Guide to Bringing a Foreign Bride into the UK
Information about husbands, wives, fiancés and fiancées
This page explains what the UK Immigration Rules say about husbands,
wives, fiancés or fiancées coming to the United Kingdom
with, or to join someone who is settled here. They are only a guide
and aim to answer some frequently asked questions.
Can my husband, wife, fiancé or fiancée come to
the United Kingdom?
Your husband, wife, fiancé or fiancée may apply to
come with you or join you in the United Kingdom as long as:
- you currently live and are settled in the United Kingdom; or
- you are returning to the United Kingdom with them to live here
permanently
- you are aged 18 or over
How does my husband or wife qualify?
He or she must also show that:
- you are legally married to each other;
- you are going to live together permanently as man and wife;
- you have met each other;
- you can support yourselves and any dependants without help from
public funds;
- you have adequate accommodation where you and your dependants
can live without help from public funds; and
- he or she is not under 16.
If you have more than one husband or wife, only one of them will
be allowed to join you here as your husband or wife.
Your husband or wife must get entry clearance before they travel
to the United Kingdom.
When your husband or wife arrives in the United Kingdom, they will
be given permission to stay and work for 2 years. Near the end of
the 2 years, if you are still married and plan to live together,
your husband or wife may apply to remain here permanently. Or;
In some cases, the Immigaration Service can grant settlement entry
clearance. This gives your husband or wife permission to settle
in the UK permanently as soon as he or she arrives. To get settlement
entry clearance, you must:
- have married four years ago;
- have spent that four years living together outside the United
Kindgom; and
- now be returning to the UK to settle here together
How does my fiancé or fiancée qualify to come to
the United Kingdom?
Your fiancé or fiancée must show that:
- you plan to marry within a reasonable time (usually six months);
- you plan to live together permanently after you are married;
- you have met each other;
- there is somewhere for him or her and any dependants to live
until you are married without help from public funds; and
- he or she and any dependants can be supported without working
or having to get help from public funds.
The Immigaration Service will give your fiancé or fiancée
permission to stay here for six months but they must not work. When
you are married, your husband or wife may apply to stay here. If
the Immigaration Service approve the application, they will give
your husband or wife permission to stay and work for 2 years. Near
the end of 2 years, your husband or wife may apply to stay here
permanently.
Your fiancé or fiancée must get entry clearance before
they travel to the United Kingdom.
Disclaimer: While every care has been taken in preparing this information,
it is intended only for general guidance and may, in certain circumstances,
have been overtaken by events. ukCupid will not accept any liability
for any loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained
herein. Applicants should always clarify their position with the
British
Immigration and Nationality Directorate.
How does my husband or wife apply to stay in the United Kingdom
permanently?
You will need to complete an application form. Applications, except
those for asylum and work permits or under European Community law,
will not be valid unless they are made on the appropriate application
form. You can get copies of application forms below.
- To apply for further leave to remain, get form FLR(M).
- To apply for indefinite leave to remain, get form SET(M).
If you are in any doubt as to which form you should use, please
telephone the Immigration and Nationality Enquiry Bureau on 0870
606 7766.
You should send the completed form, by post, before your permission
to stay ends. The application form will give you details of all
the documents you will need to send with your application and where
you should send it.
If you need to travel urgently you can apply in person at one of
the public
enquiry offices.
All documents should be originals unless you have a good reason
why you cannot produce them with your application. The Immigaration
Service will not normally accept photocopies.
What are public funds?
If you come to live or stay in the United Kingdom, you must be
able to support and accommodate yourself without claiming certain
state benefits. These are:
- Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA);
- housing and homelessness assistance;
- Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit;
- Working Families' Tax Credit;
- a social fund payment
- Child Benefit; or
- any disability allowance.
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