The UK Marriage Visitor Visa is a short-term visa route under the Immigration Rules designed for non-UK nationals who wish to marry or form a civil partnership in the United Kingdom. It provides lawful entry for the sole purpose of the marriage or civil partnership ceremony and related activities, without granting any long-term immigration rights. For those intending to marry in the UK without settling immediately afterwards, or for individuals marrying a UK resident but planning to return home before applying for a settlement visa, this route offers a lawful and compliant pathway.
What this article is about: This guide explains in detail the eligibility requirements, application process, visa conditions, and compliance duties associated with the Marriage Visitor Visa. It is aimed at individuals planning to marry or register a civil partnership in the UK, as well as at sponsors, legal advisers, and HR professionals supporting visa applicants. We explain the key legal requirements, the evidence you will need to prepare, and the restrictions attached to this visa, so you can plan effectively and avoid refusals.
The Marriage Visitor Visa is distinct from the fiancé(e) visa and the spouse visa. Unlike those routes, it does not allow you to live in the UK long term, work in the UK, or switch to another immigration route from within the country. Instead, it is a time-limited permission to enter for the specific purpose of a marriage or civil partnership ceremony. Successful applicants are granted permission to stay for up to six months, after which they must leave the UK.
Where the visa is required, it is mandatory to secure approval before travelling to the UK. Attempting to enter without the correct visa for this purpose can result in being refused entry at the border. The application process is evidence-based and time-sensitive, requiring careful planning to ensure all required documentation is in place before submission.
This article also addresses the common pitfalls in applications, such as insufficient proof of intention to marry or inadequate evidence of financial means, and outlines the consequences of non-compliance with visa conditions.
Section A: What is the Marriage Visitor Visa?
The Marriage Visitor Visa is a category of the UK Standard Visitor route that specifically permits entry for the purpose of getting married or entering into a civil partnership in the UK. It is set out under Appendix V of the Immigration Rules and applies to individuals who are not UK or Irish citizens, do not have settled status or other long-term immigration permission in the UK, and who require a visa to visit for this specific purpose.
Importantly, even if you are a non-visa national (from a country whose citizens can usually visit the UK without a visa), you must obtain a Marriage Visitor Visa if you intend to marry or register a civil partnership in the UK. You cannot rely on a standard visitor entry for this purpose.
This visa enables the holder to come to the UK for up to six months to carry out a lawful marriage or civil partnership ceremony, whether with a British citizen, a settled resident, or another non-UK national. It also covers circumstances where the applicant intends to register their marriage or civil partnership in the UK without holding the ceremony itself, provided this is done in accordance with UK legal requirements.
1. Definition and purpose under UK Immigration Rules
The Marriage Visitor Visa’s primary purpose is to allow short-term entry to the UK for the exclusive purpose of marriage or civil partnership. It is not a pathway to settlement or employment and is strictly time-limited. All applicants must confirm that they intend to leave the UK at the end of their visit, will not make the UK their main home, and have no plans to live in the UK through this visa category.
2. Difference between this visa and other marriage-related UK visas
The Marriage Visitor Visa differs from other immigration routes that involve marriage:
- Fiancé(e) visa: Allows you to enter the UK to marry and then switch to a spouse visa from within the UK. This visa is part of the family migration route and leads to settlement.
- Spouse visa: For those already married or in a civil partnership with a UK resident, allowing long-term residence and work rights.
- Civil Partnership Visitor Visa: Functions in the same way as the Marriage Visitor Visa but applies to civil partnerships rather than marriage ceremonies.
Applicants should choose the Marriage Visitor Visa only if they do not intend to stay in the UK after the ceremony and will not be applying for a different visa from within the UK.
3. Who needs the visa
You will require a Marriage Visitor Visa if:
- You are a visa national (from a country whose citizens must obtain a visa before visiting the UK) and you intend to marry or form a civil partnership in the UK.
- You are a non-visa national but intend to marry or register a civil partnership during your visit — you will still need to apply for this visa in advance.
- You do not hold another form of UK immigration permission that allows you to marry in the UK.
4. Restrictions
Marriage Visitor Visa holders cannot:
- Work in the UK (paid or unpaid), be self-employed, or provide goods and services.
- Access public funds.
- Undertake long-term study (only short recreational courses are permitted).
- Switch into another immigration category from within the UK.
- Stay beyond the visa’s expiry date.
Section Summary: The Marriage Visitor Visa is a short-term, single-purpose visa that allows non-UK nationals to marry or form a civil partnership in the UK without gaining the right to work, settle, extend, or switch through this route. It is legally distinct from settlement-based visas and carries strict conditions on use, making it essential that applicants select the right visa route for their plans.
Section B: Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a Marriage Visitor Visa, applicants must meet a defined set of criteria under the UK Immigration Rules. These requirements ensure that the visa is used only for its intended purpose — a short-term visit to marry or form a civil partnership — and that applicants do not attempt to use it as a backdoor to long-term residence or work in the UK.
1. Age and relationship criteria
Applicants must be aged 18 or over at the date of application. Both parties must be free to marry or form a civil partnership under UK law, meaning they must not already be married or in a civil partnership with another person. This also requires that any previous marriages or partnerships have been legally dissolved, with official evidence such as a divorce decree absolute or dissolution order. Both parties must also intend to marry or form a civil partnership during the validity of the visa (within six months).
2. Immigration status requirements
Both visa nationals and non-visa nationals may require a Marriage Visitor Visa:
- Visa nationals (nationals of countries listed in Appendix Visitor: Visa National List) must apply for the visa before travelling to the UK.
- Non-visa nationals can in some circumstances enter the UK without a visa as a visitor, but if they intend to marry or register a civil partnership, they must apply for and obtain a Marriage Visitor Visa in advance, regardless of nationality.
3. Proof of genuine intention to marry
Applicants must provide credible evidence that they intend to marry or enter a civil partnership in the UK during their stay. This typically includes:
- A booking confirmation from a UK registry office or licensed venue.
- Receipts or contracts for venue hire.
- Correspondence with registrars or wedding planners.
- Evidence of notices of marriage or civil partnership given to the relevant authorities.
The Home Office will expect clear, dated, and verifiable evidence. Unsupported statements of intent are unlikely to be accepted.
4. Financial requirements
Applicants must demonstrate that they can maintain and accommodate themselves during their stay without working or claiming public funds. This generally means providing:
- Recent bank statements or savings account records.
- Payslips and employment letters (if applicable).
- Evidence of accommodation arrangements in the UK, such as hotel bookings or an invitation letter from a host with proof of their own immigration status and ability to accommodate the visitor.
The financial requirement is not a fixed minimum figure but must be sufficient to cover the applicant’s trip based on their circumstances, travel plans, and intended duration of stay.
5. Proof of strong ties to home country
To satisfy the requirement that the applicant will leave the UK at the end of their visit, evidence should be provided of strong personal, financial, or professional ties to their home country. This may include:
- Proof of employment or business ownership.
- Evidence of property ownership or tenancy agreements.
- Documentation showing close family members remaining in the home country.
- Commitments such as ongoing education or contractual obligations.
The Immigration Rules (Appendix V, paragraph V 6.3) require that applicants will not make the UK their main home and will leave at the end of their visit. The Home Office will assess this evidence to determine the likelihood of the applicant returning home after their visit.
Section Summary: To be eligible for the Marriage Visitor Visa, applicants must be over 18, free to marry, and able to prove their genuine intention to marry or register a civil partnership in the UK within the visa period. They must also meet financial requirements and provide evidence that they will return to their home country after the ceremony. Careful preparation of supporting documents is crucial to avoid refusal on eligibility grounds.
Section C: Application Process
The Marriage Visitor Visa application process is completed online and requires careful preparation of documentation to meet Home Office requirements. The process is designed to confirm that the applicant’s visit is genuine, time-limited, and fully compliant with the Immigration Rules.
1. Where and how to apply
Applications are made through the official GOV.UK visa application portal. Applicants must select the “Marriage Visitor Visa” option and complete the online form with accurate personal details, travel plans, and information about the intended marriage or civil partnership.
Once the online form is submitted and the visa fee paid, the applicant must book an appointment at a visa application centre in their country of residence (or another country where they are lawfully present). This appointment will include the collection of biometric data, which is required for both visa nationals and non-visa nationals applying for this route.
2. Application timing
Applications can be made up to three months before the intended date of travel. It is advisable to apply as early as possible to allow time for decision-making, particularly if priority services are unavailable or if additional checks are expected.
The visa must be granted before travelling to the UK. Applicants should avoid making non-refundable wedding arrangements until the visa is issued.
3. Biometric appointment and document submission
At the visa application centre, applicants will:
- Provide biometric data (fingerprints and photograph).
- Submit their passport and supporting documents.
- In some cases, attend a short interview to clarify details of their application.
Supporting documents may be uploaded online before the appointment, depending on the service provider’s instructions.
4. Supporting documents
Typical evidence includes:
- Valid passport (with at least one blank page).
- Proof of intended marriage or civil partnership (booking confirmation, venue receipts, registrar correspondence).
- Evidence of financial means (bank statements, payslips, sponsor support documents).
- Proof of accommodation in the UK.
- Evidence of ties to the home country (employment letter, property deeds, family commitments).
- Travel itinerary or booked flights (if available).
- If previously married or in a civil partnership, official proof of dissolution (e.g., divorce decree absolute, final dissolution order).
All documents must be in English or Welsh, or accompanied by certified translations.
5. Application fees and payment
As of 2025, the Marriage Visitor Visa fee is £115. This must be paid online at the time of application. Additional costs may apply for priority or super priority processing, depending on location.
6. Decision waiting times and priority service options
Standard processing times are typically around three weeks from the biometric appointment. Priority services, where available, may reduce the wait to five working days, and super priority services to the next working day. However, availability varies between visa application centres.
7. Refusal reasons and reapplication options
Common reasons for refusal include:
- Inadequate evidence of genuine intention to marry.
- Insufficient financial evidence.
- Failure to demonstrate ties to the home country.
- Previous immigration breaches or adverse immigration history.
If refused, applicants may reapply with stronger evidence. There is no right of appeal, but an administrative review may be available in limited circumstances where the decision was based on a factual error.
Section Summary: The Marriage Visitor Visa application process is completed online and requires submission of biometric data and extensive documentary evidence. Applying early, ensuring all documents meet the Home Office’s evidential standards, and demonstrating both the intention to marry and the intention to return home are critical to a successful outcome.
Section C: Application Process
The Marriage Visitor Visa application process is completed online and requires careful preparation of documentation to meet Home Office requirements. The process is designed to confirm that the applicant’s visit is genuine, time-limited, and fully compliant with the Immigration Rules.
1. Where and how to apply
Applications are made through the official GOV.UK visa application portal. Applicants must select the “Marriage Visitor Visa” option and complete the online form with accurate personal details, travel plans, and information about the intended marriage or civil partnership.
Once the online form is submitted and the visa fee paid, the applicant must book an appointment at a visa application centre in their country of residence (or another country where they are lawfully present). This appointment will include the collection of biometric data, which is required for both visa nationals and non-visa nationals applying for this route.
2. Application timing
Applications can be made up to three months before the intended date of travel. It is advisable to apply as early as possible to allow time for decision-making, particularly if priority services are unavailable or if additional checks are expected.
The visa must be granted before travelling to the UK. Applicants should avoid making non-refundable wedding arrangements until the visa is issued.
3. Biometric appointment and document submission
At the visa application centre, applicants will:
- Provide biometric data (fingerprints and photograph).
- Submit their passport and supporting documents.
- In some cases, attend a short interview to clarify details of their application.
Supporting documents may be uploaded online before the appointment, depending on the service provider’s instructions.
4. Supporting documents
Typical evidence includes:
- Valid passport (with at least one blank page).
- Proof of intended marriage or civil partnership (booking confirmation, venue receipts, registrar correspondence).
- Evidence of financial means (bank statements, payslips, sponsor support documents).
- Proof of accommodation in the UK.
- Evidence of ties to the home country (employment letter, property deeds, family commitments).
- Travel itinerary or booked flights (if available).
- If previously married or in a civil partnership, official proof of dissolution (e.g., divorce decree absolute, final dissolution order).
All documents must be in English or Welsh, or accompanied by certified translations.
5. Application fees and payment
As of 2025, the Marriage Visitor Visa fee is £115. This must be paid online at the time of application. Additional costs may apply for priority or super priority processing, depending on location.
6. Decision waiting times and priority service options
Standard processing times are typically around three weeks from the biometric appointment. Priority services, where available, may reduce the wait to five working days, and super priority services to the next working day. However, availability varies between visa application centres.
7. Refusal reasons and reapplication options
Common reasons for refusal include:
- Inadequate evidence of genuine intention to marry.
- Insufficient financial evidence.
- Failure to demonstrate ties to the home country.
- Previous immigration breaches or adverse immigration history.
If refused, applicants may reapply with stronger evidence. There is no right of appeal, but an administrative review may be available in limited circumstances where the decision was based on a factual error.
Section Summary: The Marriage Visitor Visa application process is completed online and requires submission of biometric data and extensive documentary evidence. Applying early, ensuring all documents meet the Home Office’s evidential standards, and demonstrating both the intention to marry and the intention to return home are critical to a successful outcome.
Section D: Visa Conditions & Compliance
Once granted, the Marriage Visitor Visa is subject to strict conditions. These govern what the visa holder can and cannot do in the UK and are designed to ensure the visa is used solely for its intended purpose — marrying or entering into a civil partnership during a short visit.
1. Duration of stay
The Marriage Visitor Visa allows a maximum stay of six months. The visa cannot be extended beyond this period, and holders are expected to leave the UK once their marriage or civil partnership arrangements are complete.
2. Permitted activities
Marriage Visitor Visa holders can:
- Enter the UK for the purpose of marrying or registering a civil partnership in accordance with UK law.
- Visit family and friends, travel within the UK, and take part in incidental tourist activities during their stay.
- Attend short recreational courses (lasting no more than 30 days) that are not the main purpose of the visit.
3. Prohibited activities
The visa does not permit:
- Employment, whether paid or unpaid.
- Self-employment or providing goods and services in the UK.
- Access to public funds.
- Enrolment in long-term study.
- Switching to another immigration category from within the UK.
If an applicant’s intention changes — for example, they decide they wish to remain in the UK after marriage — they must leave the UK and apply for the appropriate visa from overseas.
4. Marriage registration and compliance with UK law
Marriage or civil partnership ceremonies must be conducted at a venue registered or licensed for such events in the UK. The parties must give notice of marriage or civil partnership at a designated registry office, usually at least 28 days before the ceremony. If either party is a non-UK/non-Irish citizen without indefinite leave or EU Settlement Scheme status, the notice period may be extended to 70 days while the Home Office investigates the genuineness of the relationship.
5. Returning home after the wedding
The Marriage Visitor Visa is granted on the basis that the holder will leave the UK at the end of their visit. Attempting to remain without lawful permission can lead to enforcement action, removal, and future visa refusals.
6. Consequences of overstaying or breaching visa conditions
Breaching the terms of the Marriage Visitor Visa can have serious consequences, including:
- Cancellation of current permission to stay.
- A ban on returning to the UK for a period of up to 10 years.
- Negative impact on any future visa applications.
Applicants should therefore ensure they fully understand and comply with all conditions attached to their visa.
Section Summary: The Marriage Visitor Visa offers a clear but narrow scope of permission: it allows a short-term stay to marry or form a civil partnership, with no right to work, settle, or switch visa categories from within the UK. Compliance with both the Immigration Rules and UK marriage laws is essential, and overstaying or breaching conditions can lead to serious long-term immigration consequences.
FAQs
Can I work while on a Marriage Visitor Visa?
No. The Marriage Visitor Visa does not permit any form of work, whether paid or unpaid, including self-employment. You cannot provide goods or services to the public, and you cannot take up any form of business activity in the UK.
Can I stay in the UK after my wedding?
No. You must leave the UK before your visa expires. If you wish to live in the UK after marriage, you will need to apply for the appropriate visa — such as a spouse visa — from outside the UK.
Can I apply for a spouse visa while in the UK on a Marriage Visitor Visa?
No. Switching to another immigration route from within the UK is not permitted on this visa. You must leave the UK and apply from abroad.
How far in advance should I apply?
You can apply up to three months before your intended travel date. It is recommended to apply as early as possible, particularly if priority services are limited or unavailable at your visa application centre.
Do I need to give notice of marriage before arriving in the UK?
No. Notice must be given in person at a designated UK registry office after arrival, but evidence of booked arrangements should be provided in the visa application to demonstrate your genuine intention to marry.
What if my application is refused?
You may be able to reapply with stronger evidence to address the refusal reasons. There is generally no right of appeal, but an administrative review may be possible if the refusal was due to a factual error by the Home Office.
Conclusion
The Marriage Visitor Visa is a focused UK immigration route designed for those who wish to marry or enter a civil partnership in the UK without remaining in the country afterwards. It offers a straightforward means of lawful entry for this specific purpose, but it comes with strict eligibility requirements and significant restrictions on permitted activities.
Applicants must demonstrate not only their genuine intention to marry but also that they can financially support themselves during their stay and that they will leave the UK at the end of the visit. Failure to meet these requirements or to comply with visa conditions can result in refusal or adverse immigration consequences in the future.
By preparing a strong application — supported by clear evidence of the wedding arrangements, financial stability, and ties to the home country — applicants can maximise their chances of approval and ensure their plans go ahead without disruption. Careful planning and full compliance with UK immigration and marriage laws are essential to using this visa successfully.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Marriage Visitor Visa | A short-term UK visa allowing a stay of up to six months for the purpose of marrying or entering into a civil partnership, without the right to work or settle. |
| Fiancé(e) Visa | A visa allowing entry to the UK to marry and then switch to a spouse visa from within the UK; part of the family migration route to settlement. |
| Civil Partnership | A legal relationship registered between two people, offering similar rights and responsibilities to marriage under UK law. |
| Visa Nationals | Nationals of countries listed in the UK’s Visa National List who must obtain a visa before visiting the UK for any purpose. |
| Non-Visa Nationals | Nationals of certain countries who may visit the UK for short periods without a visa, although a visa is still required for specific activities such as marriage. |
| Public Funds | UK government welfare benefits and services that some migrants are prohibited from accessing under immigration conditions. |
Useful Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| GOV.UK – Marriage Visitor Visa guidance | https://www.gov.uk/marriage-visitor-visa |
| GOV.UK – Apply for a Marriage Visitor Visa | https://www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa |
| GOV.UK – Visa processing times | https://www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times |
| DavidsonMorris – UK Marriage Visitor Visa guide | https://www.davidsonmorris.com/marriage-visitor-visa/ |
| Xpats.io – Marriage Visitor Visa | https://www.xpats.io/marriage-visitor-visa/ |
Author
Gill Laing is a qualified Legal Researcher & Analyst with niche specialisms in Law, Tax, Human Resources, Immigration & Employment Law.
Gill is a Multiple Business Owner and the Managing Director of Prof Services - a Marketing Agency for the Professional Services Sector.
