Key Points
- Spouse visa: marry first, then apply.
- Fiancé visa: enter, marry within six months, then apply again.
- No work is allowed on a fiancé visa.
- Fiancé time does not count towards settlement.
Side by side
| Spouse visa | Fiancé visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Where marriage happens | Before applying, anywhere it is legally valid | In the UK, after arrival |
| Length of initial permission | Up to 2 years and 9 months | 6 months |
| Right to work | Yes | No, until you switch |
| Financial requirement | Applies | Applies in the same way |
| Application stages to reach settlement | Visa, extension, ILR | Fiancé visa, spouse visa, extension, ILR |
| Settlement timeline | 5 years from arrival | 5 years from the spouse visa, not from arrival |
| Overall cost | Lower | Higher, because of the extra application |
When the fiancé visa makes sense
- You want your wedding in the UK with family present
- Marrying in the applicant's country is not legally or practically possible
- Your marriage would not otherwise be recognised
When the spouse visa makes sense
- You are already married, or can marry abroad without difficulty
- The applicant needs to work soon after arriving
- You want the shortest route to settlement
Official Sources
This page is general information, not legal advice. The rules and figures are set by the Home Office and can change.