Marriage Visitor visa

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Overview

You must apply for a Marriage Visitor visa if:

  • you want to get married or register a civil partnership in the UK
  • you want to give notice of a marriage or civil partnership in UK
  • you’re not planning to stay or settle in the UK after your marriage or civil partnership
  • you meet the other eligibility requirements

You do not need a Marriage Visitor visa to convert your civil partnership into a marriage - you can apply for a Standard Visitor visa.

You also do not need a Marriage Visitor visa if one of the following is true:

  • you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
  • you have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, and have not got a decision yet
  • you’re an Irish citizen

You cannot apply if you qualify for British citizenship - including if you can have dual nationality. You must apply for British citizenship instead.

What you can and cannot do

You can:

  • marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months of your arrival - you must use a venue licensed for this purpose
  • pass through the UK in transit (on your way to another country)

You cannot:

  • get public funds (benefits)
  • bring in family members (‘dependants’) - they must apply separately
  • live in the UK for extended periods through frequent visits
  • extend your visa or switch to another visa
  • work - except for permitted activities related to your work or business overseas, such as attending meetings
  • study

You can read detailed guidance about what you can and cannot do with a Marriage Visitor visa.

How long you can stay

You can use this visa to visit the UK for up to 6 months.

When to apply and how long it takes

If you need a visa, you must apply online before you come to the UK.

As part of your application, you’ll need to book an appointment at a visa application centre to prove your identity and provide your documents.

Allow time to attend your appointment, as the visa application centre could be in another country.

The visa application centre may keep your passport and documents while processing your application.

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.

Getting a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

Fees

It costs £115 to apply.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Apply for a Marriage Visitor visa: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check if you need a visa

    1. You are currently viewing: Check if you need a Marriage Visitor visa

  2. Step 2 Prepare the evidence you need

    1. Check what you need to show evidence of
    2. Check what documents you can use as evidence

  3. Step 3 Apply

    1. Apply for a visa and book an appointment £115
    2. Check where your visa appointment will be

    You should get a decision within 3 weeks of your appointment.

    You might be able to pay an extra £500 for a decision within 5 working days or £1,000 for a decision within 24 hours (not including weekends or bank holidays). Check with your visa application centre.

  4. Step 4 Attend an appointment

    1. What you need to prove at your appointment

    At your appointment you’ll have your fingerprints and photograph (‘biometric information’) taken.

    After your appointment you'll be told when a decision has been made about your visa.

  5. Step 5 Travel to the UK

    1. Check what you need to show at the UK border
    2. Check what you can bring with you

    Keep the documents that prove why you're visiting the UK in your hand luggage so you can show them if asked.

    1. Check the documents you can use to show why you're visiting the UK

    Check your visa to find out when you must leave the UK. If you break the conditions of your visa you may not be able to return to the UK again.