WHAT IS MARRIAGE VISITOR VISA?

WHAT IS MARRIAGE VISITOR VISA?

This Type of visa enables an applicant to apply entry clearance for marriage or civil partnership in the UK. The purpose of this visit visa is to allow an applicant to get married or register a civil partnership in the UK or to give notice of a marriage or civil partnership in the UK.

Since it is only a visitor visa, the applicant should have no plans of staying or settling in the UK after the marriage or partnership and will leave the UK on or before the six (6) months visa validity expires.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MARRIAGE VISITOR VISA AND FIANCE(E) VISA?

The UK Fiance Visa allows an applicant to apply for a settlement visa in the UK without going back to the country of origin. The requirements of UK Fiance Visa are more or less the same as that of a spouse/partner visa. On the other hand, marriage visitor visa is more similar to the Standard Visitor Visa – allowed to stay in the UK for a period of six (6) months only.

HOW LONG IS THE PROCESSING TIME?

Similar to the Standard Visitor Visa, you may apply for a Marriage Visitor Visa as early as 3 months before your intended travel.

The decision on your visa will be made within 3 weeks after your biometric appointment.

HOW MUCH IS THE VISA FEE?

It will cost you £93 to apply.

WHAT ARE THE THINGS YOU CAN AND CAN’T DO WHILST HOLDING A MARRIAGE VISITOR VISA?

CAN

CAN’T

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)

get public funds 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) 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 for more than 30 days – studying can’t be the main reason for your visit

Here’s the list of the public funds which include a range of benefits that are given to QUALIFIED people on a low income, as well as housing support. These are:

• income-based jobseeker’s allowance
• income support
• child tax credit
• universal credit
• working tax credit
• a social fund payment
• child benefit
• housing benefit
• council tax benefit
• council tax reduction
• domestic rate relief (Northern Ireland)
• state pension credit
• attendance allowance
• severe disablement allowance
• personal independence payment
• carer’s allowance
• disability living allowance
• an allocation of local authority housing
• local authority homelessness assistance

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?

1. The applicant must be 18 years old or over and has the intention of visiting the UK for less than 6 months and is leaving the UK at the end of their visit.
2. The applicant free to give notice of marriage, to marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months of your arrival.

• Notice of Intention – Details of Arrangements – If a person is intending to visit the UK for giving a notice at a register office then he/she is required to clearly establish this fact in the marriage visitor visa application by providing details of such arrangements. Therefore, the applicant is required to furnish the evidence of confirmation of a provisional advance booking for giving the notice. The evidence may include an appointment card or email correspondence with the register office;

⊗It is mandatory for a person visiting the UK for marriage or forming a civil partnership in the UK to furnish a formal notice at a register office before marriage, or civil partnership can be effectuated.

• Marriage/Civil Partnership – Details of Arrangements – For individuals visiting the UK for forming marriage or a civil partnership need to give conclusive evidence regarding the necessary arrangements that have been made for effectuating marriage or civil partnership in the UK. The evidence that an individual may provide with his/her marriage visitor visa application must/may include:

⊗Payment Receipts for the Marriage/Civil Partnership Venue;

⊗Correspondence details with the register office for booking confirmation;

⊗Correspondence with Church/Mosque etc.;

⊗Any other relevant arrangements.

      3. The applicant should be in a genuine relationship. He or she should be able to submit proofs to evidence the genuineness of their claim. It is important for the applicant to address the following:

• What are the necessary arrangements made for the undertaking of marriage or forming a civil partnership?
• Provide proofs showing how strong and genuine your relationship as a couple – relationship proof
• What are your future plans? For example, documents to show where you’ll live.
• What will be your living arrangements?

4.  The applicant is able to support herself/himself without working or help from public funds, or that she/he can be supported and housed by relatives or friends. This could be evidenced by bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months and the details of where you intend to stay and your travel.

5. The applicant should be able to meet the cost of the return or onward journey.

6. If the applicant has been married before, you will have to provide documents that may prove that he or she is free to marry or enter into a civil partnership again.

• decree absolute, or
• death certificate of a previous partner

(The applicant will need to provide a certified translation of any documents that aren’t in English or Welsh.)

WHAT IS THE LINK TO THE ONLINE APPLICATION FOR THIS TYPE OF VISA?

https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/alt-language-selection-skip-visa