UK Fiance Visa: Apply from Ireland

Both the Fiance Visa and the Spouse Visa are family visas, but there are key differences between them.

• Fiance Visas enable a person to travel to the UK to get married, whereas the Spouse Visa is for partners of British citizens/settled persons who have already married their UK resident partner
• The Fiance Visa lasts for just six months, and the Spouse Visa lasts for 30 months
• Fiance Visas cannot be extended, Spouse Visas can be extended

That being said, Fiance Visas are granted in expectation that the applicant will apply for a Spouse Visa. Indeed, once the Fiance Visa has expired, the newly married non-EEA national will be able to apply for the Spouse Visa. The Fiance Visa can ultimately act as the preliminary step towards acquiring the much sought-after Spouse Visa.

Irish citizens can enter the UK to join their partner without having to obtain a visa due to the common travel area agreement between the UK and Ireland. However, legal residents of Ireland (who aren’t citizens) will need a fiance visa to live in the UK longer than 30 days. This visa is usually valid for six months and you can obtain a Spouse visa before it expires.

This page focuses on educating Ireland residents on the requirements and application process.

Page Contents

• What is the Difference Between the Fiance Visa and the Spouse Visa?
• What are the Main Requirements for a Fiance Visa?
• What are the Relationship Requirements?
• UK Fiance Visa Age Requirement
• The Adequate Accommodation Requirement
• What are the Financial Requirements?
• What are the English Language Requirements?
• Fiance Visa UK Application Form
• UK Finance Visa Application Required Documents
• Required Documents of Partner
• How Long Does it Take to Process?
• When can I Apply for a Spouse Visa?
• How Can Total Law Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

As with all UK visas, there are a number of requirements which any Fiance Visa applicant needs to be able to fulfil in order to be eligible for the Fiance Visa.

First things first, a Fiance Visa applicant’s partner must be one of the following:

• A British citizen
• A person with settled status in the UK. This means they have Indefinite Leave to Remain, settled status or proof of permanent residence in the UK
• A person who has officially been given refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK

As well as this most fundamental condition, Fiance visa applicants will need to prove that:

• Any previous marriages or civil partnerships have ended
• They will marry or enter into a civil partnership within six months of arriving in the UK
• They have a good knowledge of English
• They intend to live in the UK with their partner permanently after they have tied the knot

If someone wants to apply for a Fiance Visa, they need to prove that the relationship they have with their prospective spouse is genuine and durable.

The couple must have met face-to-face before a Fiance Visa application is made. The Home Office will not consider remote contact between the couple as sufficient to prove a genuine relationship.

As mentioned above, the couple must marry within six months of the entry date on the Fiance Visa and they must intend to build a life in the United Kingdom after marriage.

In order to be eligible, the applicant must be at least 18-years-old. The individual can prove this in their application by providing an authentic birth certificate.

As part of the application, the applicant’s sponsor must have evidence that they are able to provide adequate accommodation to their partner.

This requirement can be proved through providing a tenancy agreement, mortgage statement or deeds in the Fiance visa application.

If a Fiance Visa application is accepted, it is under the assumption that the person will be staying in the UK permanently once the marriage has taken place. You can demonstrate your desire and commitment to live in the UK is through proving that you have a certain level of ability in the English language.

If you are from a native English-speaking country, you will not need to take an English language test. You also won’t need to take the test if you are over 65, or have a mental or physical condition which would prevent you from meeting the requirement.

All other Fiance visa applicants must be able to prove that they posses an A1 level of English in speaking and listening which is recognised by the Central European Framework of Reference for Languages.

If you have undertaken a course at degree level or higher which was taught in English, you will also be exempt from this requirement as long as your course is recognised by UK NARIC.

The online form which you will need to complete is Appendix FM Partner. The Fiance Visa UK application cost is £,523.

However, you will also need to take into account other costs such as translation fees.

You will need to submit a portfolio of documents to support your case after you have submitted your application form. These documents should be in their original form – ordinarily, photocopies will not be accepted.

Any documents which are not in English or Welsh must be translated by an accredited translator.

The required documents are as follows:

• Official evidence of the breakdown of a previous relationship (if applicable)
• Valid passport
• Two recent colour passport-sized photographs
• Information proving financial status
• Details of any previous immigration applications
• Details of any criminal convictions
• Certified translation of any documents which are not in English or Welsh
• Certificate indicating A1 level of English (if applicable)
• Proof if the intention to marry within six months

Usually, you will need to provide information about your life outside the UK too, including information about your family and friends in the countries where you were born or have nationality.

You will also need to provide information about your partner in the UK as part of the application. You might be asked questions about their name, nationality, date of birth, passport, their right to be in the UK and any information about a partner they used to be married to.

Typically, you can expect a decision on a Fiance Visa application within eight weeks. However if, for example, the Home Office require some additional information, it may take longer than eight weeks for your application to be processed.