Marriage Visitor Visa
To travel to the UK to get married or enter into a civil partnership.
Enquire Now See How We Can HelpFor those travelling to the UK to get married
The Marriage Visitor Visa is suitable for those who do not intend to settle in the UK after the ceremony. It's a short-stay visa with a clear and singular purpose.
Applicants must demonstrate that they intend to marry or form a civil partnership within six months of arrival and that they will leave the UK at the end of their visit.
Getting Started
To be eligible, you must be 18 or over, in a genuine relationship with your partner, and free to marry or form a civil partnership in the UK. You’ll need to show that you intend to marry within the six-month visa period and that you plan to leave the UK once the visit is over. Financially, you’ll need to demonstrate you can support yourself throughout your stay without working or accessing public funds, and that you can cover the cost of your return or onward journey.
Documents
You’ll need to bring together evidence of your relationship, proof that the marriage is planned — such as a venue booking or correspondence with a registrar — along with bank statements, details of your UK accommodation, and evidence of ties to your home country such as employment, property, or family.
What the Visa Covers
The Marriage Visitor Visa is valid for up to six months. During that time, you cannot work, and while short-term study of up to 30 days is permitted, it must not be the primary reason for your visit. Beyond attending to the formalities of getting married, the visa gives you the time to celebrate and settle arrangements, but it is not a route to remaining in the UK on an ongoing basis.
Planning What Comes Next
The Marriage Visitor Visa does not lead to settlement, and this is an important point to plan around. If you and your partner intend to live together in the UK after the wedding, you will need to return to your home country and apply for a Spouse Visa or another appropriate route before coming back. It’s worth factoring this into your plans well in advance — ideally before you travel on the Marriage Visitor Visa — so that the path to life together in the UK is as smooth as possible.
Can I work on a Marriage Visitor Visa?
No. Employment is not permitted under this visa category.
Can I extend this visa?
No. The Marriage Visitor Visa cannot be extended. You must leave the UK before it expires.
Can I switch to a Spouse Visa from within the UK?
No. You must leave the UK and apply for a Spouse Visa from your home country after your marriage or civil partnership.
Can I bring dependants with me?
Each person must apply for their own visa. There is no specific dependant route under the Marriage Visitor Visa.
What happens if we do not marry within 6 months?
You must leave the UK before your visa expires. Overstaying may affect future UK visa applications.
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