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Spouse Visa UK Requirements & Application – Get Legal Support

The UK Spouse Visa allows non-UK nationals to join their partner in the UK. Your spouse must be either a British citizen or a UK settled person.

Call us on +44 (0)333 414 9244 for immediate help & assistance with your UK spouse visa situation.

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    What is the Spouse Visa UK?

    The UK Spouse Visa or partner visa is a family visa that allows partners married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen or settled person to live together in the UK. It permits living and working in the UK for 33 months (2 years 9 months) if applying from outside the UK and 30 months (2 years 6 months) if applying from inside the UK. Unmarried partners may also apply. The UK Spouse or Partner Visa can be extended for another 30 months if you meet certain eligibility conditions. After 5 years on a UK Spouse Visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and British Citizenship.

    The main eligibility criteria include proof that you and your partner have a genuine relationship and meet specific financial conditions. If you hold a Spouse Visa UK, you have the right to work like all British citizens. However, you cannot claim most benefits, such as public funds, housing allowance, or tax credits.

    Get in touch with our immigration lawyers to receive professional advice on your UK Spouse Visa case and learn how you can stay together in the UK

    Who can apply for a UK Spouse Visa?

    You can apply for a UK Spouse Visa if you are aged 18 years or over and are married or in a civil partnership with:

    • A British or Irish citizen
    • A UK-settled person with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), Settled status under the EU settlement scheme, or Proof of Permanent Residence.
    • A pre-settled person from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland Liechtenstein who started living in the UK before January 2021
    • A person who is in the UK on the Turkish Businessperson Visa or Turkish Worker Visa
    • A person who has UK-protected status as a refugee or under humanitarian protection (not temporary protected status)
    • A stateless person who is not recognised by another country or not able to live permanently in another country

    In addition to your partner being an eligible sponsor, you must be able to prove:

    • You are in a marriage or civil partnership that is recognised in the UK

    If you are applying for a Partner Visa and are not married or in a civil partnership, you must prove one of the following is true:

    • You have been living together in a relationship for the past 2 years
    • You are engaged, or a proposed civil partner or you hold a Fiance Visa UK and will get married within 6 months of being in the UK. You must also prove that any prior relationships have ended.
    • You have been in a relationship for 2 years, but you cannot live together for religious or cultural reasons or because you’re working or studying apart

    If you cannot prove any of the above, you may still apply for a visa or extend your stay in the UK if:

    • Your child is a British or Irish citizen who has lived in the UK for 7 years
    • Leaving the UK or inadmissibility to the UK would breach your human rights

    Once you have determined your eligibility to apply, you must meet a set of stringent requirements.

    The Spouse visa application process can be lengthy and difficult to go through alone. We can help. Contact us now on +44 (0)333 414 9244 or make an enquiry online to speak with one of our immigration lawyers about your application for a Spouse Visa UK.

    What are the Spouse Visa requirements in the UK?

    Before you submit your application for a UK Spouse Visa, you need to ensure you:

    • Meet the minimum income threshold and the financial requirement for spouse sponsors of £29,000 per year
    • Have a marriage that is legally recognised in the UK
    • Prove you are married, in a civil partnership, or have lived together for 2 years (unless this is not possible under cultural grounds or due to working or studying apart)
    • Have met your partner in person
    • Are not closely related to your partner (see Degrees of Prohibited Relationship Act)
    • Pass the ‘Genuine Relationship Test’ showing you are in a genuine and subsisting relationship
    • Intend to live together in the UK permanently
    • Submit all required documentation, including Appendix FM
    • Demonstrate a good knowledge of the English language or pass the English Language Test
    • Have proof of suitable accommodation for you, your partner, and any dependents
    • Get your biometrics taken
    • Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge
    • To remain in the UK, you may also need to pass a medical test to show you don’t have Tuberculosis (TB), depending on the applicant’s country of residence.

    You must supply sufficient evidence to prove you meet all the requirements above, which form part of the core requirements including:

    • Financial requirement
    • Legal & recognised marriage requirement
    • Genuine relationship requirement
    • English language requirement
    • Accommodation requirement

    It is important to take the time to understand each requirement fully and ensure you have all the information you need to complete a full and error-free application. This will give you the best chance of success in your Spouse or Partner Visa application.

    How to apply for a Spouse Visa in 2025

    Ensure you start your partner or Spouse Visa application ahead of your planned move to the UK, and do not book your flight or travel before you get a visa approval from the Home Office.

    Applying for a Spouse Visa outside the UK

    It is common to apply for a Spouse Visa from outside the UK. The process requires the accurate completion of all documentation, including Appendix FM and other forms.

    When applying from outside the UK, the Home Office typically takes 12 weeks or more to decide on a UK Spouse Visa application. The Partner Visa processing time can vary depending on the documents provided and the country from which the application is submitted. It costs £1,938 to apply for a Spouse Visa from outside the UK.

    Applying for a Spouse Visa inside the UK

    If you are applying from within the UK, the process is different as you will need to show proof that you are in the country on an eligible visa to switch to the UK Spouse Visa. You can only apply from inside the UK if your current visa is eligible. To be eligible to apply from inside the UK, you must be on a UK visa that permits:

    • You to stay longer than 6 months
    • You to stay as a resident, not as a visitor

    The only exception to the 6-month rule is if you came to the UK on a Fiance Visa. In that case, you are permitted to switch.

    The application requirements are the same as those for those applying from outside the UK. However, time spent in the UK together and UK documentation helps accelerate your application.

    When applying from inside the UK, the Home Office typically takes 8 weeks to decide on a Spouse Visa application. It costs £1,321 to apply for a Spouse Visa inside the UK. You must be applying to switch to a Spouse Visa from another eligible UK visa. You must meet the financial and English language requirements otherwise, processing takes longer.

    If you do not meet the financial or English language requirements but leaving the UK would cause “unjustifiably harsh consequences” for your family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, your application can take 12 months or more.

    Get in touch to see if you’re eligible and begin the process of applying for a UK Spouse Visa for you or your partner.

    Is your relationship recognised for a Spouse Visa application in the UK?

    For your relationship to be recognised in the UK and eligible for a Spouse Visa application, you will need to ensure you have the correct documentation, as well as meet several Spouse Visa relationship requirements, including:

    Minimum Age Requirement

    You and your partner must be 18+ to apply for the UK Spouse Visa, which applies at the time of your application. You both must also have been over 18 in England or Wales and over 16 in Scotland or Northern Ireland when you were married.

    Physical Meeting Requirement

    Simply knowing each other online or communicating remotely isn’t enough. You must have met in person and formed a genuine mutual acquaintance.

    UK Recognised Marriage Requirement

    Your marriage must be legally recognised in the UK and comply with national marriage laws, including official registration and proper officiation. It must be legally valid in the country in which it was registered and not conflict with UK laws.

    Your marriage is usually not recognised in the UK if:

    • It was a forced marriage without full and free consent; even if the marriage was legal in the country it was registered
    • It was not legally recognised in the country where you married
    • It involved underaged individuals. Both parties must have exceeded the minimum age requirements (18+ in England/Wales, 16+ in Scotland/Northern Ireland) at the time of their marriage
    • Any previous relationships and marriages have not legally ended. Polygamous marriages are not allowed in the UK. Only monogamous marriages are recognised in the UK
    • Your marriage falls under prohibited relationships in UK law. These include relationships with close family ties. Close family ties, including parent-child, sibling, or grandparent relationships (biological or adoptive), disqualify applicants. Certain step-relations may be permitted if both individuals are over 21 and did not live as a family unit before the younger party turned 18. This is determined by the Marriage Act 1949 and the Marriage (Prohibited Degrees of Relationship) Act 1986.

    What is the ‘Genuine Relationship Test’ for Spouse Visa UK?

    A UK Spouse Visa applicant must prove they are in a genuine and subsisting relationship. UKVI scrutinises all relationships to stamp out “sham” marriages for visa purposes. Immigration officials must be convinced that you have shared responsibilities, expenses, addresses, certificates, and in some cases, memories like photographs and chats documenting some of your time together.

    In addition to your marriage or civil partnership certificate, you will need to prove your relationship is genuine and subsisting via recent, officially issued documentation. Send evidence in your application that:

    • Confirms your relationship with your partner – for example, that you live together, share expenses or are married or in a civil partnership
    • Is issued by the government, a bank, a landlord, a utility provider, or a medical professional
    • Is less than 4 years old

    How does the Home Office determine if a relationship is genuine and subsisting?

    The Home Office uses your documentation to determine if your relationship is genuine and subsisting. What do they need to know? While this may not be all you need to show and prove to the Home Office, you must provide documents to prove and prepare supporting answers to the following questions:

    • Are you committed to a long-term relationship?
    • Are you committed to living together in the UK?
    • Have you lived together or plan to live together?
    • Do you have shared financial responsibilities?
    • Do you have children together or have shared responsibility for any biological or non-biological children?
    • Have you visited your spouse’s home country?
    • Do you have life plans together in the UK, like financial projections and commitments?

    Which documents do I need to satisfy the Genuine Relationship Requirement for the Spouse Visa UK?

    There are many different types of evidence you can send to the Home Office, and you will need to show as much evidence as you can, such as:

    • A joint mortgage or tenancy agreement, either in the UK or outside the UK.
    • Utility bills or council tax bills confirming that you live at the same address or pay bills together
    • A marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate
    • Evidence of any children you have together, such as a birth or adoption certificate
    • A shared bank account or savings. Supply a bank statement from a joint bank account, or confirming that you live at the same address
    • Travel documents that prove you’ve visited each other’s countries of origin at least once before you got married
    • Any documents which prove that you intend to live together in the UK
    • One-off bills like home repairs
    • Letters from the Voting Registrar or Student Finance confirming you share the same address

    If you do not live together

    If you cannot live together because of work or study, or for cultural reasons, you’ll need to prove that you have an ongoing commitment to each other. You can do this by providing evidence that you:

    • Communicate regularly with each other such as text messages or social media chat logs, or photographs that show you have spent time together frequently
    • Support each other financially  
    • Care for any children you have together  
    • Spend time together as a couple, for example, on holiday or at events
    • Supporting letters confirming the relationship, both from close friends and family and your spouse

    Will I need to attend a Spouse Visa Interview?

    When reviewing your UK Spouse Visa application, the Home Office may invite you to come for a Spouse visa interview if it requires further information, clarity, or has any doubts about your application.

    During the interview, you will be asked questions to determine the genuineness of your relationship and intent in the UK. You may also be asked for details on how you plan to support your family or how you will spend your time in the UK. Ensuring complete transparency and accurate information in your Spouse Visa application can avoid delays and, in many cases, avoid the need for a Spouse Visa interview.

    While a Spouse Visa interview is not required for every application, you should not be concerned if you are invited for one. You will need to be calm, composed, and adequately prepared, with all your documentation organised for easy reference.

    Our spouse visa lawyers can help you obtain a spouse visa. Get in touch with us now for immediate assistance.

    What are the Spouse Visa financial requirements in the UK?

    Your UK spouse is your sponsor, and as your sponsor, they are responsible for supporting you in the UK without claiming public funds. To prove you meet the financial requirements for a Partner Visa in the UK, you will need to ensure:

    • Your sponsoring UK spouse has an income of at least ££29,000 a year before tax if you apply as a first-time Spouse Visa applicant, unless exemptions apply.
    • As of 11 April 2024, new applicants are no longer required to show additional income for child dependents.
    • If you applied and were granted a Fiance or Partner Visa before 11 April 2024, you may be able to prove the lower minimum income amount of £18,600, plus additional amounts for dependents.

    Exemptions to the £29,000 financial requirement for sponsoring partners

    • The minimum income requirement for HM Armed Forces personnel who sponsor partners and/or children is lower.
    • You were first granted a UK Partner Visa or Fiance Visa before 11 April 2024 and are switching or renewing your permission

    What if I cannot meet the financial requirements for a Partner Visa?

    If a UK spouse sponsor doesn’t earn enough money from their salary, they may prove their ability to sustain life in the UK together through other sources of income. If you can’t meet the financial requirements, you can:

    • Combine income sources and prove enough income from other sources, such as savings, earnings from self-employment, maternity leave, and, in some cases, benefits (see section below).
    • Prove that refusing your visa would be a breach of human rights (like separating a parent from child). In this case you may be able to switch to the 10-year route to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain)

    Get in touch with our expert spouse visa solicitors for assistance with obtaining a UK Partner Visa.

    What are the financial requirements for renewing the spouse visa I applied for before 11 April 2024?

    • Applicants who are already on the Spouse Visa pathway and entered it before 11 April 2024 may renew their Spouse Visa or switch from a Fiance Visa they received before 11 April 2024. They will be eligible for transitional arrangements, meaning they can still earn the previous lower salary threshold of £18,600.
    • In addition to the £18,600, applicants must show £3,800 for the first dependent child and £2800 for each subsequent dependent child. If the amount disadvantages them by exceeding £29,000, they may instead meet the new income requirement of £29,000. For example, if they have four or more children.
    • The supplementary amount is not required for children who are British or Irish citizens or EEA nationals by the end of the 30 June 2021 EU Settlement Scheme grace period, have settled status, or if part 8 of the Immigration rules applies, and therefore, they are exempt from the financial requirements.

    Who qualifies for the minimum income of £18,600?

    To be eligible for the lower salary threshold of £18,600, you must:

    • Have originally applied as a partner, fiancé(e), or proposed civil partner before 11 April 2024.
    • Have been granted permission as a partner (or fiancé(e)/proposed civil partner) on the 5-year route.
    • Still have valid permission as a partner/fiancé(e) at the time of renewal.
    • Be applying to stay with the same partner.

    What sources of income can be included to meet the financial criteria?

    Your overseas spouse may also contribute their savings—but not their earnings. However, if your spouse already lives in the UK on another visa pathway, and you apply for the Spouse Visa from inside the UK, their earnings can count towards the total amount. To meet the minimum income requirement for your UK Spouse Visa application, you can use:

    • Cash savings
    • Earnings from employment or self-employment
    • Maternity, paternity, adoption or sick pay
    • Pensions
    • Other income, such as that generated from rent or shares

    If you are unsure about your income, seek the advice of our specialist immigration lawyers, as exceptional circumstances may apply.

    Savings

    You need to prove you have enough savings to comfortably live in the UK for the duration of your visa, which is 2.5 years. As the income requirement is £29,000, you will need to show 2.5X the income requirement in addition to the minimum savings amount of £16,000. If your savings are less than £16,000, it will not help you meet the financial requirements. If savings are over £16,000, you will begin to reduce the amount you need to prove by other means.

    • Savings of below £16,000 do not contribute to the financial requirements
    • If depending entirely on cash savings, you must have £88,500 in cash savings: (£29,000 x 2.5 + £16,000 = £88,500)

    You can also use a combination of savings and earnings to help you meet the minimum income threshold. However, you must prove you have enough financial support for the entire length of the permit.

    Can I use income from benefits for my Spouse Visa application?

    There are cases where you won’t need to meet the mandatory eligibility criteria, such as if you are claiming any one of the following benefits:

    • Disability Living Allowance
    • Severe Disablement Allowance
    • Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
    • Attendance Allowance
    • Carer’s Allowance
    • Personal Independence Payment
    • Armed Forces Independence Payment or Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
    • Constant Attendance Allowance, Mobility Supplement or War Disablement Pension under the War Pensions Scheme
    • Police Injury Pension

    However, you must prove you have enough money to support your dependents. This is called ‘adequate maintenance,’ and the exact amount you need depends on your circumstances. Typically, you will need at least £120 per week after you have paid for housing. If you have a child or children, this amount will increase. You must show you can pay for essentials and have maintenance funds equal to what a British family of the same size would gain in income support. Under Appendix FM, the Home Office uses a formula:

    • Net Income – Housing Costs ≥ Income Support

    This is used to ensure your income is sufficient or ‘adequate maintenance’ to support your family members in the UK. If the amount left after paying for housing equals or exceeds what a British family would receive in benefits, you meet the requirement.

    Get in touch with our expert immigration lawyers to understand the requirements for a Spouse Visa.

    What is the Spouse Visa English Language Test?

    spouse visa requirements process

    Applicants who wish to live in the UK need to prove that they can speak English. This is usually through passing an English language test unless you qualify for an exemption.

    If you must sit an English test in speaking and listening to get the right to remain in the UK with your UK spouse, your qualification will be valid only if your English exam is taken through an approved Secure English Language Testing (SELT) Provider.

    Currently, SELT tests for immigration purposes are only available through the Trinity College London or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Consortium.

    English Language Test Exemptions

    You do not need an English Language test if you:

    • Are a national of a majority English-speaking country
    • Are aged under 18 or over 65
    • Have a long-term physical or mental condition
    • Hold a degree or any educational establishment that was taught or researched in English. Your qualification will only be valid if confirmed by UK NARIC.

    If you wish to find out how you can settle in the UK with your partner, our team is happy to assist.

    What are the UK Spouse Visa accommodation requirements?

    You will need to present proof of accommodation for a spouse visa application that meets UK living standards. Your UK national partner, who acts as your sponsor, will need to show that he or she can provide adequate accommodation for themselves, the applicant and any dependents who intend to live in the UK.

    For proof of accommodation, the Home Office will ask you to provide:

    • A description of the property where you intend to live with your spouse
    • Proof that there are enough rooms in the property to accommodate everyone
    • Evidence that you can afford to pay for your family’s accommodation

    You must be able to prove your accommodation is:

    • Owned or occupied solely by the family
    • Not overcrowded
    • approved and in line with public health regulations

    How can I qualify for the UK Spouse Visa accommodation requirements?

    To qualify for the Spouse visa UK accommodation requirements, your property needs enough rooms to accommodate the couple and any dependents. Each person needs an individual room, however:

    • Couples can share the same bedroom
    • Living rooms can be included when counting bedrooms
    • Children under 1 do not need their own room
    • Children aged 1-9 years old count as half a person
    • Children aged 10 years or over count as an adult
    • Children aged 10 years or over of the opposite sex cannot share a room

    This means that two children aged under 10 years can share one room, and babies under one year old can live in the same room as the couple.

    Get in touch with our expert immigration lawyers to discuss obtaining your Spouse Visa.

    What are the required documents for Spouse Visa UK?

    Open notebook wth two check boxes - yes or no.

    Having all the correct documents to support your UK Spouse Visa application will help ensure its success and prevent delays.

    These are the documents you will need to send to the Home Office to get the right to remain in the UK:

    • Your original marriage or civil partnership certificate
    • Proof that you and your partner have been living together for at least the past two years
    • A valid passport to get leave to remain in the UK
    • A valid certificate to meet the English language requirement
    • Proof of accommodation
    • Proof that the relationship is genuine
    • Proof that you meet the income threshold and the financial requirement
    • Proof that you are married to a British citizen or settled person (for example, UK citizens can submit a copy of their passport)

    Please note that any documents that are not in English need to be accompanied by a translated version from a professional translator. All evidence must be in the exact format required by the Home Office. For more information, see our full Spouse Visa Document Checklist.

    What if I cannot meet the requirements for a Spouse Visa?

    Meeting the requirements for the UK Spouse Visa can be challenging. Our Spouse Visa immigration lawyers are experts at examining your eligibility, routes to settlement, and options if you do not automatically meet the Spouse Visa requirements. We can help you overcome common issues such as:

    • If you do not meet the financial requirement, we can help you explore alternative income sources, or exceptional circumstances under Appendix FM
    • If you do not have sufficient evidence to show your marriage is genuine, we can help assemble an application with alternative documents, witness statements, and supporting letters. We can also help with human-rights based applications under Article 8 (right to family life)
    • If your marriage may not legally recognised in the UK, we can help you apply for an Unmarried Partner Visa
    • If you cannot pass the English Language test, we can help you prepare or examine exemptions based on your age or exceptional circumstances
    • If you cannot prove adequate accommodation in the UK, we can help you prove your accommodation is acceptable, organising your documentation, as well as Property Inspection Reports
    • If you don’t qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years, we can help you explore your options, and eligibility such as the 10-year settlement route

    If you face difficulties meeting any Spouse Visa requirements, our expert immigration lawyers can assess your case, explore alternative visa routes, and provide strong legal representation to maximise your chances of success. Contact us today for a consultation and secure your future in the UK with your partner.

    What are the UK Spouse Visa fees & application costs?

    There are additional costs related to your UK Spouse Visa application that you should consider as you prepare for the application. This includes:

    • Qualified translation services if your documents are not in English or Welsh
    • An approved English test if you are required to take one
    • Additional fees for the Home Office’s Priority Service if you wish to receive an urgent answer from UKVI. The Priority service guarantees a decision within 5 working days if applying from inside the UK and 30 days if applying from outside the UK. The Super Priority Service offers a decision within 2 working days
    • Immigration health surcharge

    Fees for translation and English language test for a spouse visa application are subject to the provider.

    The NHS fee for the spouse visa (immigration health surcharge) is per year. So, if your visa is issued inside the UK for two years and six months, you will pay the fee per year multiplied by 2.5, and if your visa is issued from outside the UK for 2 years and 9 months, you must pay the fee upfront for 3 years.

    A breakdown of all the Home Office spouse visa fees is provided in the table below.

    Visa/ApplicationFee
    UK Spouse Visa fee for an application made from outside the uk £1,938 
    UK Spouse visa fee for an application made from within the uk £1,321 
    Visa application fee for each child dependent (from outside the UK)£1,938 
    Visa application fee for each child dependent (from within the UK)£1,321
    Immigration Health Surcharge for the foreign partner (per year)£1035 
    Immigration Health Surcharge for the child (per year)£776 
    Super Priority Service (applications made in the UK)£1000 
    Priority Service£500 

    Get in touch with now to start working on your Spouse Visa.

    Can I renew or extend a UK Spouse Visa?

    You can renew and extend your UK Spouse Visa for another 2.5 years, as long as your current leave to remain hasn’t expired.

    In order to qualify for a Spouse visa extension, you must:

    • Still be in a genuine relationship with the same spouse with whom you applied for the first spouse visa
    • Still be in the UK with the spouse and intend to continue living in the UK with the spouse
    • Still meet the minimum income requirements that were in force when you first applied for your visa
    • Not have not breached any UK law or immigration conditions
    • Still meet character suitability conditions

    After you have lived in the UK for a total of 5 years on your Marriage visa, you can apply for settled status (ILR). Get in touch with our lawyers if you need to apply for a UK Spouse Visa renewal. There are other requirements for a UK spouse visa extension. Reach out to us today on +44 (0)333 414 9244 for advice or support with a spouse visa extension application.

    How do I settle in the UK as a Spouse?

    Once you are living in the UK with your spouse or partner, you may wish to make your position more permanent. You can achieve this by gaining Indefinite Leave to Remain. ILR allows you to settle in the UK indefinitely and is the final stage before British Citizenship.

    You can most often apply for this after five years if you continue to meet the mandatory requirements. A typical route for a UK Spouse to gain citizenship is:

    • Spouse Visa granted for 2 years 6 months (applied inside UK) or 2 years 9 months (applied outside UK).
    • Renew a Spouse Visa for 2 years 6 months
    • After 5 years in total, which includes renewing your visa once, you will be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain as long as you and your partner meet the income requirement of £29,000, or £18,600, plus dependents (if you initially applied before 11 April 2024)
    • If you are married to a British citizen, you can apply for British Citizenship as soon as you get Indefinite Leave to Remain. If not, you must wait 12 months before you apply for British Citizenship (for example, if your spouse has UK-settled status).
    • Once you have British Citizenship and have taken your oath at a British Citizenship ceremony, you can apply for a British passport

    If you don’t qualify for ILR via the 5-year route, you may qualify for a 10-year route to Indefinite Leave to Remain, which has more relaxed expectations relating to the income threshold:

    • If you don’t meet the financial requirement for the Spouse Visa but are still given one, you may not qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years and can join the 10-year route to settlement. This is most often a result of being issued a Spouse Visa under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which protects private family life and offers protection if leaving the UK would be “unduly harsh” and cause “significant disruption to family life”.

    Get in touch for information on getting Indefinite Leave to Remain from a Spouse Visa and become a UK settled person.

    What happens if my UK Spouse Visa application is accepted?

    When your application is accepted for a Spouse Visa UK, you will be given leave to remain, which allows you to enter the UK within a 30-day period. You will be issued an e-visa to prove your immigration status.

    If you fail to enter the UK within this time frame, you can submit an application for another 30-day entry permit. However, you will be charged an additional fee.

    What happens if my Spouse Visa application is rejected?

    You can appeal against the Home Office’s verdict if your case is rejected. This is a long-winded and challenging process that is best assisted by an immigration adviser.

    If you receive a letter saying your Spouse Visa was refused, you will usually have the right to appeal against it if you think it was unfair. Your letter of refusal will inform you if you are eligible to appeal. You will be able to submit new evidence if it proves that you were eligible at the time of your initial request.

    If you are already in the UK, you must act quickly to appeal the decision or apply for another permit. Overstaying an expired immigration status can be very problematic and should be avoided.

    IAS can assist with all aspects of your case. If you need help with your Spouse Visa appeal application, please get in touch, and our immigration specialists will be able to assist you. We have offices located across the UK, including in LondonManchester, or Birmingham. You can also use the office finder to find the closest branch to you.

    Was your Spouse Visa application rejected? Our lawyers can advice on the next best action.

    Spouse Visa appeal process

    If you wish to submit a Spouse Visa appeal, you should act quickly and follow the below steps:

    1. Submit your appeal to the Immigration Asylum Chamber within 28 days of receipt of the refusal decision if overseas, or 14 days if your application was made inside the UK
    2. Ensure that your grounds for appeal are legitimate and are likely to be accepted
    3. Prepare your case to submit the strongest possible application to the Immigration Tribunal
    4. Gather the supporting documents to demonstrate why your application should be accepted
    5. Attend your hearing at the Tribunal (if relevant)

    How long does the Spouse Visa appeal process take?

    Unfortunately, the appeal process for a spouse visa uk can be quite lengthy. Some applicants may have to wait up to 12 months or longer for a decision to be made on their appeal against a Spouse Visa refusal.

    Some of the reasons for refusal include:

    • Failing to meet the financial or language requirements
    • Failure to prove that the marriage is genuine and subsisting
    • Not submitting the correct supporting documents
    • Incomplete or inaccurate application

    The best way to avoid having to go through the Spouse Visa appeal process is by ensuring that your initial application is as accurate as possible.

    How can IAS’ Spouse Visa Solicitors help?

    Spouse Visa applications can be complex, and using the services of an immigration expert is highly recommended. You will need to ensure that you meet all of the mandatory requirements, complete the relevant forms and collate your evidence for submission. This will need to be extensive and prove that your relationship is genuine.

    At IAS, we understand the importance of being close to loved ones, and we make it our priority to maximise your chances of doing this.

    Our team of specialist immigration advisers and spouse visa solicitors can guide you through each step of your application process for a Partner Visa in the UK. Our services include:

    • liaising with you in person, via phone or Skype at a time that suits you
    • assessing your eligibility
    • checking your documents to ensure that they are sufficient for your Partner Visa application
    • ensuring that you have enough proof that your relationship is genuine
    • preparing a Letter of Representation to accompany your application
    • liaising with the Home Office until your case is resolved
    • completing each part of your application form to the highest standard
    • helping you to meet the requirements, or qualify for exemptions

    IAS has an excellent track record of successful cases, and our spouse visa solicitors are highly experienced in this field. To apply for a UK Spouse visa, contact IAS online or on +44 (0)333 414 9244 today for professional, no-obligation advice or assistance.

    We offer immigration advice sessions as face to face appointments at all of our UK offices, or via the phone.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    If you and your spouse meet the strict requirements to remain in the UK, you will be able to submit an application for a Marriage Visa UK. The application can be made in the UK or from your current country of residence.

    You will need to show a substantial amount of evidence about your relationship to prove you are eligible to come to the UK on this permit.

    If you’ve been living with your spouse in another European country outside of the UK, you may also be eligible through the ‘Surinder Singh’ route rather than a traditional permit.

    To apply for a Spouse Visa, you can enquire with us online or over the phone.

    Since August 10th 2017, decisions for these applications must take into consideration other methods of financing.

    This might include self-sustainability, self-employment or continued financial support from a relative. These changes will offer some hope for those who have previously had their Marriage Visas rejected, or for those who have put off applying.

    If you have already joined your spouse or partner in the UK you may apply to switch to a Marriage Visa from a different immigration category.

    You will not be allowed to switch categories if you are here as a visitor or if permission to stay was given for a period of less than six months (with the exception of the fiancées or proposed civil partner permits).

    You also cannot apply for this status if you are in breach of the Immigration Rules (a period of overstaying of less than 28 days will not be taken into account).

    There are some occasions where you may be exempt from the financial requirements for a UK Spouse, for example, if you have a disability or you are a carer. There are, however, only a limited number of instances where exemptions apply.

    We would advise you to consult a professional immigration lawyer for more information. Whilst you may be exempt from meeting the current income threshold, you will need to prove that you have enough money to support your spouse/partner and/or any dependants.

    If you decide to end your relationship or divorce your partner, it is important to let the Home Office know as soon as possible as this can have an impact on future visa applications.

    Since your leave depends on your relationship, the Home Office will issue what is known as a Spouse Visa curtailment. This will usually allow you enough time to make a new application under a new route to stay in the UK or leave the country, but you will need to act quickly.

    Contact us to find out more information on your options following a Spouse Visa curtailment

    No, your spouse or partner’s income cannot be included as part of the financial requirement for the UK spouse visa unless they are already residing in the UK (and with permission to work). In which case, the financial requirement can be based on household income.

    If you feel you are struggling to meet the minimum financial income requirement, get in touch with our team to discuss how recent changes to the law could help your application.

    If you are from a country outside of the European Economic Area (or Switzerland) that is not predominantly English speaking then you will need to pass an English Language test that has been conducted by an approved test provider.

    If you have an English Language certificate which has been provided by one of these approved providers then it should satisfy the language requirement. This includes degrees earned in English.

    If you are unsure of where to find an approved test provider, consult an immigration specialist who will be best positioned to point you in the right direction when applying for a Spouse Visa.

    If you are a spouse visa holder and a victim of domestic violence, UK immigration law offers protection to allow you to remain in the country. You can apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) under the Domestic Violence Rule, even if your relationship with your spouse has broken down as a result of the abuse.

    You will need to provide evidence of domestic violence, such as police reports, medical records, or witness statements, to support your application. If successful, you can remain in the UK independently of your abusive partner.

    On the other hand, domestic violence against a spouse is a breach of your conditions to remain in the UK, and you could face deportation if your domestic violence is proven. If you are a danger to your spouse, you can be immediately removed from the UK,  waiving your right to a curtailment period.

    Yes, you can apply for a spouse visa with a criminal record, but approval depends on factors such as the severity and nature of the crime, how much time has passed since the conviction, and whether you’re deemed a threat to public safety. Immigration authorities will assess each case individually, and some offenses may lead to refusal.

    Yes, even if your spouse is not a British citizen, you may be able to get a Spouse Visa. If your partner has Indefinite Leave to Remain, their dependents will be able to join them, including a partner on a Spouse Visa.

    You may be eligible for a different dependent visa if your UK spouse has a qualifying visa, for example, a Skilled Worker Visa. In this case, you may be able to get a Skilled Worker Dependent Visa.

    Benefits of Choosing IAS for Your Partner Visa Application

    Choose IAS for your UK partner visa application. Our skilled lawyers can handle various immigration issues, making the application process stress-free for you and your partner.

    With IAS, you get personalised guidance from experienced immigration lawyers, in-house document checks to verify your paperwork, and consistent communication with the Home Office on your behalf, when necessary.

    Our dedicated immigration lawyers provide our services through a comprehensive and personalised approach. Work with IAS and enjoy:

    Compassionate support from an experienced immigration lawyer dedicated to your success

    Expert advice and a strong application to to minimise application risks or rejection.

    A one-stop shop that extends beyond the application to include guidance on residency and settlement

    A personalised Letter of Representation to highlight application strengths

    Regardless of what your personal immigration query might be, IAS is here to help and support you. Call us or enquire online to learn more about how we can help you.

    What our clients are saying

    We are the UK’s leading immigration specialists

    IAA Accredited UK Immigration lawyers

    We’ve had over 25,000 applications approved

    We are now open 7 days a week from 8.30am to 6pm.

    How our UK Immigration Lawyers can help

    At the Immigration Advice Service our lawyers specialise in a wide range of UK visas, nationality and asylum applications and have represented clients in various successful complex and high-profile cases.

    Get in Touch

    Head Office:

    Immigration Advice Service
    Ashwood House, Ellen Street
    Oldham, OL9 6QR, United Kingdom

    Head Office Phone:

    +44 (0)333 414 9244

    We have over 12 offices across the world, find a branch near you.

    Call us now at +44 (0)333 414 9244 or request a call back using the form below.

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