The Different Processing Times For The UK's Fiance Visa

The Fiance Visa is an ideal option for those looking to enter the UK to get married. This visa is specifically intended for the partners of British citizens, those who have settled status or those who have humanitarian or refugee status in the UK. One of the more common queries we receive about this specific visa is how long the processing takes, and if there are any circumstances affecting the length of time it takes for the processing to take place.

Obviously, with time normally being an important factor in wedding preparation, these are vital questions. So, in this article, we are going to take a more in-depth look at the UK's Fiancé Visa.

How Long Does The Fiance Visa Take To Be Processed?

On average, it takes 6-8 weeks for a Fiance Visa to be processed. There are many extenuating circumstances which may result in your specific Fiance Visa taking longer to process. You must bear this in mind when making any preparations for a ceremony. You also need to bear in mind the fact you may not actually be accepted; the Fiance Visa, despite its short length of stay, is complex - there are many potential pitfalls which could end in a refusal.

If you are looking to give yourself the best chance of visa application success, get in touch with our specialist immigration solicitors. We can help to gather and prepare all the necessary documentation (which is vital to a successful application), including any proof of previous marriages which have successfully ended. It is very important your history is clearly documented - our team can help ensure this. We can also help you to make the application and deal with any queries you may have about the visa. We can also help you to settle in the UK after your wedding day.

Does My Country Of Origin Affect The Processing Time Of A Fiance Visa?

Potentially, yes.

Some countries have significantly busier embassies than others - it is important for you to factor this in. While some countries will help to process a very quick application, you may wait months for others. It is this disparity which sometimes causes large variances in application time estimates. We may be able to give you a better idea of the timeframe by checking against previous applications. While this is not an exact science, it can be a very useful guideline.

Many overseas British consulates process the applications of more than one country; for instance, the British consulate in the Philippines handles the processing requirements of several countries, including the Philippines itself. This can cause a backlog in applications, slowing the whole process down for everybody involved. If this is the case for your country of origin, it may be worth checking if there are any local options for a fast application.

Can I Speed Up The Process Of Applying For A Fiance Visa?

Some countries do offer an expedited service, such as the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan and a handful of other countries. These are normally for straightforward applications, allowing the applicants to pay a fee to significantly reduce the waiting time. Either contact us or the British consulate in your country of origin to see if this is a service being offered locally.

Even if there is no such service in your local consulate, by using our service you can help to ensure your application, once in processing, is handled quickly and efficiently. We help to take the legwork out of the process by producing the exact documentation they require when processing an application, therefore making a quick approval much more likely.

If you are in a hurry, it is worth checking out the services available to you locally to see if there are some helpful options.

Can I Book A Wedding While Waiting For A Fiance Visa To Be Processed?

Theoretically, you could book your wedding while you are waiting for your Fiance Visa to be processed, but we would caution against it. While we can certainly help to push the process along, there may be extenuating circumstances which result in your application taking longer than average, or even being rejected. We know getting married is an exciting time, but often it is worth waiting just to ensure you will be allowed into the country at the right time. This being said, if you are planning a large wedding, it may be a good idea to try and provisionally book a venue if it is likely to be busy - just be mindful of your application potentially being unsuccessful.

It might also be a good idea to employ the services of a wedding planner here in the UK. They will have all the necessary contacts and, in all likelihood, will have experience dealing with precisely your situation. This may be ideal if you need to get ideas and planning started before entering the country.

Need More Help?

If you need more help or advice with a Fiance Visa query, then please get in touch. Our team of immigration Solicitors have all the up-to-the-minute information and expertise you need to make your wedding a success in the UK. We cover everything from applications to appeals. So get in touch today and our team will be more than happy to help.