At First Law Solicitors, we provide trusted, detailed, and efficient legal advice for individuals who wish to travel to the UK to marry or enter a civil partnership with their partner.
We understand that for many couples, this is the first step in a lifelong commitment. Our solicitors ensure that every application is prepared with legal precision and evidential strength so your plans proceed smoothly and without delay.
Based in Manchester and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA ID No: 665823), our immigration team represents clients globally. We combine a deep understanding of immigration law with an appreciation for the personal and cultural importance of your wedding arrangements.
The Marriage Visitor Visa allows individuals to enter the UK for the sole purpose of marrying or forming a civil partnership. It is valid for six months and is designed for couples who intend to marry in the UK but do not plan to settle here immediately after the ceremony.
If your goal is to remain in the UK after marriage, you should instead apply for a Fiancé(e) or Spouse Visa under Appendix FM.
The Marriage Visitor Visa is not a route to settlement and cannot be extended or switched to another immigration category from within the UK. You must leave the UK before your visa expires.
To qualify for a Marriage Visitor Visa, you must satisfy the following key requirements under Appendix V: Visitor of the Immigration Rules:
Intention to Marry: You must be genuinely seeking entry to the UK to marry or enter a civil partnership within six months of your arrival. Evidence such as venue booking confirmations, registrar correspondence, and guest invitations can help establish intent.
Relationship Requirement: Both parties must be free to marry and have met in person before the application. This rule helps prevent arranged marriages without prior contact.
Financial Requirement: You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover the cost of your travel, accommodation, and living expenses in the UK without relying on public funds or employment.
Return Intention: You must prove that you will leave the UK at the end of your visit. This may include showing ongoing employment, family ties, property ownership, or other commitments in your home country.
Immigration Status: You must not intend to live permanently in the UK or apply to switch into another immigration category during your stay.
Marriage Visitor Visa applications are scrutinised carefully by the Home Office to ensure the applicant’s intentions are genuine and temporary.
We assist clients in preparing a complete and coherent evidence package that includes:
Each piece of evidence is reviewed and formatted in accordance with Home Office evidential standards to minimise the risk of refusal or delay.
Applications are made online through the Home Office’s digital platform (MyHMCTS). Following the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, all applicants must verify identity through Digital ID Verification (IDV) and may authorise documents using Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES).
Once your application is submitted, you will book a biometric appointment in your home country to provide fingerprints and photographs.
Decisions are typically made within three weeks of biometrics submission, though priority processing may be available in select regions for an additional fee.
Our solicitors manage every stage of the process digitally, ensuring your documents, signatures, and correspondence meet DUAA 2025 and SRA confidentiality standards.
Marriage Visitor Visa refusals most commonly occur when:
We pre-empt these risks by preparing a tailored Legal Representation Letter explaining the context of your relationship, the credibility of your wedding arrangements, and your compliance with Appendix V.
We regularly assist clients from countries subject to enhanced Home Office scrutiny, as well as high-profile or high-net-worth individuals requiring discretion and confidentiality.
Our solicitors coordinate directly with registry offices, embassies, and venue operators to ensure all documentation complies with UK immigration and civil registration law.
We also manage complex cases where previous visa refusals or misrepresentations exist, providing detailed clarification and full disclosure to rebuild the applicant’s immigration credibility.
Strategic Oversight: Every application is personally supervised by an experienced immigration solicitor.
Evidence Precision: We anticipate Home Office scrutiny and pre-empt issues with clear, well-structured documentation.
Discretion and Security: All communication and document exchange occur through encrypted portals compliant with the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.
Cultural Sensitivity: We tailor our advice to your specific circumstances, whether your ceremony follows religious, cultural, or civil traditions.
Our goal is to ensure that your special occasion is not overshadowed by administrative uncertainty.
If you are planning to marry or register a civil partnership in the UK, contact First Law Solicitors for clear, reliable legal advice.
Call 0044 161 224 4066
Complete our secure online enquiry form to arrange a private consultation with an experienced immigration solicitor.
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