Spouse Visa Requirements UK & Application Process
Spouse Visa Requirements
The UK requirements for a Spouse Visa are some of the most challenging to meet. To prove that you are eligible, you will have to provide extensive documents which show your relationship is genuine. Your UK sponsor will have to earn over £18,600 a year. You will also need to have adequate housing provisions.
The exact visa you need will depend on your individual circumstances. If you are hoping to move to the UK to be with your partner, you must make a Spouse Visa application. You can also either apply as a Fiancee or Unmarried Partner of a British citizen or a person with settled status. If you want to apply for a Spouse Visa, your partner must either be a British citizen by birth or a naturalised British citizen.
If you meet the UK’s Spouse Visa requirements, a Fiance Visa will only be issued for a six month period, during which you would be expected to get married. An Unmarried Partner or Spouse Visa is valid for 30 months. After 30 months, you will be able to apply for an extension for a further 30 months. After the five year period has come to an end, you will be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and, at a later time, for Citizenship in the UK.
How can IAS help?
Our expert lawyers are available to advise you on the Spouse Visa requirements. Through our service, we will check that you are eligible for a Partner Visa and make sure that you have enough evidence to prove your relationship is genuine to the Home Office. Your lawyer will help to prepare everything to need for the Spouse Visa application process and fully manage and complete your application for you.
Speak with IAS now online or call 0333 363 8577 for advice from an experienced immigration lawyer today.
If you would like to know more about how to apply for a Spouse Visa UK, check out our FAQs to see if you meet the UK Spouse Visa requirements below.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
To qualify for a Spouse Visa UK, need to meet the following requirements:
- you and your partner must be over the age of 18;
- you must have met each other and be legally married;
- you must intend to live together;
- you must have enough money to support yourselves and any dependants without claiming public funds;
- the sponsoring party must meet the Spouse Visa financial requirements, or have enough savings to support yourselves. This number increases if you have dependent children;
- you must have suitable accommodation for you, your partner and any dependent children; and
- your partner must satisfy the English language requirements.
Some of the documents you will need to provide include:
- Your passport (with a blank page)
- Evidence that you meet the minimum income requirement
- Proof of your relationship/marriage
- English language qualification
- Your current right to be in the country you are applying from
- Your tuberculosis test results if you are from a country which requires this
If you feel you cannot provide any of these documents, seek the advice of one of our expert family immigration lawyers.
This will depend on how you choose to submit your Spouse Visa application. The application could take as little as two weeks if you apply from within the UK using the Premium Service Centre.
It is important to note that you may not always be eligible to apply for a Spouse Visa from within the country, as this depends on what kind of visa you are already holding. If you apply for a Spouse Visa from outside of the UK, you may also be able to use a premium service from within your home country. However, this may still take longer than two weeks as using the service will only push your application to the front of the queue.
Your application could take up to 12 weeks if extra checks are required or it’s not immediately apparent whether you meet the visa requirements. Processing times for a Spouse Visa may also vary depending on which country you submit your UK Spouse Visa application form.
A Fiance Visa lasts for six months, during this time, you will be expected to get married in the UK and switch to a Spouse Visa if you wish to remain here.
If you apply from outside the UK, your first Spouse Visa will be issued for 33 months. After this, you will be expected to apply for a spouse visa extension.
This will be valid for a further 30 months. After this time, if you are still eligible, you will be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. If you apply from inside the UK, your first Spouse Visa will be issued for 30 months followed by an extension visa of 30 months.
- Yes, you can work on a spouse visa once you are in the UK. However, you cannot work on a six-month Fiance Visa. Once you are married, you will be able to switch to a Spouse Visa and this will allow you to work.If you wish to work in the UK, you can apply for a different permit, such as the Tier 2 Visa for skilled employees..
The many different categories of the Partner Visa are similar, but understanding which one is right for you can be challenging.
IAS can provide you with an experienced lawyer to assist with your application and help you understand the different options available to you.
Our services include:
- making sure your documents are sufficient for your application;
- ensuring you have enough proof to show that your relationship is genuine to the Home Office;
- preparing a Letter of Representation, which details your case and its merits, to accompany your application;
- liaising with the Home Office on your behalf;
- completing each part of your application form with care and attention.
Call 0333 363 8577 Or contact us online to start your application or to get more information on the requirements and process.