UK Fiancé Visa Made Simple: Requirements, Process & Tips

Charlie Spouses and Partners 5 May 2025 | | 0

The UK Fiancé Visa (also known as the Fiancée Visa or Proposed Civil Partner Visa) allows someone from outside the UK to come and marry their British partner or someone settled in the UK. Someone with settled status is considered a permanent resident in the UK and can stay without any immigration time restrictions.

Unlike other partner visas, a fiancé visa doesn’t require the applicant and sponsor to have lived together before applying.

Once granted, you’ll have 6 months to get married or enter a civil partnership in the UK. Following your marriage, you can switch to a spouse visa within the UK, which comes with the right to work and is initially issued for 30 months. This will open the path to staying in the UK long-term, eventually leading to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

Who Can Apply?

To qualify for a UK Fiancé Visa, you must meet these main requirements:

Both you and your partner are over 18 years old
You plan to marry or enter a civil partnership within 6 months of arriving in the UK
Your partner is:
- A British or Irish citizen, or
- Has Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), EU Settled Status, refugee status, or humanitarian protection
You plan to live together in the UK after marriage or partnership
You meet the financial requirement: Combined income of at least £29,000 per year
You have suitable accommodation in the UK
You speak English at an acceptable level (e.g. pass an A1 level English test)

silhouette of person's hands forming heart

Proving Your Relationship Is Real

You’ll need to show that your relationship is genuine, not just for immigration purposes.

This includes:

Evidence like photos, messages, letters, travel history, etc.
Written statements explaining how and when you met
Reference letters from friends or family confirming your relationship

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will refuse applications it suspects are based on sham relationships.

Financial Requirements Explained

To meet the £29,000 income requirement, you can use:

Employment or self-employment income
Pensions (yours or your partner’s)
Certain benefits (like bereavement or maternity allowances)
Savings over £16,000

Using Savings Instead of Income

If you don’t earn enough, you can use savings. Here’s how the Home Office calculates it:

Subtract £16,000 from your total savings
Divide the remaining amount by 2.5
Subtract that number from the £29,000 requirement

Sample Computation:
If you have £17,500 in savings:
£17,500 – £16,000 = £1,500 → £1,500 ÷ 2.5 = £600
You now only need to show £28,400 in annual income instead of £29,000.

Exemptions From the Financial Requirement

If your UK partner receives any of these benefits, the financial requirement may not apply:

Disability Living Allowance
Severe Disablement Allowance
Armed Forces Compensation payments
War Pensions
Carer’s Allowance
Police Injury Pension
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

Even if exempt, you still need to prove you can support yourselves without relying on public funds.

Meeting the English Language Requirement

You can prove your English skills in three ways:

Pass an English test
Hold a degree taught in English
Be exempt if:
- You’re over 65
- You have a physical/mental condition preventing you from learning English
- You’re from an English-speaking country (e.g. USA, Canada, Australia, Jamaica)

Accommodation Requirement

You must show that you have suitable accommodation in the UK. This means:

It’s owned or rented by you or your partner
It’s not overcrowded
It meets health and safety standards

Documents Required

When applying, you’ll need to provide:

Valid passport (and old ones if applicable)
Completed online application form
Proof of your relationship (photos, messages, statements)
Proof of English skills (e.g. A1 test certificate)
Evidence of income or savings (bank statements, payslips, etc.)
Details of your accommodation in the UK
Criminal record details (if applicable)
Tuberculosis test results (if required by your country)
Biometric data (fingerprints and photo)
Two passport-sized photos

How to Apply

Check if you meet the requirements
Gather your supporting documents
Apply online through the UK government website
Pay the visa fee
Book and attend your biometric appointment
Submit your documents
Attend an interview if invited

What You Can and Can’t Do on a Fiancé Visa

A Fiancé visa allows you to come to the UK for six months with the main purpose of getting married to your partner. During this time, you can enter and leave the UK freely, though it’s generally best to stay in the country to avoid delays or complications when switching to a Spouse visa after the wedding. Once married, you can apply for a Spouse visa from within the UK. There is no need to return home for this step.

However, there are important restrictions. While on a Fiancé visa, you are not allowed to work or study in the UK. You also cannot access public funds or benefits, so you and your partner must be able to support yourselves financially.

The visa is only valid for six months and cannot be extended. If you don’t get married within that timeframe, you’ll need to leave the UK and reapply if you still wish to join your partner.

From Fiance Visa to ILR (Permanent Residency)

Here’s the long-term route to your UK residency:

Enter the UK on a fiancé visa (6 months)
Marry and switch to Spouse Visa (30 months)
Extend Spouse Visa (another 30 months)
After 5 years total, apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

Starting your life together in the UK is an exciting chapter, and the Fiancé visa is the first important step on that journey. While there are some rules and restrictions to keep in mind, staying informed and prepared can help things go smoothly.

Once you’re married, you’ll be able to apply for a Spouse visa and begin settling into your new life as a couple.

If you’re unsure about any part of the process, don’t hesitate to seek expert advice—getting the right support early on can make all the difference.

Have you started your UK visa application? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.

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