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24 Apr Can you extend your fiancé(e) visa in the UK?

Posted on April 24, 2020 in Spouses & Partners by
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The fiancé(e) visa is normally granted for 6 months. A fiancé(e) visa holder should enter the UK and register his/her marriage within 6 months in country. However,  at the time if writing many marriage registrations and wedding ceremonies have to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Can you extend your fiancé (e) visa in the UK if your marriage ceremony has to be delayed?

Under paragraph E-LTRP.1.11. of Appendix FM,  the Immigration Rules state: “If the applicant is in the UK with leave as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner and the marriage or civil partnership did not take place during that period of leave, there must be good reason why and evidence that it will take place within the next 6 months.”

Therefore, under the COVID-19 crisis, it might be possible and necessary for migrants to extend their leave for a further period in order for their marriage to take place. Applicants should explain why their marriage ceremony has to be delayed or postponed, and should provide including evidence of any plans or preparations that their wedding will take place within the further 6 months leave.

In addition, migrants will also need to meet all the other requirement of the fiancé (e) visa application, for instance, a genuine and subsisting relationship with their partner, financial requirements, accommodation requirement, and English language requirement etc.

Please note that applicants will still need to show that they continue to be in a genuine and subsisting relationship with their sponsor. Although the Home Office has already accepted the relationship and granted the entry clearance, the migrant was not able to register his/her marriage during the last period of leave, it is possible that the Home Office might question the applicant’s relationship, intention to get married, and their ability to get married within 6 months.

If the extension is successful, the migrant will be granted for a further 6 months leave and he/she will need to register his/her marriage in this period. Following their marriage ceremony, the migrant will be able to apply for a spouse visa in country prior to their visa expiring.

Contact Our Immigration Team

For expert advice regarding any aspect of the fiancé (e) visa application, please contact our immigration team on 0203 384 3075.

The content of this article is for general use and information only. Since each case should be prepared on its own merit and in light of the constant amendments to the Immigration Rules, it is important to note that the information provided must not be relied upon unless Migra & Co has either given written consent or has been officially engaged in relation to a specific immigration matter. As a result, Migra & Co will take no responsibility for any damage, cost or loss resulting from relying on the information contained in this article, blog and website.