Family
Fiancé or proposed civil partner visa for Indian applicants
Direct answer
Reviewed by UK Visa Desk counselling team, Visa counsellors, Pro Lifeset Overseas Pvt Ltd, Patiala. Licence 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024. Last verified .
Home Office fee
£2,064
about ₹2,73,129 at 132.33 INR/GBP, effective 8 April 2026
Verified 8 October 2026 · source
Health surcharge
Not payable
This route is exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge
Verified 8 October 2026
Processing time from India
12 weeks
Priority 30 working days
Verified 8 October 2026
Our filing price
₹29,999
All-in, GST included
Verified 8 October 2026
Summary
In short
The UK Fiancé visa from India costs £2,064, about ₹2,73,129 at the Home Office rate, under the fee table effective 8 April 2026, with no health surcharge for the 6-month grant. The test is the same as the Partner visa: £29,000 sponsor income or cash savings, A1 English, adequate accommodation and a genuine relationship, plus a credible plan to marry within 6 months of arrival. Decisions take about 12 weeks after biometrics, and priority at £500 aims for 30 working days. The common Indian mistake is choosing this route when the wedding could be held in India, which adds a second application, the surcharge and 6 months without work.
In practice
Worked example
Example: an Amritsar teacher marrying her fiancé in Southall. A file like the ones the desk prepares; the figures are from the datasets and dated.
The situation
Priya Sharma, 27, is a fictional teacher at a private school in Amritsar. Her fiancé Rohan, a British citizen and accounts assistant in Southall, was introduced through family in 2025, and the roka took place in Amritsar in March 2026. Rohan's parents are elderly and cannot travel, so the Hindu ceremony at a registered temple and the civil registration are set for Southall in April 2027. Rohan has been with his employer since 2022 on £2,500 gross a month, and the couple will live with his parents in a 3-bedroom house with an inspection report. Priya passed PTE Home A1 at an Amritsar centre and holds ₹4 lakh of her own savings for the months she cannot work. They apply in October 2026, 6 months before the wedding.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Visa fee | £2,064, about ₹2,73,129 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge at this stage | £0 for a 6-month visa applied for outside the UK |
| Surcharge payable later at the in-UK Partner switch, 30 months | £2,587.50, about ₹3,42,404 |
| Sponsor's gross annual salary (12 payslips at £2,500) | £30,000, about ₹39,69,900 |
| Minimum income requirement | £29,000, about ₹38,37,570 |
| Her own savings for the months without work | ₹4,00,000 |
| Months without work after arrival | Up to 6, until the Partner visa is granted |
| Priority settlement service | £500, about ₹66,165, usually 30 working days; not chosen |
| Gap between application and wedding date | 6 months, against a recommended minimum of 5 |
Outcome
The visa is granted for 6 months, and after the wedding Priya applies in the UK for leave as a partner. The wedding plan is proved by the temple booking and the register office notice appointment, the income pack is in the Appendix FM-SE format, and the relationship history runs from the family introduction to the present. The same file would have been refused for no credible wedding plan if the temple were not registered for marriages and no civil notice had been booked. It would have failed E-ECP.3.1 if Rohan's payslips had shown £27,000 with no savings to cover the gap.
The officer’s view
What the officer checks
What the officer checks on a Fiancé file from India
| What they check | Why it matters | Evidence that answers it |
|---|---|---|
| Do you intend to marry within 6 months of arrival? | Appendix FM E-ECP.2.10 for a fiancé requires an intention to marry or form a civil partnership within 6 months, and the officer wants a plan, not a hope. | Register office notice appointment, venue or temple booking with the date, and confirmation that the place of worship is registered for marriages or that a civil ceremony is booked. |
| Have you met in person and is the relationship genuine? | E-ECP.2.6 and 2.7 require a genuine relationship and at least one meeting in person. An arranged match is accepted when the introduction and engagement are shown. | Roka or ring ceremony photographs with dates, the sponsor's passport stamps for India, chat and call records, and statements from both families. |
| Are both of you free to marry? | E-ECP.2.9 requires any previous marriage or civil partnership to have permanently broken down, and the register office needs the proof. | Decree absolute, an Indian family court decree, or a death certificate of a former spouse, with certified translations. |
| Does the sponsor meet the financial requirement in the specified form? | E-ECP.3.1 sets £29,000 and Appendix FM-SE lists the exact payslips, statements and employer letter, or the SA302 and accounts for self-employment. | 6 months of payslips with matching bank statements and the employer letter, or 6 months of savings statements where cash savings cover the shortfall. |
| Is English at A1 proved? | E-ECP.4.1 requires an approved SELT at A1 or a degree taught in English with Ecctis confirmation, from the first application onward. | A1 certificate from an approved provider and centre, or the degree certificate with the Ecctis statement. |
| Is there adequate accommodation for both of you? | E-ECP.3.4 requires accommodation without overcrowding or public funds, and a fiancé often moves into the in-laws' home. | Tenancy, mortgage statement or owner's letter and a property inspection report for a shared house. |
| Is the sponsor's status proved, the TB certificate valid, and nothing in Part 9? | E-ECP.2.1 requires a British, settled or protected sponsor; India is a TB-listed country; Part 9 and S-EC cover deception and previous breaches. | British passport or settlement evidence, TB certificate within 6 months, and declared refusals from any country. |
From the desk
Mistakes we see
From files Indian applicants have brought to the desk after a refusal, most frequent first.
| The mistake | What it costs | The fix |
|---|---|---|
| No wedding booking, only a statement that the family will arrange it after arrival | E-ECP.2.10 is not met because the officer sees no credible plan to marry within 6 months, so the application is refused. | Book the register office notice appointment and the venue before applying, and put the date on the form. |
| A wedding date set 3 months after applying | The 12-week decision and the 28 days of notice after arrival mean the date passes, and the deposit paid to the venue is lost. | Set the wedding at least 5 months after the application date, or 6 to be safe, and keep evidence of the booking. |
| Expecting to work part-time during the 6 months | Work is prohibited on the Fiancé visa, and a breach is a Part 9 ground that can refuse the Partner application after the wedding. | Show savings or the sponsor's support for 6 months, and wait for the Partner grant before taking any job. |
| Choosing the £135 Marriage Visitor visa to save money when the couple will stay | The visitor visa cannot be switched to a Partner visa in the UK, so the applicant must return to India and apply again, losing time and the fee. | Compare the routes in week 1: Fiancé if the wedding must be in the UK, Partner if you can marry in India first. |
| Payslips and bank statements that do not cover the same 6 months | Appendix FM-SE is not satisfied and E-ECP.3.1 is cited, even where the income is above £29,000. | Align the months, mark each salary credit, and have the employer letter state the same period. |
| A religious ceremony at a venue not registered for marriages, with no civil registration | The marriage is not legally recognised, so the in-UK Partner application fails for want of a valid marriage. | Ask the register office whether the gurdwara or temple is registered; if not, book a civil ceremony alongside the religious one. |
| Arranged-match evidence limited to the roka photographs | E-ECP.2.6 is cited because the officer cannot see the relationship continuing after the engagement. | Add the chat and call record since the roka, the sponsor's visits, joint planning for the wedding and statements from both families. |
| Relying on the applicant's Indian salary to reach £29,000 | Only the UK sponsor's income counts at entry clearance, so the application is refused under E-ECP.3.1. | Use the sponsor's income, or hold cash savings of £16,000 plus 2.5 times the shortfall for 6 months. |
Step by step
Timeline
From the first document to the decision, in the order Indian applicants actually do it.
Step 1: Decide between Fiancé and marrying in India first
Week 1Run the spouse income checker and compare the cost of two applications against one. Choose Fiancé only if the wedding must happen in the UK.
Step 2: Fix the wedding date and book the venue and notice
Week 2, with the wedding 5 to 6 months awayConfirm the venue is registered for marriages or book a civil ceremony. Keep the booking emails for the application.
Step 3: Book the A1 test and the TB test
Weeks 2 to 5Use an approved SELT centre in Punjab and an approved TB clinic. The TB certificate must still be valid on the application date.
Step 4: Sponsor assembles the Appendix FM-SE pack
Weeks 2 to 56 payslips, matching statements and the employer letter, or self-employment documents for the last tax year. Add accommodation evidence and an inspection report if the house is shared.
Step 5: Complete the form and pay the fee
Week 6Pay £2,064 in rupees at the Home Office rate; no surcharge applies at this stage. Add £500 for the priority settlement service if the wedding date is tight.
Step 6: Biometrics day
1 to 2 weeks after bookingAttend VFS with the passport, the TB certificate and the printed checklist. The passport is held unless you pay for Keep My Passport While Applying.
Step 7: Decision
12 weeks after biometrics, usually 30 working days on priorityVerification calls to the employer or family can add time. Reply to any Home Office request by its deadline.
Step 8: Passport return, travel and notice
2 to 3 days after the decision, then Day 1 to 2 in the UKTravel within the vignette window and give notice at the register office at once. The ceremony can take place 28 days later.
Step 9: Marry and apply for the Partner visa in the UK
Before the 6-month visa expiresThe in-UK application pays a new fee and the surcharge for 30 months. We refer that stage to a regulated UK adviser, since we file only from India.
Home Office data
How Indian applicants fare
Indian couples choose this route when the wedding will take place in the UK, usually because the sponsor's family is settled there or the sponsor cannot travel for a long Indian wedding. The eligibility test is the same as the Partner visa: £29,000 income or savings, A1 English, adequate accommodation and a genuine relationship, with the added need to show a wedding plan. The 6-month visa does not allow work, so the applicant must be supported until the Partner visa is granted. Decisions from India take about 12 weeks, so the wedding date should sit at least 5 months after you apply.
The rules
Eligibility
- Your partner is British, settled in the UK, or has refugee or humanitarian protection status, and you intend to marry or form a civil partnership within 6 months of arrival
- You have met in person and the relationship is genuine and subsisting (E-ECP.2.6 and 2.10)
- Any previous marriage or civil partnership of either partner has legally ended
- Financial requirement: the sponsor earns £29,000 gross a year, or cash savings of £16,000 plus 2.5 times any shortfall held for 6 months
- English at CEFR A1 from an approved SELT provider, or an English-taught degree with Ecctis confirmation
- Adequate accommodation for both of you without recourse to public funds
- TB certificate from an approved clinic in India and no Part 9 suitability issues
Checklist
Documents, named the Indian way
- Passports for both partners and the sponsor's proof of British citizenship or settlement
- Evidence of the engagement: roka or ring ceremony photographs, family introduction, and statements from both families
- Wedding plan: register office notice appointment, venue booking, or gurdwara or temple confirmation with the date
- Relationship history: dated photographs, chat and call records, visits to India, money transfers
- Sponsor's 6 months of payslips, matching bank statements and the employer letter in the Appendix FM-SE format
- Cash savings statements covering 6 months if savings are used
- A1 English certificate or degree with Ecctis statement
- TB test certificate from an approved clinic in India
- Accommodation evidence: tenancy, mortgage or owner's letter and a property inspection report if shared
- Divorce decree absolute or death certificate for any previous marriage
In rupees
Cost from India, in rupees
| Charge | GBP | INR |
|---|---|---|
| Fiance(e) or proposed civil partner entry clearance, Appendix FM application fee | £2,064 | ₹2,73,129 |
| UK Visa Desk all-in filing price, GST includedPaid to Pro Lifeset Overseas Pvt Ltd. Home Office fees are paid by you on gov.uk. | ₹29,999 | |
| Required Home Office charges plus our filing price | £2,064 | ₹3,03,128 |
Fees from the Home Office table effective 8 April 2026, verified 8 October 2026; converted at 132.33 INR per GBP (8 October 2026). Pass-through charges paid on gov.uk; card and bank margins extra. Optional lines are not in the total.
Risk
Why Indian applications are refused
- E-ECP.3.1: income below £29,000 or evidence not in the Appendix FM-SE format
- E-ECP.2.6: officer not satisfied the relationship is genuine, especially where the couple met only briefly
- No credible wedding plan within 6 months, or a previous marriage not dissolved
- E-ECP.4.1: English test from a provider or centre not on the approved list
- Accommodation not shown to be adequate, or the sponsor's status not proved
- Undeclared refusals or an adverse UK immigration history under Part 9
Fiance(e): intention to marry within 6 months
The officer was not satisfied a wedding is genuinely planned in the UK within 6 months, or that the relationship is genuine. Evidence of the booking and plans is required, not just the intention.
What to fix: register office notice appointment or venue contract; relationship pack as for E-ECP.2.6; full financial evidence under Appendix FM-SE.
Decode E-ECP.2.10 (fiance)Exclusion or deportation order in force
A mandatory refusal: you were deported from the UK or formally excluded, and that order is still in force. No visa can be granted until the order is revoked.
What to fix: apply for revocation of the deportation order (normally after 10 years, earlier only in exceptional cases) with a UK regulated adviser; do not submit new visa applications while the order stands; each refusal adds to the record.
Decode 9.2.1Presence not conducive to the public good
The officer considers your behaviour, character or associations make you unsuitable, for example extremism, serious dishonesty not covered by other paragraphs, or a pattern of conduct abroad. Used rarely but it is mandatory.
What to fix: obtain the full reasons (ask for the decision notice and consider a Subject Access Request); character evidence and clearance certificates; this ground usually needs legal representation.
Decode 9.3.1Free tools
Tools for this route
Spouse income checker
Salary, savings or a mix: which financial route clears the threshold.
English requirement lookup
The CEFR level for your route and the SELT centres near you.
Fee calculator in rupees
Every Home Office fee and the health surcharge, totalled in rupees at a dated rate.
Processing times tracker
Standard, priority and super priority times for Indian applicants, updated monthly.
Refusal reason decoder
Paste the paragraph from your refusal letter and read what it means.
Questions
Questions Indian applicants ask
Do I pay the health surcharge on a Fiancé visa?ShowHide
No. The 6-month fiancé stage is exempt. You pay the surcharge when you switch to the Partner visa in the UK after marrying, for the 30-month grant at that stage.
Can I work on the Fiancé visa?ShowHide
No. Work is not allowed until the Partner visa is granted after the wedding. Plan for 3 to 6 months of support from your spouse.
What do we do after the wedding?ShowHide
Apply in the UK for leave to remain as a partner before the 6-month visa expires. We do not handle in-UK applications from India; we refer you to a regulated UK adviser for that stage.
Fiancé visa or Partner visa: which is cheaper overall?ShowHide
The Partner visa from India. The fiancé route adds a second application fee in the UK plus the surcharge, and 6 months without work. Marry in India if you can and apply once as a spouse.
Can we hold the Anand Karaj or Hindu wedding in the UK and also register it?ShowHide
Yes. A religious ceremony alone may not be legally recognised; you must also give notice and register a civil marriage, unless the place of worship is registered for marriages. Check with the register office before booking.
How long before the wedding should we apply?ShowHide
At least 5 months. Decisions take about 12 weeks from India, and you need 28 days of notice after arrival before the ceremony can take place.
Can my parents attend the UK wedding?ShowHide
Yes, on Standard Visitor visas with the wedding invitation and their own funds and ties. Apply for them at the same time with consistent details.
What if the wedding is delayed past 6 months?ShowHide
You can apply in the UK to extend as a fiancé for a further 6 months if there is a good reason, but this costs another fee. Fix the date before you apply and keep evidence of the booking.
- Punjab licence: 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024valid to 22 July 2029
- CIN: U52291PB2024PTC060508Pro Lifeset Overseas Pvt Ltd
Dataset dates: fees 8 October 2026. No outcome is guaranteed.
Pro Lifeset Overseas Pvt Ltd, licence 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024. Applicants outside the UK only; applicants in the UK are referred to a regulated adviser.