Confusion over marriage visitor visa

[Parsnip07]

Hi all

My Argentinian Fiancée has applied for a UK marriage visitor visa online via the Gov.UK website in August. The appointment at VFS to provide biometrics and documentation is not until end of September. The rules state you can’t travel any sooner than three months after you apply. In this case, is the date you apply counted as the online application on the Gov website or three months from the appointment at VFS? Thanks all!

[CR001]

That is not what it states.

It states you can (as in "could") apply up to three months before your intended travel date, ie have your visa dated for date of travel. It is not that you apply and can only travel after three months.

Are you planning on settling in the UK??

You do realise she cannot switch to a spouse visa within the UK if she applies for the must cheaper marriage visitor visa. She has to leave the UK and apply from home country for a spouse visa.

[Parsnip07]

Thanks Char. She put 01 December as intended date of travel. She will return to Argentina after we are married as she has a job there. I will rejoin her once I have saved enough for a visit. It wasn’t a cheaper option either.....with the VFS charges the cost was over $400. Appreciate your help.

[Parsnip07]

But I appreciate a spousal visa is more expensive! So I think date of travel/visa valid from 01 December will be acceptable.

[seagul]

Thanks Char. She put 01 December as intended date of travel. She will return to Argentina after we are married as she has a job there. I will rejoin her once I have saved enough for a visit. It wasn’t a cheaper option either.....with the VFS charges the cost was over $400. Appreciate your help.

That process even can be skipped by simply marrying in Argentina where you travel there. That marriage will be valid for visa purpose without registering/remarrying again in UK.

[Parsnip07]

Thanks Seagul, but she wants to marry here as has no family in Argentina and she is very close to my family. I guess if the UK marriage visa is refused we do have that option