Fiancé(e) visa — 6-month entry to marry then switch to spouse
Fiancé(e) visa for couples not yet married — 6-month entry to marry in UK then switch to spouse visa.
UKFiancé(e) visaAppendix FMMarriage VisitorIndia-specific
Fiancé(e) visa (Appendix FM Fiancé(e) route) allows engaged partners to enter UK for 6 months to marry there and then switch to a Spouse visa. It is appropriate for couples not yet married at the time of application.
For [CLIENT_NAME] (fiancée of [SPONSOR_NAME]):
§1 — FIANCÉ(E) VISA ELIGIBILITY (120-150 words)
Appendix FM Fiancé(e) (E-ECF.1):
Validity + Eligibility requirements:
▪ Applicant outside UK
▪ Sponsor is British citizen, settled person, refugee, or with humanitarian protection
▪ Both 18+
▪ Genuinely engaged + intend to marry within 6 months
▪ Intend to live together permanently after marriage
▪ Financial: same GBP 29,000 minimum income as Spouse [VERIFY]
▪ Accommodation adequate
▪ English language A1 CEFR
▪ Maintenance for the 6-month duration
▪ Suitability — no adverse criminal / immigration history
Visa duration:
▪ 6 months entry only
▪ Cannot extend (must marry + switch within 6 months OR depart)
▪ NO work permission (different from Spouse visa)
▪ NO public fund recourse
§2 — KEY DIFFERENCES FROM SPOUSE VISA (100-120 words)
Fiancé(e) vs Spouse:
| Feature | Fiancé(e) | Spouse |
|---|---|---|
| Marital status | Engaged | Married |
| Visa duration | 6 months | 30 months + extensions |
| Work | NO | YES (full-time) |
| Public funds | NO | NO |
| Path to ILR | Switch to Spouse needed | Direct path (5 years) |
| Application fee | GBP 1,846 [VERIFY] | GBP 1,846 [VERIFY] |
| IHS | GBP 1,035/year × 0.5 years | GBP 1,035/year × 2.5 years |
For most couples already married: Spouse visa is simpler. Fiancé(e) only useful if specific marriage plans in UK or cannot marry abroad first.
§3 — WHEN FIANCÉ(E) MAKES SENSE (100-120 words)
Use Fiancé(e) if:
▪ Couple intends to marry in UK specifically (cultural or family preference)
▪ Wedding venue, family availability, or logistics favour UK marriage
▪ Marriage abroad would face delays / complications
▪ One partner is unable to leave UK for marriage abroad
Use Spouse if:
▪ Couple intends to marry in India (most common Indian path)
▪ Hindu / Muslim / Sikh / Christian ceremony with extended family attending
▪ Wedding within Indian community network
▪ Speed + simplicity (Spouse visa = clearer path to ILR)
For Indian couples: most marry in India and apply Spouse visa. Fiancé(e) less common but valid option.
§4 — WEDDING ARRANGEMENTS (120-150 words)
Within the 6-month visa window:
▪ Marriage in UK at:
- Civil ceremony at Register Office
- Religious ceremony with civil registration component
- "Approved Premises" wedding venue (hotel, country house)
▪ Give notice to Register Office at least 28 days before ceremony
▪ Provide identity documents + visa status to Register Office
After marriage:
▪ Apply for Spouse visa switch within 6 months
▪ Switch fee: GBP 1,048 (in-country extension) [VERIFY]
▪ IHS: additional 2.5 years
▪ Submit marriage certificate + standard Spouse application documents
[WEDDING_DETAILS] verification:
▪ Register Office booked? Date confirmed?
▪ Witnesses arranged?
▪ Photographer / videographer (for evidence later)?
▪ Wedding licence + marriage certificate to be issued by State
§5 — RELATIONSHIP EVIDENCE (120-150 words)
Same Genuine + Subsisting standard as Spouse:
Engagement evidence:
▪ Engagement ceremony photos (Roka / Sagai / pre-engagement rituals)
▪ Engagement gifts exchanged
▪ Family meetings between in-laws
▪ Indian context: "haldi" ceremony, "mehndi", "sangeet" — pre-wedding events
Communication during relationship:
▪ WhatsApp / email logs spanning the relationship duration
▪ Video call records (Skype / Zoom)
▪ Travel between countries (boarding passes, hotel evidence)
Family integration:
▪ Photos with both families
▪ Religious / cultural ceremonies attended together
▪ Family video calls / introductions
For [RELATIONSHIP_HISTORY]:
▪ Establish 6+ months relationship duration typical
▪ Photos: 20-30 spanning the relationship
▪ Communication logs as supporting evidence
§6 — APPLICATION DOCUMENTS (100-120 words)
Document bundle for Fiancé(e) visa:
□ Passport bio page
□ Engagement / wedding plan evidence
□ Relationship history evidence (photos, communication)
□ Sponsor's birth certificate + naturalisation (if applicable)
□ Sponsor's passport + UK status evidence
□ Sponsor's financial evidence (employment + payslips + bank statements + tax records)
□ UK accommodation evidence (property deeds / tenancy)
□ English language A1 CEFR certificate (or degree-in-English)
□ TB test certificate (IOM India)
□ Police certificates
□ Marriage notice from UK Register Office (if available; can be submitted post-arrival)
□ Application fee + IHS payment
§7 — POST-WEDDING SWITCH TO SPOUSE (80-100 words)
After UK wedding within 6-month window:
▪ Apply for Spouse visa switch BEFORE Fiancé(e) visa expires
▪ Submit: marriage certificate from UK Register Office, photos of wedding, witnesses
▪ Standard Spouse visa documentation (English, financial, accommodation)
▪ Spouse visa duration: 30 months initially (then extend to 5 years for ILR)
▪ Fee: GBP 1,048 (in-country) [VERIFY]
▪ Processing: 8 weeks standard
§8 — STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS (60-80 words)
For Indian couples considering Fiancé(e) vs Spouse:
▪ Cost: Fiancé(e) = GBP 1,846 + 6 months IHS + GBP 1,048 switch = ~GBP 4,000 vs Spouse alone = ~GBP 4,200 (similar)
▪ Time: Fiancé(e) = 6 months entry + switch wait vs Spouse = 30 months immediate
▪ Practicality: Spouse simpler
End with: "DRAFT — for OISC/IAA-registered adviser or solicitor review. Fiancé(e) visa requires the wedding to happen within 6 months. Book UK Register Office in advance. After marriage, switch to Spouse visa BEFORE 6-month Fiancé(e) expires. Most Indian couples find Spouse route simpler (marry in India first, then apply)."Purchase the vault to unlock