Long-distance marriages, especially across national borders, can often be an exhausting thing for both partners, from the excessive screen time to the constant calls and lack of companionship. So, it’s understandable to want to relocate to the UK to meet your spouse. However, to relocate to the UK to join your spouse, you’ll need a Marriage Visa, otherwise called a Spouse Visa. This visa, unlike others, allows married couples to migrate from their home countries to join their spouses in the UK. The good part of this visa is that it’s inclusive for civil partnerships too.

The UK marriage visa application can be tiring for a first timer, whether you’re newly wed or have been together for years. However, it can be seamless if you understand the processes and play your part in it. But, don’t worry, this guide covers everything you need to know about the UK marriage visa, its eligibility and processes and of course, what’s needed to build your new life in the UK.

Types Of UK Marriage Visa

It’s one thing to decide what your purpose of relocation is in the UK, and then it’s another to know what options are available to you as an immigrant. Here is a list of the types of UK marriage visas for spouses:

1. Spouse Visa (For Married Partners or Civil Partners)

This marriage visa is available to individuals who are legally married or in a civil partnership with their spouses who are UK citizens or a person who is settled in the UK. With this visa, you can work and study for about 2 and a half years with the option to extend your stay to 5 years. But if the marriage still holds after that, you can apply for an indefinite extension to remain.

However, to qualify for these, couples are expected to meet some requirements. These include a proof to show the marriage is authentic and genuine, a mandatory £29,000 payment as proof of financial stability, an accommodation requirement and finally, passing an approved English language test at CEFR A1 or higher. Once these are intact, you’re a document away from staying, working or studying with your partner in the UK.

2. Unmarried Partner Visa (For Long-Term Cohabiting Couples)

Just as the name implies, this is designed for couples who are yet to marry but have lived together for at least 2 years. This visa category covers committed relationships and couples who are not legally married yet but are working towards it. The exciting part about the Unmarried partner visa is that it confers the same rights, benefits and responsibilities as with the Spouse visa. Therefore, couples, although not married, can have access to public services and utilities, work, and allowances. However, you must provide substantial evidence of cohabitation, such as joint bills, rental agreements, or bank statements, alongside meeting the same financial and language requirements as married couples.

3. Fiancé(e) Visa (For Partners Planning to Marry in the UK)

If you’re already engaged to a UK citizen, this is the ideal visa option for you. The Fiancé(e) Visa is designed for individuals engaged to a British citizen or a person living in the UK and are planning to marry or enter a civil partnership with this person. But, legal processes should be formalised and concluded within 6 months of arrival. Unlike the Spouse Visa, the Fiancé visa is temporary, and it still does not allow you to work or access public funds. After the marriage, you’re required to switch to a spouse visa and if desired, apply for indefinite extension after 5 years. Similarly, the eligibility criteria for the spouse visa will also apply.

Comparison of Visa Types and Key Considerations

Given the complex situation surrounding relationships and marriages, the visa options are meant to cover all categories. Therefore, while all three visas facilitate family reunification in the UK, the choice depends on the couple’s circumstances.

For example, while the Spouse Visa offers immediate long-term stability, the Fiancé(e) Visa is a temporary solution for those yet to marry. But, it confers the same benefits, rights and access to services as the Spouse visa after legal marriage

The Unmarried Partner Visa, however, provides an alternative for couples in committed relationships without legal formalities while providing the same benefits as the Spouse visa.

Eligibility Requirements for a UK Marriage Visa

Now that you have seen your standing and have chosen your ideal visa option, the next step is to consider the eligibility for applying for a marriage visa

1. Proving a Genuine and Subsisting Partnership

The single most important factor to consider is the credibility of your marriage or partnership. You must provide proof that your relationship is authentic, ongoing, and legally recognised, requiring couples to submit evidence such as marriage certificates, civil partnership documents, photographs spanning your relationship timeline, joint financial commitments, travel records showing visits, and communication logs that illustrate shared lives across distances.

Financial Requirements: Meeting the Minimum Income Threshold

The UK-based sponsor must prove an annual income of at least £29,000 which can be met through employment, self-employment, pensions, or specific non-work sources like rental income or dividends; notably, cash savings above £16,000 held for six months can supplement shortfalls, calculated using the formula. It can, however, be calculated using the formula: (required income − actual income) × 2.5 + £16,000.

2. Alternative Financial Support

This is for couples who cannot provide the mandatory annual income of £29,000. If the sponsor gets certain disability benefits, Carer’s Allowance, or bereavement support, applicants who can’t meet the £29,000 threshold may be able to qualify for exemptions from it. However, those with dependent children have higher thresholds around £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each additional child making financial planning more difficult.

3. Accommodation Requirements

The couple must prove access to stable, uncrowded housing in the UK, validated through property inspection reports, tenancy agreements, or mortgage statements, confirming the residence complies with local occupancy standards without violating public health or safety regulations.

English Language Proficiency

People from countries where English is not the main language must pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT) at CEFR Level A1 for their first application, A2 for their second application, and B1 for their settlement. However, people who are 65 or older, have mental or physical disabilities, or have degrees taught in English are exempted from this and as such, not required to take the test.

3. General Requirements

All applicants must show that they have had a tuberculosis test (if they are from a high-risk country), that they have no criminal convictions, and that they have not broken any immigration laws. UK sponsors must also show that they are British citizens or have settled status and are at least 18 years old.

For Dependents and Children the following apply:

If both parents are married and financially dependent on their children, children under 18 can apply at the same time. Each child must fill out a separate application and pay a separate fee, and they must meet the same housing standards as the main applicant.

4. Documentation Evidence

You must provide original bank statements, employer letters, tax returns, property deeds, and proof of your relationship that are all dated correctly. Poorly organised or incomplete submissions are still a major reason for refusal, which shows how important it is to double-check everything.

5. Timing

You should apply for your visa at least three months before you move to the UK. Visas are usually valid for 33 months (or six months for fiancées), but there may be delays if biometric appointments or document verifications take longer than the Home Office’s service standards.

Step-by-step process to Apply For a Marriage Visa in the UK

Below is a step-by-step guide to applying for your marriage visa:

1. Pre-Application Preparation

Your first step for a successful visa approval starts with you obtaining the necessary documents and meeting the eligibility criteria. As stated earlier, it includes a proof of the relationship legitimacy, £29,000 minimum annual income threshold, accommodation standards, and English language proficiency at CEFR A1 level or higher.

This part of the process involves compiling all required documents to meet eligibility criteria while also ensuring translations for non-English documents are certified by registered professional services.

You must prepare a comprehensive dossier including valid passports, marriage or civil partnership certificates, and tangible proof of a genuine relationship. For example, joint tenancy agreements, utility bills, photographs spanning the relationship timeline), financial documents (six months of payslips, bank statements, tax returns), accommodation proof (mortgage statements or rental contracts), among others.

For fiancé(e) visas, you’ll need to provide additional evidence like wedding venue bookings or registry correspondence as a clear demonstration of intent to marry within six months of arrival. Tuberculosis test results from approved clinics are mandatory for applicants from high-risk countries. You would also need to present your divorce papers or death certificates if either partner was previously married.

2. Online Application Submission

The formal process begins by completing the online application form on the GOV.UK website, where you’ll be asked to select your chosen visa category (e.g., spouse, unmarried partner, or fiancé(e)) and put your personal details such as relationship status and financial details. At this stage, you’ve managed to pay an application fee which is £1,938 for people outside the UK or £1,321 for people within the UK.

Applicants are also mandated to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1,035 per year, totalling £2,587.50–£3,105 depending on visa duration. Applicants who can not fulfil these financial obligations due to financial situations can apply for a waiver showing proof of inadequate housing or unsustainable living costs. This option is, however, available only to those applying within the UK

3. Biometrics Enrollment: Scheduling and Attending Visa Centre Appointments

After you have submitted your application, the next step is to book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) outside the UK or a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service (UKVCAS) centre within the UK to provide fingerprints and facial photographs. On your visit to these offices for your appointment, your original documents will be physically verified to erase any form of falsification.

After this process and provided there are no errors in your documents, you’ll be given a biometric residence permit (BRP) collection slip, which is used for tracking application progress.

4. Application Submission and Tracking

As a follow-up, after your biometrics capture, all supporting documents must be uploaded to the UKVI digital portal, organised into clearly labelled categories. The portal allows you to track the progress via the official website using your Unique Application Number (UAN). Complex cases involving self-employment income or non-traditional relationships may undergo additional scrutiny, including interviews or home visits to confirm relationship authenticity.

5. Priority Processing Options:

This is an excellent option available to couples who want a faster processing time. With this option, you can opt for premium services which include: the “Priority” tier (outside the UK), which reduces processing to 4–6 weeks, but it’ll cost an extra £500.

Similarly, there’s also the “Super Priority” tier (inside the UK) which promises a decision by the next working day for £1,000. These services remain subject to document verification completeness and are unavailable for applications flagged for enhanced review, such as those with previous immigration violations or criminal records.

6. Visa Approval and Travelling to the UK

Successful applicants receive an approval letter via email. This email dictates the visa validity dates and BRP collection instructions. For entry clearance applications, a vignette (sticker) is affixed to the passport, permitting travel to the UK within 30 days; this must be validated at border control, where officers may request additional relationship evidence.

7. Post-Arrival Formalities: Collecting BRPs and Registering with Authorities

Within 10 days of your arrival in the UK, you’re required to go and collect your BRP from a designated Post Office. This is done using the collection slip provided during biometrics; this card confirms immigration status, work rights, and access to public services like the NHS. If you don’t do this, you could get a fine or lose your visa. Couples must also let the Home Office know about any changes to their address within 28 days by filling out the “Change of Circumstances” online form.

8. Transitioning to Settlement: Extending Visas and Pathway

Before the first visa runs out (usually after 33 months), applicants must reapply online, prove that they still meet the financial and relationship requirements, and show that their English has improved to the CEFR A2 level. After five continuous years in the UK, excluding time on a fiancé(e) visa, holders qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), requiring passage of the “Life in the UK” test and B1-level English. Subsequent British citizenship applications can be submitted immediately after ILR approval if married to a British citizen for three years.

Conclusion

Travelling to join your spouse in the UK is a straightforward and easy process. All you need is adequate preparation and knowledge to guide you every step along the way. This will ensure a seamless process and keep you ahead of the game.