Spouse Visa UK (5-Year Route)
If you are planning to join your spouse or partner who is a British citizen or settled person in the UK, the UK Spouse visa could be the right choice for you. A "settled person" refers to an individual who is lawfully residing in the UK and has "Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)" or settled status.
Whether you want to apply, switch, or extend your Spouse visa, our team of immigration solicitors can guide you step-by-step through the process, ensuring you meet all the necessary eligibility criteria and compile a strong application. Our attention to detail and expert knowledge will give you the best possible chance of success.
If you need help with a UK visa application or any other type of immigration matter, contact our immigration solicitors by calling 0208 616 5535 or filling out our online contact form. We are here to guide you every step of the way.
Table of Contents
- What is a UK Spouse visa?
- What are the benefits of a UK Spouse visa?
- UK Spouse visa requirements
- Financial requirements
- English language requirements
- Genuine & subsisting relationship
- Documents required for spouse visa UK
- How to apply for a Spouse visa UK?
- UK Spouse visa processing time
- Spouse visa extension after 2.5 years
- Switching from a Fiancé(e) visa to a Spouse visa
- How can immigration solicitors help with UK visa applications?
- Contact UK immigration solicitors today
What is a UK Spouse visa?
The UK Spouse Visa is a type of visa designed for individuals who wish to join their partner in the UK for an extended period. It falls under the family visa category and is intended for spouses or partners of British citizens or settled persons (those with indefinite leave to remain or permanent residence in the UK).
What are the benefits of a UK Spouse visa?
Obtaining a UK Spouse Visa offers several advantages, including:
- Legal Residence: 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.
- Access to Services: You'll have access to public services such as healthcare under the National Health Service (NHS) and education for your children.
- Pathway to Settlement: After living in the UK for five years under this visa category, you may be eligible to apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain), granting you permanent residence in the UK.
- Opportunity for Citizenship: Obtaining settlement opens up the possibility of applying for British citizenship through naturalisation.
UK Spouse visa requirements
To be eligible for a UK Spouse visa, you must meet certain requirements:
- Both, you and your partner must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
- You're in a civil partnership or marriage that's recognised in the UK.
- You must demonstrate that your relationship is genuine and subsisting.
- Your partner must meet certain financial requirements to prove they can support you without recourse to public funds.
- You must have suitable accommodation available for you and any dependents.
- You may need to prove your proficiency in the English language, depending on your nationality.
Depending on the type of your appication and circumstances, you must meet all the other eligibility requirements. Schedule a consultation with our UK immigration solicitor for your eligibility assessments.
Financial requirements
The sponsor needs to demonstrate a minimum level of income to prove they can financially support their partner without recourse to public funds. The income threshold varies depending on whether there are any dependent children also applying.
Minimum income requirement
According to new rules, from 11th April 2024, you and your partner must meet the minimum income requirement, which is currently set at £29,000 gross per year.
Suppose the sponsor doesn't meet the income threshold through employment income alone. In that case, they may be able to combine income from other sources, such as self-employment, cash savings, non-employment income, or a combination of these.
English language requirements
You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.
You can meet the requirements by:
- passing an approved test at or above the required CEFR level, with an approved provider as set out on gov.uk at: Approved Secure English Language Tests and Test Centres
- 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
Genuine & subsisting relationship
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.
Documents required for spouse visa UK
When you apply for your Spouse visa you must provide:
- a current passport or other valid travel document to prove your identity
- marriage or civil partnership certificate
- evidence of a genuine relationship
- proof you have enough money to support yourself
- proof of accommodation such as a tenancy agreement
- evidence of English language proficiency
- tuberculosis test results (if applicable)
The document checklist provided above is not exhaustive, and additional documents may be required depending on the type of your UK visa application and your circumstances. Schedule a consultation with our UK immigration solicitor to get a comprehensive list of required documents and eligibility assessments.
How to apply for a Spouse visa UK?
Applying for a UK visa involves several steps. Here is a general outline of the visa application process:
- Determine Eligibility: Before applying for a UK visa, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for the specific visa category you are applying for.
- Gather Required Documents: Prepare the necessary supporting documents to submit along with your visa application.
- Complete the Online Application Form: Visit the UK government's official visa application website and complete the online application form.
- 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.
- Submit Application and Pay Fees: 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. Fees vary depending on the type of visa and processing times.
- 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.
You must carefully follow the application instructions and provide accurate and complete information and documentation to avoid delays or refusal of your visa application. If you have any questions or concerns about the application process, consider seeking guidance from our expert UK immigration solicitor in London.
UK Spouse visa processing time
Spouse visa applications generally take up to 8 weeks if applying from within the UK, or up to 24 weeks if applying from outside the UK using a standard service.
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.
Spouse visa extension after 2.5 years
You can typically extend your Spouse visa from inside the UK for an additional 2.5 years, after the initial period of 2.5 years (30 months). Applying for a spouse visa extension involves completing specific forms and satisfying specific criteria.
After living in the UK for five years under the spouse visa (5-year route) category, you may be eligible to apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain), granting you permanent residence in the UK.
If you want to extend your UK spouse visa due to the expiration of your current visa or because you are approaching the 2.5-year mark, contact us today for legal assistance.
Switching from a Fiancé(e) visa to a Spouse visa
To switch from a Fiancé(e) visa to a Spouse visa, you will need to meet the requirements for a Spouse visa and apply for a new visa from inside the UK before your Fiancé(e) visa expires.
You will need to provide evidence of your marriage, financial support, accommodation, and English language proficiency, among other requirements.
How can immigration solicitors help with UK visa applications?
Immigration solicitors play a crucial role in assisting individuals with their UK visa applications by providing expert guidance, legal advice, and representation throughout the application process. Here's how immigration solicitors can help:
- 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.
- Visa Category Selection: Our immigration solicitors help individuals select the most appropriate visa category based on their specific circumstances, such as work, study, family reunion, investment, or settlement. We explain the eligibility criteria and requirements for each visa category and assist in determining the best option for the individual's needs.
- 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 Authorities: 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 UK immigration solicitors today
If you require expert legal advice or assistance with any type of UK visa or immigration 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.
Frequently Asked Questions (Spouse Visa UK)
Eligible applicants include individuals who are legally married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen or settled person, or those in a durable relationship akin to marriage for at least two years.
Applicants must demonstrate that they and their partner have a combined income or savings above a certain threshold to ensure they can adequately support themselves without relying on public funds.
The exact amount varies depending on your circumstances, such as whether you have children or not.
Yes, holders of a UK Spouse visa are allowed to work in the UK without restrictions.
Yes, you can include your dependent children under the age of 18 in your Spouse visa application.
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.