Spouse Visa UK

To apply for a UK Spouse Visa, you must be legally married to a British citizen or settled person and meet all the requirements of Appendix FM.
Our specialist UK immigration solicitor can help prevent mistakes that could lead to delays or denials in your Spouse Visa application.
Call our spouse visa solicitors in London at 0208 616 5535 or fill in our enquiry form for advice on eligibility, application process, and required documents.
Table of Contents
- What is a UK spouse visa?
- Who can apply for a UK spouse visa?
- UK spouse visa requirements 2025
- What is the new rule for a UK spouse visa?
- UK spouse visa document checklist 2025
- How to apply for a spouse visa from outside the UK?
- UK spouse visa processing time 2025
- How long is the UK spouse visa valid for?
- How much does a UK spouse visa cost in 2024?
- What happens after 5 years on a UK spouse visa?
- Why would a UK Spouse Visa be refused?
- How can immigration solicitors help with visas?
- Contact Vanguard Solicitors
- FAQs: UK spouse visa
What is a UK spouse visa?
A UK Spouse Visa, also known as a Partner Visa, permits the husband or wife of a British citizen or someone with settled status to live and work in the UK.
You can live and work in the UK for an initial period of 2 years and 9 months, with the option to extend your visa for an additional 30 months.
As a UK Spouse Visa holder, you can work full-time without any restrictions. There are no limitations on the type of job or industry in which you can be employed.
Who can apply for a UK spouse visa?
To be eligible to apply as a spouse, you and your partner must be 18 or over.
Your partner must also either:
- be a British or Irish citizen
- have indefinite leave to remain (ILR)
- have settled status
- have proof of permanent residence
- have protection status
- have permission to stay as a refugee
- have permission to stay as a stateless person
To be eligible for a UK Spouse Visa, you and your partner must have a genuine, ongoing relationship and intend to live together permanently in the UK.
UK spouse visa requirements 2025
To qualify for a UK Spouse Visa under the 5-year route, the applicant must meet all the requirements of Appendix FM of the immigration rules.
You must meet the following key requirements for a successful UK Spouse Visa application:
- Both you and your partner must be 18 or older.
- You must be legally married which is recognised by the UK.
- Your spouse must be a British citizen or hold settled status.
- Your relationship must be genuine and subsisting.
- You must intend to live together permanently in the UK.
- Your partner must meet the financial requirements.
- You need suitable accommodation in the UK.
- You must meet the English language requirement.
- A tuberculosis (TB) test is required, if applicable.
- You must not have breached UK immigration laws.
You may need to meet additional requirements based on your circumstances. Book a consultation with our spouse visa solicitor for an eligibility assessment.
UK spouse visa financial requirements
When applying for a family visa as a spouse, you and your partner typically need to show a combined annual gross income of at least £29,000.
The income threshold varies depending on whether any dependent children are also applying.
Only the following income sources will be considered:
- Employment or self-employment income
- Pension from the applicant and/or partner
- Maternity allowances or bereavement benefits received by the UK-based partner
- Any other income or savings declared by the applicant and/or partner
You can also meet the Spouse Visa financial requirement through cash savings if you or your partner have at least £88,500 in a bank account.
UK spouse visa genuine relationship requirements
The UK Spouse visa applicant needs to be able to prove they are in a genuine relationship, such as a civil partnership, with their British citizen or settled partner.
There are lots of different types of evidence you can send to the Home Office depending upon your personal circumstances, most common documents which you can provide to meet the genuine relationship test are:
- A joint mortgage or tenancy agreement, either in the UK or outside the UK.
- Evidence of any children you have together, such as a birth certificate.
- Photographs that show you have spent time together frequently.
- A shared bank account or savings.
- Text messages or social media chat logs.
- Travel documents that prove you have visited each other at least once before you got married or have met in person.
- Any documents which prove that you intend to live together in the UK.
UK spouse visa knowledge of English language requirements
Unless you are exempt, you may need to prove your English language proficiency when applying for a UK Spouse Visa.
For your initial UK Spouse Visa application, you must achieve at least level A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.
You can meet the knowledge of English language requirements by:
- Passing an approved English language test at or above the A1 CEFR level.
- Being a national of a majority English-speaking country.
- Having an academic qualification which is either a bachelor’s or master’s degree or PhD.
UK spouse visa accommodation requirements
There must be adequate accommodation for the applicant and any dependents without relying on public funds.
You must show you have a place to live that's big enough and permanent. The home can't be too crowded by UK rules. It must be legally owned or rented by you or your partner.
The accommodation should meet health and safety standards. It should be safe, habitable, and compliant with local regulations.
You may need to provide evidence of your accommodation, such as:
- Tenancy agreements or mortgage statements.
- Utility bills showing the address.
- Property inspection reports may also help demonstrate that the living space meets the necessary criteria.
If you're unsure about adequate accommodation requirements, call Vanguard Solicitors on 0208 616 5535. We can help with your specific situation.
What is the new rule for a UK spouse visa?
According to new rules, from 11th April 2024, the Spouse Visa minimum income requirement has increased from £18,600 to £29,000 gross per year.
You can meet the spouse visa financial requirement with cash savings alone, provided you have at least £88,500 (increased from £62,500 as of April 11th, 2024).
UK spouse visa document checklist 2025
The success of your UK Spouse Visa application heavily relies on the documents you provide. Failure to provide all documents and evidence in the correct format may lead to refusal or delay of your visa.
Here’s a comprehensive UK spouse visa document checklist for 2025:
- Your valid passport or other travel documents
- Complete spouse visa application forms
- Legal marriage certificate
- Proof that your relationship is genuine & subsisting
- Photographs that show you have spent time together frequently
- Evidence of communication, such as emails, chats, or phone records
- Evidence that you meet the financial requirements
- Proof of Adequate Accommodation in the UK
- Evidence that you meet the English language requirement
- Details of any criminal convictions
- Tuberculosis (TB) test results (if applicable)
- Additional supporting documents depending on your circumstances
If you're unsure about any documents or need help with a UK Spouse Visa application, call Vanguard Solicitors at 0208 616 5535 or fill in the enquiry form.
How to apply for a spouse visa from outside the UK?
Applying for a UK Spouse Visa involves several steps. Here is a general outline of the visa application process:
- Determine Eligibility
- Gather Supporting Documents
- Submit Online Application
- Attend Your Biometric Appointment
- Wait for a Decision
1. Determine Eligibility
Before applying for a UK Spouse Visa, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria. Contact Vanguard Solicitors at 0208 616 5535 for an eligibility assessment.
2. Gather Supporting Documents
You'll need various supporting documents to submit along with your Spouse Visa application such as proof of relationship, financial statements, and an English language certificate.
Review our detailed UK spouse visa document checklist above to ensure you have everything required for a successful visa application.
Some applicants must mail their supporting documents to a processing centre. Others might upload copies online, depending on their location.
3. Submit Online Application
You must apply online from outside the UK through the UK government website, ensuring you provide accurate and detailed information to avoid delays.
You will also need to pay the UK Spouse Visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) at this stage.
Once you have compiled all the necessary documents and completed the application form(s), submit your visa application online and pay the applicable visa fees.
4. Attend Your Biometric Appointment
Schedule an appointment at a visa application centre (VAC) to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and photographs). You will need to attend the appointment in person.
5. Wait for a Decision
Once you have submitted your application and attended the biometric appointment (if required), you will need to wait for a decision on your visa application.
Processing times can vary, so check the UK government website for current processing times.
UK spouse visa processing time 2025
In 2025, the average processing time for a UK spouse visa is 12 weeks if applying from outside the UK and 8 weeks if applying from within the UK.
By paying an additional fee, you can use the 'Priority Service' for your Spouse Visa application to get a faster decision within 5 working days.
The processing time for a UK visa or immigration application can vary depending on several factors. All the applicants are advised to check the latest information about application processing time on the official UK government website either applying from inside the UK or outside the UK.
How long is the UK spouse visa valid for?
Spouse Visa is initially granted for 30 months (2.5 years) if applied for within the UK, or 33 months (2 years and 9 months) if applied for from outside the UK.
After this period, you can apply to extend your Spouse Visa for an additional 30 months to continue living and working in the UK.
How much does a UK spouse visa cost in 2024?
How much it costs to apply for a UK spouse visa depends on your location and how you apply.
UK spouse visa fee
As of 2024, the standard UK Spouse Visa fee is £1,846 for applications made from outside the UK and £1,258 for applications made from within the UK.
Healthcare surcharge
You also need to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application and it costs:
- £2,587.50 if you’re staying for 2 years and 6 months
- £3,105 if you’re staying for 2 years and 9 months
Priority Service
You may be able to pay an extra £500 for the ‘Priority Service’ to get a faster decision within 5 working days.
What happens after 5 years on a UK spouse visa?
You can apply for settlement in the UK (known as 'indefinite leave to remain') only after living in the UK continuously for 5 years on a family visa as a spouse.
Time spent in the UK on any other visa, or as a fiancé, fiancée, or proposed civil partner, cannot be counted.
Why would a UK Spouse Visa be refused?
A UK Spouse Visa can be refused for several reasons, including:
- Failure to Meet Financial Requirements
- Inadequate Documentation
- Incorrectly Filled Forms
- Failure to Meet the English Language Requirement
- Insufficient Proof of Genuine Relationship
1. Failure to Meet Financial Requirements
If you and your partner cannot demonstrate the required income threshold (currently £29,000 per year as of 2024) or sufficient cash savings (£88,500), your application may be denied.
2. Inadequate Documentation
Missing, incorrect, or inconsistent documents can lead to a refusal. It's important to provide all necessary documentation in an acceptable format, including proof of income, relationship, accommodation, and English language proficiency.
3. Incorrectly Filled Forms
Mistakes or missing information in the application form can cause a refusal. You must use the correct UK Spouse Visa application form and provide accurate information to avoid delays or refusal.
4. Failure to Meet the English Language Requirement
Not showing you meet the English language standards required can lead to a refusal.
If you do not pass the required English language test (CEFR Level A1 for the initial application) or provide an acceptable exemption, the application may be refused.
5. Insufficient Proof of Genuine Relationship
Not having enough evidence to prove your relationship is genuine & subsisting can cause a refusal.
If your UK Spouse Visa is refused, call Vanguard Solicitors at 0208 616 5535 or fill in an online enquiry form for urgent assistance with visa refusal.
How can immigration solicitors help with visas?
Immigration solicitors can provide valuable assistance with spouse visa applications in several ways:
Initial Consultation
Our immigration solicitors offer an initial consultation where we assess the individual's circumstances, immigration goals, and eligibility for the desired visa category.
During this consultation, we provide an overview of the visa application process, requirements, and potential challenges.
Document Preparation
Our immigration solicitors guide applicants through the preparation of required documents, ensuring they are accurate, complete, and compliant with the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements.
Application Form Completion
Our solicitors will fill in visa application forms accurately and thoroughly to avoid any delays or rejection. We provide guidance on answering questions, providing necessary information, and disclosing any relevant details required by the UKVI.
Application Submission
We will compile and organise your visa application package and submit your visa application to the UKVI or relevant immigration authorities.
We ensure that all required documents are included, application fees are paid, and submission deadlines are met.
Communication with the Home Office (UKVI)
Our immigration solicitors act as intermediaries between the applicant and the UKVI, representing the applicant's interests and communicating with immigration authorities on their behalf.
We handle any correspondence, requests for additional information, or enquiries from the UKVI throughout the application process.
Follow-Up and Monitoring
We monitor the progress of the visa application and provide updates to the applicant as needed. We follow up with immigration authorities to expedite the processing of the application and address any issues or concerns that may arise during the assessment period.
Contact Vanguard Solicitors
If you require assistance with the UK Spouse Visa application, don't hesitate to contact us today. Our team of highly experienced UK immigration solicitors is here to guide you every step of the way.
To schedule a consultation with our UK immigration law solicitors in London, please call us on 0208 616 5535 or contact us through our online contact form.
FAQs: UK spouse visa
To meet the financial requirements for a UK Spouse Visa, your UK-based partner must earn at least £29,000 annually (as of 2024). If relying on cash savings alone, you must have at least £88,500 in savings.
If combining income and savings, different thresholds apply, and the exact amount may vary based on the number of dependents or the income you can combine with savings.
Yes, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after completing 5 years on a UK Spouse Visa (under the 5-year route) if you meet the ILR requirements.
You must have lived in the UK for 5 years on a valid spouse visa without leaving the country for extended periods.
You are exempt from proving your knowledge of English for a UK spouse visa if you meet any of the following conditions:
- You're a national of an English-speaking country.
- You have a degree or academic qualification taught in English.
- You’re applying as a child.
- You are over 65.
- You have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from meeting the requirement.
- You are applying as a partner of someone with refugee status or humanitarian protection.
Yes, you can bring your children to the UK on a Spouse Visa, but they must be included as dependents.
You’ll need to meet higher financial requirements, with the income threshold increasing for each child beyond the standard £29,000.
To schedule a consultation, you can contact our office by phone (0208 616 5535) or email (info@vanguardlaw.co.uk). Alternatively, you can fill out the online contact form, and a member of our team will reach out to you promptly to arrange a suitable time for a consultation.
References:
- GOV.UK: Apply as a partner or spouse from outside the UK
- GOV.UK: Apply as a partner or spouse from inside the UK
- GOV.UK: Financial requirements if you’re applying as a partner or spouse
- GOV.UK: English language requirement if you’re applying as a partner or spouse
- GOV.UK: Spouse visa application fees
- GOV.UK: Spouse visa processing time outside UK
- GOV.UK: Spouse visa processing time inside UK