UK Fiance Visa Document Checklist: A Comprehensive Guide
If you are planning to bring your fiance(e) to the UK, understanding the fiance visa uk documents required is essential. The UK fiance visa allows the non-British partner to enter the UK with the intention of getting married or entering into a civil partnership with a British citizen or settled person. This visa is valid for 6 months, and during this period, the couple must marry or formalize their relationship. After the marriage or civil partnership, the applicant can switch to a spouse visa, which allows them to live and work in the UK.
The application process can be detailed and sometimes overwhelming. A well-prepared document checklist is crucial to ensuring the visa application process goes smoothly. Below is a comprehensive guide to the documents required for a UK fiance visa application.
1. Proof of Identity
You and your fiance(e) must provide the following:
- Valid Passport: The applicant needs a passport with at least one blank page for the visa vignette.
- Passport-Sized Photographs: As per UKVI guidelines (usually 45mm x 35mm), for both applicant and sponsor if needed.
2. Proof of Relationship
To demonstrate that your relationship is genuine and subsisting, you’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship’s history and future intent:
- Photographs Together: Recent and past photos of you both in various settings.
- Correspondence and Communication Logs: Evidence of communication over time, such as:
- Text messages
- Emails
- Call logs
- Social media interactions
- Travel History: Boarding passes, flight tickets, or hotel bookings that show you have visited each other.
- Written Statements: Both partners should provide a personal statement outlining the relationship, how you met, how it has developed, and future plans (including marriage arrangements).
3. Proof of Intention to Marry
You need to prove that you genuinely plan to marry or enter a civil partnership within the 6-month visa period:
- Notice of Marriage: A formal letter or receipt from the local registry office confirming your intent to marry.
- Wedding Venue Booking: Documentation showing you have booked a venue, hired a registrar, or have other solid plans for the wedding.
4. Proof of Financial Requirements
The UK sponsor (the British or settled person) must meet the minimum financial requirement to ensure that the applicant can be supported without recourse to public funds. The sponsor must prove that their annual income is at least £18,600 or have sufficient savings.
Documents to provide include:
- Payslips: For the last 6 months (or 12 months if self-employed).
- Bank Statements: Corresponding bank statements showing the salary being paid in.
- Employment Letter: A letter from the employer confirming the sponsor’s position, salary, length of employment, and job stability.
- Self-Employment Documents (if applicable): This may include tax returns, audited accounts, and confirmation from an accountant.
- Savings Evidence (if applicable): If relying on savings, the couple must demonstrate having savings of at least £62,500 in their account for six months prior to the application.
5. Proof of Accommodation
You must demonstrate that there is suitable accommodation available for you and your fiance(e) to live together without recourse to public funds. Acceptable documents include:
- Tenancy Agreement: If you rent, provide a copy of the tenancy agreement showing that there is enough space for both of you to live.
- Mortgage Statement: If you own the property, include a recent mortgage statement.
- Council Tax Bills: These should confirm residence and ownership or tenancy.
- Property Inspection Report: In some cases, a property inspection report may be required to show that the accommodation meets the UK’s living standards.
6. Proof of English Language Requirement
The applicant must meet the English language requirement unless they are from a majority English-speaking country or have a degree taught in English. Documents required are:
- English Language Test Certificate: A certificate from an approved test provider (such as IELTS or Pearson) showing the applicant has passed at least CEFR Level A1 in speaking and listening.
- Degree Taught in English: If the applicant holds a degree taught in English, a UK NARIC/ENIC certificate to confirm its equivalence in the UK may be required.
7. Proof of Immigration Status
If the applicant has previously lived in or visited the UK, they may need to provide documents relating to their previous immigration history, such as:
- Previous Visa: If applicable, copies of previous visas.
- Entry and Exit Stamps: Copies of stamps in the applicant's passport to demonstrate previous visits.
8. Other Supporting Documents
Depending on your circumstances, uk fiance visa document checklist:
- Divorce Certificate: If either party was previously married, a divorce certificate will be required to show the marriage is legally ended.
- Children’s Documents (if applicable): If the applicant has children under 18 who will also be moving to the UK, include birth certificates and custody documents.
9. Application Form and Payment
- Online Application Form: The applicant must complete the visa application online, usually on the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website.
- Visa Application Fee: Pay the application fee (currently £1,538 as of 2024, though fees can change). Additionally, you will need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for healthcare access while in the UK.
10. Biometric Information
The applicant will be required to submit biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) at a local visa application center (VAC). After the application is submitted, the applicant will be invited to book an appointment
