Marriage Visa UK

Whether you are planning to join your spouse in the UK or are a British citizen sponsoring your non-EEA (European Economic Area) partner, this guide will provide you with valuable information on marriage visa requirements, necessary documents, and the application process. We'll also discuss how an immigration solicitor can assist you in navigating the complexities of the UK marriage visa application.

If you need immigration advice or legal assistance with your UK Marriage visa application, call our marriage visa lawyer in London at 0203 417 3700.

Table of Contents

1. What is a Marriage visa UK?
2. How to apply for a Marriage visa UK?
3. What are the requirements for a UK Marriage visa?
4. UK Marriage visa document checklist
5. UK Marriage visa processing time 2025
6. UK Marriage visa fees 2025
7. How much is the health surcharge for a spouse visa?
8. How can an immigration lawyer help with your Marriage visa application?
9. UK Marriage visa lawyer fees
10. Need legal advice & assistance?

What is a Marriage visa UK?

A UK Marriage visa, also known as a Partner visa and Spouse visa, allows individuals to join their spouse or civil partner in the United Kingdom.

A Marriage visa is a type of UK Family visa designed for non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationals who are married to or in a civil partnership with a UK citizen or a person with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), pre-settled status, settled status, or refugee status in the UK.

Initially, the marriage visa is usually granted for 30 months. After this initial period, applicants can apply for an extension of spouse visa for an additional 30 months. After spending a total of five years in the UK, individuals may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), which is also known as permanent residency.

Our team of immigration solicitors can guide you through your UK Marriage visa application process. Get in touch to take the first step towards your successful application.

How to apply for a Marriage visa UK?

Applying for a Marriage visa (Spouse visa) in the UK involves several steps. Here's a general guide on how to apply:

1. Assess your eligibility
2. Gather Required Documents
3. Complete the Online Application Form
4. Pay the Visa Fee
5. Book a Biometric Appointment
6. Submit Supporting Documents
7. Wait for a Decision
8. Receive a Decision

1. Assess your eligibility

Ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for a UK Marriage Visa, including being married to or in a civil partnership with a UK citizen or settled person. If not sure, our immigration solicitors can help.

2. Gather Required Documents

Collect all necessary documents to support your marriage visa application. This typically includes proof of relationship, financial documents, accommodation proof, and, if applicable, evidence of English language proficiency.

3. Complete the Online Application Form

Complete and submit the relevant visa application form online. Provide accurate and detailed information, as any discrepancies may affect the success of your application.

4. Pay the Visa Fee

Pay the required visa fee as part of the application process. The amount may vary based on the type of visa and your location.

5. Book a Biometric Appointment

After submitting the online application, you'll need to book a biometric appointment to provide fingerprints and a photograph. This is usually done at a Visa Application Centre.

6. Submit Supporting Documents

Attend the biometric appointment and submit all required documents to the Visa Application Centre. Ensure that your documents are well-organised and meet the specified requirements.

7. Wait for a Decision

Once you've submitted your UK marriage visa application and documents, you'll need to wait for a decision.

8. Receive a Decision

You will be notified of the decision on your application. If approved, you will receive a visa vignette in your passport, allowing you to travel to the UK.

What are the requirements for a UK Marriage visa?

The primary purpose of the Marriage Visa is to enable individuals to live with their British or settled partner in the UK. To be eligible for a UK Marriage visa, you must meet certain criteria, including:

• Age: Both, you and your partner must be 18 or over.
• Relationship Status: You must be married to, in a civil partnership with, or planning to marry or enter into a civil partnership with a UK citizen or settled person.
• Financial Requirements: The sponsoring partner must meet minimum income thresholds to prove their ability to support the non-EEA partner.
• Accommodation: Adequate housing must be available for the couple without relying on public funds.
• English Language Proficiency: Some applicants may need to prove their knowledge of the English language.

You must meet all other eligibility requirements depending on your circumstances. Feel free to ask a question to our expert immigration solicitor regarding your Marriage visa application.

UK Marriage visa document checklist

When applying for a UK Marriage visa, you will need to gather a range of documents to support your application. These typically include:

• Valid passport or other travel documents to prove your identity.
• Proof of your relationship such as a Marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate, or evidence of intention to marry.
• Evidence of meeting the financial requirement such as bank statements, payslips, or self-employment records.
• Documents proving that suitable accommodation is available.
• English language proficiency proof (if applicable).
• Tuberculosis (TB) test to support your visa application (if applicable to your country).

You may need to provide additional supporting documents depending on your circumstances.

UK Marriage visa processing time 2025

On average, the Marriage visa application processing time is around 3 months when you apply from outside the UK using standard service. However, you may be eligible to use the “priority service” to get a faster decision.

Marriage visa applications take around 8 weeks when you apply from inside the UK using standard service.

UK Marriage visa fees 2025

The fee for a UK marriage visa application is £1,538 if you are applying from outside the UK and £1,048 for inside applications. It does not include the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS).

How much is the health surcharge for a spouse visa?

You might need to pay a healthcare surcharge (called the 'immigration health surcharge' or IHS) as part of your immigration application. Click here to find out the latest Family visa fees and Healthcare surcharges.

How can an immigration lawyer help with your Marriage visa application?

UK Marriage visa lawyer fees

Our fixed-fee immigration solicitors charge a fixed fee in the region of £800 to £1000 (excluding VAT) for complete legal services for the UK Marriage visa application.