We can secure your fiancé or fiancée visa

The UK fiancé / fiancée visa is for those couples not yet married, but who want to marry and live together in the UK. It can only be applied for from abroad. It cannot be applied for from inside the UK. Exceptionally during peak Covid, it was possible to apply from inside the UK, but this is no longer the case.

The fiancé / fiancée visa is a 6-month visa, and the requirements are the same as those for the spouse visa, except for one critical difference: You must show that you intend to marry in the UK within the 6-month validity of the visa.

The foreign partner is not permitted to work on a fiancée / fiancé visa, and once married, they will need to apply for a spouse visa extension from inside the UK. This application is referred to as FLR(M). Once the foreign partner has obtained the spouse visa, then work is permitted.

Beginning with the fiancé / fiancée visa, the sequences of applications is as follows:

1. Fiancé / fiancée visa

2. Initial spouse visa (FLR-M)

3. Spouse visa extension (FLR-M)

4. Indefinite Leave to remain (ILR)

5. British citizenship

So, the fiancé / fiancée visa is essentially an additional step, added on at the beginning of the spouse visa route. For that reason, it is a more costly route. If you are able to marry outside the UK, and apply straight away for the spouse visa, this would be a cheaper option in terms of visa fees. Although you should of course consider the overall costs of conducting a wedding abroad (i.e. flights, hotels, etc.) and you may find a fiancé / fiancée visa is still cost effective.

You can find a more detailed explanation of the differences and considerations when choosing between the spouse, fiancé, unmarried partner, and marriage-visit visas, here: UK Family visas - What's the difference between them? (owlandsnake.co.uk)  And also, here:  UK Family visas: Spouse vs. Fiancé visas. What's the difference? (owlandsnake.co.uk) 

What are the fiancé / fiancée visa requirements?

• The couple must show they intend to marry in the UK during the 6-month validity of the visa. This requirement is the only difference between the fiancé / fiancée and the spouse visa requirements;

• The sponsor must be a British or Irish citizen, or have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), or be an EU national with pre-settled status from living in the UK before 1 January 2021, or any nationality with settled status under the EU settlement scheme (EUSS);

• The sponsor must also be present and settled in the UK, or returning to the UK at the same time as the foreign partner;

• The couple must both be over 18 years old at the date of application;

• The couple must not be closely related to each other prior to marriage;

• The couple must have met each other in person;

• The couple must be in a genuine and subsisting relationship with each other;

• If either the sponsor or the foreign partner were in a relationship previously, then that relationship must have ended and they must both be free to marry;

• The couple must intend to live together permanently in the UK;

• The couple must have adequate accommodation available to them in the UK;

• The foreign partner must demonstrate English language to a minimum level of CEFR A1. This would normally be evidenced with an appropriate test certificate.

• However, a UK degree or masters will also satisfy the English language requirement. Or, a non-UK degree or masters, if taught in English, and recognized by the relevant UK body as being equivalent to a UK degree or masters. Or, if the foreign spouse is from a designated majority English speaking country, then they will satisfy the English language requirement. Majority English speaking countries are considered to be: Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; the Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Canada; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Jamaica; Malta; New Zealand; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and the Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; or the United States of America.

• If the foreign partner is resident in a designated TB country, then they require a TB test certificate. You can see the list of designated TB countries here: Designated TB countries

• Suitability requirements for the foreign partner relate to their immigration history and their criminal history. If the foreign partner has no adverse immigration or criminal history, then they will satisfy these requirements. If the foreign partner has an adverse history, then it will depend on the nature of that history, as to whether it will cause a problem for the application. You can see the rules on this area, here (links to the Home Office site): Grounds for refusal

The financial requirement is the most complex part of the fiancée / fiancé visa application, and also the most important. It can be met in various different ways, so it's difficult to summarize in a just a few bullet points. But by way of an overview:

• The income requirement must be met solely by the UK sponsor, who must earn a minimum of £29,000 per year;

• If applying using savings, the required amount is £88,500. These funds must be held in an account for 6-months prior to the application, and can be in the name of either the UK sponsor, the foreign partner, or in both names jointly. More details about this route here: How to use cash savings in: How to use cash savings in UK spouse and family visa applications.

• We would strongly recommend that you read the Home Office guidance on meeting the financial requirements. The above is intended as a summary only. You can find that guidance here (links to Home Office site): Home Office financial guidance for partners