What Is the Difference Between a Spouse Visa and a Fiancé Visa

Designed for those engaged to be married to their partner, the fiancé visa is Either they should be British citizens or have settled status in the United Kingdom. Applications for the fiancé visa must show their intention to get married within six months of arriving in the UK in order to satisfy eligibility criteria.

Those already married or in a civil partnership with their British partner or someone with settled status in the UK are meant to be candidates for the spouse visa. Although the fiancé’s visa only lasts six months, the spouse’s lets people stay in the UK for up to thirty months.

The spouse visa can also be extended, whereas the Fiancé visa cannot.

Here are the main eligibility criteria:

• Your partner must be a British national, hold indefinite leave to remain, limited leave to remain under Appendix EU, or limited leave to remain under Appendix ECAA.
• Your partner and you have to be at least eighteen years old.
• You and your partner have to be intending to live permanently in the UK and provide appropriate accommodation arrangements to the Home Office.
• Upon entering the UK, you must get married to your partner within six months.
• You must satisfy the English language requirement.
• You need to provide evidence that any previous relationships or marriages have ended.
  

In addition to the above, there are some financial requirements:

• Your partner must have an annual income of at least £18,600.
• If you plan to bring dependents (e.g., children) to the UK, there is an additional financial requirement of £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 per child for any additional ones.
• You must provide proof of a genuine relationship, including evidence of having met your partner in person.

You have to fit the following criteria:

• To persuade the Home Office your relationship is legitimate, you and your partner have to pass the “Genuine Relationship Test”.
• Your marriage must be lawful.
•  Your partner and you have to be eighteen years of age or above.
• You must be married to or in a civil partnership with a British national or someone who has permanent residency in the UK.
• You and your partner must have lived together for a minimum of two years before making the visa application.
• You must prove you won’t rely on public funds and satisfy the required financial criteria.
• You have to show proof of appropriate UK accommodation where your partner, any dependents, and you will live.
•  You have to show that you really grasp English to meet the English language criteria.

Individuals entering the UK on a fiancé visa are not permitted to work during the initial six months, which is the period before their marriage or civil partnership. However, once married or in a civil partnership, successful applicants for a spouse visa are allowed to work in the UK without any restrictions.

Many individuals who enter the UK on a fiancé visa subsequently switch to a spouse visa. You can apply for a spouse visa from within the UK itself. While the processing time for the application can take up to 12 weeks, it usually does not exceed this timeframe.

Need help processing your visa? Contact our team at 020 8578 7778.