Fiancé Visa

The UK Fiancé(e) Visa United Kingdom is intended for engaged partners of British citizens, individuals with indefinite leave to remain, those granted refugee status or humanitarian protection, or people with limited leave to remain under Appendix EU or Appendix ECAA. It enables applicants to enter the UK for the purpose of marriage or civil partnership within six months of arrival. While the visa is initially valid for only six months, it forms the first step in a longer immigration journey. Once the marriage has taken place, the visa holder can apply for further leave to remain under the FLR(M) route from within the UK, without the need to leave the country, thereby moving onto the spouse visa pathway that can ultimately lead to settlement and British citizenship.

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Key Eligibility Criteria

Both applicant and sponsor must be 18 or older when submitting the application.
Sponsor must be one of the following:
1. British or Irish citizen
2. Settled in the UK (e.g., indefinite leave to remain, settled status)
3. Pre-settled under EU Settlement Scheme
4. Holder of a Turkish Businessperson or Worker visa
5. Refugee or humanitarian protection status
Relationship must be genuine and subsisting; you must intend to marry or enter into a civil partnership within six months of arrival
You must have met in person and not be within prohibited degrees of relationship under the UK Marriage Acts
Evidence that previous marriages or partnerships have legally ended
Intent to live together permanently in the UK

Financial Requirements & Adequate Maintenance

The financial eligibility is one of the most critical and frequently updated components:

A minimum income requirement of £29,000 per year (combined income with sponsor) applies for partner visas, including fiancé(e), as of April 2024 (GOV.UK).

Source of Income

Employment Income

- Employment Letter
- Payslips
- Bank Statements

Non-Employment Income

- Rental income (requires title deeds, tenancy agreements, bank statements)
- Dividends (investment statements, dividend vouchers, portfolio reports)

Cash Savings

- To meet the full £29,000, you are required to show that you have held £88,500 for at least 6 consecutive months.

Self-Employment

- HMRC tax return (SA302)
- Accounts
- Business bank statements
- Accountant’s letter

Pension

- Documentation from DWP and other government departments.
- Bank statement showing receipt of pension.

Adequate Maintenance

Where your partner is in receipt of certain benefits or allowances in the UK, you may be exempt from meeting the financial requirement by providing evidence of “adequate maintenance”. This includes:

- Carer’s Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment or Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
- Constant Attendance Allowance, Mobility Supplement or War Disablement Pension under the War Pensions Scheme
- Police Injury Pension

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Required Documents & Evidence

A detailed breakdown of documentation helps applicants prepare thoroughly:

Completed online application and fee payment
Valid passport (and previous passports, if any)
Evidence of genuine relationship (e.g., photographs, messages, correspondence, shared bills, joint accounts, declarations from friends/family)
Proof of English language: SELT A1 (or exemption via degree or nationality), or via UK-taught degree (with Ecctis verification if from abroad) (GOV.UK)
Evidence of meeting the financial requirement: payslips, bank statements, savings, etc. (GOV.UK)
Proof any previous relationship ended: divorce or death certificates
Accommodation details in the UK (proof you have adequate housing)
Provisional booking with the marriage registrar in the UK
Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate (where required)

English Language Requirements & Exemptions

Offer a clearer breakdown for different scenarios:

SEL Test: A1 level required for initial fiancé(e) visa; must be from a Home Office-approved provider.
Degree Exemption: University degree taught in English may exempt you—if outside the UK, it requires Ecctis verification.
Automatic Exemptions: Citizens of certain English-speaking countries and those over 65, or those with a specified clinical condition, are exempt (GOV.UK).

Accommodation Requirements

You must show that you have adequate accommodation in the UK. The property must not be overcrowded and must comply with public health regulations.

Application Process & Logistics

Clarify how applicants should proceed and what to expect:

Application in advance: Must be submitted from outside the UK, usually online; you cannot switch to fiancé(e) visa from within the UK.
Processing times: Typically takes around 12 weeks, but 30 working days via Priority Service (if available).
If marriage doesn’t occur within 6 months: You may be able to extend your fiancé(e) visa for another 6 months if a valid reason and evidence are provided.
Post-marriage: After marrying or entering a civil partnership in the UK, you can apply to switch to a Spouse visa without leaving the country; this route can lead to settlement after 5 years (GOV.UK).

Summary Table

Section	Key Highlights
Eligibility Criteria	Age 18+, sponsor’s status, genuine relationship, intent to marry within 6 months
Financial Requirements	£29,000 income (or large savings); review ongoing for lower threshold
Documents Needed	Passport, relationship proof, English test, financial, and prior marriage proof
English Requirements	SELT A1; degree exemptions; country-based exemptions
Application Process	Apply from outside the UK, 12-week processing, can extend/switch after marriage

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the eligibility requirements for a UK Fiancé(e) Visa?

There are various requirements that need to be met, including:

Intention to get married

Proof of relationship

Successful completion of the English language test

Financial evidence demonstrating that the financial requirement is met

Proof of adequate accommodation

How can ICONIQ Solicitors help with a Fiancé(e) Visa application?

ICONIQ Solicitors will assess that you meet all the requirements under the immigration rules. Once the same is determined, we will prepare and submit your application along with detailed representations. We will ensure that the application process is completed in a smooth and hassle-free manner.

Do I need to meet the financial requirement before applying?

Yes, you are required to meet the financial requirement of £29,000 before applying for a fiancé visa.

What relationship evidence is accepted?

To demonstrate that the Applicant and the Sponsor are in a genuine and subsisting relationship evidence of engagement, communication, in person meetings and photos are required to be provided.

Can I work on a Fiancé(e) Visa?

As you are granted leave to enter for a period of 6 months, you are not permitted to work in the UK.

How do I switch from Fiancé(e) to Spouse Visa in the UK?

In order to switch from a Fiancé(e) visa to a spouse visa, you must first ensure that you have registered your marriage in the UK. Once this is done, a spouse extension application is required to be made.