UK Spouse Visa for Nigerians

Can’t Wait to Join your Spouse in the UK?

We have successfully helped numerous Nigerians get reunited with their spouses in the UK. If you need assistance with your Spouse Visa application, we can guide you through the eligibility requirements and support you along the way. Let us handle all the complexities and make your application process as stress-free as possible.

Nigerian Emigration

For Nigerian emigration matters, please call +44 (0) 3316300929 or +2342013306361

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For immigration/emigration to/from other countries, please call:

US –  +1 844 290 6312

Ireland –  (+353) 061 518 025

UK –  (+44) 333 4149244

Overview of the UK Spouse Visa for Nigerians

In the UK, individuals who are married to British citizens or have ILR will be able to make an application for a UK Spouse Visa.

The UK Spouse Visa is designed for the spouses of people living in the UK legally. It allows them to join their spouse in the UK and can apply for a settlement after a maximum of 5 years as a spouse or partner under the Family Migration route.

Individuals wishing to apply for a UK visa have to meet some eligibility criteria and satisfy several Spouse Visa UK requirements.

A spousal visa allows the spouse of a British citizen or permanent resident to remain in the UK and work with the same privileges as British nationals.

What Is a UK Spouse Visa?

A UK Spouse Visa is an immigration visa that allows individuals to enter the UK and live with their spouses in the UK.

Entitlement to a UK Spouse Visa provides the holders with the permission to live in the UK and can apply for indefinite leave to remain or permanent residence in the country.

Individuals who have been granted leave to remain in the UK can sponsor their partner should they wish to join them in the UK.

Who Can Apply for a Spouse Visa?

As the spouse of a UK citizen, you may be eligible to apply for the Spouse Visa. To be eligible for a UK Spouse Visa, the following criteria will apply to you:

• The sponsor must be a UK citizen or have Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK.
• You and your partner must be over 18 years old
• You and your partner must have met in person and be in a genuine and subsisting relationship
• You must plan to live together with your partner in the UK
• You will need to have a minimum income
• You will need a suitable accommodation for you and your partner in the UK

If you meet these eligibility criteria, you can apply for a UK Spouse Visa. IAS immigration lawyers can help with completing the application process and dealing with any questions along the way.

Spouse Visa UK Requirements

Overview

If you’re over 18 years old and if your partner is a British citizen or someone who has indefinite leave to remain in the UK, you will need to apply for the Spouse Visa after getting married.

You will need to provide an original marriage certificate and proof of your relationship through photos or video footage.

The applicant must meet several criteria to meet the financial requirement, as well as accommodation, and pass the genuine relationship test with their spouse.

In addition, they must be able to prove that they have an adequate level of English to meet the English language criteria.

The Genuine Relationship Test

The genuine relationship requirement is one of the main eligibility requirements for the Spouse Visa. This means that couples must prove to immigration officials that their relationship is both genuine and ongoing before they can be granted a visa.

The evidence to make your case will vary depending on the type of the Spouse Visa being sought. These are:

• You will need to prove that the marriage or civil partnership was not one of convenience and is genuine
• Unmarried spouses will need to prove that they have been in a legitimate relationship with their partner for at least two years and lived together previously
• Evidence of civil marriage plans by prospective Fiancé Visa applicants

What Documents to Use as Proof of Your Relationship?

There are UK Spouse Visa document checklists that the Home Office can accept in order to verify a couple’s relationship and status, including:

• A marriage or civil partnership certificate
• Photos and evidence of your conversations
• The birth certificates of any children you or your spouse have when applying for a visa

If you’re unsure about which documents to provide or how to present them, you may want to consider using IAS document checking service. This service can review your application and supporting documentation to ensure that everything is in order before you submit your application.

This can help to increase your chances of a successful application and minimize the risk of delays or refusals.

Financial Requirements for a Spouse Visa

In the UK, your spouse will need to meet the financial requirement in the UK in order for you to obtain a visa as the spouse of a British citizen or permanent resident (or for indefinite leave to remain).

The following details those requirements:

• Any wage or salary you earn in the UK
• You must provide evidence that you and your spouse earn at least £29,000 a year
• Income from property or stock dividends
• Savings of more than £16,000 and pension funds

What Are the Financial Documents?

You will need to provide evidence of your income, such as:

• Your employer’s letter should include the employee’s job title and years you worked at the company and copies of payroll records
• The bank statements of a partner already in residence in the UK
• You should provide 6 months of recent payslips

Spouse Visa English Language Test

If you’re applying for a UK Spouse Visa, you may need to take an English language test to prove your proficiency in English. You will need to take this test if:

• You don’t have a high enough level of English before you enter the UK
• The applicant want to reach the will need English level
• You need to pass the English language test for an initial visa application
• The applicant want to  achieve at least the CEFR level A1

Make sure you meet the English language requirement before filling in your application form or attending your visa interview.

If you’re unsure about whether you need to take an English language test or which test to take, you may want to seek advice from an immigration lawyer or a reputable immigration advice service.

Accommodation Requirements for a Spouse Visa

The UK Spouse Visa requirements state that the applicant and their partner must provide adequate accommodation for the family, both during and after your Spouse Visa application process.

Accommodation is taken to mean a private residence where the family can stay in the UK. The purpose of this requirement is to ensure that the applicant has a home in which to live with their spouse in the UK.

Your home must be large enough to accommodate you and your spouse. In addition, any other children or dependents must have their bedrooms.

After ensuring adequate housing for your immediate family, you must make sure that it meets all UK safety standards.

How to Apply for a UK Spouse Visa from Nigeria

The different stages involved in the application process are listed below:

• Applicants must fill out an online application form
• Appointment for medical examination
• Medical certificate and police clearance certificate
• Appointment with the Home Office for biometric data collection
• Submission of online payment of UK Spouse Visa fee
• Verification of all the submitted documents
• Submission of the full application to your local visa application centre

Processing Time for a Spouse Visa

For a UK Spouse Visa, the processing time is up to 24 weeks if you apply from Nigeria and 8 weeks if you apply from within the UK. You can use the priority service to speed up your visa processing.

Certain Conditions Can Add Extra Time to That Estimate

If any of the following apply to you, you can expect your UK Spouse Visa application to take longer, if:

• Your sponsor has not earned the minimum income threshold before you file your application
• Your marriage is not genuine
• You cannot demonstrate that you meet the English language requirement
• The applicant did not attend an interview
• You have failed to provide all of the necessary documents

Spouse Visa Application Cost

The cost of the UK Spouse Visa application will depend on whether you are applying from inside the UK or from outside the UK. The Home Office charges £2,064 to process your Spouse Visa application from outside the UK.

If you are already in the UK on another visa and want to apply for a UK Spouse Visa, you may be able to apply from within the UK. The cost of this application is £1,407. There are no longer any extra charges for additional dependents.

How Long Can I Stay Outside of the UK on a Spouse Visa?

The Spouse Visa grants permission for individuals to reside in the UK for 33 months, with the potential for a further 30-month extension.

However, it is essential to be aware of the regulations regarding absences from the UK and their duration.

While it is theoretically possible to exceed 180 days outside the UK, caution should be exercised. The spouse Visa requires that you and your partner should stay in the UK together.

Why Is My Spouse Visa Refused?

If a UK Spouse Visa is refused, it means that the applicant has been denied permission to enter the UK as a spouse of a British citizen or holder of Indefinite Leave to Remain.

A refusal must be based on one or more of these grounds:

• The applicant has not met the requirements of the immigration rules
• The marriage was entered into for immigration purposes
• The applicant is not able to support themselves without recourse to public funds
• The marriage has been entered into fraudulently
• There are doubts as to whether the parties are free to marry (for example, if they are already married)

We offer legal services for Spouse Visa applications, including document checking and preparation assistance, as well as representation at appeals or administrative reviews.

Spouse Visa Appeal Process

The appeal process for a UK Spouse Visa is a way to challenge the decision made by the UK immigration authorities.

The appeal must be filed in writing within 28 days of receiving the decision letter, and it must be based on new or different evidence that was not available during the initial application process.

If you are successful in your appeal, your Spouse visa will be granted. If you are unsuccessful, then there is no right to appeal further.

You and your spouse can also choose to use an immigration lawyer to help you with your appeal. An experienced lawyer will be able to ensure that all of your bases are covered.

What Happens If My Relationship Ends?

If your relationship ends, you will need to leave the UK and return to your country of residence. If you have been married for at least two years, you will need to apply for a Spouse Visa UK.

You will need to prove that the marriage was genuine and that it ended in circumstances that were not your fault.

How Can IAS Help?

If you are applying for a Spouse Visa as a Nigerian, you must have legal assistance from an immigration lawyer who has experience with the process.

Our immigration lawyer will guide you through the entire process and make sure that you meet all of the requirements.

We can help you avoid delays in the application process, which enhances your chance for eligibility for a visa.

We have the expertise and experience of working with Nigerians. Our legal team can work with you to apply for your Spouse Visa.

We can respond to Home Office decisions on your behalf. We have experience helping Nigerians with visa applications, advice on pre-action protocol and appeals.

For more information about the UK Spouse Visa for Nigerians and how we can help you, contact a member of our team today. Call our office in Nigeria on +2342013306361 or our UK office on +44 (0) 3316300929. You can also contact us online.