Thinking of Bringing Your Fiancé to the UK?
If you are engaged to a British citizen or someone settled in the UK, the UK Fiancé Visa allows you to come to the UK for up to six months to get married or enter into a civil partnership.
Many couples find the process confusing. Questions such as:
Can I work on a Fiancé Visa?
How much income do I need?
How long does the application take?
What documents do I need?
What happens after we get married?
are some of the most common concerns we hear from clients.
This guide explains everything you need to know about the UK Fiancé Visa in simple, easy-to-understand language.
What is a UK Fiancé Visa?
A UK Fiancé Visa is a type of Family Visa that allows an overseas partner to enter the UK to marry their British or settled partner within six months of arrival.
The visa is specifically designed for couples who intend to:
Get married in the UK
Live together permanently
Build a future together in the United Kingdom
Once married, the applicant can apply for a UK Spouse Visa without leaving the UK.
Who Can Apply for a UK Fiancé Visa?
You may be eligible if:
You are aged 18 or over.
Your partner is aged 18 or over.
Your partner is a British citizen, Irish citizen or settled in the UK.
You have met each other in person.
Your relationship is genuine and ongoing.
You intend to marry within six months.
You intend to live together permanently after marriage.
You meet the English language requirement.
You meet the financial requirement.
Do We Need to Have Lived Together?
No.
One of the biggest misconceptions about the UK Fiancé Visa is that couples must have lived together before applying.
This is not true.
Unlike some other visa categories, there is no requirement for Fiancé Visa applicants to have lived together previously.
However, you must prove your relationship is genuine.
How Do You Prove Your Relationship?
The Home Office will want evidence that your relationship is genuine and ongoing.
Examples include:
Evidence of Meeting
Flight tickets
Passport stamps
Hotel bookings
Travel itineraries
Communication Evidence
WhatsApp messages
Emails
Call logs
Video calls
Relationship Evidence
Engagement photographs
Family photographs
Wedding plans
Venue bookings
Statements from family and friends
Previous Marriages
If either partner has been married before, you must provide evidence that the marriage has legally ended, such as:
Divorce Certificate
Decree Absolute
Death Certificate
Financial Requirement for a UK Fiancé Visa
Most applicants must show that they meet the minimum income requirement of:
£29,000 per year
The Home Office uses this figure to assess whether the couple can support themselves without relying on public funds.
Income can come from:
Employment
Self-employment
Company director earnings
Pension income
Rental income
Dividends
Cash savings
Many applications are refused because financial documents have not been prepared correctly, so it is important to seek legal advice where necessary.
What If My Partner Receives Disability Benefits?
The £29,000 income requirement may not apply if the sponsoring partner receives certain benefits such as:
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Attendance Allowance
Carer’s Allowance
Adult Disability Payment
Child Disability Payment
Instead, the Home Office will assess whether the couple can adequately maintain and accommodate themselves without additional public funds.
Can Savings Be Used Instead of Income?
Yes.
In some circumstances, cash savings can be used instead of employment income or combined with other income sources.
The Home Office has strict rules regarding how savings can be counted, so professional advice is often recommended.
English Language Requirement
Most applicants must prove they can speak and understand English.
This can usually be done by:
Passing an approved English language test at A1 level or above
Holding a qualifying degree taught in English
Being from an English-speaking country recognised by the Home Office
Some applicants may qualify for an exemption.
Can You Work on a UK Fiancé Visa?
No.
This is one of the most important restrictions of the visa.
While holding a UK Fiancé Visa you cannot:
Work full-time
Work part-time
Be self-employed
Run a business
Freelance
Carry out remote work while physically present in the UK
Many people are surprised to learn that even working remotely for an overseas employer may breach the conditions of the visa.
Can You Study on a UK Fiancé Visa?
No.
Fiancé Visa holders cannot study during the six-month fiancé period.
Once you switch to a Spouse Visa after marriage, you can work and study in the UK.
Can You Claim Benefits?
No.
Fiancé Visa holders generally have no recourse to public funds and cannot claim most state benefits.
The sponsoring partner must be able to support the applicant financially throughout their stay.
How Long Does a UK Fiancé Visa Last?
A UK Fiancé Visa is normally granted for:
6 Months
During this period you must:
Get married or enter a civil partnership.
Submit a Spouse Visa application before the visa expires.
What Happens After We Get Married?
Once married, you can apply for a UK Spouse Visa from inside the UK.
The Spouse Visa allows you to:
Work
Study
Access the NHS
Continue living with your partner
The first Spouse Visa is usually granted for:
2 Years and 6 Months
You can then extend for a further:
2 Years and 6 Months
After completing five years on the spouse route, you may become eligible for:
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
which is permanent residence in the UK.
Does Time on a Fiancé Visa Count Towards ILR?
No.
This is a common misunderstanding.
The six months spent on a Fiancé Visa does not count towards the five-year qualifying period for settlement.
The five-year clock starts after the Spouse Visa is granted.
Can Children Be Included?
Yes.
Dependent children may be included in many Family Visa applications.
Generally, children must:
Be under 18 years old
Not be married
Not be living an independent life
Additional financial requirements may apply depending on the circumstances.
How Much Does a UK Fiancé Visa Cost?
Current Home Office fees are:
Applying Outside the UK
£2,064 per applicant
Applying Inside the UK
£1,407 per applicant
Additional costs may include:
Immigration Health Surcharge (when switching to a Spouse Visa)
English language tests
Document translation fees
Priority services
Legal fees
As immigration fees change regularly, applicants should always check the latest Home Office guidance before applying.
Immigration Health Surcharge
When switching to a Spouse Visa, applicants usually need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
For adults, this currently starts from:
£2,587.50
for a visa granted for 2 years and 6 months.
The surcharge provides access to NHS healthcare during the visa period.
How Long Does a UK Fiancé Visa Application Take?
Applications Made Outside the UK
Most applicants receive a decision within approximately:
12 Weeks
Applications Made Inside the UK
Most applicants receive a decision within:
8 Weeks
if they meet the financial and English language requirements.
Some applications involving exceptional circumstances may take significantly longer.
Priority services may be available for an additional fee.
What If We Cannot Marry Within Six Months?
Life does not always go according to plan.
In certain circumstances, it may be possible to request an extension where the marriage has been delayed by factors such as:
Serious illness
Family emergencies
Financial difficulties
Wedding venue issues
Other exceptional circumstances
Strong evidence will be required to support the request.
What If We Cannot Meet the Financial Requirement?
You may still be able to apply if:
You have a British child
Your child has lived in the UK for at least seven years
Refusal would breach your human rights
In these situations, the Home Office may consider the application under exceptional circumstances.
However, applicants may be placed on a 10-year route to settlement instead of the standard 5-year route.
Common Reasons Fiancé Visa Applications Are Refused
The most common reasons include:
Insufficient relationship evidence
Financial documents not meeting Home Office requirements
Missing documents
Inconsistencies in the application
Failure to prove an intention to marry
Previous immigration issues
Careful preparation can significantly improve your chances of success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work remotely for my overseas employer while on a UK Fiancé Visa?
No. The Home Office does not permit employment while on a Fiancé Visa, including remote work carried out from within the UK.
Can I switch from a Fiancé Visa to a Spouse Visa?
Yes. Once you have married or entered into a civil partnership, you can apply from within the UK to switch to a Spouse Visa.
Can I leave and re-enter the UK during my Fiancé Visa?
In most cases, yes. However, frequent travel can raise questions about your intentions and circumstances, so legal advice may be beneficial.
What happens if my Fiancé Visa application is refused?
You may have options including an appeal, administrative review, or submitting a fresh application, depending on the reasons for refusal.
How Fard Solicitors Can Help
Applying for a UK Fiancé Visa is one of the most important immigration applications you will ever make.
Our experienced immigration solicitors can help with:
UK Fiancé Visa applications
Spouse Visa applications
Family Visa extensions
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
British Citizenship applications
Visa refusals and appeals
We provide clear advice, thorough document preparation and ongoing support throughout the process.
Contact Fard Solicitors
If you would like professional advice regarding a UK Fiancé Visa application, contact our immigration team today to discuss your circumstances and receive expert guidance tailored to your case.