How to Apply for a Marriage Visa in England

UK Marriage Visa is available for the individuals who are either British or Irish citizen, a person who is settled in the UK, an individual with pre-settled (EU Settlement Scheme), a Turkish Worker/ Businessperson Visa Holder or anybody with refugee status. This visa lets someone enter or stay in the UK to live with their spouse. You can also apply if the spouse who is sponsoring you is currently outside the UK but plans to come back and live with you in the UK. So, we have crafted this detailed guide to answer your query of “How to Apply for a Marriage Visa in England.”

1. What Is a Marriage Visa?

A Marriage Visa (also known as a Spouse or Partner Visa) lets you live in the UK with your husband, wife, or civil partner. It’s part of the UK’s Family Visa category and applies to

couples who plan to live together permanently in the UK.

2. Basic Eligibility

The following conditions must be met to be eligible to apply for a marriage Visa in England.

• Both you and your partner are 18 years or older.

• Your partner is a British or Irish citizen, or has settled status (e.g. Indefinite Leave to Remain).

• In the UK, your marriage or civil partnership is legal.

• You are planning to live permanently in the UK

• You intend to live together permanently in the UK.

• You meet the financial, language, and accommodation requirements set by the UK Government

3. UK Marriage Visa Key Requirements & Documents

Requirement	Explanation	Documents
Financial & bank statements	Show you can support yourselves without public funds.	Salary slips, bank statements, tax returns, savings proof.
English Language proficiency	Show ability to speak and understand English.	A certificate from an approved English test, proof of an English degree, or proof of an exemption.
Place to live	Show a place to live in the UK.	A rental agreement, a mortgage agreement, and a property report.
Relationship	Prove your marriage or partnership is real.	Marriage certificate, joint bills, photos, messages, shared travel records.

FACTS & FIGURES (2025)

Category	Details
Minimum Income Requirement	£29,000 per year (new applications after April 2024)
Previous Applications	£18,600 per year (for extensions before April 2024 rules)
Application Fee (Outside UK)	£1,938
Application Fee (Inside UK)	£1,321
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)	£1,035 per year
Visa Length (Initial Grant)	2 years 9 months (outside UK) or 2 years 6 months (inside UK)
Processing Time (Outside UK)	Up to 12 weeks
Processing Time (Inside UK)	Up to 8 weeks
Priority Decision Option	Available in most regions (extra fee applies)
Eligibility for Settlement (ILR)	After 5 years of continuous residence

4. Step-by-Step Application Process

If You’re Applying From Outside the UK

1. Get all the papers you need.

2. Fill out the online application form.

3. Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge and the visa fee.

4. Make an appointment for your biometrics and go to it.

5. Send in or upload all of your supporting documents.

6. Wait about 12 weeks for a decision on your visa.

7. Get your visa vignette and go to the UK.

If You’re Applying From Inside the UK (Switching or Extending)

1. Check you’re eligible to switch from your current visa.

2. Complete the online form and pay the fee.

3. Pay the IHS.

4. Attend your UKVCAS biometric appointment.

5. Upload your evidence.

6. Receive your decision (usually within 8 weeks)

5. Common Issues That Result in Visa Refusals

Reason	How to Avoid this Reason
Documents that are missing or not valid	Check the dates and all uploads thoroughly
Weak financial evidence	Include full payslips, bank statements, and employer letters.
Insufficient proof of relationship	Submit photos, chats, travel, and joint bills.
English test errors	Use an approved English test provider.
Late or wrong application type	Apply under the correct category and before your visa expires.

6. What Happens After You Get the Visa

Step	Description
Enter or remain in the UK	You’ll receive a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).
Length of stay	About 2.5 years for most applicants.
Extend your visa	Before it expires, extend for another 2.5 years.
Apply for ILR	After 5 years in total on the spouse visa route.
Bring children	You can include dependants in the same or a later application.

7. What If Your Visa Is Refused?

If your application is refused, you will receive a letter explaining the reason. Depending on your case, you may:

Option	What It Means
Administrative Review	Request a review if you believe there was an error in processing.
Full Appeal	Submit a legal appeal to the Immigration Tribunal.
Reapply	Correct your mistakes and submit a new application with stronger evidence.

Having professional guidance greatly improves your chances of success, especially during appeals or complex cases.

8. How MSD Solicitors Can Help You

MSD Solicitors is a UK-based law firm that assists individuals and families with immigration, family law, and visa appeals, offering office-based services in Manchester, London, and Birmingham. They also provide personalised guidance for every type of visa case.

Services Offered by MSD Solicitors:

• Visa and immigration applications (spouse, family, student, visitor)

• Appeal and tribunal representation

• Judicial review and reconsideration requests

• Settlement (ILR) and citizenship applications

• Family law and divorce representation

• Legal advice sessions (online or in person)

Why Choose MSD Solicitors:

• Experienced immigration lawyers with up-to-date UK law knowledge

• High success rate in visa and appeal cases

• Affordable, transparent fee structure

• Support for multilingual clients (including Urdu, Punjabi, and Arabic speakers)

If your case is complicated, for example, if your partner’s income is borderline, or you’ve had previous refusals, professional help can make the difference between success and rejection

9. Important 2025 Updates

Update	Description
Income threshold increase	Raised from £18,600 to £29,000 per year for new applicants.
Immigration Health Surcharge	Now £1,035 per year (previously £624).
Processing delays	Slight delays are expected because of the large number of family visa applications.
Policy review ongoing	The UK Government is considering changing financial thresholds according to the region in late 2025

Final Words

Applying for a marriage visa in England might seem challenging, but if you break it down into simple steps, it is doable. To do this, you must stay organised, get your paperwork reviewed and seek legal advice if you’re not sure what you’re doing. Proper paperwork and a well-prepared marriage visa application have a higher chance of being accepted.