UK Spouse Visa Processing Time: How long does it take?

What is the UK spouse visa processing time??

Usually, the average processing time for the UK Spouse Visa is around three months. However, your application could take as little as two weeks, depending on where you are applying from and how clearly you can satisfy the requirements. This type of entry route is complex as it requires UKVI to assess whether you meet the ‘genuine relationship’ requirements. This can be particularly time-consuming. An immigration officer will want to see evidence that your relationship is ‘genuine and subsisting’. This means that they will scrutinise proofs of your relationship with your partner over the complete span of your relationship or marriage.

In terms of where you are applying from, different countries have different embassy guidelines and can take more time to process.

Difference Between Standard, Priority, and Super Priority UK Spouse Visa Services

The Spouse visa UK processing times differ if you are within the UK and outside the UK. In general, here’s what to expect for this UK visa processing times.

Can I Fast-Track spouse visa processing time with UK priority visa service?

Yes. The Home Office offers two options to speed up visa processing. One is the Priority visa service, and the other is the Super priority visa service.

When you apply for Priority visa service, you pay an additional £500 to get your UK Spouse visa processed within five working days. With Super priority visa services, you pay an additional £1000 to get your UK Partner visa processed within a day.

The availability of either service depends on where you apply from. Super priority visa service and priority service are usually available if you are applying from within the UK. The availability of the Priority visa service outside the UK depends on your visa application centre.

You can find out if you are eligible for this when you pay the regular visa fee (the application form may provide an option for paying for priority/super priority processing) or by checking with VFS Global when you pay for biometrics.

If you are unable to pay the fee for faster visa processing for your UK Marriage visa, you may be able to speed up the processing time for your visa without paying the fee if you have a compelling or compassionate reason for wanting quicker visa processing.

What factors can delay my spouse visa processing time in the UK?

The processing time for a UK Spouse Visa may vary depending on individual circumstances. You can expect an average of 8-12 weeks, but note that any of the factors listed below may affect the processing time.

Missing or Incorrect Document

Your visa application may take longer to process if you provide inaccurate or incomplete information. 

The Home Office reviews each application to ensure it meets standard eligibility requirements. Any missing paperwork, expired documents, or incorrect information will further extend the processing time.

Spouse Visa Interview

You may be required to attend an interview if the Home Office needs additional clarification about your relationship status. 

Prepare to answer any questions as honestly as possible. It also helps to have an immigration lawyer prepare you ahead of the interview.

Inability to Prove That Your Relationship is Genuine

Some couples struggle to prove to the Home Office that their relationship is genuine, despite the evidence they might have initially gathered.

If this happens, you can check the official government website for the required documents and carefully review yours to figure out what needs to be improved. 

Financial Requirement Issues

You may be asked to provide additional evidence showing you can financially support your spouse when they arrive in the UK. 

Applicants must earn a minimum of £29,000 and provide detailed, accurate information about their source of income or employment status.

Country-Specific Background Checks
Applicants from certain countries may be subjected to security checks, and this further extends the processing time. 

Previous immigration violations or criminal history will also warrant a stricter investigation that may delay the Home Office decision.

Many applicants are often unsure what to include in their application or what to expect during an interview. Our immigration lawyers can provide useful advice on the right documents to prepare and how to prepare for your spouse visa interview. 

How is UK spouse visa processing time calculated?

Usually, your Spouse visa application processing time starts from when you give your biometrics at a UK visa application centre.

However, there are exceptions. A few visa processing centres start calculating that processing time from when your passport is received. The New York hub for UK visas in the United States (US) is one of the centres that use this method.

Your processing time ends whenever a decision is reached by the Home Office concerning your visa. At this point, you will get an email from the Home Office. The email may not contain details of the decision but will be to inform you they have reached a decision. If the email you receive doesn’t detail if your visa application was approved or rejected, you are to wait to get your passport back to find out.

Can spouse visa processing time exceed the average time?

Yes. Note that the processing times for the UK partner visa as listed on this page are an average based on the promise of the Home Office. However, many factors may affect how long it takes to reach a decision based on your application. So, your processing time may exceed the average by days, weeks, or even months.

If you haven’t received an update from the Home Office, that doesn’t mean you have a higher chance of refusal. A delay in processing can be a result of the bulk load of applications the Home Office has, an error in your application/documents, a need for additional evidence, and other factors.

If the Home Office contacts you to submit additional supporting documents, your processing time inevitably lengthens.

Eligibility for spouse visa priority service outside UK

Although everyone applying is eligible for UK spouse visa processing time priority service (as long as it’s available at the visa application centre), priority processing is not recommended for every applicant.

If you have had one of the following happen to you, it may be in your best interest not to explore the priority or super priority service:

• Refused a UK visa
• Overstayed a UK visa
• Was deported/removed/required to leave the UK
• Was refused leave to remain/enter the UK
• Had leave to remain curtailed by the Home Office
• Has a criminal record
• Detained/interviewed/prosecuted for an offence by the police
• Has criminal conviction that wasn’t spent.
• Has a visa refusal for Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Canada, or a Schengen country

For most of the above, the Home Office will need time to verify information more than the regular UK visa applications, so it’s best you don’t pay for priority service as your processing time may already take longer due to these additional factors.

If you are concerned about your processing time or chances of success, reach out to us to discuss your particular circumstances so we can advise you and/or create a high-quality application that boosts your chances of success. Call us on 0333 242 9057 today.

Travelling while awaiting spouse visa processing and decision in the UK

If you apply from outside the UK, you can travel while waiting for a decision from the Home Office, but you will need to return to the country from where you applied to receive your visa if your application is approved. Note that you shouldn’t attempt travelling to the UK if you do not have a visa.

If you applied from within the UK, it is advised that you do not travel out of the UK while your UK Spouse visa application is processing. If you leave, the Home Office may consider your application withdrawn. If you have plans to travel shortly after submitting your application, it’s best you pay for priority or super priority service, so you get your visa decision long before your intended travel date.

Common Reasons for Spouse Visa Delays

Applicants must avoid these common pitfalls to prevent Spouse Visa delays.

• Insufficient Proof of Income

The most common delay occurs when an applicant fails to provide adequate financial evidence. 

The Home Office requires six months of payslips and bank statements. If self-employed, make sure to attach detailed documents of your business accounts and tax returns.

• Inadequate Relationship Evidence

If the evidence submitted to the Home Office isn’t enough to convince them that your relationship is genuine, it may lead to a delay or even a Spouse Visa refusal.

Gather additional evidence that can confirm your relationship history, such as pictures, phone records, joint financial commitments, and evidence of shared living.

How to Avoid These Issues?
Create a checklist of everything you need before you submit. Our Spouse Visa checklist can help you create a detailed list ahead of your application.

How can IAS help accelerate your UK spouse visa processing time and application?

Our lawyers can help you if you are making an application and you want to avoid delays in the UK Spouse Visa processing. Your assigned lawyer will gather and collate all your supporting evidence, helping you bridge any gaps or shortcomings. They will then file them in a comprehensive evidence portfolio, which can be navigated easily by the Home Office. This means that they will be able to move through it smoothly and efficiently, getting all the information they need to process it properly. The help of an immigration lawyer could greatly increase the UK Spouse Visa processing time.

Our expert immigration lawyers are located across the UK, including in London, Manchester, or Birmingham. You can also use the office finder to find your closest branch.