If you are a British or eligible UK-based sponsor and you want to marry your Thai girlfriend in the UK before living together there, she may need to apply as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner under the family visa rules.
2026 check: Fiancé(e) visa rules, financial requirements and English language requirements can change. Check current GOV.UK family visa guidance before applying.
What is a UK fiancé(e) visa?
A fiancé(e) visa allows the applicant to come to the UK to marry or enter into a civil partnership with their eligible UK-based partner. GOV.UK currently states that the couple must plan to marry or become civil partners within 6 months of arriving in the UK.
Common requirements
The evidence depends on the case, but commonly includes:
- Both partners are 18 or over.
- The relationship is genuine and continuing.
- The couple has met in person.
- The couple plans to marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months.
- Any previous marriages or civil partnerships have ended.
- The couple intends to live together permanently after marriage or civil partnership.
- The financial requirement is met unless an exemption applies.
- The English language requirement is met unless an exemption applies.
- Suitable accommodation is available.
Financial requirement warning
Older articles often refer to the previous £18,600 income threshold. GOV.UK currently states that many new partner applicants need to show combined income of at least £29,000 a year, with exceptions and transitional rules in some cases.
English language requirement
The applicant may need to pass an approved English language test or use another accepted form of evidence. The test must be accepted for UK visa purposes.
Dependants
Dependent children may need to apply under the correct family route. These cases should be checked carefully before applying because child evidence and parental responsibility issues can be complex.
After the wedding
After the marriage or civil partnership, the applicant normally needs to apply in the UK to extend as a spouse or civil partner if the couple intends to live in the UK long term.
How Thai Visa Express can help
Thai Visa Express can help identify the correct route, prepare relationship and wedding-plan evidence, and review the supporting documents before submission.