Simply Married

What does 'subject to immigration control' mean for marriage?

You are treated as subject to immigration control for marriage purposes if you are not a British or Irish citizen and do not have settled or pre-settled status or another qualifying immigration status. This affects where you give notice and can trigger a longer, referred notice period.

Why it matters for notice

The marriage and civil partnership referral and investigation scheme exists so the Home Office can check whether a proposed marriage is being used to circumvent immigration control. It does not stop genuine couples marrying; it adds a check.

What changes in practice

You and your partner usually need to attend a designated register office together to give notice, rather than each attending your own local office separately.

The registration officer can refer your notice to the Home Office, which extends the standard 28-day notice period to up to 70 days while checks take place.

It is not a verdict on your relationship

A referral is a routine part of the process for many couples in this position and is not a judgement that your relationship is not genuine. It simply means the marriage cannot proceed until the check concludes or the 70 days pass.

What this means for you

  • Plan your ceremony date around the possibility of a 70-day referred notice, not the standard 28 days.
  • Get independent immigration advice early if your status is unclear — this page cannot tell you your immigration position.

Official sources

Last reviewed: 17 August 2026 · Next review due 17 November 2026

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Related guides

What is a referred notice of marriage?How the 70-day referred notice works under the marriage and civil partnership referral and investigation scheme, and what happens next.Marrying a foreign national in EnglandHow the notice process works when one or both of you is not a UK or Irish citizen, including immigration checks and extra documents.The 28-day marriage notice periodHow the 28-day notice period works, when it becomes 70 days, and how it interacts with appointment waiting times.

Simply Married is an independent planning service, not a register office or government department. Confirm current requirements and fees with your own register office and on GOV.UK.