Key Points
- The visa lasts 6 months.
- You cannot normally work or study until you have married and switched to the partner route.
- The financial and English requirements are the same as for a spouse visa.
- Time on a fiancé visa does not count towards the 5 years for settlement.
Eligibility
Both of you must be 18 or over, have met in person and be free to marry. The UK partner must have a qualifying status. The application is made from outside the UK.
Intention to marry
You must intend to marry or form a civil partnership in the UK within six months of arriving. Evidence of wedding plans helps: correspondence with a register office or venue, provisional bookings, and messages about the arrangements. Avoid paying large non-refundable deposits before the visa is granted.
Financial, English and accommodation requirements
A fiancé application must meet the same financial, English language and accommodation requirements as a spouse application.
The six-month period
A person in the UK on the fiancé route cannot normally work or study until they have married or formed the civil partnership and successfully switched into the partner route.
If the wedding is delayed for a good reason, it can be possible to apply for more time, with evidence of the reason and the new date.
Switching to a spouse visa after marriage
After the ceremony you apply from inside the UK for permission as a spouse. That second application has its own fee and health surcharge.
Effect on the settlement timeline
The five years towards Indefinite Leave to Remain start when the spouse visa is granted, not when you arrive as a fiancé. Couples who could marry abroad and apply directly for a spouse visa usually reach settlement sooner and pay one fewer fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work on a fiancé visa?
No. Work is not normally permitted until you have married and been granted permission as a spouse or partner.
Is the Immigration Health Surcharge paid for a fiancé visa?
The six-month fiancé visa does not carry the surcharge. It is paid when you apply to stay as a spouse after the wedding.
Official Sources
This page is general information, not legal advice. The rules and figures are set by the Home Office and can change.