MARRIAGE VISIT VISA

The Marriage or Civil Partnership Visit Visa is intended for individuals who wish to travel to the UK to marry, form a civil partnership, or give notice of their intention to do so.

The Marriage or Civil Partnership Visit Visa route does not lead to settlement in the UK. Each applicant must submit a separate application, regardless of whether they are travelling alone or as part of a group.

For the purposes of this page, all references to the ‘Marriage Visit Visa’ include the ‘Civil Partnership Visit Visa’ unless stated otherwise.

1. Marriage Visitor Visa vs Standard Visitor Visa: What’s the Difference?

The Marriage Visit Visa is designed for individuals who intend to marry or form a civil partnership in the UK, or to give notice of their intention to do so at a UK register office. By contrast, the Standard Visitor Visa does not permit these activities.

If you are a visa national and intend to marry or give notice of marriage or civil partnership under UK law, you must apply for a Marriage Visit Visa before travelling to the UK. This requirement applies even if you hold a valid Standard Visitor Visa.

Non-visa nationals – those who do not normally require a visa for short stays – must also enter the UK specifically as a marriage visitor if they plan to give notice or marry under UK law. Entry on this basis must be declared to the border officer. A Standard Visitor Visa (or entry as a standard visitor) may only be appropriate where the purpose of the visit is to attend a non-legally binding ceremony (such as a wedding blessing or celebration) or to convert a civil partnership to a marriage without a ceremony.

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will assess the true purpose of the visit when determining whether a Marriage Visit Visa is required. Where the visit involves giving legal notice or participating in a legally recognised marriage or civil partnership ceremony, entry clearance or admission under the Marriage Visitor route is mandatory.

2. Marriage Visit Visa or Fiancé Visa: Which One Is Right for You?

Choosing between the Marriage Visit Visa and the Fiancé(e) Visa depends primarily on your intention after the ceremony.

The Marriage Visit Visa is appropriate if you intend to marry (or form a civil partnership) in the UK, but do not plan to remain in the UK afterwards. This visa is designed for those who will leave the UK at the end of their visit and who do not intend to settle or switch to a different immigration category from within the UK following the ceremony.

In contrast, if your intention is to live in the UK with your partner after the marriage or civil partnership, then you should apply for a Fiancé(e) Visa (if your partner is British or settled in the UK and the other requirements of the route are met). This visa allows you to enter the UK for the purpose of marriage (or civil partnership) and then apply for further leave to remain from within the UK under the spouse or civil partner route, ultimately leading to settlement.

It is important to select the correct visa based on your long-term plans. If you enter the UK on a Marriage Visit Visa, you will not be permitted to remain in the UK after the ceremony or to switch into a different immigration category from within the UK.

A Marriage Visit Visa may also be appropriate where you intend to eventually live in the UK long term, but your current intention is to visit the UK to get married and then leave the UK again. This may apply, for example, if you do not currently meet the requirements for a Fiancé Visa, for instance, if you have not yet met your partner in person.

3. Requirements for a UK Marriage Visit Visa

In order to qualify for a Marriage or Civil Partnership Visit Visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) that:

• You are aged 18 or over;
• You intend to give notice of marriage or civil partnership in the UK or intend to marry or form a civil partnership in the UK, within six months of your arrival;
• You are in a genuine and subsisting relationship, and do not intend to enter into a sham marriage or civil partnership;
• You are genuinely seeking entry to the UK for a purpose permitted under the Marriage Visit Visa route;
• You will not undertake any prohibited activities (such as working, studying, or accessing public funds);
• You have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to your visit (including travel, accommodation, and maintenance) without working or relying on public funds;
• You intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit, and you will not remain in the UK for more than six months;
• You do not intend to live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home;
• Your application does not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal, such as grounds related to having a criminal record or providing false information.

The exact requirements that apply to you may vary depending on your personal circumstances. You may wish to seek advice from an immigration lawyer to ensure that your application is properly prepared and stands the best chance of success.

4. Genuine Intention Requirement for a Marriage Visit Visa

To qualify for a Marriage Visit Visa, you will need to satisfy the Home Office that you genuinely intend to either:

• Give notice of marriage or civil partnership in the UK; or
• Marry or form a civil partnership in the UK,

within the period for which you are seeking entry as a Marriage Visitor. In all cases, the proposed marriage or civil partnership must not be a sham.

If you are applying in order to give notice of marriage or civil partnership at a register office, the Home Office will expect to see evidence of arrangements. This may include, for example, an appointment confirmation, email correspondence, or other documentation showing a provisional booking to give notice.

If you are applying to marry or form a civil partnership during your visit, you should provide evidence that arrangements for the ceremony are in place. This might include an email or letter confirming a booking at a register office, religious venue, or licensed premises, or a receipt for payment of the venue.

In assessing whether your relationship and proposed marriage or civil partnership are genuine, UK Visas and Immigration will consider a range of factors, including:

• The authenticity of the relationship between you and your partner;
• The arrangements for the ceremony;
• Your future plans and living arrangements; and
• Any supporting documentation submitted with the application.

If the Home Office is not satisfied that you are in a genuine relationship, or that your visit is for a permitted purpose under the Marriage Visitor route, your application will be refused.

5. Marriage Visit Visa Genuine Relationship Requirement

As part of your application for a Marriage Visit Visa, you will need to demonstrate that you are in a genuine relationship with your partner. The Home Office must be satisfied that your intention to marry or form a civil partnership in the UK is based on a genuine personal relationship, rather than for the purpose of circumventing UK immigration law.

A sham marriage or sham civil partnership is defined under section 24 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. In essence, a sham marriage or sham civil partnership is a union entered into solely or primarily for the purpose of securing a visa or other immigration advantage, and where there is no genuine relationship between the parties. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) takes this issue seriously and will scrutinise the circumstances surrounding your relationship and proposed ceremony.

When assessing the genuineness of a relationship, the Home Office may consider:

• The duration of the relationship and how the couple met;
• Evidence of ongoing communication and regular contact, particularly where the couple have been living apart;
• Details of previous meetings or time spent together in person;
• Plans for the marriage or civil partnership ceremony;
• The couple’s future intentions, including where they intend to live following the ceremony;
• Documentary evidence such as photos together, travel records, messages, emails, or joint financial arrangements.

In most cases, you do not need to provide the same level of evidence as would be required for a family visa under Appendix FM, but your supporting documentation should nonetheless establish that your relationship is genuine, committed, and ongoing. The Home Office should take cultural factors into account when assessing the genuineness of a relationship.

If the Home Office is not satisfied that the relationship is genuine, or suspects that the proposed marriage or civil partnership is a sham, the application will be refused.

6. Permitted Activities on a UK Marriage Visit Visa

In order to qualify for a Marriage or Civil Partnership Visit Visa you will need to satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that you are genuinely seeking entry to the UK for a purpose that is permitted by the visitor routes and will not undertake any prohibited activities during your stay.

Marriage or Civil Partnership Visit Visa holders may undertake the following permitted activities:

• Marry or form a civil partnership;
• Give notice of marriage or civil partnership.

Marriage or Civil Partnership Visitors may also undertake other activities that are permitted under other Visitor routes, but are not permitted to study.

If granted a Marriage Visit Visa, you may undertake the following permitted activities:

• Give notice of marriage or civil partnership at a register office in the UK;
• Marry or form a civil partnership in the UK, in accordance with the legal requirements for such ceremonies.

In addition to these core activities, Marriage Visitors may also undertake other activities permitted under the Standard Visitor route, such as tourism, visiting family or friends, or attending meetings. However, you must not:

• Work, whether paid or unpaid;
• Study at a UK educational institution;
• Live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits;
• Access public funds.

Any activity undertaken during your visit must be consistent with the purpose declared in your visa application and must not breach the conditions of your stay.

7. Financial Requirement for a UK Marriage Visit Visa

In order to meet the financial requirement for a Marriage Visit Visa, you must be able to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs associated with your visit to the UK. This includes the cost of travel to and from the UK, accommodation for the duration of your stay, and maintenance for your day-to-day living expenses. Crucially, you must be able to meet these costs without undertaking any work, engaging in study, or accessing public funds while in the UK.

The funds used to meet the financial requirement must be held in a permitted financial institution, and you will need to provide clear, credible, and verifiable evidence of your financial position. This may take the form of bank statements or other official financial documents demonstrating that you have access to the necessary resources for the entire period of your intended stay.

It is also permissible for your travel, accommodation and maintenance costs to be covered by a third party. In such cases, the Home Office will require evidence that the third party has a genuine personal or professional relationship with you, is not in breach of UK immigration laws, and has the financial means and willingness to support you throughout the duration of your visit. Any support provided by a third party must be credible and sufficiently documented to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that you will not become a financial burden during your time in the UK.

8. Intention to Leave the UK Requirement for a Marriage Visit Visa

As part of your application for a Marriage Visit Visa, you must not only demonstrate that your purpose of visit is permitted under the Immigration Rules, but also that you genuinely intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit. The Home Office must be satisfied that you will not remain in the UK beyond the six-month permitted stay, and that you do not intend to live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, nor to make the UK your main home.

In assessing whether you meet this requirement, the Home Office will consider a range of factors. These may include your previous immigration history, both in relation to the UK and to other countries, as well as your financial circumstances and broader family, social and economic background. Particular attention will be given to your personal and economic ties to your country of residence, such as employment, family commitments, property ownership, and long-term obligations that suggest a clear intention to return.

Concerns may arise where an applicant has limited or no family or economic ties to their country of residence, particularly if they have numerous close family members in the UK. The Home Office may also take into account any history of non-compliance with immigration rules, such as overstaying a previous visa or providing false information in a prior application. Inconsistencies between statements made by you and any third-party sponsor may also call into question the genuineness of your visit.

It is possible to make a successful application for a Marriage Visit Visa where you intend to marry in the UK and then return to your country of residence, but where you intend to move to the UK permanently at a later date. However, in this situation, your intentions will need to be addressed particularly carefully in your application.

If the Home Office is not satisfied that you will leave the UK at the end of your stay, or suspects that your visit forms part of a pattern of extended or successive visits, your application is likely to be refused.

9. Is There an English Language Requirement for a UK Marriage Visit Visa?

Marriage Visit Visa applicants do not need to satisfy an English language requirement.

10. Supporting Documents for a UK Marriage Visit Visa Application

A well-prepared Marriage Visit Visa application must be supported by evidence demonstrating that the applicant meets the requirements of the UK’s Visitor Rules. While certain types of documents are commonly submitted, the precise evidence needed will depend on the individual circumstances of the applicant and their partner.

As part of the application, it will usually be necessary to include documents showing that the couple are in a genuine and subsisting relationship. Depending on the nature and length of the relationship, this might include examples such as photographs together, records of communication, or evidence of time spent together. Where the applicant and their partner have lived together, proof of cohabitation may be helpful.

It will also be important to provide documentation confirming plans for the marriage or civil partnership, or for giving notice in the UK. This might include, for instance, a provisional booking at a register office or correspondence with a venue or officiant.

In addition, the applicant must show that they have sufficient financial resources to cover the cost of the visit without working or claiming public funds. This may include personal financial documents or, in some cases, evidence of support from a third party.

Applicants will also need to provide evidence of their ties to their country of residence, to evidence that they will leave the UK at the end of their visit.

Every case is different, and the documents required will vary depending on the circumstances. It is essential to ensure that the evidence provided is not only relevant and credible, but also compliant with the specific requirements of the Immigration Rules. At Richmond Chambers, we offer expert advice tailored to your case and can review your supporting documents to ensure they meet the required standard.

11. UK Marriage Visit Visa Entry Clearance Requirement

If you are travelling to the UK to marry or form a civil partnership, or to give notice of your intention to do so, you must obtain entry clearance in the form of a Marriage Visit Visa before you travel. It is not possible to seek permission to enter the UK for this purpose at the border. This requirement applies regardless of whether you are a visa national or a non-visa national.

There are limited exceptions to the entry clearance requirement. Individuals who are:

• British or Irish citizens;
• Holders of settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS); or
• Applicants with a pending EUSS application submitted before 1 July 2021

are not required to obtain a Marriage Visit Visa and may marry, form a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership in the UK without prior entry clearance.

Non-visa nationals who are visiting the UK to take part in a ceremony that is not legally recognised under UK law – for example, a religious or cultural wedding celebration – are not required to hold a Marriage Visit Visa. They may instead seek entry as a Standard Visitor. Visa nationals in this situation must still apply for a Standard Visitor Visa in advance.

Similarly, non-visa nationals who are visiting the UK solely to convert a civil partnership (formed under the laws of England and Wales or Scotland) to a marriage are also not required to hold a Marriage Visit Visa. They may enter as Standard Visitors. Visa nationals may apply for a Standard Visitor Visa for this purpose.

At Richmond Chambers, we advise and represent both visa and non-visa nationals seeking to apply for a Marriage Visit Visa.

12. UK Marriage Visit Visa Application Fees

The Home Office application fee for a Marriage Visit Visa for a stay of up to six months is currently £127.

13. Processing Times and Priority Services for a UK Marriage Visit Visa

Applications for a UK Marriage Visit Visa are typically processed within three weeks from the date the applicant attends their biometric appointment. However, actual processing times may vary depending on the country of application, local operational capacity, and the volume of applications being handled by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) at any given time.

In many countries, applicants may pay an additional fee to access priority or super priority visa services, which offer faster processing. Priority visa applications are generally decided within five working days, while super priority visa applications are typically processed within 24 hours.

The availability of expedited services varies by location and may be subject to temporary suspension or capacity limits. Applicants are strongly advised to check the most up-to-date information with their local visa application centre or consult a qualified immigration lawyer for personalised guidance on service options and timelines.

14. UK Marriage Visit Visa Validity Period

If you wish to travel to the UK for the purpose of marrying or forming a civil partnership, or giving notice of your intention to do so, you may apply for a Marriage Visit Visa that is valid for up to six months from the date of issue.

Unless specifically endorsed for single or dual entry, Visit Visas are typically issued as multiple-entry visas, allowing you to enter and leave the UK more than once during the validity period. However, each stay must still comply with the conditions of the visa and you must not stay in the UK beyond the six month validity period.

Remaining in the UK beyond the permitted stay, or attempting to settle or switch into another immigration route while on a Marriage Visit Visa, is not permitted.

15. Right to Work on a UK Marriage Visit Visa

Marriage Visitors are not permitted to work in the UK and, with limited exceptions, may not receive payment from a UK source for any activities undertaken during their visit.

This restriction means that holders of a Marriage Visit Visa cannot:

• Take up employment in the UK;
• Establish or run a business as a self-employed person;
• Work for a UK-based organisation or business;
• Undertake a work placement or internship;
• Provide or sell goods or services to the public or to businesses in the UK.

While Marriage Visitors may undertake remote working for an overseas employer while in the UK, this must be incidental to the main purpose of the visit. The principal reason for travel must remain the permitted activity under the Marriage Visit Visa route – namely, to marry, form a civil partnership, or give notice of doing so. Remote working must not be the primary purpose of the visit.

Marriage Visitors are also permitted to attend job interviews or seek employment opportunities while in the UK. However, if an offer of employment is made, the visitor will be required to leave the UK and apply for the appropriate visa (e.g. a spouse or civil partner visa, or a work visa) before taking up the role. It is not possible to switch into a work-related immigration category, or into the spouse or civil partner route, from within the UK while holding a Marriage Visit Visa. It is worth bearing in mind that those on a Fiancé Visa also do not have the right to work in the UK.

16. Common Reasons for Marriage Visit Visa Refusal (and How to Avoid Them)

Marriage Visit Visa applications are often refused where UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is not satisfied that the applicant meets the requirements of the Immigration Rules. Understanding the most common reasons for refusal can help applicants prepare a stronger and more compliant application.

A frequent ground for refusal of a Marriage Visit Visa application is a lack of evidence that the relationship is genuine. Where applications are submitted without sufficient documentation demonstrating an ongoing and meaningful relationship, the Home Office may suspect a sham marriage. Photographs, communication records, and evidence of time spent together can help address this concern, provided they are credible and consistent. The Home Office should apply its guidance on cultural awareness when considering relationship evidence. However, in circumstances where relationship evidence is more limited, for example if you have not yet met your partner in person, an application will need to be prepared particularly carefully.

Another common reason for refusal is a failure to establish a genuine intention to leave the UK at the end of the visit. Applicants must demonstrate strong ties to their country of residence – such as stable employment, family responsibilities, or property ownership – that make it clear they will return home after the permitted stay.

Financial grounds also account for many refusals. If an applicant is unable to demonstrate access to adequate funds to cover the cost of their travel, accommodation, and living expenses without working or relying on public funds, the application may be refused. Financial documents must be complete, consistent, and from recognised financial institutions.

In some cases, discrepancies between the applicant’s statements and those of their sponsor, or a history of previous immigration violations, may result in refusal under the general grounds for refusal. Careful preparation and consistency of evidence are essential.

At Richmond Chambers, we assist clients in preparing robust Marriage Visit Visa applications, advising on the required supporting evidence and identifying potential risks before submission. Seeking expert legal advice at an early stage can significantly reduce the likelihood of refusal.

17. Marriage Visit Visa for Same-Sex Couples

The UK legally recognises both same-sex marriages and civil partnerships. The Marriage or Civil Partnership Visit Visa is equally available to same-sex couples who intend to marry or form a civil partnership in the UK, or to give notice of their intention to do so during their visit.

Applicants in a same-sex relationship must meet the same eligibility requirements as opposite-sex couples. This includes demonstrating that the relationship is genuine, and that the proposed marriage or civil partnership is not entered into for the purpose of evading UK immigration controls.

Applicants should be prepared to provide documentary evidence of their relationship, any planned wedding or civil partnership ceremony, and sufficient financial means to cover all reasonable costs of their stay in the UK without working or accessing public funds.

The Home Office should take into account that applicants from countries where same-sex relationships are not legally recognised or where same-sex couples may be subject to social or legal discrimination may have more limited documentary evidence of their relationship. However, these cases will need to be addressed particularly carefully as, in order to make a successful application, the Home Office will still need to be satisfied that all of the visa requirements are met.

18. Giving Notice of Intention to Marry or Form a Civil Partnership in the UK

If you intend to marry or form a civil partnership in the UK as a visitor, you must give notice at a register office before the ceremony can legally take place.

Giving notice involves both parties attending a designated register office together to sign a legal declaration of your intention to marry or form a civil partnership. You must have resided in the registration district for at least seven full days immediately prior to giving notice. For Marriage or Civil Partnership Visitors, this means you must be physically present and staying in the district for a continuous period of seven days before attending your appointment.

Once notice is given, a minimum notice period of 28 clear days must pass before the ceremony can legally occur. This period may be extended to 70 days if your case is referred to the Home Office under the referral and investigation scheme – a process that applies if one or both parties is not a British or Irish citizen and does not hold settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, and the Secretary of State decides to investigate whether the marriage or civil partnership is a scam.

There is no requirement to remain in the UK during the notice period, provided your visa conditions permit multiple entries and you return in time for the ceremony. However, you must ensure that the ceremony takes place within the validity of your visa.

It is important to plan your visit carefully to meet all timing and evidential requirements. At Richmond Chambers, we can assist with preparing your visa application and advising on the practical steps required to give notice lawfully.

19. How to Get Married or Form a Civil Partnership in the UK on a Marriage Visit Visa

Once you have entered the UK on a Marriage Visit Visa, there are several key steps that must be completed before the ceremony can take place.

The first requirement is to give notice of your intention to marry or form a civil partnership at a designated register office. Both parties must attend in person and must have resided in the registration district for at least seven full days immediately prior to giving notice. This residency requirement applies to all persons, including visitors.

Following the giving of notice, there is a statutory waiting period of 28 clear days before the marriage or civil partnership can proceed. However, if either party is subject to immigration control – for example, if they are not a British or Irish citizen and do not hold settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme – the notice may be referred to the Home Office for further investigation. In such cases, the waiting period may be extended to 70 days.

The ceremony must take place within the six-month validity of the Marriage Visit Visa. If the ceremony is to be held in a religious venue, it is essential to ensure that the venue is authorised under UK law to conduct marriages. For a civil ceremony, the chosen venue must be licensed for weddings or civil partnerships.

Given the legal and practical requirements, it is strongly recommended to plan ahead. Availability at register offices and licensed venues can be limited, particularly during popular months. Early coordination and careful scheduling are important to ensure that all formalities can be completed within the timeframe permitted by your visa.

At Richmond Chambers, our immigration barristers regularly advise clients on the legal requirements and practical arrangements involved in marrying or forming a civil partnership in the UK on a visit visa.

20. Switching to a Spouse or Civil Partner Visa After Marriage

Holders of a Marriage Visit Visa are not permitted to remain in the UK after their wedding or civil partnership ceremony has taken place. This visa is granted on the basis that the applicant will leave the UK at the end of their visit, and does not provide a pathway to settlement.

If you wish to live in the UK with your partner following the ceremony, you must leave the UK and apply for entry clearance under the Spouse Visa or Civil Partner Visa route from outside the UK. The Immigration Rules do not allow switching from a visitor visa to a partner visa from within the UK, except in very limited and exceptional circumstances (e.g. where there are insurmountable obstacles to family life continuing outside the UK).

Attempting to remain in the UK without the appropriate leave may result in refusal of future applications, enforcement action, or adverse immigration history, which can significantly impact your ability to return to the UK lawfully.

Advance planning is essential. If your long-term intention is to reside in the UK with your partner, you may wish to consider applying instead for a Fiancé(e) Visa or Proposed Civil Partner Visa. These routes are specifically designed for individuals who intend to marry or form a civil partnership in the UK and then apply to remain in the UK under the family visa route without needing to depart and reapply.

At Richmond Chambers, our barristers can advise you on the most appropriate immigration route based on your personal circumstances and long-term intentions.

21. UK Marriage Visit Visa Applicants FAQs