UK Fiancé(e) & Proposed Civil Partner Visa

Fiancé(e) visa: 6-month non-working leave to marry in the UK, £29,000 financial requirement, evidencing intention to marry and switching to the spouse route.

Wesbridge Associates is an IAA-regulated UK immigration law firm. Our advisers support individuals, families and UK sponsors with skilled worker visas, sponsor licences, family routes, settlement (ILR), British citizenship, appeals and compliance — combining experienced legal advice with AI-powered self-service tools.

Reviewed by Wesbridge Associates' IAA-regulated immigration advisers. Last updated: July 2026.

The UK Fiancé(e) or Proposed Civil Partner visa lets you enter the UK for 6 months to marry or form a civil partnership with a British citizen, settled person, or person with refugee/humanitarian protection or EUSS settled status. It does not allow work, and after the marriage you must switch in-country to a spouse/partner visa under Appendix FM. Wesbridge Associates prepares fiancé applications, relationship evidence bundles and the follow-on FLR(M) switch.

Who qualifies

You must (a) be 18 or over, (b) have met your partner in person and be in a genuine and subsisting relationship, (c) intend to marry or form a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months of arrival, (d) intend to live together permanently in the UK afterwards, (e) meet the Minimum Income Requirement (currently £29,000 gross annual income for the sponsor, with alternative cash-savings and self-employment routes), (f) meet the English language requirement at CEFR A1 (unless exempt by nationality, age or disability), and (g) have adequate accommodation in the UK. You must apply from outside the UK — you cannot switch into the fiancé route in-country.

What the visa does and does not allow

The visa is granted for 6 months (single entry from outside the UK). You cannot work, study on a course longer than 6 months, or access public funds. You may bring only your dependent children on linked applications, not other dependants. You must marry or register your civil partnership within the 6-month period and then apply from inside the UK on Form FLR(M) for a 2.5-year spouse/partner visa, or leave. The fiancé visa cannot be extended.

How it works with Wesbridge

Step 1 — eligibility and finance check: we test the sponsor's income against Appendix FM-SE Category A/B (salaried), C (non-employment income), D (savings of £88,500+) or F/G (self-employed), and confirm English and relationship evidence. Step 2 — relationship dossier: chronology, proof of meeting, communications, visits, joint plans and — critically — a booked ceremony (venue confirmation, banns, Notice of Marriage appointment). Step 3 — online application, £1,938 fee, biometrics at the local VAC (IHS is not payable because leave is under 6 months). Step 4 — decision (standard 12 weeks, priority 5 working days where available). Step 5 — post-arrival: marry within 6 months, then in-country switch to spouse visa on Form FLR(M), £1,321 fee plus IHS.

Financial requirement in detail

The default is £29,000 gross annual sponsor income from salaried or non-salaried employment (Category A if held 6+ months with current employer; Category B if less). Self-employment uses the last full tax year (Category F) or an average of 2 (Category G). Cash savings held for 6+ months can substitute — £88,500 replaces income entirely, and lower savings top up shortfalls using the formula (£16,000 + 2.5 × income shortfall). Non-employment income (rental, dividends, pensions) uses Category C. Adequate maintenance (rather than £29,000) applies only where the sponsor receives specified disability or carer's benefits.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get married and then apply from inside the UK?

Only if you were already in the UK on a route that permits switching to spouse — visitor visas do not allow this and marrying on a visitor visa followed by an in-country switch is normally refused. If you are overseas and want to marry a British citizen or settled person, apply for a fiancé visa (or a marriage visitor visa if you intend to leave after the ceremony).

Do I need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge on a fiancé visa?

No. Because the fiancé visa grants leave of 6 months or less you don't pay the IHS at the entry-clearance stage. You will pay it (currently £1,035/year) when you switch in-country to the 2.5-year spouse visa after marrying.

What if we cannot marry within 6 months?

You must leave the UK before your visa expires — the fiancé visa cannot be extended. If the delay is due to serious illness, bereavement or venue/registrar issues, take specialist advice before the visa expires; late applications risk overstaying and can jeopardise the future spouse application.

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