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A UK Spouse Visa allows married partners or civil partners of British citizens or settled persons to live together in the United Kingdom. The visa is granted under the family route and can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain and British citizenship if relationship, financial, accommodation, and English language requirements are met. Recent changes to the minimum income threshold mean many applicants now face higher refusal risks. Professional legal guidance can help ensure the application is prepared correctly, supported by the right evidence, and submitted under the correct immigration rules.
Our UK immigration solicitors advise on eligibility, manage spouse visa applications, handle extensions, refusals, and appeals, and support clients through the full five-year settlement pathway. Services are available worldwide, with remote case handling and clear, fixed legal fees.
Speak to a UK Spouse Visa expert at 020 3384 4389 for immediate, personalised assistance.
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Ready to Join Your Partner in the UK? Get Help Today!
No more confusion or wasted time. Tell us about your case, and we’ll provide an expert-backed, realistic plan to secure your UK visa.
Spouse Visa can lead to you obtaining Indefinite Leave to Remain and becoming a British Citizen if you meet the qualifying requirements along the pathway
Embark on your journey towards a life together in the UK with our comprehensive Uk visa Spouse service. This visa category is designed for non-UK residents who are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen or a person settled in the UK.
Our overview covers the essential criteria, including financial requirements, proof of relationship, and language proficiency, ensuring you have a clear understanding of the process. We break down the complexities of the application, offering insights into eligibility, required documentation, and processing times.
UK Spouse Visa – Quick Facts
What is a UK Spouse Visa?
A UK Spouse Visa allows a married partner or civil partner of a British citizen or settled person to live together in the UK on a long-term family route.
Who is eligible to apply?
You can apply if you are legally married or in a recognised civil partnership, your relationship is genuine, and you both intend to live together permanently in the UK.
How much income is required in 2025?
Most applicants must meet a £29,000 minimum income requirement, although exemptions and alternative financial routes may apply in specific cases.
How long does a UK Spouse Visa last?
The visa is usually granted for 33 months if you apply from outside the UK or 30 months if you apply from inside the UK.
The Immigration Health Surcharge is a mandatory fee for your Civil Partnership Visa UK, granting full access to the NHS. It costs £1,035 per year, with the total paid upfront. For a 2.5-year visa, this is £2,587.50. The fee is fully refunded if your application is refused.
Yes. UK Spouse Visa holders can work or study without restrictions from the day the visa is granted.
When applying for a Spouse Visa, you must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge to cover your healthcare costs while in the UK. Since February 2024, the surcharge has been £1,035 per year, following a 86% increase. For in-country application, it will be for 30 months and out-country application, it will be for 33 months.
Most applications are decided within 12 weeks from outside the UK or eight weeks when applying inside the UK, with faster priority options available.
The Marriage Visitor Visa allows for a single stay of up to 6 months. This visa cannot be extended, and you must leave the UK at the end of this period.
After five years on the spouse route, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, followed by British citizenship.
This visa allows you to get married or register a civil partnership, but you cannot work, study, or live in the UK. You must use this visa solely to visit and get married.
Refusals often occur due to financial evidence issues, insufficient relationship proof, incorrect documentation, or failure to meet updated Home Office rules.
Expert Guidance
You don’t need to go through the stress alone. Our immigration lawyers are here to simplify the process and give you the best chance of success.
Benefits
Our UK immigration solicitors specialise in Spouse Visa applications for married and civil partners of British citizens and settled persons in the UK. We provide clear legal advice based on the latest Home Office rules, helping applicants choose the correct route and avoid common mistakes. Before you apply, we assess eligibility, financial requirements, relationship evidence, and accommodation to identify risks early. This reduces the chance of delays or rejection and ensures your application is submitted the first time.
We also assist with complex cases, including previous refusals, income shortfalls, self-employment, and applications affected by recent rule changes. Our service covers applications, extensions, settlements, and appeals, with clear communication and fixed legal fees.
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Success Rate
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Applications Approved
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Immigration Appeal Win Rate
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From Consultation to Visa Approval
Our immigration specialists streamline your application process by clearly identifying which evidence and strategies will strengthen your case.
By aligning your unique circumstances with Home Office requirements, we help you focus on high-impact preparations while addressing any potential weaknesses in your application.
From Consultation to Visa Approval
Our immigration specialists streamline your application process by clearly identifying which evidence and strategies will strengthen your case.
By aligning your unique circumstances with Home Office requirements, we help you focus on high-impact preparations while addressing any potential weaknesses in your application.
Maximising Your Approval Chances
Our goal is to maximise the chances of your visa being approved the first time. By carefully reviewing your circumstances, identifying potential weaknesses, and preparing strong supporting evidence, we significantly reduce the risk of refusals. Every application is checked by senior immigration solicitors who apply their expertise to make your case as clear, accurate, and persuasive as possible. This attention to detail is what improves success rates and helps our clients move forward with confidence.
Success Rate Optimisation
We carefully analyse every detail of your application to maximise the chances of approval. By addressing weaknesses, strengthening supporting evidence, and ensuring full compliance with Home Office rules, we optimise your case for success. This thorough approach significantly improves approval rates and gives you confidence throughout the process.
Risk Mitigation Strategies
We identify potential risks in your application early and put safeguards in place to address them. By preparing strong evidence, clarifying complex points, and anticipating Home Office concerns, we minimise the chance of delays or refusals.
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Evidence-based case preparation
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Home Office compliance checks
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Success rate optimisation
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Risk mitigation strategies
From Consultation to Visa Approval
Our immigration specialists streamline your application process by clearly identifying which evidence and strategies will strengthen your case.
By aligning your unique circumstances with Home Office requirements, we help you focus on high-impact preparations while addressing any potential weaknesses in your application.
Maximising Your Approval Chances
Our goal is to maximise the chances of your visa being approved the first time. By carefully reviewing your circumstances, identifying potential weaknesses, and preparing strong supporting evidence, we significantly reduce the risk of refusals. Every application is checked by senior immigration solicitors who apply their expertise to make your case as clear, accurate, and persuasive as possible. This attention to detail is what improves success rates and helps our clients move forward with confidence.
Success Rate Optimisation
We carefully analyse every detail of your application to maximise the chances of approval. By addressing weaknesses, strengthening supporting evidence, and ensuring full compliance with Home Office rules, we optimise your case for success. This thorough approach significantly improves approval rates and gives you confidence throughout the process.
Risk Mitigation Strategies
We identify potential risks in your application early and put safeguards in place to address them. By preparing strong evidence, clarifying complex points, and anticipating Home Office concerns, we minimise the chance of delays or refusals.
Work With Trusted, SRA-Regulated UK Immigration Experts
Your immigration journey is too important to risk on unqualified or unregulated help. Every case we handle is prepared by SRA-regulated solicitors who apply structured legal reasoning, precise documentation checks and full compliance with Home Office and UKVI rules.
Our accreditations are your assurance that you are working with a reputable, experienced and highly trained legal team. We combine decades of immigration expertise with strict professional standards to give you clarity, confidence and complete peace of mind — no matter which visa or application route you are pursuing.
We Can Help You With Your England Spouse Visa
- Make a new application, apply for your dependents to join you, wish to extend your visa, become settled or challenge an unfair decision.
- UK Immigration Solicitors can provide you with expert advice, guidance and legal representation to meet your needs.
- Unsure about whether your plans would meet the requirements or whether you are likely to face any challenges?
- We can assess your individual circumstances and confirm what your options are through a free case assessment.
- UK Immigration Solicitors can ensure that your chances of success are maximised by handling your entire application remotely.
- Our service is entirely digital, eliminating the need for in-person visits in nine out of 10 immigration cases.
- Additionally, we are an award-winning law firm that specialises in all types of UK immigration cases, and we offer a transparent, fixed-fee service to handle your entire case.
Who Can Apply for a Partner Visa UK?
UK Visas & Immigration requires the following requirements in order to grant you a Partner Visa UK:
- If your partner is a British national, holds indefinite or limited leave to remain under the Appendix EU, or be entitled to limited leave under the Appendix ECA.
- Both of you are over 18 years of age.
- You have met each other in person and are legally married.
- Also, you plan to live together permanently.
- Your relationship is genuine.
- Any previous relationships have ended permanently.
- No public funds are required to support you in the UK.
- You and anyone with you in the UK has adequate accommodation;
- The level of English that you understand and speak is sufficient.
Depending on your circumstances, you may need to satisfy different requirements, so it is strongly advisable to confirm your eligibility in advance of making an application.
What are the Financial Requirements for a Spouse Visa UK?
When a partner applies for a family visa, both you and your UK-based partner must generally demonstrate that your combined income meets the minimum income requirement of £29,000 per year. This is a key financial condition for the visa application.
Minimum Income Requirement
Most applicants are required to have a minimum income of £29,000. However, this requirement can vary depending on certain factors, such as if your partner is receiving specific disability or carer’s benefits or if you are applying for an extension to a partner visa after initially applying before 11 April 2024, which includes those who first applied as a fiancée, or proposed civil partner.
Proving Your Income
You can prove your income in several ways, depending on the source of that income. The following types of income are recognised:
- Employment or self-employment income
- Also, pension income from either you or your partner
- Maternity benefits or bereavement payments received by the partner residing in the UK.
- Other income or savings that you or your partner specifies.
If your partner is receiving certain benefits, you may not need to meet the £29,000 income requirement. These benefits include:
- Attendance Allowance
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Armed Forces Independence Payment or Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
- Police Injury Pension
- Mobility Supplement, Constant Attendance Allowance, or War Disablement Pension under the War Pensions Scheme
- Industrial Injury Disablement Benefit
- Carers’ Allowance
In such cases, your partner is not required to meet the income threshold, but you still have to demonstrate that you have enough funds to support yourself in the United Kingdom. You need to show that you can handle housing on your own and won’t need government assistance.
Using Savings Instead of Income
If you do not meet the £29,000 annual income requirement, you can use your savings to fulfil the financial requirement. The savings must be at least £88,500 (increased from the previous requirement of £62,500). This amount will be considered in place of income to demonstrate that you and your partner can financially support yourselves.
What If You Applied Before April 2024?
Before 11 April 2024, if you first applied as a partner or if your original visa was as a fiancé, fiancée, or proposed civil partner, the financial requirements for your visa extension may differ slightly. In this case, you should check the specific rules that apply to your situation to ensure that you meet the necessary criteria.
For more details on meeting the spouse visa financial requirements, or for assistance on how to navigate the process, speak to one of our immigration solicitors. They can guide you through the entire application process, ensuring that all financial criteria are met and that you have all the necessary documents to support your case.
You can calculate your financial requirement through the financial requirement calculator.
Genuine Relationship Requirement
To prove that you are in an eligible relationship, you must do the following:
- You are a member of a legally registered marriage or civil partnership in the UK.
- If you are in a committed relationship, you must either have lived together for two years or intend to tie the knot within six months of your arrival in the UK.
UKVI places significant importance on ensuring that the relationship in question is genuine and ongoing. This is a critical aspect of the application process. As part of their due diligence, UKVI is vigilant in identifying “sham” marriages or relationships, where applicants may falsely claim to be in an eligible relationship.
If you have any concerns or uncertainties about whether your relationship meets the criteria for a genuine partnership, it is highly recommended to consult with one of our experienced immigration lawyers. They can provide you with expert guidance to ensure your application is in the best possible position.
Accommodation Requirements
Applicants need to show that they are currently residing in an appropriate UK residence and that it:
- Is owned or used only by the person and their family.
- Enough room for an easy life
- Completes all necessary public health measures
Documents Required for Spouse Visa UK
When applying for a partner or spouse visa, you have to provide a range of documents to support your application. These could consist of:
- A completely filled application form
- The application fee
- A current and valid passport
- Previous passports if any
- Documentation demonstrating a genuine and subsisting relationship (e.g., joint utility bills, photos, communication records)
- Proof of meeting the English language criteria (such as a CEFR exam certificate)
- Two recent, passport-sized color photographs adhering to UK visa guidelines
- Evidence of financial eligibility (e.g., bank statements, savings, or payslips)
- Details of any prior immigration applications, if applicable
- Disclosure of any criminal records
- Your National Insurance number (if applicable)
- Proof of suitable accommodation arrangements in the UK
- Biometric details, including fingerprints and a digital photo
- Tuberculosis test results, if required based on your country of residence.
To increase the likelihood of a successful outcome for your partner or spouse’s visa application, it is crucial to provide all necessary documents in the correct format, including translations where needed. Incomplete or incorrectly submitted documents could result in delays or a visa refusal.
How Long is a Spouse Visa Refusal Valid For?
If your application for a UK Spouse Visa is successful, your visa will initially last for 33 months.
Once this period comes to an end, and subject to you being able to prove that you still fulfil all of the requirements and there have been no changes in your circumstances e.g. a breakdown in your relationship, you are required to extend your leave as a spouse.
In the case of a spouse applying for leave to remain in the UK, you will be granted 30 months’ leave if your extension application is successful.
In the real world, we understand that things don’t always go to plan.
It’s important to understand that whilst the spouse visa refusal is an immigration pathway to settlement, this is subject to ongoing compliance with the immigration rules.
There are many considerations such as:
- Is the relationship subsisting and genuine??
- Has there been any relationship breakdown?
- Have there been any changes in income?
- Are there any criminal convictions?
You may apply for ILR if you are married to a British citizen or a settled person for five years and have met the immigration rules along this journey.
UK Spouse Visa Solicitors are experts in this are,a and our team can ensure that you remain compliant with the rules throughout your immigration journey.
How Long Does a Spouse Visa refusal Take to Process?
UK Visa & Immigration aims to process 95% of applications for UK Partner visas within 12 weeks after they are submitted.
Most visa centres outside the UK offer a settlement priority service if you need your visa processed faster. We will prioritise your application for a UK spouse visa at every step of the decision-making process. The Settlement Priority Visa Service typically processes UK Spouse visas within 30 business days. If the visa application is well-prepared, the process can be sped up.
From within the UK, you will be able to choose between two processing timelines when applying to switch into or extend your Spouse status. Your in-country application will be decided within 8 weeks if you apply via the Standard Service. In most cases, you will receive a decision on the next working day after providing your biometric information if you apply through the Super Priority Service.
Is there an English language requirement?
When you apply, you may need to demonstrate your proficiency in the English language.
When you do not need to show it
If one of these is true, you don’t have to show that you know English or take a test:
- Applying as a child
- Applying as an adult for relative care
- You’re extending your five-year UK family visa as a partner or parent
- You’re 65+
- Your physical or mental state prevents you from meeting the requirement
You won’t need to verify your English knowledge if you’re from one of these countries:
Australia, the Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Belize, Canada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malta, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, New Zealand, St Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Grenadines, USA.
How to prove your knowledge of English
There are two ways to prove it: with an academic credential or by taking an exam.
Academic qualifications
Having a degree or academic credential that was taught or researched in English is one way to demonstrate your proficiency in the English language.
If you have a degree from a UK university or college, you just need to show your degree document.
If your qualification is from a university or college outside the UK
To prove that your degree was taught in English and is comparable to a bachelor’s degree or higher in the UK, you’ll need to present a certificate from Ecctis (previously UK NARIC).
There are two types of certificates:
- a statement of comparability
- a visa and nationality statement
You will be required to provide a statement of comparability if you earned your degree from an accredited institution in one of the following countries:
Australia, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, the Bahamas, Belize, Dominica, Canada, Guyana, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Malta, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent, St Lucia, and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, USA
A nationality statement and a visa are required if your degree is from an international institution.
Take an approved English language test
To demonstrate your proficiency in the English language, you can take an English language test.
When applying for your first visa, you are required to demonstrate proficiency in the target language at the A1 level or higher according to the CEFR scale. You can select to take a higher-level exam.
After five years, you can reapply for settlement using your test results if you passed level B1 or above.
Do we both need to be in the UK to apply for a Spouse Visa?
You need entry clearance before coming to the UK if you want to enter the country because of your relationship with a British national.
You must have a valid visa that is valid for six months at the time you apply if you are applying from inside the United Kingdom.
If you were admitted into the UK as a visitor or prospective student, for example, or if you were initially admitted for a shorter period of time than six months, you cannot switch to a spouse visa.
Either you or your spouse can apply for a spouse visa in the UK.
When Do We Become Eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain?
When you have lived in the UK as the Spouse of a British citizen or settled person for five years (60 months), you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency.
In addition to the partner visa requirements listed above, you will need to demonstrate that:
- If you have been in this category for any period, you have lived with your Spouse permanently in the UK or have a good reason for not doing so, consistent with the intention that you will continue to live together permanently in the UK.
- To apply for settlement, you must meet the higher English Language requirement.
- The Life in the UK test must also be passed.
What If Our Spouse Visa Entry Clearance or Extension Has Been Refused?
If your application for entry clearance, leave to remain or settlement as a Spouse has been refused, UK Immigration Solicitor can help you determine whether to submit a fresh application or challenge the decision by appealing to the Immigration Tribunal..
UK Immigration Solicitors offer professional legal advice and representation in all aspects of pursuing UK immigration appeals in addition to preparing high quality visa applications.
We provide immigration appeal representation at hearings before the First-tier Tribunal, Upper Tribunal and higher courts, assist with the preparation of appeal bundles, represent you at immigration appeal hearings before the Upper Tribunal, and advise you on the merits of appealing against Home Office decisions. We draft grounds of appeal and applications to appeal and draft appeal bundles.
How Can We Extend Our Spouse Visa UK?
To extend your stay in the UK after your initial grant of leave as a Spouse expires, you must apply to UK Visas and Immigration.
As a Spouse, you must meet the same requirements as you do for initial applications. However, you will need to make sure that your application meets the requirements for relationships, finances, housing, and immigration status again. You will also need to demonstrate your English language proficiency.
Our expert team are ready to guide you through all of the requirements to extend your Spouse Visa and will be able to ensure that you qualify before you apply.
Can Our Children Join us on the Spouse Visa?
Any child intending to join the main applicant as part of their visa application is called a dependent.
Children under the age of 18 may enter the UK as your dependents.
They should be applied for at the same time as your spouse visa application. Depending on how many dependent children are being sponsored, your sponsoring spouse will need to prove an income of a specific amount.
What are the fees for a UK spouse visa?
As with many professions, such as accounting, medicine, or electrical work, it is possible to handle things yourself if you’re suitably qualified and competent. You can complete your own visa application if you feel you have the required understanding of the Home Office rules, requirements, and specified evidence thresholds. However, it is not ordinarily recommended if you are not totally comfortable with understanding and satisfying UKVI immigration rules.
If you make an application that is refused, you will lose all fees paid, and they cannot be reclaimed irrespective of the outcome of your application, so it is extremely important to ensure that things are done correctly the first time round.
It is therefore highly recommended that you seek expert legal assistance.
The UK Immigration Solicitors team can provide you with expert guidance and support and will handle your entire application for one transparent fixed fee.
It is important to be aware, however, that making these applications involves numerous other costs. It’s not cheap, so you must be successful with your first application. We recommend that you seek expert legal help with your Spousal Visa UK application, as the rules are complicated and the costs of refusal are high.
If you apply outside the UK in 2025, the fee (cost) will be £1,538. If you apply inside the UK, the fee will be £1,048.
The immigration health surcharge from outside the UK will be £1,872. If you apply inside the UK, the immigration health surcharge will be £1,560.
The priority (premium) visa service (optional, if you want fast processing) from outside the UK will be £573. If you apply inside the UK, the priority visa service fee will be £500 – £800.
Please note that the above fees are administrative only and do not cover our professional fees for legal representation.
How can UK Immigration Solicitors help me?
In addition to offering immigration services, our immigration lawyers assist individuals from around the world to obtain Spouse Visas for the UK.
In order to obtain a spouse visa, our UK immigration Spouse visa lawyers can be of assistance to you in assessing the merits of the application, overcoming challenges, assisting in preparing the application, or representing you in challenging a decision to refuse an application.
Having a proactive approach to understanding and meeting the needs of our clients is something we take pride in. Our team is committed to providing clients with clear and reliable immigration advice within a professional and friendly environment.
By now, you would have realised that when it comes to Spouse Visas, we are the go-to experts.
UK Spouse Visa FAQs
Yes, in some cases. Certain benefit exemptions, savings, or alternative financial evidence may be accepted, depending on your circumstances.
You may be able to switch if you are already in the UK on an eligible visa, such as a fiancé, work, or student visa valid for more than six months.
Refusals commonly occur due to incorrect financial evidence, weak relationship proof, missing documents, or evidence not meeting Home Office formatting rules.
Spouse Visas are usually extended after 30 months. You must continue to meet relationship, financial, accommodation, and English language requirements at extension stage.
Yes. Dependent children under 18 can usually apply with you, but additional financial and accommodation requirements will apply.
You may be able to submit a fresh application or challenge the decision through an appeal or administrative review, depending on the refusal reasons.
It is not mandatory, but legal representation can help reduce refusal risks, particularly for complex cases or applications affected by recent rule changes.
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