Use these guides to understand published UK immigration requirements and questions to check. Confirm the current rule on GOV.UK and obtain regulated advice for your own circumstances.
The useful starting point
These routes solve different immigration problems
The planned activity—not simply the relationship—determines which visitor category to examine.
Side-by-side
Key differences
Tourism, family visits, specified business activities and other permitted visits.
Giving notice, marrying or forming a civil partnership in the UK.
The visitor must intend to leave after the visit.
The visitor must intend to leave after the ceremony and not settle through this route.
Employment is not permitted.
Employment is not permitted.
Visitor permission generally has strict switching limitations.
Cannot be used as an inside-UK shortcut to the family partner route.
Confirm the current rules
Read both official route pages
Know when a guide is no longer enough
Eligibility assessments, evidence reviews, application preparation and representation should be handled by a suitably regulated professional.