Fiancé(e) visa
Last verified 4 September 2026 against GOV.UK sources·Page updated 5 September 2026
| Purpose | Enter the UK to marry or form a civil partnership within 6 months |
|---|---|
| Requirements | Same as the partner route, including the £29,000 financial requirement |
| Work | Not permitted until you switch to the partner visa |
| After marriage | Switch in-country to the partner route (fee £1,407) |
| IHS | Not charged for the 6-month fiancé(e) stage |
| Settlement | Via the partner route — the 5-year period starts after switching |
The fiancé(e) visa is the entry door for couples who plan to marry in the UK rather than before arrival. It is assessed against the same requirements as the partner visa — including the £29,000 financial requirement and A1 English — but works differently in two important ways.
No work for six months
The fiancé(e) stage carries no right to work. You get six months to hold the wedding or civil partnership ceremony, and only after switching in-country to the partner route do work rights begin. Budget for this gap: one income, plus wedding costs, plus the switching fee.
The clock starts late
Time as a fiancé(e) does not count towards settlement — the five-year ILR clock starts with the partner visa granted after your marriage. For couples already legally able to marry abroad, marrying first and applying directly for the partner visa is usually faster and cheaper overall. The fiancé(e) route earns its keep when marrying in the UK matters — family logistics, or a ceremony that must happen there.
Route to settlement and citizenship
- Fiancé(e) visa
- Spouse and partner visa
- Indefinite Leave to Remain
- British citizenship
The fiancé(e) visa itself does not count towards settlement. After you marry or form a civil partnership, you switch to the partner route, and the five-year ILR period starts from that grant.
Once you have ILR as the partner of a British citizen, you can apply for citizenship straight away.