UK Marriage Visitor Visa Checklist — Documents to Prepare
A UK Marriage Visitor visa is for people who want to marry or register a civil partnership in the UK but do not intend to live there afterwards. It costs £135, lasts up to 6 months, and a decision usually takes about 3 weeks. Verified against GOV.UK, September 2026 — see Marriage Visitor visa for the authoritative word.
Stage A — Am I on the right route?
Apply for this visa if you want to do one or both of these in the UK, and you do not intend to settle here:
- ☐ Get married or register a civil partnership in the UK.
- ☐ Give notice of your marriage or civil partnership in the UK.
You also need to not intend to live in the UK and to meet the other eligibility requirements.
You do not need this visa if you are: an Irish citizen; someone with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme; or someone who has applied to the EU Settlement Scheme and is awaiting a decision. If you are converting a civil partnership to a marriage, use a Standard Visitor visa instead.
Stage B — What you can and cannot do
You can:
- ☐ Marry or register a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months, at a licensed venue.
- ☐ Transit through the UK.
You cannot:
- ☐ Claim public funds.
- ☐ Bring dependants — each person must apply separately.
- ☐ Visit frequently for long periods.
- ☐ Extend this visa or switch to another one.
- ☐ Work — other than permitted activities related to your overseas job (for example attending meetings).
- ☐ Study.
Stage C — Applying
- ☐ Online application — the deadline is the earliest, at 3 months before you travel.
- ☐ Biometrics — go to a visa application centre to have your fingerprints and photo taken. You must bring your passport (it is usually returned to you the same day), and the centre may keep other documents — you will be told which when you apply.
- ☐ Decision time — usually 3 weeks; a priority (paid) service may be available.
- ☐ Fee — £135.
Do not confuse this with the UK visitor visa checklist: the fee is the same (£135), but a Standard Visitor visa is the wrong route if you are coming to marry and then settle. This page is for marrying and leaving.
Get it right the first time
- Wrong route for settling. If you plan to stay in the UK with your partner afterwards, you need a UK family visa, not this one.
- It cannot be extended or switched. A Marriage Visitor visa is a come-and-go route; plan the wedding inside the 6 months.
- No dependants on the application. Each traveller applies separately.
- Bring your passport to the centre for biometrics.
Frequently asked questions
What is a UK Marriage Visitor visa for?
It is for marrying or registering a civil partnership in the UK, or giving notice of one there, when you do not intend to live in the UK afterwards.
How much does it cost and how long does it last?
£135, and you can stay for up to 6 months. A decision usually takes about 3 weeks.
When can I apply?
The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel. You apply online.
Can I work or study on this visa?
No. You cannot work (other than permitted activities related to your overseas job, such as attending meetings) and you cannot study.
Can I extend it or bring my family?
No. You cannot extend this visa or switch to another one, and you cannot bring dependants — each person must apply separately.
Do I need to give biometrics?
Yes. You go to a visa application centre to have your fingerprints and photo taken, and you must bring your passport. It is usually returned the same day.
Related: staying with your partner instead is the UK family visa checklist, and working after study is the UK ancestry visa checklist. For the photo that travels with the application, use the passport photo checker.