UK Information about husbands, wives, fiancés and fiancées
Original source:
United Kingdom Immigration & Nationality Directorate
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/
Important! Please always visit the original sources above for the latest updates.
These pages explain what the UK Immigration Rules say about husbands, wives, fiancés or fiancées coming to the United Kingdom with, or to join someone who is settled here. They are only a guide and aim to answer frequently asked questions.
Can my husband, wife, fiancé or fiancée come to the United Kingdom?
Your husband, wife, fiancé or fiancée may apply to come with you or join you in the United Kingdom as long as:
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you currently live and are settled in the United Kingdom; or
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you are returning to the United Kingdom with them to live here permanently
How does my husband or wife qualify?
He or she must also show that:
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you are legally married to each other;
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you are going to live together permanently as man and wife;
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you have met each other;
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you can support yourselves and any dependants without help from public funds;
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you have adequate accommodation where you and your dependants can live without help from public funds; and
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he or she is not under 16.
If you have more than one husband or wife, only one of them will be allowed to join you here as your husband or wife.
Your husband or wife must get entry clearance before they travel to the United Kingdom.
When your husband or wife arrives in the United Kingdom, they will be given permission to stay and work for 12 months. Near the end of the 12 months, if you are still married and plan to live together, your husband or wife may apply to remain here permanently.
How does my fiancé or fiancée qualify to come to the United Kingdom?
Your fiancé or fiancée must show that:
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you plan to marry within a reasonable time (usually six months);
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you plan to live together permanently after you are married;
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you have met each other;
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there is somewhere for him or her and any dependants to live until you are married without help from public funds; and
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they and any dependants can be supported without working or having to get help from public funds.
We will give your fiancé or fiancée permission to stay here for six months but they must not work. When you are married, your husband or wife may apply to stay here. If we approve the application, we will give your husband or wife permission to stay and work for 12 months. Near the end of 12 months, your husband or wife may apply to stay here permanently.
Your fiancé or fiancée must get entry clearance before they travel to the United Kingdom.
How does my husband or wife apply to stay in the United Kingdom permanently?
You will need to complete an application form. Applications, except those for asylum and work permits or under European Community law, will not be valid unless they are made on the appropriate application form. You can get copies of application forms from this website.
To apply for further leave to remain, get form FLR(M).
To apply for indefinite leave to remain, get form SET(M).
If you are not sure which application form you should complete, the Applications Forms Unit will be able to help you. You can telephone them on 0870 241 0645.
You should send the completed form, by post, before your permission to stay ends. The application form will give you details of all the documents you will need to send with your application and where you should send it.
If you need to travel urgently you can apply in person at one of our public enquiry offices.
All documents should be originals unless you have a good reason why you cannot produce them with your application. We will not normally accept photocopies.
Can my husband, wife, fiancé or fiancée's children join us?
There is a separate page giving details about
children coming to the United Kingdom.
What are public funds?
If you come to live or stay in the United Kingdom, you must be able to support and accommodate yourself without claiming certain state benefits. These are:
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Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA);
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housing and homelessness assistance;
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Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit;
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Working Families' Tax Credit;
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a social fund payment
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Child Benefit; or
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any disability allowance.
What is entry clearance?
Entry clearance is a visa or entry clearance certificate you are given so you can travel to the United Kingdom. You must apply for entry clearance to the British Embassy, High Commission or other British Diplomatic Mission (known as British Diplomatic Posts) in the country where your husband, wife, fiancé or fiancée lives.
You can get advice about which British Diplomatic Posts can issue entry clearance any British Diplomatic Post abroad.
You can get guidance leaflets and information about visas from UK visas. Please write to:
Visa Correspondence Section
UKvisas
London
SW1A 2AH
United Kingdom.
General enquiries: +44 (0)20 7008 8438
Application forms: +44 (0)20 7008 8308
Fax numbers: +44 (0)20 7008 8359/8361
