How to Apply for a UK Marriage Visitor Visa for Your Special Day

There are almost 8,000 licensed wedding venues within the UK. Marriage Visitor visa UK. Hotels are the most popular, with almost 30% of ceremonies happening at them. You can access these stunning venues for your special day if you are not from the UK by getting a Marriage Visitor visa.

Read on or call Immigration Advice Service to learn more about how you can apply for this visa. You can also discover our broad range of visa services by visiting Immigration Advice Service online.

Understanding if You Need a Marriage Visitor Visa

You can’t get married on a Standard Visitor visa. Apply for a Marriage Visitor visa to be allowed to remain in the UK for up to six months to get married.

However, you won’t need to apply for this visa if you have a nationality or an immigration status that does not require a visa to spend six months in the UK. Firstly, British and Irish citizens won’t need one. You also won’t need to apply if you have settled or pre-settled status in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme, or you have applied to it and are awaiting a decision.

You won’t be able to use this visa to settle in the UK, bring family members with you, work, study, or extend your visa. Please visit the Immigration Advice Service website to explore the other visas you could be eligible for that have this capability.

Marriage Visitor Visa Eligibility Criteria

The first stage of your Marriage Visitor visa application is to determine whether you are eligible. If not, you’ll need to look into alternative visas that may be better suited to your circumstances.

The standard eligibility criteria for the Marriage Visitor visa are as follows:

• You are older than 18 years old.
• You are not already married or in a civil partnership.
• Your relationship is genuine. You’ll need to prove your commitment to each other by showing you aren’t simply getting married to visit the UK, such as by having previously lived together.
• You intend to leave the UK before your visa’s eligibility runs out.
• You have sufficient funds to support your trip and pay for your wedding.
• You intend to get married in the UK, which you can prove with copies of invitations for your guests, confirmation of booking from the wedding venue, and more.
• You have the means to pay for your inbound and return journey to the UK.

Documentation Needed for a Marriage Visitor Visa

You must upload a range of documents to show that you meet the application requirements. These documents will need to be in English or Welsh, or receive a certified translation if they are not.

Although exact documentation will vary slightly depending on your circumstances, documentation required in most circumstances includes the following:

• A passport or travel document that will be valid for your entire stay in the UK.
• Proof that you have already paid at least a significant proportion of the costs.
• Proof that you will have accommodation in the UK, such as a hotel booking.
• Payslips or bank statements to show you have sufficient funds.
• Evidence that your previous marriages or civil partnerships have ended, such as divorce or death certificates.

Application Process for the Marriage Visitor Visa

Complete your Marriage Visitor visa application by closely following the steps detailed below, which you should commence a maximum of three months before your intended travel to the UK:

1. Confirm your eligibility for the visa and gather your supporting documentation.
2. Download and complete the application form from the UK Visas and Immigration website.
3. Upload your documentation and application form online and submit your application. Here, you will need to pay the application fee, which is currently £127.
4. Book and attend a biometric appointment at your local visa application centre. In some cases, you may be able to use the UK Immigration: ID Check app instead.
5. Wait for processing. You will usually need to leave your passport with the visa application centre during this time.

Processing will usually take three weeks. However, it could be longer if there are issues with your application.

Once you have received your Marriage Visitor visa, you will be able to travel to the UK to get married. Your visa will clearly display the start and end dates of its validity. Alternatively, you will receive a refusal letter, which will explain why your application was rejected and if you have a right of appeal. Once in the country, make sure to provide a minimum of 28 days’ notice of your intent to enter into a civil partnership or marry at a UK registry office.

Please note that you usually won’t be able to switch from a Marriage Visitor visa to another visa type should you wish to remain in the UK. Instead, you will need to return to your home country and begin a new visa application.

How Can Immigration Advice Service Help?

Due to the limitations of the Standard Visitor visa, a Marriage Visitor visa is essential if you plan to have your special day in the UK. You will need to complete a strong application for a chance of it being accepted.

Improve your chances of a successful application by working with Immigration Advice Service. Call us today to get started or visit our website to explore the range of visa and immigration services that we offer.

Working with immigration lawyers and advisors is a great idea for Marriage Visitor visa applicants, as they can guide you through the entire application process and help you to comprehensively prove that you meet the application requirements. Meanwhile, if you have been unfortunate enough to have a rejected application, proficient immigration lawyers can advise you on the best steps, be that launching an appeal or beginning the application process again.