FIANCE(E)S
Fiancé(e)s of UK citizens, Irish citizens or people otherwise settled in the UK can apply for visas to come to the UK. These visas are usually for six months only, during which time it is expected that the couple will get married. It may be possible to extend this for a further maximum period of six months by explaining to the Home Office why you did not get married during the first six months, and stating when you will be getting married. Such applications can only be made before the first visa expires.

Applications cannot be made from within the UK and can only be made to British embassies or consulates abroad. There is a fee of £260 for making a fiancé(e) visa application.

To obtain a fiancé(e) visa, the couple will have to show that they are in a genuine relationship, planning to marry and that they have sufficient financial resources and accommodation to support and house themselves without public funds for the foreign fiancé(e). The fiancé(e) will not be allowed to take employment during the period of the fiancé(e) visa. Once married, an application to remain in the UK as a spouse should be made on form FLR(M)

SPOUSE
Spouses or partners of UK citizens or of persons settled in the UK, which automatically includes Irish citizens, can initially apply to the UK immigration authorities for a two year visa under the UK immigration rules. This is also referred to as ‘probationary’ period.

If the foreign spouse is not yet in the UK, the application for leave (or permission) to enter the UK as a spouse/partner of a UK citizen can be made to the British embassy, consulate or high commission in the country in which they are living. A fee of approximately £260 is charged for a spouse/partner application, whether or not it is successful.

The Entry Clearance Officer who considers the application for a visa will have to be satisfied that the couple intend to live together permanently and that they can maintain and accommodate themselves without 'additional recourse to public funds'. This means that the applicants will have to show that they have enough money and adequate housing for themselves, without claiming any social security benefits for the non UK spouse/partner. Any benefit claim for the UK spouse/partner and/or their children is not affected by this restriction on the foreign spouse/partner.