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Congratulations on taking the next step in your relationship! If you’re currently on a fiancé visa UK and are ready to make your love official, switching to a spouse visa is your path to a lasting partnership.
We will make this process easy for you. This guide will cover the essential steps to switch fiance visa to spouse visa UK.
To get detailed information and expert guidance on spouse visa, fiance visa, or any other type of visa you can call our experienced solicitors at 02033844389.
Overview of Fiance Visa to Spouse Visa UK
Before your fiance visa expires, you can switch your fiance visa to spouse visa UK. The initial stay for holders of UK spouse visas is 33 months, and they are eligible for an additional 30 months of extension. Spouse visa holders are eligible to live, work, and study in the UK. Also, spouse visa holders are eligible to apply for settlement (also known as indefinite leave to remain or ILR) after five years in the UK.
To apply for a spouse visa, you normally need to be outside of the UK. However, if you already have a fiancé visa, you can switch it to a spouse visa without leaving the nation.
Our experienced UK immigration Solicitors can help you with your immigration process.
What are the Requirements to Switch from Fiance Visa to Spouse Visa UK?
In order to switch from fiance visa to spouse visa UK, you need to meet certain eligibility requirements:
- You currently have a valid (not expired) fiance, fiancée, or planned civil partner visa.
- You must be a good person and not be a threat to the UK or have any pending criminal charges.
- Also, you have married or formed a civil partnership with a person who has a fiance, fiancée, or planned civil partner visa.
- Your partner must be able to support you.
- You must not have broken any immigration rules.
- Both of you must meet the financial standards.
- You have to meet English language requirements.
How to Prove Relationship Requirement?
To sponsor you, a spouse or civil partner who lives in the UK must be:
- a member of Britain or Ireland
- a person who has settled in the UK (e.g., ILR or EUSS Settled Status)
- holders of a Turkish Worker visa or a Turkish Businessperson visa
- a person in the UK who is a refugee or has emergency protection
To be clear, your portfolio of evidence may differ from that of other couples; after all, every relationship is unique.
Furthermore, keep in mind that it is your responsibility, not the immigration caseworker’s, to provide documentation. They will probably not do any further research to sway the immigration decision in your favour.
Get in contact with us right away if you need professional legal counsel for your spouse’s visa application case or if you are still confused about how to meet this portion of the requirement while switching to it. Get in touch with us online or give us a call at 02033844389.
Financial Requirements
You and your spouse were required to present proof of a minimum yearly income of £29,000 (or £18,600 if the application was submitted prior to April 11, 2024) in order to obtain a fiancé visa.
In accordance with immigration regulations, the Home Office will typically use the proof you provide in your first application when you switch fiance visa to spouse visa UK. However, proof of continuous work or self-employment may be required.
Requirements of English Language Proficiency
When you apply for your fiance visa, you will already have shown that you can speak and write English well. Therefore, the Home Office will probably assume that you already satisfy this criterion and won’t demand any additional proof.
Our experienced UK immigration Solicitors can help you with your immigration process.
Which Documents are Required to Switch Fiance Visa to Spouse Visa UK?
To complete your application to switch your visa status from fiance to spouse, the Home Office may ask for certain pieces of paperwork. The Home Office will already have these documents, so you might not need as many as you did for your initial fiance visa. Maybe they’ll ask you for:
- Your current and valid passport.
- Evidence of a legal relationship in the UK, such as a marriage licence or civil partnership certificate issued within the past six months,
- Evidence proving that you are currently working or self-employed
- Documentation showing that you and your partner live together (such as a lease, utility bills, council tax invoice, bank statement, or medical recommendation)
- Provide proof that you have an appropriate place to stay
Keep in mind that the list provided is not complete. There may be needed additional documents from you depending on your specific situation.
Our experienced UK immigration Solicitors can help you with your immigration process.
How to Switch From Fiance Visa to Spouse Visa UK?
Here are the steps you need to take to apply for a spouse visa instead of a fiancé visa:
- Fill out the application (available online)
- Ensure that all application fees are paid
- Schedule a meeting at a UKVCAS service centre
- Send the Home Office any documents they may need
- Bring your photo ID and fingerprints to your UKVCAS appointment
Cost of Fiance Visa to Spouse Visa UK
Converting to a spouse visa requires an application cost of £1,048. Additionally, to access the NHS, you are required to pay the immigration healthcare surcharge: the National Health Service (NHS) costs £1035 annually.
Our experienced UK immigration Solicitors can help you with your immigration process.
What is the Visa Processing Time?
Process times may vary. You can also pay extra for the super-priority service if you need a decision on your visa application quickly if you are applying from inside the UK. It costs £800.
If you apply outside the UK, the application process for a Spouse visa will usually take 24 weeks. You can apply for a Spouse visa from inside the UK, and it will generally be processed in 8 weeks.
Our experienced UK immigration Solicitors can help you with your immigration process.
Can I Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after Switching to Spouse Visas?
After getting a Spouse visa, you can apply for indefinite leave to stay (ILR).
A fiancé visa, as indicated earlier, is only valid for a maximum of six months. Spouse visas, on the other hand, are valid for an extended period of time and can lead to permanent residency in the UK.
You can become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after five years in the UK on a Spouse visa, which is different from most other pathways to ILR. Being in the UK on a Fiancé visa does not count towards the 5-year minimum, so keep that in mind.
You must additionally meet the following criteria in addition to the 5-year requirement:
- You must have spent no more than 180 days outside of the UK in any 12 months within the last five years.
- Maintain the same level of financial stability as when you initially applied for your visa.
- Pass the Life in the UK Test.
- Meet the minimum language requirement.
- Prove that you and your partner have been cohabitating and that you want to stay together after you apply.
You will be able to remain in the UK permanently and escape immigration control once you obtain ILR status. After twelve months of legal permanent residence in the UK, you will also be able to apply for British citizenship.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does a Fiancé visa vary from a Spouse visa?
With a fiancé visa, you can visit the UK for up to six months before your wedding. You are not allowed to do any kind of job or study during this period. In contrast, a Spouse Visa grants you and your spouse permission to reside in the UK for a period of up to thirty months, with the option to extend that period if necessary. The freedom to work and attend school is another benefit.
Can I change fiancé visa to spouse visa?
To change your visa status from fiance to spouse in the UK, you need to get legally married or register your civil union within six months of arriving in the country, and then apply for the change of status before your current visa expires.
Can I bring my fiance to the UK to get married?
You and your fiancé can enter the UK on different types of visas to get married, but if you intend to stay in the UK after the wedding, your fiancé will need to change their visa to a spouse visa.
Can I bring my fiance to the UK to get married?
You and your fiancé can enter the UK on different types of visas to get married, but if you intend to stay in the UK after the wedding, your fiancé will need to change their visa to a spouse visa.
