UK Fiancé Visa vs UK Spouse Visa Explained by The SmartMove2UK

1. 2022 UK Fiancé vs. Spouse Visa – How different is one visa from the other?

2. In this blog, we have comprehensively covered about the UK Fiancé vs. Spouse visa. As an Immigration Law Firm, we have come across many clients who are unaware of the different partner routes to join their Partner in the UK, including Fiancé Visa & Unmarried Partner Visa. There is also a lack of awareness about the UK’s Spouse Visa. Moreover, we have even had some clients applying for a Marriage Visit Visa when really they would have been eligible for a UK Fiancé Visa. Essentially talking, these two visas are mostly similar regarding their purpose, fees, eligibility, documentation requirements etc. Here we have an extract of an interview with our Principal Director, Mrs. Falguni Y. Parekh about the Fiancé visa vs. Spouse visa UK:

3. Apply for Fiancé visa UK • The purpose of the UK Fiancé visa is to allow foreign nationals to enter the UK to marry their British or ‘settled’ (ILR) partner • The couple has to get married within 6 months from the date of arrival of the visa applicant • With a Fiancé Visa, the applicant can later switch to a UK Spouse Visa, post their wedding and can stay in the UK permanently • Cost of Fiancé Visa Application in 2022

4. Apply for Spouse visa UK • A person, who is already married to a British national or settled (Indefinite Leave to Remain-ILR) person in the UK, can only apply for a Spouse Visa and live with their partner in the UK permanently • UK Spouse Visa can be applied from outside the UK and from within the UK (in certain cases) • The applicant of Spouse Visa can remain in the UK for 2.5 years and can take up employment in the country • Cost of Spouse Visa Application in 2022 • Applying from: outside the UK Applying from: within the UK Interesting Read: Permanent Residence in the UK Through Marriage: Everything You Need to Know

5. Important Facts to know which will save you money! • A couple must prefer to marry outside the UK, and then apply for a UK Spouse Visa from the applicant’s home country • UK Spouse Visa route is the best-suitable option, plus extremely cost-effective, as it will eliminate expenses of a UK Fiancé Visa and save money of the non-British partner’s family members to travel to the UK • Now, if the couple got married recently, the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration Organization will potentially subject them to further scrutiny • However, the couple can prove this with proper preparation of the application thanks to a UK-Qualified Solicitor • With the UK Fiancé Visa route, the couple has to go through the entire application process all over again to receive a new UK Spouse Visa • This will make the applicant pay double price and also freshly submit the proofs of their relationship to the Home Office Note for Readers: UK Marriage Visitor visa (also known as UK Marriage visa) and Fiancé Visa are not similar. A Marriage Visit Visa is a 6-months duration visa, for a sole purpose to get married in the UK. At the end of the duration, the visa holder must go back to their country of residence.

6. Do you need any assistance? The UK offers different visa routes to live with your better half in the country. For someone with minimum immigration knowledge, all of this can get confusing. And the outcome will be a refusal on the visa application. If you are looking for assistance in choosing a suitable route to move to the UK to live with your partner, you can BOOK A CONSULTATION with our UK Spouse visa lawyer or UK Fiancé visa lawyer. Contact us on +91 98191 27002 or email us at info@smartmove2uk.com

7. FAQ’s Which is better: UK Fiancé visa or Spouse visa? Many prefer a UK Spouse Visa over the UK Fiancé Visa for one simple reason, it saves time and money. Can a fiancée be a spouse? A fiancée can be called a partner. You can only refer to them as a spouse after getting married. What is a UK Fiancé visa? The purpose of the UK Fiancé visa is to allow foreign nationals to enter the UK to marry their British or ‘settled’ (ILR) partner. The couple has to get married within 6 months from the date of arrival of the visa applicant. How much does a UK Fiancé visa cost? The Entry Clearance Application Fee for a UK Fiancé Visa in 2022 is £1,523. And NO Immigration Health Surcharge. How long does a UK Fiancé visa take? If you apply outside the UK, a decision will usually be made within 12 weeks. If you apply in the UK, a decision will typically be made within 8 weeks of your application date if you use the standard service. What percentage of UK Fiancé visas are approved? As per 2020 data, The UK visa Approval and Rejection rate was 83.29% and 16.15% respectively.

8. How do I convert my UK Fiancé visa to a Spouse visa UK? To switch from a UK Fiancé visa to a Spouse visa, you will have to first get married to your partner and freshly apply for a new category of visa, which is the UK Spouse visa. You are required to pay the application fees, Immigration Health Surcharge and submit all the valid documents along with meeting the financial criteria. How do I prove my Fiancé visa UK? You must be able to prove one of the following: you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognized in the UK. you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply. you are a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner and will marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months of arriving. How much bank balance is required for a UK Spouse visa? You and your partner must have a combined income of at least £18,600 a year. Which is faster: UK Fiancé visa or Spouse visa? If you have applied for a Spouse Visa or a Fiancé Visa you should receive a decision within 12 weeks, this time varies , and you may receive a decision sooner. Ultimately, the processing time for spouse and fiancé visas is the same and one is not quicker than the other.

9. Do you have to be engaged to apply for a fiancé visa? No, that’s not a mandatory requirement. You must be able to prove one of the following: you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognized in the UK. you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply. you are a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner and will marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months of arriving. Is IELTS required for a UK Spouse visa? Yes, the IELTS Test is mandatory to obtain a UK Spouse visa. How long does a UK Spouse visa take? If you have applied for a Spouse Visa or a Fiancé Visa you should receive a decision within 12 weeks, this time varies , and you may receive a decision sooner. Ultimately, the processing time for spouse and fiancé visas is the same and one is not quicker than the other.