If you’re planning a wedding in the UK, selecting the proper marriage visa is as crucial as arranging your ceremony itself. Many couples overlook the complexity of UK immigration requirements, instead focusing on rings and venues, which can lead to costly delays or refusals. Whether you or your partner is British, a permanent resident, a Points-Based System (PBS) migrant, or a European national with settled status, understanding and planning your immigration route from the start is essential.

Are You Allowed to Get Married in the UK as a Visitor?

If your only aim is to marry in the UK, not to settle here after your wedding, you must apply for a Marriage Visitor Visa. Never attempt to marry or give notice while in the UK on a standard visitor visa, regardless of whether you have a multi-entry visa or are otherwise visa-exempt. Marrying as a standard visitor is considered a breach of UK immigration rules and can be treated as deception, risking your ability to visit or remain in the UK in the future. The Marriage Visitor Visa lets you stay for up to six months for your ceremony, but you must leave the country once your marriage is complete unless you qualify for and obtain a different visa from outside the UK. It’s essential to discuss with your partner where you both want to live after your wedding to avoid unexpected immigration problems.

Is a Fiancé(e) Visa Right for Those Wishing to Marry and Remain in the UK?

For those engaged to a British citizen or someone with Indefinite Leave to Remain who wishes to marry and settle in the UK, the Fiancé(e) Visa is the proper route. This visa allows you to enter the UK for six months (extendable if needed), get married, and then apply to switch to a spouse visa without leaving the country. However, you must show genuine intent to live permanently in the UK together and meet specific financial requirements—usually your UK partner must have a minimum income of £29,000, or you must demonstrate personal or shared savings of at least £88,500. Be prepared for the cost of two sets of Home Office fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge; also, remember that every application requires up-to-date supporting documents.

Does the Unmarried Partner Visa Provide a Solution for Established Long-Term Couples?

If you and your partner have lived together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least two years, regardless of gender, you may be eligible for the Unmarried Partner Visa. This option enables you to settle in the UK and offers more flexibility—if you decide to marry later, you remain on this route with no need for a new application. However, you must present substantial and convincing evidence of your relationship history, covering the two-year requirement, even if you have spent short periods apart (for example, for work). For couples unable to prove two years together, other options should be explored.

Should You Apply for a Spouse Visa If You’re Already Married?

Couples who are already legally married (including those married outside the UK) can directly apply for the Spouse Visa, bypassing the need for two applications. This process can be less costly and more efficient if you meet the usual requirements: intent to live together, a genuine relationship, and the financial threshold described above. You won’t be able to have a legal UK wedding ceremony under this route, but you can celebrate with friends and family in the UK after your official marriage.

How Do You Navigate the Rules as a Partner of a Points-Based System (PBS) Migrant?

If your partner holds a UK-sponsored worker or student visa (such as a Skilled Worker or Global Talent Visa), you may be eligible to join them in the UK as a PBS Dependent. To qualify, spouses, civil partners, and unmarried partners must prove a genuine and ongoing relationship, and for unmarried partners, evidence of at least two years of living together is required. There are also financial maintenance requirements—these may be confirmed by your partner’s employer or sponsor. PBS Dependant visas are typically granted for the duration of the main applicant’s visa, and, after five years, you may qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain. If your partner becomes settled, you usually remain on the same dependant route. PBS dependants are generally permitted to work and study in the UK with few restrictions. Note that from 2024, special rules apply for health and care worker dependants, and that requirements can vary in some skilled visa categories, so always check the current guidelines.

What About Partners of European (EU) Nationals?

Special provisions exist for non-EU partners of EU nationals when the relationship began before 31 December 2020, via the EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit. This gives family members or partners a quick and cost-free way to live and work in the UK, and eventually obtain settled status. For relationships starting from January 2021 onward, however, these permits are no longer available, and partners must instead use standard UK family visas—like the spouse or unmarried partner visas—subject to the new financial, language, and accommodation requirements. These routes are now essentially the same as for non-EU relationships.

The UK’s immigration rules change frequently and can be complex, especially for partners of PBS migrants and EU nationals. Taking legal advice early can save you time, stress, and expensive mistakes. If you need help with your specific circumstances, contact ARIS International Lawyers at 020 3865 6219 or leave a message. We are committed to ensuring your path to marriage and life together in the UK is secure and straightforward.