Filipino citizens who are engaged to or married to a British citizen or someone with settled status in the UK can apply for a Fiancée or Spouse Visa to live together in the UK. These visa types allow partners to build a life together in the United Kingdom under the family migration route.
The United Kingdom has seen a growing number of partner visa applications from the Philippines due to strong family ties and cross-cultural relationships. The two most common visa routes are the Fiancée Visa and the Spouse Visa, each with its own set of requirements.
The UK Fiancée Visa allows a Filipino national to travel to the UK for 6 months to marry their British partner. Once married, they can switch to a Spouse Visa while remaining in the UK.
To be eligible, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Fiancée Visa holders are not allowed to work or study in the UK until they switch to a Spouse Visa after the wedding.
The Spouse Visa is for those who are already married to their British partner. It allows the Filipino spouse to live, work, and study in the UK for an initial period of 2.5 years. The visa can be extended, and after five years, the applicant may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
Applicants must submit a valid marriage certificate (from the Philippines or UK), evidence of a genuine relationship, meet the income requirement, and show that they intend to live together permanently.
Applications are completed online via the UKVI portal. After submitting the application, the Filipino applicant must schedule a biometric appointment at the UK Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Manila or Cebu. All supporting documents, including certified translations of Filipino-language documents, must be uploaded electronically or submitted during the appointment.
The Priority Visa Service is available in the Philippines and can reduce processing time to around 30 working days. Standard processing usually takes 2–3 months.
Applications are often refused due to weak evidence of the relationship, missing financial documentation, or insufficient English language proof. To avoid refusal, applicants should include photos together, chat logs, letters, remittance history, and proof of travel or cohabitation.
Fiancée Visa holders must marry within 6 months and then apply for a Spouse Visa. Spouse Visa holders are eligible to work and study and can begin the path to permanent settlement and citizenship after 5 years of lawful residence.
We specialize in helping Filipino applicants apply for UK Marriage and Fiancée Visas. Let us guide you through every step of the process.
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