Fiancé(e) visa — 6-month entry to marry then switch to spouse

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)."