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Family togetherness across borders is more important than ever in today’s globalised environment. The Spouse Visa is essential to this unity inside the United Kingdom. In this guide, we’ll provide applicants with a clear roadmap to facilitate their seamless navigation of the new spouse visa extension rules UK 2024.
A new set of rules and requirements regarding spouse visa renewals will become effective in 2024, bringing with it a wave of changes. Staying updated with these changes is essential for individuals navigating the complexities of immigration. It’s particularly crucial for those seeking to extend their stay based on their marital status. This blog will help you to understand the rules and 2024 UK Visa Extension requirements.
Changes in Spouse Visa Extension Rules UK 2024
If you’re thinking about extending your spouse visa in 2024, you need to know that the rules have had a makeover. The way things used to work isn’t the same anymore. Even though the main idea behind the visa—letting spouses join their partners abroad—stays the same. The rules you need to follow have changed a lot.
The rules aren’t just updated; they’re quite different from what they were before. They might want more documents or different proof of your relationship. Before moving forward let’s discuss first what a UK Spouse Visa is.
UK Spouse Visa
The UK Spouse Visa allows the married partner of a British citizen or someone with indefinite leave to remain in the UK to live, work, and study in the country. This visa is essential for bringing families back together. Since it makes it easier for partners and spouses to enter the UK and live there as a couple.
When can I submit an application to renew my spouse’s visa?
The first UK Spouse Visa is issued for a duration of thirty months, or 2.5 years. After this time, you can request an extension, and the authorities will grant you an additional 2.5 years. Moreover, after obtaining a Spouse Visa and residing in the UK for five years, you might be qualified to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which grants you the freedom to stay in the country indefinitely. Considering this route, obtaining competent legal assistance is advisable due to the complexity of the regulations and requirements involved.
Who must submit an application to renew a spouse visa?
To stay in the UK longer, you must obtain a spouse visa extension in UK or a civil partnership extension if you are:
- The British citizen’s spouse or civil partner
- The civil partner or spouse of an established individual
- The civil partner or spouse of an individual in the UK who is granted limited leave under Appendix EU
- The civil partner or spouse of a Turkish ECAA worker or businessperson residing in the UK
- A UK citizen’s spouse or civil partner protected by humanitarian laws or holding refugee status.
There will be an option for you to extend the visa by an additional three months. After five years, you might be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) to extend your spouse’s visa.
Financial requirements for UK Spouse Visa
If you want to extend your spouse visa successfully you have to carefully understand the financial requirements of this visa. This is especially true following the Home Secretary’s December 5th, 2023 announcements, highlighting an increase in the salary threshold for 2024.
From April 2024 onwards, British nationals or those with settled status in the UK will need to prove that their foreign partners earn at least £38,700 per year for them to join them in the country. This is a substantial increase over the current threshold of £18,600. These financial criteria can be satisfied if you are currently employed in the UK and your partner’s earnings are merged with yours. However, keep in mind that earnings from an overseas job that will be lost if your visa application is approved aren’t included in the calculation above.
It is important to note that the minimum required basic income is not a set amount. Rather, it varies based on the total number of dependent children who are not British citizens who apply with you. The first child increases the financial need by £3,800, and each further child adds £2,400.
What is the form for extending a spouse visa?
The FLR(M) is the form you must fill out to apply for a Spouse Visa extension after 2.5 years. It’s a lengthy application that needs several different documents and information from you. It is imperative that you accurately fill out the FLR(M) form. Any error, no matter how small, will lead to a rejection. Furthermore, if the Home Office determines that you haven’t provided sufficient proof, you will need to attend a face-to-face interview.
How UK Immigration Solicitors can help you to get a Spouse Visa Extension UK?
Our experienced lawyers can help families, workers, and students navigate the latest legal changes affecting UK migration. With the deadline for submitting before these changes take effect quickly approaching, we recommend arranging an appointment with one of our team members right now to have your application sent to the Home Office.
With the help of our application package, our solicitors will gather all the documents needed for your visa. They’ll meticulously review every detail and identify areas for improvement. Then, they’ll submit your application on your behalf to maximize your chances of obtaining the Spouse visa extension.
You can call now at 02033844389 to discuss the UK Visa Extension Process 2024.
