Table of Contents
- What is a UK Marriage Visa?
- Who can apply for a UK Marriage Visa?
- What are the requirements for a UK Marriage Visa?
- How Do I Satisfy the Genuine Relationship Requirement?
- Financial Requirements for UK Marriage Visa
- Can I Use Income from Benefits?
- UK Marriage Visa Required Documents Checklist
- What is the UK Marriage Visa English Language Test?
- What are UK Marriage Visa accommodation requirements?
- How to Apply for a Marriage Visa
- Application Process for UK Marriage Visa
- Marriage Visa Appeal Process
- How Can Salam Immigration Help?
What is a UK Marriage Visa?
A UK Marriage Visa, also known as a UK Partner Visa, enables the spouse or partner of a British citizen or settled person to live in the UK for up to 30 months.
This visa category falls under the Family visa classification and offers a pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and ultimately British Citizenship. Applicants must be married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, a UK settled person, or a UK refugee to qualify.
To apply for a UK Marriage Visa and enter the UK, you need to be married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, a UK settled person, or a UK refugee. Key eligibility criteria include proving the genuineness of your relationship and meeting specific financial conditions.
Holders of a UK Marriage Visa in the UK have the right to work just like British citizens. However, they are not eligible for most benefits, including public funds, housing allowance, or tax credits.
Contact our immigration lawyers for expert advice on your UK Marriage Visa application. We can guide you through the process of entering the UK and obtaining leave to remain with your partner if they are a UK citizen.
Please note that this visa is different from the UK Marriage Visitor Visa, which only permits travel to the UK to get married or enter into a civil partnership, irrespective of your partner’s nationality.
Who can apply for a UK Marriage Visa?
You can apply for a UK Marriage Visa if you are:
- Legally married or in a civil partnership with a UK citizen or settled person.
- Both partners are at least 18 years old.
- In a genuine and subsisting relationship.
- Able to meet the financial requirements.
- Intending to live together in the UK permanently.
- Engaged, or you hold a Fiancé Visa UK and will get married within 6 months of being in the UK.
At Salam Immigration, we offer a wide range of services, including marriage and family visas, permanent residency and British citizenship applications, work permits and employment immigration services, deportation appeals, bail and detention matters, and refugee and humanitarian protection enquiries.
Get in touch with our expert marriage visa solicitors for guidance.
What are the requirements for a UK Marriage Visa?
Before you submit your application for a UK Marriage Visa, you need to:
Genuine Relationship Test:
- Be legally married or in a civil partnership.
- Both partners must be over 18 years old.
- Demonstrate your knowledge of the English language.
- Intend to live together in the UK permanently.
- Get your biometric data taken to obtain leave to remain.
- Meet the financial requirements (minimum income of £29,000).
- Have proof of suitable accommodation in the UK.
- Depending on your country of residence, you may also be required to take a medical test to confirm you do not have Tuberculosis (TB).
What is the ‘Genuine Relationship Test’?
The UK Marriage Visa applicant needs to prove they are in a genuine relationship, such as a civil partnership, with their British citizen partner. You will need to prove your relationship is genuine and subsisting by providing evidence that:
- You have lived together for at least 2 years.
- You have children together.
- You share financial responsibilities.
UK Immigration from Thailand is achievable with expert guidance from Salam Immigration.
How Do I Satisfy the Genuine Relationship Requirement?
There are many different types of evidence you can send to the Home Office, such as:
- Photos of you together.
- Travel itineraries showing trips taken together.
- Joint bank account statements.
- Correspondence addressed to both of you.
- Proof of shared financial responsibilities.
- Birth certificates of children together.
- Evidence of living together (e.g., rental agreements).
- Personal statements detailing your relationship history.
If you do not have any evidence that meets these criteria, there is other evidence you may be able to provide, in some circumstances, including:
- Letters from friends and family supporting your relationship.
- Social media interactions.
- Communication records (e.g., emails, messages).
If You Do Not Live Together:
If you cannot live together because of work, study, or cultural reasons, you will need to prove that you have an ongoing commitment to each other. You can do this by providing evidence that you:
- Regularly communicate with each other.
- Visit each other whenever possible.
- Make plans for your future together.
- Share significant events in each other's lives.
Before you submit your application for a UK Marriage Visa, you need to:
- Ensure all required documents are complete and accurate.
- Meet all eligibility and financial requirements.
- Provide evidence of a genuine and subsisting relationship.
Financial Requirements for UK Marriage Visa
To apply for a UK Marriage Visa, the UK national (sponsor) must meet specific financial criteria.
First and foremost, you need to prove that you and your spouse/partner meet the financial requirements and have sufficient funds to support yourselves without claiming public funds.
The sponsor must have an annual income of at least £29,000 before tax.
Contact our Immigration Lawyers to understand the requirements of a UK Marriage Visa.
What if I don’t meet the financial requirement?
If you don’t meet the financial requirement, seek advice from our specialist immigration lawyers. Exceptional circumstances may apply, so it’s essential to understand your options.
Different Sources of Income can be included to meet marriage visa financial criteria:
To meet the minimum income requirement for your UK Marriage Visa application, you can use:
- Cash Savings - £16,000 + (income requirement x 2.5 years).
- Self-employment income or employment income
- Pensions
- Rental income
- Verified investment dividends
Using Savings:
Savings between £16,000 and £88,500 can contribute towards meeting the financial criteria for the Marriage Visa. If your savings are less than £16,000, they won’t help meet the requirements. Savings over £16,000 reduce the amount needed from other sources.
- Savings over £16,000 can reduce financial requirements.
- Savings of £88,500 or more will mean you have enough to meet the financial requirements with savings alone, meaning you do not need to prove a certain salary or other means of meeting the financial requirements.
If your partner is applying from outside the UK, their savings can contribute but not their earnings. However, if they work in the UK, their earnings can count towards the total amount.
You can also use a combination of savings and earnings to help you meet the minimum income threshold. However, you must prove you have enough financial support for the entire length of the permit.
Can I Use Income from Benefits?
In some cases, you won’t need to meet the mandatory eligibility criteria if you are claiming any of the following benefits:
- Disability Living Allowance
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Mobility Supplement or War Disablement Pension under the War Pensions Scheme
- Police Injury Pension
However, you will need to prove you have enough money to support your dependents. This is called ‘adequate maintenance,’ and the exact amount you need will depend on your individual circumstances.
Typically, you need at least £120 per week after housing costs. If you have children, this amount will increase.
Our Marriage Visa lawyers can help you get a UK Marriage Visa. Get in touch with us now.
UK Marriage Visa Required Documents Checklist
Having all the correct documents to support your UK Marriage Visa application will help ensure its success and prevent delays. These are the documents you will need to send to the Home Office to get the right to remain in the UK:
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of Genuine Relationship
- A valid passport to get leave to remain in the UK
- Original Marriage or Civil Partnership certificate
- A valid certificate of English language
- Proof of living together (at least for the past two years)
- Any previous immigration documents
- Proof that you meet the income threshold & the financial requirement
- Proof that you are married to a British citizen or settled person (for example, UK citizens can submit a copy of their passport)
Please note that any documents that are not in English need to be accompanied by a translated version from a professional translator. All evidence must be in the exact format required by the Home Office.
What is the UK Marriage Visa English Language Test?
Applicants who wish to live in the UK need to prove that they can speak English.
If you must sit an English test in speaking and listening to get the right to remain in the UK with your UK spouse, your qualification will be valid only if your English exam is taken through an approved Secure English Language Testing (SELT) Provider.
At present, SELT tests for immigration purposes can only be taken through Trinity College London or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Consortium.
English Language Test Exemptions
You do not need an English Language test if you:
- Are a national of a majority English-speaking country
- Are under 18 or over 65
- Have a physical or mental condition preventing you from meeting the requirement
- Hold a degree or any educational qualification that was taught or researched in English. Your qualification will only be valid if confirmed by UK NARIC.
What are UK Marriage Visa accommodation requirements?
You will need to present proof of accommodation that meets UK living standards as part of your UK Marriage Visa application.
Your UK national partner, who acts as your sponsor, will need to show that they can provide adequate accommodation for themselves, the applicant, and any dependents who intend to live in the UK.
The Home Office requires you to provide evidence that your living situation is suitable for everyone involved and complies with the housing standards set by UK law. Ensuring all documentation is accurate and complete will help prevent delays in your application process.
For proof of accommodation, the Home Office will ask you to provide:
- Tenancy agreement or property ownership documents
- Evidence of living arrangements
- Proof of sufficient living space
Qualifying for Accommodation Requirements
To qualify for the UK Marriage Visa accommodation requirements, your property needs enough rooms to accommodate the couple and any dependents. Each person needs an individual room, however:
- Two children aged under 10 can share one room
- Babies under one year can live in the same room as the couple
- The property must meet health and safety standards
- The accommodation must not be overcrowded
- You must provide a letter from the landlord (if renting)
- Evidence of adequate living conditions
This means that two children aged under 10 years can share one room, and babies under one year old can live in the same room as the couple.
Ensure your UK Marriage Visa application meets all accommodation requirements.
How to Apply for a Marriage Visa?
Ensure you start your Marriage Visa application ahead of your planned move to the UK, and do not book your flight or travel before you get visa approval from the Home Office. The UK Marriage Visa application process can start online by completing Appendix FM and other forms from outside the UK. However, you may need to visit a visa application centre to give your biometrics as part of the process. Note that there are several forms and documents involved, and they must be filled correctly with sufficient evidence to increase your chances of obtaining a UK Marriage Visa.
If you are applying from within the UK, the process is different as you will need to show proof that you are in the country on an eligible visa to switch to the UK Marriage Visa. You can only apply from inside the UK if your current visa is eligible. When reviewing your Marriage Visa application, if the Home Office has any doubts about your application, you may be invited to come for a Marriage Visa interview. During the interview, you will be asked questions to determine the genuineness of your relationship and your intent in the UK.
The Marriage Visa application process can be lengthy and difficult to navigate alone. We can help. Contact us now on 0161 839 7396 or make an enquiry online to speak with one of our immigration lawyers about your application for a UK Marriage Visa.
Get expert assistance for your UK Marriage Visa application with Salam Immigration today.
Application Process for UK Marriage Visa
It usually takes between 2 to 12 weeks for a UK Marriage Visa case to be processed. The processing time can vary depending on the documents provided and the country from which the application is submitted.
Accepted Marriage Visa Application
When your application is accepted for a UK Marriage Visa, you will be granted leave to remain, which allows you to enter the UK within a 30-day period. Upon arrival in the UK, you will have a 10-day period in which to collect a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). If you fail to enter the UK within this time frame, you can submit an application for another 30-day entry permit, but you will be charged an additional fee.
Rejected Marriage Visa Application
If your case is rejected, you can appeal against the Home Office’s decision. This is a lengthy and challenging process that is best assisted by an immigration adviser. Our experts can assist with all aspects of your case. If you need help with your Marriage Visa appeal application, please get in touch. We have offices located across the UK, including in London, Manchester, and Birmingham. You can also use our office finder to locate the closest branch to you.
Marriage Visa Appeal Process
If you wish to submit a Marriage Visa appeal, you should act quickly and follow these steps:
- Submit your appeal to the Immigration Asylum Chamber within 28 days of receipt of the refusal decision if overseas, or 14 days if your application was made inside the UK.
- Ensure that your grounds for appeal are legitimate and likely to be accepted.
- Prepare your case to submit the strongest possible application to the Immigration Tribunal.
- Gather the supporting documents to demonstrate why your application should be accepted.
- Attend your hearing at the Tribunal (if relevant).
Marriage Visa Appeal Timeframe
Unfortunately, the appeal process for a UK Marriage Visa can be quite lengthy. Some applicants may have to wait up to 12 months or longer for a decision on their appeal against a Marriage Visa refusal.
Reasons for Refusal
Some reasons for refusal include:
- Insufficient financial evidence
- Incomplete documentation
- Lack of proof of a genuine relationship
- Failing to meet accommodation requirements
The best way to avoid having to go through the Marriage Visa appeal process is by ensuring that your initial application is as accurate as possible.
Renewing or Extending a Marriage Visa
You can renew and extend your UK Marriage Visa for another 2.5 years, as long as your current leave to remain hasn’t expired.
Extension Requirements
In order to qualify for a Marriage Visa extension, you must:
- Continue to meet the financial requirement
- Prove that your relationship is genuine and subsisting
- Provide proof of accommodation
- Pass an English test (if required)
- Provide current biometric information
There are a few other requirements for a UK Marriage Visa extension. Kindly reach out to us today on 0161 839 7396 for advice or support with a Marriage Visa extension application. After you have lived in the UK for a total of 5 years on your Marriage Visa, you can apply for settled status (ILR). Get in touch with our lawyers if you need to apply for a UK Marriage Visa renewal.
How Can Salam Immigration Help?
Marriage Visa applications can be complex, and using the services of an immigration expert is highly recommended. You will need to ensure that you meet all of the mandatory requirements, complete the relevant forms, and collate your evidence for submission. This will need to be extensive and prove that your relationship is genuine.
At Salam Immigration, we understand the importance of being close to loved ones, and we make it our priority to maximise your chances of doing this.
Our team of specialist immigration advisers and marriage visa solicitors can guide you through each step of your application process for a Partner Visa in the UK. Our services include:
- Detailed consultation
- Document preparation and review
- Submission of applications
- Representation at tribunals
- Appeals and reconsideration
We offer immigration advice in person at our UK offices or via phone.
