The Fiancé Visa and the Marriage Visitor Visa are two different types of visas under the UK Immigration Rules, each serving distinct purposes for individuals looking to enter the UK for relationship-related reasons.
Here’s a breakdown of their differences:
The Fiancé Visa is a visa that lead to settlement under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules.
- Purpose: This visa is intended for individuals who wish to come to the UK to get married or enter into a civil partnership to their British partner or a settled person in the UK.
- Eligibility: Applicants must be engaged to a British citizen or a person settled in the UK and must intend to marry within six months of arrival.
- Duration: The fiancé Visa is granted for six months, during which the applicant must marry their partner.
- Post-Marriage: After marriage, the holder can extend their visa from within the UK and apply for a Spouse Visa to live in the UK with their partner.
- Work Rights: fiancé Visa holders are not permitted to work while in the UK.
- Financial Requirement: There is a financial requirement that the British partner or settled person must meet through employment, self-employment, non-employment income or cash savings.
The Marriage Visitor Visa is a visa that does not lead to settlement under Appendix V of the Immigration Rules. The sole purpose is to marry on a visit visa and return to your country of nationality or residence.
- Purpose: This visa is for individuals who wish to visit the UK to get married or register a civil partnership but do not intend to live in the UK afterwards.
- Eligibility: Applicants must be engaged to a British citizen or a person settled in the UK and must intend to marry.
- Duration: The Marriage Visitor Visa is typically granted for up to six months.
- Post-Marriage: Holders cannot switch to a Spouse Visa or extend their stay in the UK after the marriage; they must leave the UK and apply for a Spouse Visa from their home country if they wish to settle.
- Work Rights: Like the fiancé Visa, holders are not allowed to work during their stay in the UK.
- Financial Requirement: There is no financial requirement for the Marriage Visitor Visa, however you must show that you have sufficient funds to cover the trip.
In essence, the Fiance Visa is meant for those intending to marry and subsequently settle in the UK, while the Marriage Visitor Visa is for those who plan to marry in the UK but do not intend to stay long-term. This distinction influences eligibility, rights, and the pathway to residency after marriage.