UK FIANCÉ VISA

A UK Fiancé Visa is designed for foreign nationals who are planning to marry or enter into a civil partnership with a British citizen or someone settled in the UK. This visa allows you to enter the UK for the purpose of marriage or civil partnership, after which you can apply for a Spouse Visa.

New Update: As of April 11, 2024, the minimum income requirement for a Fiancé Visa has been raised to £29,000 annually.

The UK Fiancé Visa (also known as the Fiancée Visa, Engagement Visa, or Proposed Civil Partner Visa) falls under the family visa category. This visa allows a foreign national, aged 18 or over, to enter the UK for the purpose of marrying or entering into a civil partnership with a British citizen or a person who has indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or EU settled status in the UK.

Upon arrival in the UK, you will have 6 months to get married or enter into a civil partnership. After marriage, you can apply to switch to a Spouse Visa, which will initially allow you to stay for 33 months. This can be extended by 30 months, and ultimately, after living in the UK for 5 years on a combination of Fiancé and Spouse Visas, you may qualify to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), allowing you to live permanently in the UK.

To apply for the Fiancé Visa, both you and your UK-based partner must meet several eligibility criteria:

AGE REQUIREMENT

Both applicants must be over 18 years of age.

INTENT TO MARRY OR ENTER INTO A CIVIL PARTNERSHIP

You must show that you and your partner intend to marry or enter into a civil partnership within 6 months of entering the UK.

YOUR PARTNER’S STATUS

Your UK partner must either be a British citizen, an Irish citizen, or have settled status in the UK (e.g., holding indefinite leave to remain, EU settled status, or a Turkish businessperson visa). If your partner has refugee status or humanitarian protection, they can also sponsor your visa.

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENT

You and your partner must demonstrate a combined gross income of at least £29,000 per year to meet the financial requirement. This can include income from employment, savings, or pension income. You may also use savings to meet this requirement if they exceed £16,000. If you have savings of £88,500 or more, you will not need to show any additional income.

ACCOMMODATION REQUIREMENT

You must have appropriate accommodation in the UK. This accommodation must meet the required space standards and be available for the couple to live in.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT

You must have a sufficient level of English to meet the visa requirements. This can be proven by passing an English language test at CEFR Level A1 or by showing that you hold a degree or qualification taught in English.

GENUINE RELATIONSHIP REQUIREMENT

You need to demonstrate that your relationship with your UK partner is genuine and not a “sham” relationship. Evidence might include:

• Letters from friends and family vouching for your relationship.
• Photographs, correspondence, and messages proving your relationship.
• Evidence of how and when you met and the nature of your relationship.

As mentioned, the minimum income requirement is £29,000 annually. However, if you have sufficient savings, you may use them to meet the financial threshold. Here’s how savings are considered:

If your savings exceed £16,000, you can use them to meet the financial requirement. The calculation is as follows:
Savings over £16,000 are divided by 2.5 (the number of years the savings must last) and the resulting amount is subtracted from the £29,000 threshold.

Example:
If you have £17,500 in savings, £17,500 – £16,000 = £1,500.
£1,500 ÷ 2.5 = £600.
£29,000 – £600 = £28,400.
In this case, you would only need to show an income of £28,400 in addition to the £17,500 savings.

Certain benefits, such as Disability Living Allowance or Armed Forces Independence Payment, may exempt you from meeting the £29,000 requirement.

The English language requirement is crucial for your application. You can meet the requirement in one of three ways:

Pass an English language test from an approved test provider at CEFR Level A1 (speaking and listening).

You hold an academic qualification that was taught in English.

You may be exempt if you:

• Are over 65 years old.
• Have a physical or mental condition preventing you from meeting the requirement.
• Are a national of a country where English is the primary language, such as the US, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.

You will need to submit various documents when applying for a UK Fiancé Visa. The following is a list of the key documents required:

• Completed application form and fee
• Valid passport
• Proof of relationship: E.g., photographs, messages, travel evidence, and statements from friends and family.
• Proof of income: E.g., bank statements, pay slips, or savings statements.
• English language test results or proof of an academic qualification in English.
• Accommodation proof: Lease agreement, mortgage statement, or official letters confirming housing arrangements.
• Biometric data: Fingerprints and a digital photograph.
• Criminal record certificate (if applicable).
• Tuberculosis test results (if required by the country you are applying from).

The application process is completed online via the official UK Home Office website. Here are the basic steps:

Check Eligibility
Ensure you meet all the eligibility requirements. If in doubt, consult with an immigration solicitor.

Prepare Documents
Gather the necessary documents, including evidence of your relationship, income, and accommodation.

Complete Online Application
Fill out the online application form and pay the required fee.

Biometrics Appointment
Attend a biometric appointment to have your fingerprints and photograph taken.

Wait for a Decision
The processing time can vary, but typically it takes around 8 weeks.

If your Fiancé Visa is refused, you may have the option to appeal or reapply. The reasons for refusal could include insufficient proof of your relationship, not meeting the financial requirement, or failure to meet the English language requirement.

If your visa is refused, our team can provide guidance on the next steps and help you with your appeal or reapplication.

If you need help with your UK Fiancé Visa application or have any further questions, our experienced immigration team is here to assist you every step of the way.

Our team of expert immigration lawyers can guide you through the entire process to ensure your application is submitted correctly. Whether you are unsure about the requirements, need help gathering documents, or want to make sure everything is in order, we’re here to help.