Fiancé Visa UK 2026: Eligibility, Costs & Timing

Section A: What is a Fiancé Visa?

A Fiancé visa allows a non-UK national to enter the United Kingdom so they can marry or form a civil partnership with a British citizen or a person with UK settled status. The marriage or civil partnership is expected to take place during the visa validity period, which is up to six months.

The visa is designed for couples who are not yet legally married or in a civil partnership but intend to complete that step in the UK and then remain together on the family route. It operates as a short, time-limited entry clearance that enables the legal ceremony to take place before an in-country application for further permission as a partner.

Permission is granted for up to six months. During this period, the visa holder cannot work or access public funds, but they can make final preparations for the ceremony and put longer-term plans in place. The route is structured around a clear sequence and does not function as a general residence visa.

Once the marriage or civil partnership has been legally registered, the applicant can apply for leave to remain as a partner under the Family visa routes. This is done by submitting an in-country FLR(M) application to switch to a Spouse Visa. A successful application typically grants permission to stay in the UK for two years and six months and gives the right to work and study.

Before the initial Spouse visa expires, a further extension application is required. After completing 60 months of lawful limited leave on the partner route, an applicant may become eligible for indefinite leave to remain, and in turn British citizenship by marriage, subject to meeting the relevant requirements at each stage.

1. What the Fiancé visa allows

The Fiancé visa allows entry to the UK for the purpose of marrying or entering a civil partnership with a specific sponsoring partner. It enables the couple to complete the legal ceremony in the UK and then apply from inside the country for further permission to remain as a spouse or civil partner.

The visa is tied to that single objective. It does not provide a general right to reside in the UK beyond the six-month period unless the applicant successfully switches into the partner route after the ceremony.

2. What the Fiancé visa does not allow

The Fiancé visa comes with strict limitations that often catch applicants out. It does not permit employment or self-employment, and it does not give access to public funds. The visa is not designed to be extended to accommodate delays in planning or changes of intention.

The visa also does not lead to settlement on its own. Remaining in the UK long term depends entirely on completing the marriage or civil partnership and submitting a valid in-country partner application before the visa expires. Where the ceremony does not take place within the six-month window, the applicant would usually need to leave the UK and apply again at a later date.

3. How the Fiancé visa differs from other marriage-related visas

The Fiancé visa is often confused with other UK visa routes that allow marriage, but the legal consequences are very different.

A Marriage Visitor visa allows a ceremony to take place in the UK but requires the applicant to leave afterwards. It does not allow switching into the partner route from inside the UK and is not suitable for couples who intend to live together in the UK after marriage.

A Spouse visa is designed for couples who are already married or in a civil partnership and are ready to live together in the UK on a longer-term basis. It allows work and study from the outset but cannot be used where the marriage has not yet taken place.

Choosing the correct route at the outset matters. Applying for the wrong visa can lead to refusal, unnecessary cost or having to leave the UK and start the process again.

4. Who the Fiancé visa is not suitable for

The Fiancé visa is not the right route for every couple. It is unlikely to be suitable where the couple is not ready to marry or enter a civil partnership within a short timeframe, or where there is uncertainty about ceremony dates or practical arrangements.

It is also not suitable for applicants who need permission to work immediately, as the visa does not allow employment or self-employment. Couples who intend to live together long term but are already married, or able to marry before applying, are usually better served by applying directly for a Spouse visa from outside the UK.

The route also carries higher risk where timing is tight, income is marginal or evidence is incomplete. In those situations, applying under the wrong route can lead to refusal, loss of fees and having to leave the UK to start the process again.

Section B: Fiancé visa requirements

The Fiancé visa is assessed against a defined set of requirements under the Immigration Rules. Applicants need to meet all of these at the date of application. Most refusals arise because one or more requirements are misunderstood or assumed rather than evidenced.

At a high level, UKVI looks at five areas: the status of the sponsoring partner, the genuineness of the relationship, the intention to marry within the visa period, the ability to support and accommodate the applicant without public funds and compliance with the English language requirement.

1. Who can qualify for a Fiancé visa?

Both partners need to be aged 18 or over, free to marry and have met each other in person. The sponsoring partner needs to be a British citizen or hold settled status in the UK. The relationship must be genuine and ongoing, with a clear intention to live together permanently in the UK once married or in a civil partnership.

The application also needs to confirm that the ceremony will take place in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland within the visa validity period, which is up to six months. This is not a flexible timeframe and planning assumptions are closely scrutinised.

2. Relationship evidence

Applicants need to show that the relationship is genuine and subsisting. UKVI assesses quality, consistency and credibility rather than volume. Evidence usually includes photographs taken together over time, travel records showing visits to see each other, communication logs and statements from people who know the couple.

Relationships that have developed primarily online need particularly clear evidence of in-person contact. UKVI looks for progression over time rather than isolated snapshots, so evidence should be organised chronologically to allow the caseworker to follow the relationship’s development.

3. Do we need to marry within six months?

You need to show that firm plans are in place for the marriage or civil partnership to take place within the visa period. Evidence often includes confirmation from a licensed venue or register office, deposit receipts or correspondence confirming dates and locations.

The route is time-limited and not designed to accommodate delays. Where the ceremony does not take place within the six-month window, the applicant would usually need to leave the UK and apply again when ready to proceed.

4. Previous marriages or civil partnerships

Where either partner has been married or in a civil partnership before, those relationships need to have legally ended. UKVI expects to see formal evidence such as a divorce decree absolute or final order, a civil partnership dissolution certificate or a death certificate.

Previous relationships that were not marriages or civil partnerships do not require formal proof of ending, but they may still be relevant in understanding the history of the relationship.

5. Financial requirement

In most cases, the sponsoring partner needs to meet a minimum income requirement of £29,000 per year under Appendix FM. This applies to new applicants following the changes introduced in April 2024.

A lower threshold of £18,600, and child add-on figures where applicable, continue to apply only where the applicant was first granted permission as a partner before 11 April 2024 and is extending their stay with the same partner on the same route. These transitional arrangements are therefore not applicable if the relationship changes or the applicant switches immigration routes.

Income can be met through permitted employment income, self-employment or other approved sources. Cash savings can be used on their own or to supplement income. For applications subject to the post-11 April 2024 rules, there are no additional income amounts for dependant children. The minimum income requirement is £29,000 regardless of the number of children.

6. Meeting the financial requirement in practice

a. Salary income

Most sponsors rely on employment income. Where the sponsor has worked for the same employer for at least six months, evidence normally includes six months of payslips and corresponding bank statements showing gross annual earnings of at least £29,000. Where employment has been held for less than six months or income varies, a twelve-month assessment period is used, supported by twelve months of payslips and bank statements.

Self-employed sponsors usually rely on their most recent self assessment tax return, SA302 and supporting accounts. The income figure assessed is generally the amount after allowable business expenses but before tax.

b. Cash savings

Cash savings can be used to meet or supplement the income requirement. The Home Office disregards the first £16,000 of savings and applies a multiplier of 2.5 to the remaining amount.

To meet the full £29,000 requirement through savings alone, £88,500 must be held for at least six consecutive months, calculated by applying the Home Office savings formula of £16,000 plus 2.5 times the income shortfall. Statements in the name of the applicant, the sponsor or jointly should show continuous ownership and the closing balance on the date of application.

c. Combining income and savings

Where income falls short of the required level, savings can bridge the gap. For example, if the sponsor earns £24,000, there is a £5,000 shortfall. Applying the savings formula means £12,500 is required in addition to the £16,000 disregard, giving total savings of £28,500.

d. Transitional cases

Where the transitional £18,600 threshold applies, the same savings formula is used but calculations are based on the lower figure. These arrangements apply only while the applicant remains on the same partner route with the same sponsoring partner.

7. English language requirement

Unless an exemption applies, the applicant needs to show basic English speaking and listening ability at CEFR level A1. This is usually met through a Secure English Language Test (SELT) taken with a Home Office-approved provider, or through an eligible degree that was taught in English and confirmed as equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree by Ecctis.

Nationals of majority English-speaking countries are exempt. Applicants aged 65 or over, or those with a long-term physical or mental condition that prevents them from meeting the requirement, can rely on a medical exemption supported by appropriate evidence.

Secure English Language Test certificates are normally valid for two years for entry clearance applications. Tests that have previously been accepted in a successful application may be reused in later applications in line with Home Office policy.

8. Accommodation suitability

Applicants need to show that suitable accommodation will be available in the UK without reliance on public funds. The property needs to be legally occupied, owned or rented and must not be overcrowded under housing standards. Evidence can include a tenancy agreement or title deeds, recent utility bills and, where relevant, an independent property inspection report confirming room sizes and permitted occupancy.

9. Tuberculosis testing

A tuberculosis clearance certificate is required where the applicant has been continuously present for six months or more in a country listed in Appendix T, including any period within the six months before the visa application is made. This requirement can apply even though a Fiancé visa is granted for less than six months.

The test needs to be taken at a Home Office-approved clinic. The certificate is normally valid for six months. Short visits to listed countries that do not amount to continuous residence usually do not trigger the requirement, but applicants should always check the current country list and clinic details before applying.

Section C: Fiancé Visa Application Process

The Fiancé visa application follows a defined overseas entry clearance process. Applications are made online, supported by documentary evidence and biometrics, and assessed against the Immigration Rules in force at the date of decision. Errors at this stage often carry forward into later applications, so accuracy and sequencing matter.

1. Where and how to apply

A Fiancé visa application is submitted online through the Home Office system from outside the UK. The applicant creates an account, completes the application form and answers questions covering personal details, immigration history, relationship evidence, finances and future plans.

At the payment stage, the applicant confirms that the Immigration Health Surcharge does not apply because the visa is granted for less than six months. Once payment is made, a unique reference number is issued and should be used in all correspondence.

After submission, the applicant books an appointment at a visa application centre to enrol biometrics, including fingerprints and a digital photograph. Supporting documents are usually uploaded online in advance, although some centres offer scanning services on the day. Originals should be retained in case UKVI requests them later.

2. Application fees and decision times

The Home Office fee for a Fiancé visa application made outside the UK is £1,938. The fee applies per applicant and is not refunded if the application is refused.

Standard processing times are usually up to twelve weeks, although this varies by country and by case complexity. In some locations, faster decision services may be offered for an additional fee. Where available, the price and expected timeframe are displayed during the application process rather than guaranteed in advance.

Applicants should factor in the possibility of delays where UKVI requests further information. Requests typically specify what is required and the deadline for response. Missing a response deadline can lead to refusal, even where the underlying requirements are met.

3. Supporting documents and evidence preparation

Each applicant needs to submit a valid passport or travel document showing identity and nationality. The sponsoring partner provides a British passport or evidence of settled status. Where available, previous passports that show travel between the couple can help demonstrate in-person contact.

Relationship evidence should present a clear narrative. Photographs together over time, travel records, communication logs and third-party statements are commonly used. Documents should be labelled and ordered logically so the caseworker can understand how the relationship has developed.

Financial evidence depends on how the requirement is met. Employed sponsors usually submit payslips and matching bank statements for the relevant assessment period. Self-employed sponsors provide their most recent tax return, SA302 and supporting accounts. Where savings are relied on, bank statements covering at least six consecutive months are required, and the funds should remain available until a decision is issued.

Accommodation evidence should show that suitable housing will be available without overcrowding. This can include tenancy agreements, mortgage statements, title deeds and utility bills. Where the applicant will live in accommodation owned or occupied by another person, a property inspection report is often used to confirm suitability.

Evidence of wedding or civil partnership arrangements needs to show that firm plans are in place. Confirmation from a registrar or licensed venue, invoices or deposit receipts and correspondence agreeing dates and locations are commonly relied on.

4. What timing mistakes cause Fiancé visa problems?

The Fiancé visa route leaves little room for error on timing. Registry offices often require at least 28 days’ notice before a ceremony can take place, and appointment availability can be limited in some areas. Delays in booking notice appointments or venues can quickly erode the six-month window.

After the ceremony, the in-country partner application needs to be submitted before the Fiancé visa expires. Allowing too little time for document preparation, biometric enrolment or payment can create last-minute pressure and increase the risk of overstaying. Planning the full sequence from arrival through to FLR(M) submission at the outset reduces these risks.

Section D: Dependant Children in a Fiancé Visa Application

Dependant children can be included in a Fiancé visa application, but their position needs to be considered carefully because the route is short and time-limited. UKVI looks at the family unit as a whole and assesses whether the arrangements proposed are realistic during the six-month period and beyond.

1. Which children can be included

A child must be under the age of 18 on the date of application and must not be living an independent life. This means the child cannot be married or in a civil partnership, in full-time employment or living separately from the family unit on a permanent basis.

The child must be the biological or adopted child of the applicant or the sponsoring partner, or a child for whom both partners have parental responsibility. Evidence of parentage and responsibility will usually be required, such as birth certificates or adoption orders.

2. Living arrangements and intention to reside together

UKVI needs to be satisfied that the child intends to live with the applicant and the sponsoring partner in the UK. The application should clearly explain where the child will live, who will be responsible for day-to-day care and how schooling or childcare will be managed if relevant.

Where a child will join the applicant at a later date rather than travelling together, this should be explained clearly, with supporting evidence showing that suitable accommodation and care arrangements will still be in place.

3. Financial requirement where children are included

Where dependant children form part of the application, the financial requirement still applies under the partner route rules. In most cases, the sponsoring partner needs to meet the £29,000 minimum income requirement. Policy guidance refers to additional amounts for children, but the overall requirement does not exceed £29,000.

Where transitional rules apply because the applicant was first granted permission on the family route before 11 April 2024 and is extending with the same partner, the earlier £18,600 threshold and child add-on figures continue to apply. These transitional arrangements fall away if the applicant switches route or the relationship changes.

4. Accommodation suitability for children

The application needs to show that accommodation will be suitable for all family members and will not be overcrowded under housing standards. This includes demonstrating that there is sufficient sleeping space and that the property is lawfully occupied.

Evidence often includes tenancy agreements or title deeds, utility bills and, where space is borderline, an independent property inspection report confirming room sizes and permitted occupancy.

5. Practical considerations during the six-month period

A Fiancé visa is granted for a maximum of six months and does not allow work or access to public funds. The route is intended to allow the marriage or civil partnership to take place so that a longer-term partner application can then be submitted.

Where children are included, careful planning is needed. If the marriage does not take place within the visa period, the applicant and any dependant children would usually need to leave the UK before the visa expires and apply again when ready to proceed. This risk should be factored into decisions about travel, schooling and accommodation from the outset.

Section E: Common refusal reasons and how to avoid them

Fiancé visa applications are examined closely because the route sits at the entry point to the UK family migration system. Refusals often arise not because couples fall outside the rules, but because the evidence submitted does not clearly demonstrate that the requirements are met. Understanding where applications most commonly fail allows those risks to be managed in advance.

1. Insufficient or poorly presented relationship evidence

Applications are frequently refused where the relationship evidence does not show continuity and progression. Single photographs, short message extracts or undated screenshots rarely carry much weight on their own. UKVI looks for a consistent pattern of contact over time, supported by evidence of in-person meetings.

Presenting relationship evidence as a chronological bundle helps the caseworker follow how the relationship developed. Travel records, dated photographs, communication logs and statements from people who know the couple can be combined to show both duration and commitment. Where relationships began online, clear evidence of face-to-face meetings is particularly important.

2. Financial evidence gaps and technical errors

Financial documentation is one of the most common refusal triggers. Missing payslips, bank statements that do not cover the full assessment period or inconsistencies between declared income and supporting documents can all undermine an application.

Each payslip should correspond to a matching bank statement entry, and statements should normally end no more than twenty-eight days before the online application is submitted. For self-employed sponsors, the most recent tax return, SA302 and supporting accounts are required. Where savings are relied on, the balance must have remained above the required level for at least six consecutive months, with statements clearly showing the account holder’s name and account number.

3. Inconsistencies across forms, documents and interviews

Discrepancies between the information provided in the application form, supporting documents and any interview responses can lead to refusal. Common issues include conflicting dates for when the couple first met, different addresses shown across documents or mismatched income figures.

Reviewing the full application together before submission helps reduce this risk. Where an error is identified after submission, providing a clear explanation through the appropriate UKVI update process can sometimes mitigate concern. During interviews, applicants should rely on their own recollection rather than rehearsed responses, as genuine couples tend to provide consistent accounts rooted in shared experience.

4. Timing failures and expiry risk

The six-month validity of the Fiancé visa leaves little margin for error. Delays in booking a register office appointment, giving notice or securing a ceremony date can mean the marriage does not take place in time. Leaving the in-country partner application too late after the ceremony can also result in overstaying.

UKVI does not treat administrative delays as justification for remaining in the UK beyond the visa expiry. Planning the entire sequence from arrival through to FLR(M) submission, including notice periods and biometric appointments, is one of the most effective ways to avoid refusal or status problems.

5. What happens if a Fiancé visa is refused

A refused Fiancé visa application normally results in the loss of the application fee. There is only a limited right of appeal, based on human rights grounds. In some cases, administrative review may also be available where the refusal is based on a caseworking error.

A refusal does not prevent a future application, but it can increase scrutiny. Subsequent applications need to address the refusal reasons directly with clearer evidence. Where the refusal relates to relationship credibility or financial evidence, failing to correct the underlying issue often leads to repeat refusal.

Section F: Fiancé to Spouse Visa

The Fiancé visa is a short, time-limited entry clearance designed to lead directly into the UK partner route. Its purpose is to allow the legal marriage or civil partnership to take place so that the applicant can then apply from inside the UK for further permission to remain. Understanding how this transition works, and where problems commonly arise, is central to using the route successfully.

1. Completing the marriage or civil partnership

The marriage or civil partnership needs to be legally registered within the validity of the Fiancé visa, which is up to six months. Most register offices require at least 28 days’ notice, and in some areas appointment availability can be limited. Delays in giving notice or securing a ceremony date can quickly reduce the time available for the next stage.

The route is not designed to be extended to accommodate planning issues or changes of mind. Where the ceremony does not take place within the visa period, the applicant would usually need to leave the UK before the visa expires and apply again when ready to proceed.

2. Switching to a Spouse Visa from inside the UK (FLR(M))

Once the marriage or civil partnership has been legally registered, the applicant can apply for Further Leave to Remain as a partner under the FLR(M) route. The application needs to be submitted online before the Fiancé visa expires.

This application reassesses the relationship, accommodation and financial position at the point of switching. Updated evidence is required to show that the relationship is ongoing and that the financial and accommodation requirements continue to be met. The English language requirement also applies at the level relevant to the stage of the partner route being applied for, in line with the Immigration Rules and Home Office policy.

Allowing sufficient time after the ceremony to prepare documents, attend biometric enrolment and submit the application reduces the risk of last-minute issues that could affect lawful status.

3. eVisa and immigration status after approval

If the Spouse visa application is approved, immigration status is issued digitally as an eVisa. The eVisa record confirms the visa type, expiry date and right to work and is accessed through the applicant’s UKVI account rather than a physical document.

Where passports or travel documents change, the UKVI account should be updated so that the eVisa remains correctly linked. Employers and other third parties will rely on the eVisa record to confirm status and right to work. Applicants should ensure their UKVI account details remain up to date, as errors can cause right-to-work or travel difficulties.

4. The five-year route to settlement

A Spouse visa granted under the FLR(M) route is usually valid for two years and six months. Before this expires, an extension application needs to be submitted, again showing that the relationship remains genuine and that the financial, accommodation and English language requirements continue to be met.

After completing five years on the partner route, combining the initial Spouse visa and the extension, an applicant may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Settlement applications also require evidence of knowledge of language and life in the UK and confirmation that immigration conditions have been complied with throughout the qualifying period.

5. From settlement to British citizenship

Once Indefinite Leave to Remain is granted, an applicant may be eligible to apply for British citizenship by naturalisation. Where the applicant is married to a British citizen, it is usually possible to apply as soon as ILR is granted. In other cases, a qualifying period of holding ILR applies.

Citizenship applications assess good character, residence history and compliance with immigration conditions over a longer timeframe, so records gathered throughout the fiancé and partner stages often become relevant again at this final stage.

Section G: Need assistance?

The fiancé to partner route is sequential. Decisions made at the outset often determine how smoothly later stages progress. Evidence gathered for the Fiancé visa is frequently reused when switching to a Spouse visa, extending leave and applying for settlement, so gaps or inconsistencies can compound over time.

Advice is often most valuable where circumstances fall outside the straightforward, such as variable income, self-employment, previous immigration history, limited time to complete the ceremony or the inclusion of dependant children. Early guidance can help structure evidence and timing in a way that reduces refusal risk and avoids avoidable delays.

Contact us for advice.

Section H: Fiancé Visa FAQs

Can I work on a Fiancé Visa in the UK?

The Fiancé visa does not give permission to work or to be self-employed. Employment is only permitted once a Spouse visa has been granted following the marriage or civil partnership.

How soon do we need to get married after arrival?

The marriage or civil partnership needs to take place within the visa validity period, which is up to six months. The route is time-limited and not designed to be extended, so couples should plan to complete the ceremony and submit the next application before the visa expires.

Can we apply for a Spouse Visa straight after the wedding?

Once the marriage or civil partnership has been legally registered, you can apply from inside the UK to switch to a Spouse visa. The application needs to be submitted before the Fiancé visa expires.

What happens if the wedding is postponed or cancelled?

If the marriage or civil partnership does not take place within the visa period, the applicant would usually need to leave the UK before the Fiancé visa expires and apply again when ready to proceed.

Is a civil partnership treated the same as a marriage?

Yes. The Immigration Rules apply equally to marriages and civil partnerships, including for same-sex and opposite-sex couples.

Do we need to give notice to marry before applying for the visa?

No. Legal notice is given after arrival in the UK. For the visa application, you need to show that firm plans are in place, such as confirmation from a registrar or licensed venue.

Can we have a religious ceremony only?

A religious ceremony can take place, but there must also be a legal marriage or civil partnership recognised under UK law within the visa period.

Do we need to have lived together before applying?

There is no requirement to have lived together before applying for a Fiancé visa. Evidence of having spent time together in person will, however, support the genuineness of the relationship.

How far in advance can I apply?

You can apply up to six months before your intended travel date. Processing times should be factored in to ensure there is enough time to marry within the visa validity period.

Where do I need to apply from?

You can apply from any country where you are lawfully resident, provided you can attend a visa application centre to enrol biometrics.

Section I: Glossary

Section J: Additional resources