UK Marriage Visitor Visa
The UK Marriage Visitor Visa allows eligible overseas nationals to come to the United Kingdom to marry, enter into a civil partnership or give notice of marriage or civil partnership, where they do not intend to settle in the UK after the ceremony.
Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Visitor requirements, are in a genuine relationship, intend to marry or form a civil partnership during their visit, can support themselves without public funds and will leave the UK at the end of their permitted stay.
Hudson McKenzie’s UK immigration lawyers advise individuals and couples on Marriage Visitor Visa eligibility, supporting documents, application preparation and potential immigration issues before travel to the UK.
Who Can Apply for a UK Marriage Visitor Visa?
You may be eligible for a Marriage Visitor Visa if you:
- Are aged 18 or over
- Are free to give notice of marriage, marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK
- Intend to marry or form a civil partnership within six months of arriving in the UK
- Are in a genuine relationship
- Intend to stay in the UK for less than six months
- Intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit
- Will not use frequent or successive visits to make the UK your main home
- Can support yourself during your stay
- Can pay for your return or onward journey
- Meet the other applicable Visitor requirements
These are the core eligibility requirements currently published by the Home Office.
When Is a Marriage Visitor Visa the Right Route?
The Marriage Visitor Visa is intended for people whose purpose is to marry or form a civil partnership in the UK and then leave the country.
It can be used where you intend to:
- Marry in the UK
- Form a civil partnership in the UK
- Give notice of marriage or civil partnership
- Undertake other activities permitted to a Marriage or Civil Partnership Visitor
If you intend to marry in the UK and then live permanently in the UK with your partner, the Marriage Visitor route is normally not the appropriate immigration route.
Depending on your circumstances, a UK Partner and Spouse Visa or fiancé(e)/proposed civil partner route may instead need to be considered.
GOV.UK also states that Irish citizens and certain people with EU Settlement Scheme status do not need a Marriage Visitor Visa for this purpose.
UK Marriage Visitor Visa Requirements & Application
Genuine Relationship & Intention to Marry in the UK
Financial Requirements & Intention to Leave the UK
Supporting Documents & Previous Marriages
What You Can and Cannot Do on a Marriage Visitor Visa
How Hudson McKenzie Can Help With a UK Marriage Visitor Visa
Marriage Visitor Visa applications can involve more than simply demonstrating that a wedding has been arranged.
UKVI can consider the genuineness of the relationship, the purpose and duration of the visit, financial circumstances, travel history, previous immigration history and whether the applicant genuinely intends to leave the UK after the ceremony.
Hudson McKenzie can assist with:
- Initial Marriage Visitor Visa eligibility assessments
- Review of the purpose of the visit
- Genuine relationship evidence
- Marriage and civil partnership arrangements
- Financial evidence
- Evidence of overseas ties
- Previous marriage or civil partnership documentation
- Supporting-document preparation
- Review of previous immigration history
- Application preparation and submission
- Advice where a previous visitor application has been refused
- Advice on the appropriate immigration route where the couple intends to live together in the UK after marriage
Where the couple intends to settle in the UK rather than leave after the ceremony, our UK Partner and Spouse Visa team can advise on the family immigration options that may be available.
Where overseas civil-status documents need to be obtained, certified or legalised, our Document Procurement & Legalisation service can provide additional support.
Contact Hudson McKenzie to discuss your UK Marriage Visitor Visa eligibility and application.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. UK Visitor Rules, visa fees, processing times and evidential requirements may change. Advice should be obtained based on the applicant’s individual circumstances and the requirements in force at the time of application.
