Fast Track Your Journey Together: Your Guide to the UK Fiance Visa

The UK Fiance Visa is a favored choice for couples intending to marry in the UK before formalizing their legal union.

This visa permits the foreign partner of a British citizen or settled individual to enter the UK to marry within six months. Understanding the eligibility criteria, application procedures, necessary documentation, financial prerequisites, pitfalls to avoid, processing durations, fees, and strategies for a smooth application is crucial. We will walk you through all the important information about the UK Fiance Visa in this comprehensive guide.

Who is Eligible for a UK Fiancé Visa?

To be qualified for the Fiance Visa, you and your spouse must fulfill certain conditions. The primary requirements for qualifying are as follows:

• 1) Both you and your partner must be eighteen years of age or older.
• 2) It is recommended that you plan your marriage within the six-month validity period of the Fiance Visa.
• 3) Your partner must possess established status or be a citizen of the United Kingdom.
• 4) Following your marriage or civil partnership, you should prepare to move to the UK with your partner.
• 5) You must demonstrate that you are a financially stable pair who won't need assistance from the government. This means that the total annual income must be at least £18,600.
• 6) Evidence of appropriate housing for you, your spouse, and any dependents must be shown.
• 7) Should you be from a non-English speaking country, you will need to take an authorized SELT exam to confirm that you can communicate in English at least at an A1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

The Changes Taking Place In Spring 2024

The new income criteria will begin at £29,000 in the spring of 2024 and increase to £34,500 and then £38,700 over time. To avoid these upcoming changes, it is advised that you submit your applications as soon as possible before spring.

Importantly, starting in the spring of 2024, the minimum income requirement will not include a separate kid component, eliminating the need for additional funding for each child.

For those who already possess a visa or apply before the minimum income level is raised, their evaluation will follow the existing income criterion. This also holds for those who currently have a fiancé visa, even if they want to file for a spouse visa later. On the other hand, individuals moving from one route to this one (after modifications are implemented) will be assessed using the updated standards.

What are the Main Requirements?

The key prerequisites for this visa pathway include:

• Your British partner must either be a British citizen or hold indefinite leave to remain (settled status, permanent residence) in the UK.
• As the applicant, you must possess proficient English language skills, which may require verification depending on your country of origin.
• Either you or your British partner must demonstrate sufficient financial means to support you throughout your six-month stay in the UK (elaborated further below).
• The UK Fiancee visa is valid for a six-month duration and does not grant the applicant permission to work within the UK during this period.

Eligibility Requirements

Appendix FM of the UK Immigration Rules delineates the eligibility criteria for the UK Fiance visa, comprising:

• You and your British partner must demonstrate the intention to reside together in the UK.
• You must also intend to marry within six months of receiving this visa.
• Your relationship must be authentic (explained further below).
• Under this visa category, access to public funds in the UK is unavailable, necessitating a demonstration of financial stability.
• Your British partner must possess indefinite leave-to-remain status or full British citizenship at minimum.
• There should be no legal impediments to your and your British partner's marriage, such as pending divorces or other legal barriers obstructing your marriage from occurring.

How Do I Prove My Relationship is Genuine for a Fiance Visa UK?

To qualify for a UK Fiance Visa application, you must substantiate the authenticity of your relationship. While various methods can establish the genuineness of your relationship, the most prevalent approach (where applicable) involves demonstrating cohabitation with your partner based in the UK.

In support of your Fiance Visa UK application, you can include the following evidence:

• 1. Official documents from reliable outside sources, including banks, landlords, utility companies, government agencies, and medical specialists.
• 2. Documentation, like shared housing or shared financial obligations, attesting to the nature of your partnership.
• 3. Proof that was produced during the past four years.

However, current UK Home Office guidelines indicate that items like greeting cards, travel tickets, receipts, photographs, or text/social media messages are not deemed substantial evidence of your relationship and are unlikely to bolster your application.

A proficient legal advisor will gather detailed information about your relationship and recommend documents likely to carry significant evidential weight.