Fiancé / Proposed Civil Partner Visa

What is this visa?

The Fiancé / Proposed Civil Partner Visa lets your partner enter the UK for up to six months to marry or enter a civil partnership. It is deliberately temporary. Settlement only becomes available after you switch onto the Spouse or Partner route.

Who qualifies

You may qualify if you have met in person, you intend to marry or register a partnership in the UK within six months, any previous marriage or partnership has ended, and your sponsor meets financial and accommodation requirements.

The core eligibility test

Treat this as a two-step process. Step one is temporary entry to marry. Step two is a full Spouse or Partner Visa application after the ceremony. Planning both stages early avoids rushed evidence and unlawful overstaying when the six months end.

Related guidance: Spouse Visa, Unmarried Partner Visa, Fiancé Visa, Same-Sex Relationship Visa, Child Visa, Adult Dependent Relative, Bereaved Partner, Settlement & ILR, and British Citizenship.

Financial requirement

Sponsors usually need to meet the same income threshold used on the partner route. Confirm the current figure before you apply.

Relationship & evidence requirement

You must show a genuine relationship and a clear intention to marry within the visa period. Booking deposits, venue correspondence, and travel history can help.

English language requirement

English requirements for fiancé entry are set out in the Rules and may differ from later Spouse Visa stages. We confirm what applies to your case.

Accommodation requirement

Adequate accommodation for the couple after arrival must be shown, without overcrowding and without public funds.

Applying from inside vs outside the UK

Fiancé applications are typically made from outside the UK. Entering as a visitor and marrying without the correct permission can create serious problems for later applications.

Costs & processing time

You pay Home Office fees for the fiancé stage, then further fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge when switching to a Spouse or Partner Visa. Budget for both stages.

Route to settlement

Time on a Fiancé Visa does not usually count toward the five-year partner route. Settlement timing starts once you are on the Spouse or Partner Visa.

Common reasons applications are refused

• Unclear wedding or partnership plans within six months

• Insufficient relationship evidence

• Financial evidence that does not meet partner-route standards

• Assuming the fiancé visa alone provides a path to settlement

Related guidance: Spouse Visa, Unmarried Partner Visa, Fiancé Visa, Same-Sex Relationship Visa, Child Visa, Adult Dependent Relative, Bereaved Partner, Settlement & ILR, and British Citizenship.