Thinking of making the UK your home with your partner? The UK Fiance Visa could be your ticket. This guide covers everything you need to know about it: who can apply, and the steps to apply.
What is the UK Fiance Visa
This visa lets non-EEA citizens reunite with their UK partners for marriage or civil partnership. It’s for couples planning to marry within six months. The partner in the UK must be a UK citizen or have settled status. This visa lasts six months and doesn’t lead to permanent residency. But it’s a step towards getting a Spouse Visa, which allows 30 months in the UK with work and study rights.
Conditions to getting your visa
- You and your fiance must be at least 18 years of age
- Must plan to marry within six months of getting the visa.
- Partner must be a UK citizen or have settled status.
- Must plan to live with your partner in the UK after marriage.
- Show a combined annual income of at least £18,600.
- Prove you have suitable housing for you, your partner, and any dependents.
- If you’re from a non-English-speaking country, you must pass an approved English language test, usually at the A1 level.
Financial Requirements
You need to show that your annual income is over £18,600, and with children, there are extra considerations. You can prove your financial stability in different ways, like having a regular job, being self-employed, receiving statutory payments, having savings, stocks, pension payments, or rental income. Remember, Fiance Visa holders can’t use public funds while in the UK.
Fiance Visa Document Checklist
When applying for this Visa, you’ll need certain documents, like:
- Your name, date of birth, and ID documents.
- Copies of old passports and visas.
- Evidence of your relationship like how long you’ve been together, how you met, and how often you see each other.
- If you were married before, include divorce papers or proof of ending previous marriages.
- Indicate on your form if you have any criminal convictions.
- Write down where you’ve been and lived.
- If you’re applying from outside the UK, give your parents’ birth dates and nationalities.
- If you don’t speak English, pass an English test and include the certificate. Also, translate any documents not in English.
Applying for a Fiance Visa
Getting a UK Fiance Visa involves these steps:
- Make sure you meet all the requirements before starting your application
- Gather all the papers you need.
- Fill out the application form on the Home Office website.
- Pay the application fee, which changes based on where you are (inside or outside the UK).
- Upload and submit all necessary documents.
- Book an appointment for fingerprinting and photos.
- Be ready for an interview if needed by the Home Office.
Receiving a Decision
Once your application is approved, you will be given six months in the UK to get married as per the visa’s rules. If you’re coming from outside the UK, report to border control when you arrive and bring copies of important documents.
After living in the UK for five years on a Spouse Visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, which can lead to becoming a British citizen.
Fiance Visa Appeal Process
If your visa application is rejected, you can appeal. Here’s how:
- Check the refusal letter to understand why you were denied.
- See if you’re allowed to appeal according to the letter.
- Send your appeal within the given time (14 or 28 days).
- Get ready to explain why the decision should be changed.
- Go to the hearing at the First-tier Tribunal in UK immigration courts.
- Wait to hear if your appeal is successful.
Fiance Visa appeal decisions can take different times, sometimes just a month, other times more than a year. Many immigration decisions get changed after appeals.
Additional Requirements and Prohibitions
Apart from the main rules, there are other things you need to know:
Who You Can’t Be Related To:
- You and your partner can’t have certain relationships, like being:
- Adopted child or adoptive parent
- Biological child or parent
- Formerly adopted child or former adoptive parent
- Grandparent or grandchild
- Aunt or uncle
- Brother or sister
- Niece or nephew
- Half-sibling
Previous Relationships:
Neither you nor your partner can be married or in another relationship when you apply. If you were married before, you need official proof of divorce or widowhood.
Accommodation Requirements
Adequate Living Space: The accommodation must be suitable for the applicant and their family unit, ensuring it is not overcrowded and complies with public health regulations. Generally, this means:
- At least two separate rooms for a married couple.
- Additional rooms for any children, adhering to guidelines regarding room sharing (e.g., children under 10 can share a room, but adults must have separate rooms).
Ownership or Occupancy: The accommodation must be owned or occupied exclusively by the applicant and their partner. This means:
- Applicants need to provide proof of ownership (like title deeds) or a tenancy agreement that confirms they have exclusive rights to occupy the property .
- If residing with family or friends, a letter from the property owner confirming the arrangement may be necessary.
Temporary vs. Permanent Accommodation: While the initial accommodation does not have to be permanent (it can be temporary), there must be plans for adequate permanent accommodation once the marriage occurs.
Documentation: Applicants must provide supporting documents to prove their living arrangements, which may include:
- Tenancy agreements or mortgage documents.
- Evidence of rent payments or ownership.
- A property inspection report may also help confirm that the property meets health and safety standards.
No Reliance on Public Funds: The accommodation should not require reliance on public funds, indicating that the couple can support themselves financially while living in the UK.
By fulfilling these requirements, applicants can strengthen their case for obtaining a UK Fiancé Visa.
Start your journey to love in the UK with the Fiance Visa UK. Learn about who can apply, the money you need, and how to apply. It’s your gateway to a life together and can lead to a Spouse Visa. Don’t worry about the process being tricky. Get help when you need it, make sure your application is perfect, and begin your shared future in the UK.
How Law and Visas Can Help?
At Law and Visas, our team of expert immigration consultants is here to make your travel to the UK straightforward and successful. Whether you’re applying for a Global Talent Visa or a UK Dependant Visa, we handle every step—from preparing your application to gathering the required documents.
Our Immigration Consultants and Lawyers ensure that your application meets the highest standards, with no details missed. We’ll also keep you informed throughout the process and coordinate with the immigration office or embassy on your behalf.
Law and Visas have a strong record of helping clients secure the visas/permits they need to visit the UK. You can call us today at +234 812 5505 986 to learn how we can help you.
