Can a non-UK citizen marry in the UK on a visitor visa?

Can a non-UK citizen marry in the UK on a visitor visa? - Crop unrecognizable person demonstrating British passport

I live in the UK as a British citizen. My girlfriend lives in Switzerland (not as a Swiss citizen.) She has a UK visitor visa that was issued 13/11/2019 and expires 13/11/2021. Can she come here to marry me? Someone told me if she has a visitor visa more than 6 months she can come and get married.



Best Answer

Entering as a visitor with the intention of getting married in the UK is not permitted under the Immigration Rules. https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa

Foreign nationals who do not have a marriage visitor visa or family visa can still give notice of intention to get married or form a civil partnership but the immigration authorities at the Home Office will be told.

The Home Office might:

  • ask questions about you and your relationship - if this happens you may need to wait up to 70 days before getting married or forming a civil partnership

  • decide not to approve your notice - if this happens you cannot get married or form a civil partnership in the UK

Source: https://www.gov.uk/marriages-civil-partnerships

Note: this answer assumes your girlfriend would not be moving to live permanently in the UK after your marriage.




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Can I change visitor visa to marriage visa UK?

No. Unfortunately, you cannot switch from a Visitor Visa to any other visa in the UK. The Visitor Visa is intentioned as a way of coming to the UK in order to visit and not for permanent stay in the UK. The UK offers many alternative visa routes for this possibility but the Visitor Visa is not one of them.

Can you get married with a visitor visa?

The short answer to this complex question is yes, you can get married to someone who has entered the U.S. on a visitor visa. Generally, anyone from a foreign country enters the U.S. with a visa. The type of visa they are granted is based on the intent of their visit.

What visa do I need to marry in UK?

You must apply for a Marriage Visitor visa if: you want to get married or register a civil partnership in the UK. you want to give notice of a marriage or civil partnership in UK. you're not planning to stay or settle in the UK after your marriage or civil partnership.



Can I switch from Visit Visa to Spouse Visa (UK)




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