Marriage In The Uk: Options For International Students

International students on a Tier 4 Student Visa in the UK can get married, but their visa status is not the main concern. The primary issue is the genuineness of their relationship, which will be assessed by their local registry office. International students can marry a foreign national on a valid visa of more than six months or a British citizen or resident. While marriage does not guarantee the right to reside in the UK, it is possible to switch to a Spouse Visa, which allows individuals to live, work and study in the country.

International students can get married in the UK on a Tier 4 Student Visa

International students in the UK on a Tier 4 Student Visa can get married or enter into a civil partnership. There are no restrictions on entering a genuine and legal marriage or civil partnership while on this type of visa. However, it is important to note that you must have been in the UK for at least seven days and your visa must not have expired before the date of your marriage.

To get married in the UK, individuals on a Tier 4 Student Visa must notify their local registry office at least 29 days before their wedding date, and no more than 12 months in advance. The registry office may investigate the relationship to ensure it is genuine and not a marriage of convenience to remain in the country. Proof of a genuine relationship may include documents and photos that show you live together.

After getting married, individuals on a Tier 4 Student Visa can apply for a Spouse Visa to remain in the UK. The Spouse Visa application requires proof of a genuine relationship, knowledge of English, and financial records showing sufficient funds for living costs. The Spouse Visa is typically valid for two years and nine months and allows individuals to live, work, and study in the UK. After five years of continuous residence in the UK, individuals may be eligible for indefinite leave to remain.

It is important to note that even if your spouse is a British citizen, getting married does not automatically grant you the right to reside in the UK. Unless one partner is a UK resident or citizen, your Tier 4 Student Visa may expire without the possibility of extension. Consulting an immigration lawyer is advisable to ensure you meet all the necessary criteria and understand the specific requirements for your situation.

They can switch to a Spouse Visa, but they must meet eligibility criteria

International students on a Tier 4 student visa in the UK can get married. However, they will need to switch to a Spouse Visa to remain in the country with their partner, and they must meet the eligibility criteria.

The Spouse Visa enables eligible foreign nationals to live with their partner in the UK if their partner is a British citizen or a settled person. The applicant must be either married, in a civil partnership, or unmarried. The visa is initially granted for up to 2 years and 9 months, after which it can be extended for a further 2 years and 6 months. Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria and pay a fee of £1,258 if they are in the UK or £1,846 if they are outside the UK. The application can be made online, and applicants will need to provide their marriage or civil partnership certificate, as well as proof of their knowledge of English and financial status.

To prove their knowledge of English, applicants can submit a certificate showing the successful completion of their studies in the UK. To prove their financial status, they will need to provide financial records going back at least 28 days to show sufficient funds for their living costs. Applicants will also need to prove that they have been living with their partner for at least two years before their application. If they cannot prove this, they will need to show their relationship is genuine by providing evidence such as letters confirming they and their partner are on the voting register for the same address or student finance paperwork confirming they live at the same address.

Additionally, applicants must prove their combined gross annual income with their partner is at least £29,000. However, if they applied for a fiancé, fiancée, or proposed civil partner visa before 11 April 2024, they will only need to meet the previous £18,600 income threshold. If the applicant has children who are citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland and do not have pre-settled status or permanent settlement in the UK, they may not need to prove they have extra money.

After five years of continuous residence in the UK, applicants may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain.

They must prove their relationship is genuine and not for convenience

International students on a Tier 4 Student Visa in the UK can get married. However, they must prove that their relationship is genuine and not a marriage of convenience to obtain a spouse visa. The local registry office may carry out an investigation to ensure the marriage is not a way for the student to remain in the country. To prove the authenticity of their relationship, couples can provide photos and documents related to their relationship, such as proof of living together. Additionally, the couple must meet other requirements, such as demonstrating a good knowledge of English and financial stability. If the international student's partner is a British citizen or has settled rights in the UK, the student can apply for a spouse visa after getting married. This visa allows the student to stay in the UK for an initial period of 2.5 years and provides the option to extend their stay or apply for indefinite leave to remain after five years of continuous residence.

It is important to note that while international students can get married in the UK, they may still need to seek expert immigration law advice to ensure they meet the necessary criteria and avoid any complications. Additionally, even if the spouse is a British citizen, the student is not automatically granted the right to reside in the UK after their Student visa expires. They must apply for a spouse visa and fulfill all the requirements, including providing proof of their relationship and financial status.

To prove that a relationship is genuine and not for convenience, international students can take several steps. Firstly, they should ensure that they have lived with their partner for a period of time before getting married. This allows them to build a history as a couple and makes it easier to provide evidence of their relationship. They can also keep photographs and documents that pertain to their relationship, such as proof of how they met, how often they see each other, and any joint activities or experiences they have shared. These documents can be presented to the registry office or during the spouse visa application process to demonstrate the authenticity of the relationship.

Additionally, international students can seek help from immigration solicitors or family law solicitors, who can provide guidance and advice on the required proofs and documents. These legal professionals can offer services such as prenuptial agreements and help ensure a stress-free process for the couple. By following these steps and providing the necessary evidence, international students can prove that their relationship is genuine and not for the convenience of obtaining residency in the UK.

In conclusion, while international students on a Tier 4 Student Visa in the UK are allowed to get married, they must take steps to prove that their relationship is genuine and not a marriage of convenience. By providing evidence of their relationship and meeting other requirements, they can obtain a spouse visa and continue their lives with their partners in the UK. Seeking legal advice can also help ensure a smooth process and provide guidance on the specific requirements needed to prove the authenticity of their relationship.

They can marry a foreign national with a valid visa or a British citizen

International students on a Tier 4 student visa in the UK are allowed to get married. If you are an international student and you want to marry a foreign national, your partner will need a valid visa (lasting more than six months) or a Marriage Visitor Visa. If your partner is a British citizen, you can get married without them needing a visa. However, you will still need to give notice of your wedding to your local registry office at least 29 days before your wedding date.

Getting Married on a Student Visa

If you are an international student on a Tier 4 visa and you want to get married, your visa must be valid at the time of your marriage. There are no specific restrictions on getting married while in the UK on a Tier 4 visa. However, it is important to note that you will need to go through the immigration process to remain in the UK after your marriage.

Switching to a Spouse Visa

After getting married, you can switch from a Tier 4 visa to a spouse visa. The process typically takes around eight weeks, but it can be accelerated for an additional cost. To apply for a spouse visa, you will need to complete an online application form and submit proof of your marriage or civil partnership. You will also need to provide evidence of your knowledge of English and your financial status.

Requirements for a Spouse Visa

In addition to providing a marriage certificate, you may be asked to provide information on your previous marriages and partners with whom you have children. You will also need to prove that you have a good knowledge of English and can financially support yourself and any dependents. Your partner must be a British citizen or have settled rights in the UK (ILR, settled status, or permanent residence).

They can seek legal advice to ensure a smooth transition

International students on a Tier 4 student visa in the UK are allowed to get married. However, unless their spouse or partner is a UK citizen, they may not be entitled to remain in the UK after their student visa expires. To continue staying in the UK with their spouse, they will need to switch to a spouse visa.

The process of switching to a spouse visa can be complex, and it is highly recommended to seek legal advice to ensure a smooth transition. Immigration solicitors can help international students navigate the requirements and restrictions of getting married in the UK. They can provide guidance on the necessary criteria, documentation, and application process, reducing any potential complications.

For instance, to switch to a spouse visa, individuals must prove their knowledge of English and their financial status. A certificate showing the completion of studies in the UK can demonstrate English proficiency. Additionally, financial records for at least 28 days may be required to show sufficient funds for living costs. Legal professionals can assist in gathering and presenting this evidence effectively.

Furthermore, legal advice can help clarify the specific circumstances of each case. For instance, if the marriage is to a foreign national, both individuals must provide the registry office with specific documents. A solicitor can help ensure that all necessary paperwork is in order, reducing potential delays or issues.

In addition to immigration solicitors, family law solicitors can also provide valuable support. They can assist with prenuptial agreements and other family law matters, ensuring that all legal aspects of the marriage are addressed. Seeking legal advice can provide peace of mind and help ensure a smooth transition to married life in the UK for international students.

Frequently asked questions