UK Spouse Visa Lawyers
– application processing time, important documents & fees

A UK spouse visa is for the husband or wife of a British or settled citizen in the UK.

Tap into the wealth of expertise within our team, comprising of seasoned lawyers, semi-retired barristers and data analysts. Our winning combo can mitigate any risk of your spouse visa being refused.

About UK spouse visa

The UK spouse visa allows the husband or wife of a British citizen or settled individual to join them in the UK. It permits the applicant to live, work, and study in the UK. This visa is valid for 2.5 years and can be extended, ultimately leading to indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and British citizenship. Applicants must meet specific financial, language, and relationship requirements.

Who is eligible to apply for a UK spouse visa?

To apply for a UK spouse visa, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  1. Age – both parties must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
  2. Relationship – applicants must be married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen or someone with indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or EU Pre-Settled/Settle Status in the UK.
  3. Legal marriage – the marriage or relationship must be genuine, legally recognized, and ongoing.
  4. Finacial requirement – The UK sponsor must meet the minimum income requirement of £29,000 annually, or provide evidence of sufficient savings. This amount increases if dependent children are involved.
  5. English language – applicants must meet the English language requirement by passing an approved test or having an academic qualification taught in English.
  6. Ongoing marriage – applicants must provide proof of intention to live together permanently in the UK.
  7. Suitability – applicants should not have any criminal convictions or previous immigration violations.

Meeting these criteria and providing strong supporting evidence is essential to successfully obtaining the visa.

Financial requirement

The financial requirement for a UK partner or spouse visa can be met through income, cash savings, or a combination of both. The required level of financial resources depends on the date of your application.

If you submitted your initial application before 11th April 2024 and are applying for extension:

Number of ApplicantsFinancial Requirements
Partner with no children£18,600
1 additional child£22,400
2 additional children£24,800
3 additional children£27,200
Each additional childPlus £2,400

If you submitted your initial application after 11th April 2024 (and are applying for extension):

As of April 11, 2024, applicants seeking a UK Partner Visa for the first time need to demonstrate a minimum annual income of £29,000. This income threshold applies regardless of any dependent children included in the application.

What is the English language requirement

Applicants must show they can speak and understand English proficiently. To fulfil the English language requirement, applicants may satisfy the criteria through one of the following methods listed here.

Application process

The application process for the UK Spouse Visa is a three-part procedure, requiring careful preparation and attention to detail.

  1. Gather the required documents: Collect evidence of your relationship, financial stability, accommodation, and English language proficiency. Ensure all documents are accurate and translated if necessary.
  2. Apply online: Complete the application form on the UK government website, upload necessary documents, and pay the application fee along with the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
  3. Attend a biometrics appointment: Book and attend an appointment at a visa application center to submit your fingerprints, photograph, and supporting documents.

Once the application is submitted, you’ll need to wait for the processing time, which varies depending on whether you’ve used standard or priority services. Following each step carefully is key to a successful outcome.

Processing time

Processing times for UK spouse visa applications vary. For standard applications submitted outside the UK, the process usually takes up to 12 weeks. Applications made from within the UK generally take 8 weeks. Priority services can reduce processing time to 5-10 working days, while super-priority services may provide a decision within 24 hours. Factors such as document accuracy and case complexity can impact timelines.

UK spouse visa required documents

To successfully apply for a UK Spouse Visa, you’ll need to provide a comprehensive set of documents to the UK Home Office. These documents serve as evidence of your relationship, financial stability, and English language proficiency, which are essential for demonstrating that you meet the visa requirements.

Firstly, you must submit a valid passport or travel identification, along with any previous passports. Proof of your genuine relationship with your spouse is critical and can include a marriage or civil partnership certificate, photos of time spent together, travel records, and communication logs such as emails or messages.

Financial evidence is required to prove that you meet the minimum income threshold of £18,600, which can be demonstrated through payslips, bank statements, or proof of savings. If children are included in the application, this threshold increases, and additional financial documents will be necessary.

You also need to show proof of suitable accommodation arrangements in the UK, such as a tenancy agreement or property ownership documents. Meeting the English language requirement is another key step, requiring an approved test certificate or a recognized academic qualification taught in English.

Lastly, any documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Preparing and organizing these documents carefully increases your chances of a successful application.

Ensuring a well-prepared and complete set of documents improves your chances of approval.

Visa fees for UK family route

The UK spouse visa costs £1,538 for overseas applications and £1,048 for domestic ones. Additionally, applicants must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which costs £624 per year. Priority services and super-priority services incur extra charges. Fees are subject to change, so it’s important to check the latest rates before applying.

How can Visa Positive be of assistance?

Visa Positive offers complete, ready-to-ship UK spouse visa applications designed for approval in 4 easy steps.

visa questions
01. Questionnaire

Complete the interactive questionnaire at your convenience and provide some basic information to help us conduct an initial assessment.

visa review
02. Review

We’ll analyse your details and process them through our proprietary AI system, comparing them against thousands of successful past applications.

visa draft
03. Draft

You’ll work with a dedicated lawyer from the drafting stage through to the submission of your completed case file, ensuring continuity and a thorough understanding of your case.

visa green
04. Green Light

We make precise amendments and refinements to eliminate potential issues, ensuring the best chance of approval for your UK spouse.

Visa entitlement

A successful UK spouse or partner visa offers a strong start to your life together in the UK. You will receive an initial stay of 30-33 months, contingent on your application location. Your family will also benefit from access to free public schools and the NHS healthcare system. Plus, any dependents on your visa can work or study freely in the UK.

  1. Live freely in the UK with your spouse
  2. Work as an employed or self-employed person without sponsorship
  3. Enjoy absences of any period*
  4. Access to NHS healthcare
  5. Private and family life protection

FAQ’s

This depends on your relationship status. A spouse visa is for those already married or in a civil partnership and a fiancé(e) visa allows you to get married/enter a civil partnership in the UK.

Meanwhile, a civil partner visa functions similarly to a spouse visa but for existing civil partnerships.

The minimum income requirement for sponsoring a partner has significantly increased.

Effective April 11, 2024, it is now £29,000 and there are even further increases planned for later in 2024 and early 2025.

Yes, you can extend your spouse visa in the UK if you continue to meet the eligibility requirements. To apply for an extension, you must prove that your relationship is genuine and ongoing, meet the financial requirement, and provide evidence of adequate accommodation and English language proficiency. Ensure you apply before your current visa expires to maintain your legal status in the UK.

You can appeal or submit a new application. Rejection reasons are usually provided, so address them in follow-up actions. If appealing, you may need to present additional evidence or clarify points. Alternatively, submit a new application with new supporting documents. Seek professional advice to strengthen your case.

You will receive a 2.5-year visa valid for living, working, and studying in the UK. Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) outlines visa conditions, which you must follow to maintain legal status. Before visa expiration, apply for an extension or begin ILR application after five years of continuous UK residence. Enjoy your new life with your partner.

Our guarantee

We stand behind our work. In the unlikely event your application is refused, we’ll provide a full refund of your fees.