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Marriage Visitor Visa

Application support for a temporary visit to marry, form a civil partnership or give notice in the UK, with plans to leave after the visit.

At a Glance

A genuine relationship and visit

For eligible adults aged eighteen or over who are free to marry or form a civil partnership and intend a temporary visit.

The right route for your plans

We review the proposed ceremony, immigration status and intention to leave. This route is different from coming to marry and then settle in the UK.

Assess the position before booking

We consider the applicant’s nationality, status and circumstances before advising whether this visa is needed. Existing rights or exemptions may affect the appropriate application.

Converting a civil partnership into marriage is treated differently and may fall under the Standard Visitor rules.

Process and Procedure

We help coordinate the immigration application with the planned visit, notice and ceremony arrangements.

  1. Review the couple’s plans

    Assess the purpose of travel, relationship, immigration history and intended arrangements after the visit.

  2. Prepare the application

    Advise on relevant supporting information and review the proposed notice, ceremony and travel arrangements.

  3. Submit and complete identity checks

    Assist with the overseas visa application and required identity process, with attention to the proposed dates.

  4. Decision and travel planning

    Review the decision and conditions, arrival plans and the arrangements for leaving at the end of the visit.

Timing the application

We advise on application costs and available service options during the case assessment. A venue booking or ceremony date does not guarantee a decision in time.

Marriage and Civil Partnership

Notice and ceremony plans

The route can cover giving notice as well as marrying or forming a civil partnership during a visit of up to six months. The ceremony must meet the relevant legal and venue requirements.

Immigration permission and civil registration procedures are separate. We can review how the proposed timetable fits the application and advise on immigration issues affecting the plans.

Previous relationships and personal circumstances

We assess relevant relationship history and existing immigration circumstances as part of preparing the case. A planned marriage does not remove the need to qualify for the appropriate visa.

Family Arrangements

Travelling for the occasion

The partner’s position

Each partner’s nationality and immigration status must be considered separately. One person’s permission does not automatically cover the other.

Children and other relatives

Family members cannot join as dependants under this route. Anyone accompanying you needs their own appropriate travel permission.

Coordinate the family visit

We can review related applications and the roles of UK hosts, including accommodation and support arrangements. Each person’s purpose and circumstances remain relevant.

Guests visiting solely to attend a wedding may need a different visitor assessment from someone coming to marry or give notice.

Stay and Visa Conditions

A temporary permission

The visa permits a visit of up to six months and cannot be extended or switched to another visa. It does not allow residence through frequent visits.

Activities during the visit

Study is not permitted. Work is restricted, with only specified permitted activities connected to overseas work or business available. Access to public funds is prohibited.

  • We assess proposed activities alongside the marriage or civil partnership plans.
  • We advise on the immigration implications of changed travel or ceremony arrangements.
  • We review options if the intended purpose or longer-term plans change.

Future Plans

If you intend to live in the UK

If the intention is to marry and remain in the UK, a different route assessment is needed before applying. Marriage Visitor permission does not provide an automatic transition to a fiancé, spouse or partner route.

We can assess the couple’s longer-term plans and advise on the appropriate application and where it must be made.

Settlement and citizenship are separate

This temporary visitor route does not lead directly to settlement. Marriage or civil partnership does not itself grant immigration status or British citizenship.

Any later family, settlement or nationality application has separate conditions, assessed against the circumstances and rules applying at the time.

Discuss your Marriage Visitor application →

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