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UK spouse visa
A visa for the husband or wife of a British or settled citizen. Avoid a spouse visa refusal with a consultation for £99.
Eligibility
A UK spouse visa lets the husband or wife of a British or settled person live with their partner in the UK.
To apply for a UK Spouse Visa, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- The marriage must be legal, genuine, and ongoing.
- The UK sponsor must earn at least £29,000 a year or have sufficient savings.
- The applicant must pass an approved English test or hold a qualifying English-taught degree.
- Applicants must be married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, someone with ILR, or EU Pre-Settled/Settled Status.
- 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.
Costs
The UK Spouse Visa costs £1,938 for overseas applications and £1,321 for domestic ones.
Additionally, applicants must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which costs £1,035 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.
Processing time
Processing times for UK Spouse Visa applications vary:
- Outside the UK: Up to 12 weeks (standard)
- Inside the UK: Around 8 weeks
- Priority service: 5–10 working days
- Super-priority: Within 24 hours
Timelines may be affected by case complexity and document accuracy.
Conditions of stay
A successful UK partner visa grants 30–33 months of stay, access to free NHS healthcare and public schools, and allows dependents to work or study in the UK.
How we can help
Visa Positive offers expert UK Spouse Visa support, including eligibility assessment and application help. Book a £99 consultation to get started.
Questions?
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 if you still meet the requirements. You’ll need to show your relationship is genuine, meet the financial threshold, and provide proof of accommodation and English language ability. Apply before your current visa expires to stay legally in the UK.
You can appeal or reapply. Rejection reasons are usually given—use them to improve your next steps. Appeals may require extra evidence or clarification, while a new application should include stronger documents. Professional advice can help strengthen your case.
You’ll receive a 2.5-year visa allowing you to live, work, and study in the UK. Follow the conditions on your BRP to maintain legal status. Before it expires, apply to extend or start your ILR application after five years.