Over 40,000 people apply for family visas to join their partners in the UK each year. Planning to marry your British partner means navigating the UK immigration system first. A fiancé visa allows you to enter the country legally to marry your British or settled partner.
This guide covers everything you need for a successful application in 2025.
Table of Contents
What Is a UK Fiancé Visa?
A fiance visa for UK lets non-British citizens enter the UK to marry their British or settled partner within six months. After marriage, you apply for a spouse visa to stay longer.
Unlike visitor visas, the fiancé visa shows your intention to live in the UK permanently. You can’t work during these six months, but gain work rights after switching to a spouse visa.
This visa falls under the family visa category. Same-sex couples planning civil partnerships instead of marriage apply for a “proposed civil partner visa,” which follows identical rules.
Your marriage must happen within six months of arrival. Missing this deadline means leaving the UK and restarting the application process.
Costs include both the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge. Success depends on meeting requirements about your relationship, finances, and English language ability.
Who Can Apply for a UK Fiancé Visa?
You must meet several basic requirements to qualify. You need to be 18 or older and plan to marry within six months of arriving in the UK.
Your partner must be a British citizen, have settled status, hold pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or have refugee status in the UK.
You must meet the financial requirement, have suitable accommodation arranged, and prove your relationship is genuine and lasting.
The English language requirement applies to most applicants, and you must pass the “good character” assessment, which includes criminal record checks.
Financial Requirements Explained
The UK government requires proof that you won’t need public funds. Your UK partner must earn at least £29,000 yearly (current 2025 threshold).
If your partner’s income falls short, you can combine it with savings over £16,000, income from investments, pension income, or rental income from properties.
Evidence includes six months of bank statements and payslips, an employment letter confirming job details and salary, self-employment records if applicable, and relevant tax documents.
The financial requirement causes many rejections. Check all figures and documents carefully before applying.
Financial requirements tightened after Brexit. The income threshold jumped from £18,600 to £29,000 in 2023, creating barriers for many couples.
Proving Your Relationship Is Genuine
UK Visas and Immigration scrutinizes applications to ensure relationships aren’t formed just for immigration benefits.
Strong evidence includes photos together throughout your relationship, travel records showing visits, message and call logs showing regular contact, statements from friends and family, wedding plans, and proof of shared financial responsibilities.
Couples with children together typically have stronger cases. Short relationships face more scrutiny, so provide extra evidence.
Be truthful about how you met and your relationship history. Dishonesty leads to immediate rejection and problems with future visa applications.
Required Documents Checklist
Prepare these documents for your application:
- Current passport
- Previous passports showing travel history
- Birth certificate
- Biometric information (fingerprints and photo)
- English language test certificate
- Financial evidence meeting the threshold
- Accommodation details in the UK
- Proof of your relationship
- Plans for the wedding or civil partnership
- TB test results if from certain countries
- Declaration of criminal record or lack thereof
All documents not in English must have certified translations. Original documents work better than copies when possible.
Organize everything clearly with a cover letter explaining what each document shows. This helps the visa officer review your case faster.
The Application Process Step-by-Step
Start by completing the online application form on the UK government website. Create an account to save your progress if needed.
Pay the application fee of £1,846 plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 for six months (based on 2025 rates).
Book a biometric appointment at your nearest Visa Application Center to provide fingerprints and a photo.
Submit supporting documents either by uploading them online or bringing them to your appointment.
Some applicants get called for an interview to verify details. Prepare by reviewing your application thoroughly.
Standard processing takes 3-12 weeks from submission to decision.
Upon approval, you receive a vignette (sticker) in your passport valid for 30 days to enter the UK. After arrival, collect your Biometric Residence Permit within 10 days.
Processing Times and Faster Options
Standard processing typically takes about 12 weeks from outside the UK, though times vary by country and season.
For faster decisions, consider priority services. The priority service offers a decision within 5 working days for an extra £500. The super priority service delivers a decision by the end of the next working day for an extra £800.
These services don’t guarantee approval, only faster processing. They make sense if you have wedding dates already planned.
Application volumes peak during summer months (June-August) and December, causing longer waits. Apply well ahead of planned wedding dates to avoid stress.
After Arriving in the UK
Once in the UK with your fiancé visa, register your intent to marry at a local register office at least 28 days before your ceremony.
Keep your marriage certificate and ceremony photos as evidence for your next visa application.
Apply for a spouse visa before your fiancé visa expires. This visa lasts 2.5 years and allows you to work in the UK.
You must apply for the spouse visa from within the UK. Leaving means restarting the process from abroad.
The spouse visa application has similar requirements to the fiancé visa, but includes proof of your UK marriage. You’ll pay the full Immigration Health Surcharge for 30 months.
After 5 years on spouse visas (two 30-month periods), you become eligible for permanent settlement.
Common Challenges
Many applications fail due to insufficient financial evidence. Double-check all calculations and provide complete documentation from the required period.
Relationship doubts sink applications, too. Show a clear timeline with solid evidence of your genuine partnership.
Missing documents create unnecessary delays. Use a comprehensive checklist and review everything twice before submitting.
Language test issues arise when applicants take tests from providers not recognized by the UK government. Check the approved list before booking.
Accommodation concerns occur when housing seems unsuitable or overcrowded. Provide clear evidence about your living arrangements.
If refused, the decision letter explains why. You can address these issues in a new application or appeal if you believe the decision was incorrect.
Professional help from immigration advisors costs £500-1,500 but often increases success rates, especially for complex cases.
Recent Updates for 2025
The UK immigration system changes frequently. The income requirement remains at £29,000 (up from £18,600 before 2023).
Digital application processes are now standard for most applicants, making paper applications increasingly rare.
The government places increased focus on English language abilities and continues to raise visa and Immigration Health Surcharge fees compared to previous years.
The “digital by default” approach makes online applications smoother but requires good tech skills from applicants.
Brexit continues to shape family immigration policies, with requirements stricter than during EU membership years.
Final Thoughts
Start preparing at least 6 months before your planned marriage. Maintain communication records with your partner throughout your relationship.
Meet financial requirements comfortably with clear evidence. Take English tests early in case you need to retake them.
Check all documents against the official checklist multiple times and consider using the priority service if time constraints exist.
Stay updated on rule changes through the UK government website, as immigration rules can change without much notice.
UK fiancé visa applications need careful preparation, but succeed when you meet all requirements with strong evidence. The effort pays off when you start your married life together in the UK.
While this information reflects current rules, always check the official UK government website for the most recent updates before applying.
