APPLY FOR A UK FIANCÉ VISA
UK Fiancé Visa
A UK fiancé visa lets you come to the UK to marry your partner, and then apply to stay here as their spouse.
It’s for couples who plan to marry and make their permanent home together in the UK. You’ll need to show your relationship is genuine, that you plan to marry within six months of arriving, and that you meet the financial, accommodation and English language requirements.
The same route is available if you’re planning to form a civil partnership.
Who can apply?
You and your partner will normally need to show that:
- you’re both 18 or over
- you’ve met in person and are in a genuine relationship
- any previous marriage or civil partnership has legally ended
- you plan to marry or form a civil partnership within six months of arriving in the UK
- you plan to live together permanently in the UK
- you meet the financial, accommodation and English language requirements
Your partner must be British or Irish, settled in the UK, or have another qualifying status. You’ll normally need to apply from outside the UK.
Proving your relationship
The Home Office needs to be satisfied that your relationship is genuine and that you really intend to marry.
Useful evidence includes how your relationship developed, visits to see each other, messages and call records, and plans for the wedding. What you can provide will depend on your circumstances. A couple who’ve lived in different countries will have different evidence from a couple who’ve lived together. You don’t have to have lived together before you apply.
Proving you intend to marry
You’ll need to show you plan to marry within six months of arriving. This could be correspondence with a register office, enquiries about a venue, or other plans for the wedding.
The wedding doesn’t have to be fully organised when you apply, but the Home Office must be satisfied it’s genuine and can happen in time.
How much do you need to earn?
For most applicants, your partner will need to earn at least £29,000 a year. This can come from a job, self-employment, a pension, certain other income, or savings.
Not all income counts in the same way. For example, there are restrictions on using overseas earnings or your own income when you’re applying from abroad, and the evidence has to meet strict rules.
Can you use savings instead?
Yes. Savings can be used on their own or together with income. If you’re relying on savings alone, you’ll normally need £88,500. The money must have been held for the required period and meet the rules on who owns it and where it’s held.
What if your partner gets disability or carer’s benefits?
If your partner receives certain benefits, the £29,000 threshold doesn’t apply. Instead, you’ll need to show you can support yourselves and have somewhere suitable to live without claiming extra public funds. This is a different assessment, so you’ll need evidence of your household income, outgoings and accommodation.
Are there other exceptions?
In some cases, if refusing your application would have unjustifiably harsh consequences for you or your family, it may be considered on human rights grounds. This isn’t automatic, and it’s important to work out which requirements apply to you before you apply.
Accommodation
You’ll need somewhere suitable to live in the UK. It doesn’t have to be owned by your partner. Rented property or a home provided by family can be fine, as long as it won’t be overcrowded or break public health rules. Evidence might be a tenancy agreement, property deeds or a letter from the person you’ll be living with.
English language
You’ll need English at level A1 in speaking and listening. You can prove this with an approved English test or an eligible qualification. Some people are exempt because of age or disability. Make sure any test you take is approved for this type of application.
How much does it cost?
The application fee is £2,064. You’ll also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for the length of your visa.
Fees correct at October 2026. You can check the latest Home Office fees on GOV.UK.
How long does a decision take?
Usually around 12 weeks. Some applications take longer if extra checks are needed, so allow plenty of time before you make firm wedding or travel plans.
How long does the visa last?
A fiancé visa is normally granted for six months, and you’ll need to marry within that time. Once you’re married, you can apply from inside the UK to stay as a spouse or civil partner.
This isn’t automatic. You’ll need to make a new application with the right evidence. If there’s a good reason your wedding couldn’t happen in time, you may be able to extend your fiancé visa in some cases.
Can you work on a fiancé visa?
No. You can’t work or study on a fiancé visa. Once you’re married and granted permission to stay as a spouse, you’ll normally be able to work and study. Bear this in mind when you plan your finances.
What happens after you get married?
After the wedding, you’ll need to apply to stay in the UK as a spouse or civil partner, with evidence of your marriage, your relationship and that you meet the requirements.
If you’re granted, you’ll normally get 30 months. You can then extend your visa and, when you’re eligible, apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Does time on a fiancé visa count towards settlement?
No. Your time as a fiancé doesn’t normally count towards the five years you need for settlement. The clock usually starts when you’re granted permission as a spouse or civil partner.
Fiancé visa or Marriage Visitor visa?
It depends on what you plan to do after the wedding. A fiancé visa is for people who want to marry in the UK and then stay here. A Marriage Visitor visa is for people who want to marry in the UK but don’t plan to live here.
You can’t usually switch from a Marriage Visitor visa to a spouse visa without leaving the UK, so choosing the wrong one can cause real problems if you want to make your home here.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. You don’t have to have lived together. You just need to show your relationship is genuine and that you plan to marry and live together in the UK.
Not always, but you’ll need good evidence that you plan to marry within six months of arriving.
No. You’ll normally need to apply from outside the UK. You can’t usually switch to a fiancé visa from a visitor visa.
Your children may be able to come with you or join you. They’ll need to make their own applications and meet extra requirements, including on parental responsibility and financial support.
Possibly, if there’s a good reason the wedding couldn’t happen in time. You’ll need to explain the delay and meet the requirements.
You may be able to, but be careful with timing. If you leave the Common Travel Area while your spouse visa application is being decided, it will be treated as withdrawn.
Yes. Once you’re married, you can normally apply from inside the UK as long as your fiancé visa is still valid and you meet the requirements.
UK fiancé visa advice from Fusco Browne
A fiancé visa application needs evidence of your relationship, your plans to marry and that you meet the immigration requirements.
Problems often come from financial evidence that doesn’t meet the rules, previous marriages that haven’t been formally ended, or circumstances that aren’t explained clearly in the application.
We advise on fiancé visa eligibility, the evidence you’ll need, and your application to stay in the UK after the wedding.
If you’re planning to marry your partner in the UK, call us for a free initial assessment.