Key Points
- Marriage Visitor: marry in the UK, then leave.
- Fiancé visa: marry in the UK, then stay as a spouse.
- You cannot switch from a Marriage Visitor visa to a spouse visa inside the UK.
- Choosing the wrong one can cost months.
Side by side
| Marriage Visitor visa | Fiancé visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Marry or give notice in the UK, then leave | Marry in the UK and settle here |
| Length | Up to 6 months | 6 months |
| Financial requirement | Enough to support the visit | £29,000 per year |
| English requirement | None | A1 |
| Can you stay afterwards? | No, you must leave | Yes, by applying as a spouse |
| Work | No | No |
A common mistake
Couples sometimes choose the Marriage Visitor visa because it is cheaper and simpler, planning to stay after the wedding. That does not work: the applicant must leave and apply for a spouse visa from abroad, and a visitor who stated they would leave but tried to stay can face credibility problems later.
Marrying in the UK and then applying from abroad
This is a legitimate plan: marry on a Marriage Visitor visa, return home and apply for a spouse visa. It suits couples who do not yet meet the financial requirement but want to marry now.
Official Sources
This page is general information, not legal advice. The rules and figures are set by the Home Office and can change.