the application.
Using our Immigration Solicitors in London to submit a successful UK fiancé visa application
Legal representatives, such as our specialist immigration and visa law firm, are qualified to advise you on immigration law and your immigration matter. You can instruct one of our immigration and visa legal representatives to successfully assist you with an application to apply for a fiancé visa application. Our solicitors and Barristers will help you comply with the Home Office’s requirements and meet the Immigration Rules.
Caseworkers at the Home Office are trained to reject applications, which are improperly prepared, for example by failing to provide the correct supporting evidence. In order to ensure your application succeeds, our solicitors and barristers will ensure all specified documents must be provided.
The UK Immigration Rules are complex and a legal representative can help ensure that your application meets the Immigration Rules.
Successful UK fiancé visa application with our Immigration Solicitors in London
Our team of solicitors and barristers are specialist immigration lawyers who act in your best interest. We offer a client-tailored approach from the outset. From the very first meeting, we will be able to advise you in respect of your prospects of submitting a fiancé visa application before your application even reaches the Home Office UK Visa & Immigration department. We can assist you with the preparation and submission of a fiancé visa application and ensure that you meet all the requirements under the Immigration Rules.
We are based in the legal epicentre of London, just across the road from the Royal Courts of Justice in order to ensure we get the best results for our clients. We are minutes away from the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal, the Royal Courts of Justice and other central London courts.
Preparation is the key to successful immigration applications. Our UK immigration and visa solicitors are here to guide you through the complex immigration rules and requirements. If you wish to meet one of our lawyers, please call our Immigration Team so we can assess your case and arrange your legal consultation to discuss a fiancé visa application.
Contact our London immigration solicitors on 02030110276 or complete our contact form.