Getting Married in the UK on a Visitor Visa: Can You Switch to a Spouse Visa?

Getting married in the UK while on a visitor visa might seem simple, but it’s more complicated than it appears. A visitor visa is meant for short trips like tourism or visiting family—not for marriage or settling down. Using a visitor visa to get married and stay in the UK can lead to serious issues. Immigration rules are strict, and breaking them can affect future visa applications. If you’re planning to marry in the UK and live there with your partner, it’s important to understand the rules, have the right documents, and follow the legal process carefully.

This article covers whether you can get married while on a visitor visa, what rules you need to be aware of, and how to apply for a spouse visa if you want to stay in the UK with your partner after the wedding.

Key Points to Remember

• A Standard Visitor Visa doesn’t let you get married and stay in the UK or apply for a spouse visa while you’re there.
• If you only want to come to the UK to get married and then return home, you need to apply for a Marriage Visitor Visa before you travel.
• With a Marriage Visitor Visa, you must leave the UK after the wedding and apply for a spouse visa from your home country.
• You can’t switch from a visitor visa to a spouse visa while you’re still in the UK.
• If you want to get married and stay in the UK afterward, you should apply for a Fiancé(e) Visa before arriving.
• To get a Fiancé(e) Visa, you’ll need to meet requirements around your relationship, finances, living arrangements, and English skills.
• Picking the right visa from the start is very important—it helps you avoid delays, rejections, or problems with immigration rules.

What You Can and Can’t Do on a UK Visitor Visa

The UK Standard Visitor Visa is designed for people who wish to come to the United Kingdom for a short period. This visa is commonly requested for reasons such as tourism, visiting family or friends, attending brief business events, or seeking private medical treatment. In most cases, the visa allows a visit of up to six months. At the end of this period, visitors must leave the UK.

It is important to note that the Standard Visitor Visa does not permit individuals to settle permanently in the United Kingdom. Holders of this visa are not allowed to carry out paid or unpaid employment, claim public funds, enrol in long-term courses of study, or switch to another type of visa whilst still in the UK.
The Home Office remains vigilant in monitoring those on visitor visas to ensure the rules are being followed. Any breach of the visa conditions can result in serious consequences, such as being denied UK visas in the future.

If you would like further information, you may also wish to read about whether it is possible to switch from a Visitor Visa to a Spouse Visa while in the UK.

Can You Get Married on a Standard Visitor Visa?

If you are in the United Kingdom on a Standard Visitor Visa, you are not allowed to marry or register a civil partnership. Individuals who wish to get married or form a civil partnership while visiting the UK must apply for a Marriage Visitor Visa before travelling. This particular visa is intended for those whose main purpose is to marry or register a civil partnership during a visit, and who do not plan to remain in the UK after the ceremony.

Trying to marry in the UK on a Standard Visitor Visa without declaring this intention can be considered deceptive by immigration authorities. Such actions could lead to a violation of your visa conditions, resulting in the refusal of future visa applications or a ban on entering the UK.

You may also be interested in reading about how to switch from a Student Visa to a Spouse Visa in the UK.

Marriage Visitor Visa: Can You Switch to a Spouse Visa from Within the UK?

It is important to note that people who enter the United Kingdom on a Marriage Visitor Visa are not allowed to apply to switch to a spouse visa while still in the country. The Marriage Visitor Visa only permits marriage or registration of a civil partnership, and requires that the visitor leaves the UK after the ceremony is complete.

This visa does not grant the right to live in the UK, work, study, or extend your stay. If you wish to live in the UK with your partner after marrying, you must return to your home country and apply for a spouse visa from there. Only after the spouse visa has been approved can you come back to live in the UK with your husband or wife.

Staying in the UK after your Marriage Visitor Visa expires, or applying for a spouse visa from within the UK as a visitor, will put you in breach of immigration rules. This can lead to severe consequences, including being denied future visas or facing restrictions when applying again.

The Right Visa for Marrying in the UK and Applying for a Spouse Visa

If your aim is to marry in the United Kingdom and subsequently apply for a partner visa to live with your spouse without having to leave the country, neither the Standard Visitor Visa nor the Marriage Visitor Visa will be suitable. These visas do not allow individuals to remain in the UK or switch to a spouse visa from within the country.

For those seeking to move from a Fiancé or Fiancée Visa to a spouse visa, you should apply for a Fiancé(e) Visa before coming to the United Kingdom. This visa is specifically intended for people planning to marry a British citizen or someone settled in the UK, and who wish to remain together in the country by applying for a spouse visa afterwards.

Applicants for a Fiancé(e) Visa must fulfil several important criteria:

• Relationship Requirement: Both you and your partner must be at least 18 years old. You must be in a genuine and ongoing relationship, and you will need to demonstrate the intention to marry or enter a civil partnership within six months of arrival in the UK.
• Partner’s Immigration Status: Your partner must be a British citizen or have settled status in the UK, such as indefinite leave to remain or permanent residence.
• Financial Requirement: Your partner must earn at least £29,000 a year to meet the current income requirement for a spouse visa.
• Accommodation: There must be suitable accommodation available for both of you to live together, without relying on public funds.
• English Language Requirement: You will need to prove your English language ability, either by passing an approved English test or by showing an exemption based on your nationality or education.
  

When you arrive in the UK on a Fiancé(e) Visa, you must marry your partner within six months. Once your marriage or civil partnership has taken place, you can apply for a spouse visa from within the UK. There is no need to leave the country to submit this application.

You may also wish to read about whether you can apply for a UK spouse visa if you have a criminal record.

Let Our Experts Assist You

Choosing the right visa is vital for achieving your goals and avoiding unnecessary complications or delays. At Family Visa UK, we have significant experience in guiding clients through every phase of the UK immigration process.

Whether your intention is to marry in the UK, join your partner, or settle here permanently, we offer clear and tailored advice to help you make informed decisions regarding your application. Our team will assess your situation, outline your options, and provide support throughout every stage of the process, giving you the best possible chance of a successful outcome.

Contact us today to discuss your plans and receive expert advice tailored to your circumstances.

FAQs About UK Spouse Visas