What is a Marriage Visitor Visa?
A Marriage Visitor Visa is designed for individuals who wish to get married or register a civil partnership in the UK or give notice of a marriage or civil partnership. It’s essential to note that this visa does not permit you to stay or settle in the UK beyond your marital event.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for a Marriage Visitor Visa, you must be 18 years or older and free to give notice of marriage, marry, or enter a civil partnership within six months of your arrival. Your visit must be for less than six months, and you should genuinely be in a relationship. Additionally, you must leave the UK at the end of your visit and not establish it as your main home.
Activities Allowed
Under a Marriage Visitor Visa, you can marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK within six months of your arrival, but you must use a licensed venue for this purpose. Transit through the UK on your way to another country is also allowed.
Activities Not Allowed
With a Marriage Visitor Visa, you cannot access public funds or benefits, bring family members or dependents, live in the UK for extended periods through frequent visits, extend your visa, switch to another visa, work (except for permitted activities related to your work or business overseas), or study in the UK.
Documents Needed
Standard documents are required for a Marriage Visitor Visa application, including a valid passport or travel document covering your entire stay in the UK. You must also provide details of your marriage or civil partnership and evidence of payments made for related costs. Documents not in English or Welsh should be accompanied by certified translations.
Certified copies of documents may be needed, such as passports, driving licenses, government letters, financial statements, and utility bills. A certified translation can be obtained from a professional who is not related to you or residing at the same address.
Processing Time
Applying for a Marriage Visitor Visa can be done online, but an appointment at a visa application center is necessary to prove your identity and submit documents. The application center may retain your passport and documents during processing. Applications can be submitted up to three months before your intended travel, with a decision typically provided within three weeks.
Visa Fee
The fee for a Marriage Visitor Visa is £115, making it a cost-effective option considering its benefits.
