How much does a fiance visa cost in 2026?

The fiance visa application fee is £1,846 in 2026. You do not pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for the initial 6-month fiance visa, but you will pay it when you switch to a spouse visa after marriage.

Can I work on a fiance visa in the UK?

No. The fiance visa does not grant the right to work. You cannot take up employment until you have switched to a spouse visa after getting married. This is one of the key differences compared to arriving directly on a spouse visa.

How long do I have to get married on a fiance visa?

You must marry within 6 months of arriving in the UK on your fiance visa. After the wedding, you apply to switch to a spouse visa from within the UK. If you do not marry within 6 months, your leave expires and you have no legal basis to remain.

What is the income requirement for a fiance visa?

The minimum income requirement is the same as for a spouse visa. In 2026 the threshold is being increased in stages under the government's plan. Check the current threshold on GOV.UK. You can also meet the requirement through savings, Category B income, or a combination.

Fiance Visa UK: Requirements, Costs, and How to Apply

The UK fiance visa (also called a proposed civil partner visa) lets you enter the UK for up to 6 months to marry your partner who is a British citizen or has settled status. You cannot work on this visa. After the wedding, you apply to switch to a 33-month spouse visa from within the UK. The fiance visa has the same financial and relationship requirements as the spouse visa.

Fiance Visa vs Spouse Visa

The main question many couples face is whether to apply for a fiance visa or a spouse visa. For a full comparison, see our fiance vs spouse visa guide.

The key differences:

Fiance visa: Apply before getting married. Enter the UK, marry within 6 months, then switch to a spouse visa. Cannot work until switched.
Spouse visa: Marry first (anywhere in the world), then apply. Can work immediately upon arrival.

A fiance visa makes sense if you want to hold your wedding in the UK or if getting married abroad is impractical.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a fiance visa, you must meet the following requirements as set out in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules:

Your partner: Must be a British citizen, a person with ILR or settled status, or a person with refugee status or humanitarian protection.
Genuine relationship: You must demonstrate that your relationship is genuine and that you intend to marry within 6 months. See our relationship evidence guide.
Financial requirement: Your UK partner must meet the minimum income threshold. See our financial requirement guide for details on how this can be met through employment, savings, or a combination.
English language: You must pass an A1 level English test before applying. See our English for spouse visa guide.
Accommodation: You must have adequate accommodation available. See our accommodation requirement guide.
Age: Both you and your partner must be at least 18.
Free to marry: Neither of you should be currently married to someone else.

How to Apply

The fiance visa application is made from outside the UK:

Complete the online application: On the GOV.UK family visa page.
Pay the fee: £1,846.
Book and attend biometrics: At a visa application centre in your country.
Submit supporting documents: Including proof of relationship, financial evidence, English language certificate, and accommodation details.
Wait for a decision: Standard processing takes around 12 weeks. A priority service may be available for an additional fee.

After You Arrive: Getting Married

Once in the UK on your fiance visa, you need to arrange your wedding. If you are marrying in England or Wales:

Give notice: You must give notice at your local register office at least 29 days before the wedding. If either of you is not an EEA national, the notice period may be extended to 71 days.
Book the ceremony: Register offices can be busy, so book as early as possible to stay within the 6-month window.
Marriage cost: Register office ceremonies start from around £50 to £300 depending on the venue and local authority.

Scotland and Northern Ireland have different procedures but similar timelines. Plan ahead to ensure your wedding takes place within 6 months.

Switching to a Spouse Visa

After your wedding, you apply to switch from a fiance visa to a spouse visa (formally, "further leave to remain as a partner"). This is done from within the UK.

The spouse visa switch application requires:

The same financial evidence as the original application.
Your marriage certificate.
Updated relationship evidence.
Payment of the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.

Once approved, you receive 30 months' leave to remain (the total spouse visa route is 5 years before ILR). See our spouse visa to ILR guide for the full timeline.

Financial Planning

The fiance visa route involves significant costs spread over several stages:

Fiance visa application: £1,846.
English language test: approximately £150 to £200.
Wedding costs: varies widely.
Spouse visa switch: application fee plus IHS for 30 months.
Spouse visa extension after 30 months: another application fee plus IHS.
ILR application after 5 years: see our ILR cost guide.

For a complete cost breakdown, see our spouse visa cost breakdown and hidden costs of immigration guide.

Common Mistakes and Refusal Reasons

Common reasons fiance visa applications are refused:

Insufficient relationship evidence: Particularly for couples who have not met in person or have limited communication evidence.
Financial requirement not met: Income below the threshold or insufficient savings evidence.
English language test issues: Using a test not on the approved list or failing to meet A1 level.
Accommodation not adequate: Failing to show the proposed accommodation meets the standards.

For detailed refusal analysis, see our spouse visa refusal reasons guide.