United Kingdom · Spouse visas
United Kingdom Fiancé visa
Income needed: £29k+ a year ≈ $38k
Family visa as a fiance, fiancee or proposed civil partner
Checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
Fiancé visa is a spouse visas route for United Kingdom. Applicants need income of £29k+ a year ≈ $38k. You can stay 6 mo. You can't take local work. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.
- Money needed
- £29k+ a year ≈ $38k
- Government fees
- £2,064 ≈ $2,730
- First stay
- 6 mo
Cost, time and long term
To apply: government fee £2,064 ≈ $2,730; income to show £29k+/yr ≈ $38k. No lawyer or agent fee is included.
Government fees£2,064 ≈ $2,730
- GBP 2,064 (≈ $2,730)Application fee when applying from outside the UK; the same fee applies to each dependant added.
Shown, not spent£29k+/yr ≈ $38k
- GBP 29,000 a year (≈ $38,300)Combined income of applicant and partner; savings can be used instead of income. Different rules apply if the partner gets certain disability or carer benefits.
Renewal6 months max, no extension
The visa lasts 6 months and cannot be extended; after marriage or civil partnership you apply to extend as a partner.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Can't be renewed: 6 months in total at most
- Work isn't allowed on this route
- Not open to passports from Ireland
What you'll need
Who can apply6
- Applicant and partner are both aged 18 or over.
- The partner is a British or Irish citizen or is settled in the UK.
- Applicant and partner intend to live together permanently in the UK.
- The couple plans to marry or become civil partners within 6 months of the applicant arriving in the UK.
- Any previous marriages or civil partnerships of both partners have ended.
- The applicant has a good knowledge of English at CEFR level A1 or equivalent.
What you must show1
- The couple has a combined income of at least GBP29,000 (≈ $38,300) a year, or savings that can replace income.
Steps1
- Apply online from outside the UK.
After you arrive3
- The holder cannot work or study during the engagement.
- After the marriage or civil partnership the holder applies to extend and then gains the right to work or study.
- Time on the fiance visa does not count towards the 5 years needed for settlement.
When you become tax resident
How United Kingdom decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Stay on this route
Up to 6 months in total
- Tax residence
Statutory Residence Test.
- Foreign-source income
New-resident relief (4 years)
Qualifying new UK residents can claim relief on eligible foreign income and gains for their first four tax years of UK residence after at least ten years of non-UK residence; regime replaced the remittance basis on 6 April 2025.
All tax rules for United Kingdom Tax records checked
Full official text
For the partner of a British citizen or settled person who will marry or enter a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months. It allows a 6-month stay, after which the holder applies to extend as a spouse. 1 2 3
What you must show and pay
- Income of at least GBP 29,000 a year (≈ $38,300) · Combined income of applicant and partner; savings can be used instead of income. Different rules apply if the partner gets certain disability or carer benefits. 2
- A fee of GBP 2,064 (≈ $2,730) · Application fee when applying from outside the UK; the same fee applies to each dependant added. 4
Requirements
- Applicant and partner are both aged 18 or over. 1
- The partner is a British or Irish citizen or is settled in the UK. 1
- Applicant and partner intend to live together permanently in the UK. 1
- The couple plans to marry or become civil partners within 6 months of the applicant arriving in the UK. 1
- Any previous marriages or civil partnerships of both partners have ended. 1
- The applicant has a good knowledge of English at CEFR level A1 or equivalent. 3
- The couple has a combined income of at least GBP29,000 (≈ $38,300) a year, or savings that can replace income. 2
- Apply online from outside the UK. 1
- The holder cannot work or study during the engagement. 1
- After the marriage or civil partnership the holder applies to extend and then gains the right to work or study. 1
- Time on the fiance visa does not count towards the 5 years needed for settlement. 1
Stay
- Six months; after marriage or civil partnership the holder applies to extend as a partner.
- Initial permitted stay: 6 months.
- Visa validity: 6 months. Validity is the window to use the visa, not the length you may stay.
- Not renewable according to our source.
Nationality
Non-British, non-Irish nationals needing permission. Not open to: United Kingdom, Ireland.
Work
No work or study is allowed during the engagement.
Official sources
- Family visas: apply as a partner or spouse · GOV.UK (Home Office) · checked 2026-10-11
- Family visas: financial requirements if you are applying as a partner or spouse · GOV.UK (Home Office) · checked 2026-10-11
- Family visas: knowledge of English · GOV.UK (Home Office) · checked 2026-10-11
- UK family visa: how much it costs · UK Government (GOV.UK) · checked 2026-10-11
Fiancé visa and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiancé visa | Needs income of £29k+ a year ≈ $38k | 6 mo | No |
| Spouse or partner visa | Needs income of £29k+ a year ≈ $38k | 2.8 yr, renewable | – |
| Spouse of a citizen Portugal | – | – | – |
| Spouse of a resident Spain | Needs income of €900+ a month ≈ $1,010 | – | Yes |
| Spouse of a resident Georgia | – | 1 yr, renewable | – |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the Fiancé visa?
Income of at least GBP 29,000 a year (≈ $38,300). Combined income of applicant and partner; savings can be used instead of income. A fee of GBP 2,064 (≈ $2,730). Application fee when applying from outside the UK; the same fee applies to each dependant added.
How long can I stay on the Fiancé visa?
Six months; after marriage or civil partnership the holder applies to extend as a partner.
Can I work on the Fiancé visa?
No. No work or study is allowed during the engagement.
Who can apply for the Fiancé visa?
Non-British, non-Irish nationals needing permission. Not open to: United Kingdom, Ireland.
More in United Kingdom
Spouse and partner visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
Ask the AI about this route AI
An AI assistant answers from the published records on this page and cites them. It can't assess your personal eligibility. Don't include personal details.
How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-12 against 4 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Family visas: apply as a partner or spouse · GOV.UK (Home Office) · checked 2026-10-11
- Family visas: financial requirements if you are applying as a partner or spouse · GOV.UK (Home Office) · checked 2026-10-11
- Family visas: knowledge of English · GOV.UK (Home Office) · checked 2026-10-11
- UK family visa: how much it costs · UK Government (GOV.UK) · checked 2026-10-11
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.