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Marriage Visitor

United KingdomShort stays and visits

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Official link

Explore pathways in United Kingdom Read the five questions ↓

For the relevant traveller scope, is a visa, electronic authorisation, visa on arrival or no advance visa normally required?

Travellers who need a visa must obtain a Marriage Visitor visa before coming to the UK to marry, register a civil partnership or give notice. It is not needed for people with settled or pre-settled status (or a pending application) under the EU Settlement Scheme, or Irish citizens; anyone who qualifies for British citizenship must apply for citizenship instead.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The page does not give the nationality matrix of who needs a visa.
  • https://www.gov.uk/marriage-visa/print
    You must apply for a Marriage Visitor visa before you come to the UK if you need one.
  • https://www.gov.uk/marriage-visa/print
    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 short-visit purposes does this route cover?

Getting married or registering a civil partnership in the UK, or giving notice of one, at a licensed venue within 6 months of arrival, for people not planning to stay or settle afterwards; transit through the UK is also allowed. Converting a civil partnership into a marriage uses a Standard Visitor visa instead.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.gov.uk/marriage-visa/print
    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
  • https://www.gov.uk/marriage-visa/print
    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)
  • https://www.gov.uk/marriage-visa/print
    You do not need a Marriage Visitor visa to convert your civil partnership into a marriage - you can apply for a Standard Visitor visa.

What maximum stay, rolling-period rule, validity and entry rules apply?

Visits of up to 6 months; the marriage or civil partnership must take place within 6 months of arrival. The visa cannot be extended or switched, and holders must not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits. The earliest application is 3 months before travel. The official page does not state the visa validity period or a rolling-period rule.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The page does not state the visa validity period or a rolling-period rule.

What important funds, accommodation, invitation, insurance, onward-travel or passport evidence may be required?

A passport or travel document valid for the whole stay; proof of being 18 or over, free to marry or enter a civil partnership, in a genuine relationship, and leaving at the end of the visit; ability to support oneself and pay for the return or onward journey (or third-party funding). Supporting evidence can include details of the marriage and proof of payment towards its costs, a venue booking, and — if previously married — a decree absolute or a previous partner’s death certificate; certified translations for documents not in English or Welsh.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.gov.uk/marriage-visa/print
    You must prove that: you’re 18 or over you’re free to give notice of marriage, to marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months of your arrival you’re in a genuine relationship you’re visiting the UK for less than 6 months you’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit you’ll not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home you’re able to support yourself during your trip (or have funding from someone else to support you) you’re able to pay for your return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else to pay for the journey) you have proof of any other activities you want to do in the UK, as allowed by the Visitor Rules
  • https://www.gov.uk/marriage-visa/print
    You must provide a passport or travel document. It should be valid for the whole of your stay in the UK. You can supply the following to support your application: details of the marriage or civil partnership and proof that you’ve paid money for some of its costs proof that you’re planning to get married in the UK, for example a booking confirmation or emails between you and the venue See the full list of documents you can provide to prove your eligibility. You’ll need to provide a certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh. If you’ve been married before You’ll need to show proof that you’re free to marry or enter into a civil partnership again, for example a: decree absolute death certificate of a previous partner

Where/how is permission obtained when required, and under what important circumstances can a stay be extended or changed?

Applicants apply online before travelling, attend a visa application centre for fingerprints and photo, and usually get a decision within 3 weeks; the fee is £135. A partner who needs a visa must apply separately, and a child applies as a standard visitor. The visa cannot be extended and holders cannot switch to another visa.

See recorded sources

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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