I want to get married in the UK, do I need a visa?

Anyone looking to get married in the UK who does not have residence status must therefore obtain either a Marriage Visitor visa or a Fiancé (or Fiancée) visa.

Visitors to the UK (either on a standard visit visa or coming to the UK as a non-visa national) are not permitted to get married in the UK.

The Marriage Visitor visa is intended for those who wish to come to the UK specifically for the purpose of getting married or entering into a civil partnership, and are not planning to stay in the UK afterwards. Marriage Visitor visas are granted for 6 months, after which you must return home.

If you are looking to get married and then live in the UK, you will need to obtain a fiancé visa. Fiancé visas are open to those who are engaged to a British citizen or person settled and present in the UK. The visa is granted for 6 months, during which you must marry or enter into the civil partnership. After you have gotten married or entered into the civil partnership, you will then need to switch to a Spouse (or Civil Partner) visa, which, if successful, is granted for a period of 2 and a half years.

Whether you should apply for the Marriage Visitor visa or the Fiancé visa therefore largely depends on whether you are looking to remain in the UK after your wedding or civil partnership ceremony.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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