Marriage visa
Spouses who are married to a British citizen or to someone with permanent residence in the UK may apply to come to the UK under the marriage visa category or “switch” to marriage leave in the UK from a different category. Holders of spouse leave are entitled to work in either employment or self-empoloyment without restriction.
The following requirements must be met:
- The British citizen or permanent resident must have actually met their non-UK spouse. This is to prevent a situation that occurs sometimes in arranged marriages where the husband and wife have never met.
- Both parties must be at least 21 years old.
- The couple must intend to live together permanently.
- The couple must possess sufficient funds to support family living expenses and those of any dependants without claiming any state benefits.
- There must be suitable accommodation for the couple and any dependants.
It is possible to switch to spouse leave from various other immigration categories but not, for example, from visitor leave.
In some cases it is possible for a spouse of a British citizen/permanent resident who has been living with them outside the UK as their spouse for at least four years to come to the UK with their spouse on a marriage visa.
Children under 18 years old are allowed to apply as dependants, and can make their application at the same time as the main applicant.
