Spouse Visa Under 10-Year Route

You can apply for a Spouse visa under the 10-year route if you're married to a British citizen or settled person and don't meet the 5-year route's requirements.

Applying for a UK Spouse visa under the 10-year route can be challenging. Consulting with expert immigration solicitors can enhance your chances of approval.

If you need assistance with your UK Spouse visa (10-year route) application, contact our immigration solicitors at 0208 616 5535 or fill in our enquiry form.

Table of Contents

What is a UK Spouse visa?

A UK Spouse visa also known as a Partner visa allows the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen or a person with settled status to live and work in the UK.

UK Spouse is a type of family visa that allows couples to be together in the UK for a specified period, typically up to 30 months. After this period, they can apply for an extension to continue living in the UK legally.

What is a UK Spouse visa (10-year route)?

The UK Spouse Visa (10-year route) is an option for those who do not fully meet the Spouse visa 5-year route's requirements under Appendix FM.

The UK Spouse visa (10-year route) is usually for those in a genuine relationship with a British or settled partner but who don't meet the financial, English language, or accommodation requirements of the 5-year route.

When does a Spouse visa holder on the 10-year route qualify for ILR?

Under the UK Spouse visa (10-year route), an applicant must complete 10 years of continuous residence before becoming eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

Since the initial visa is granted for 2.5 years, the applicant must extend their visa three times before reaching the 10-year requirement.

Here's how it works:

1. Initial Visa Grant – 2.5 years
2. First Extension – 2.5 years
3. Second Extension – 2.5 years
4. Third Extension – 2.5 years
5. Total Residence: 10 Years → Eligible for ILR

After completing 10 years on the Spouse Visa (10-Year Route), the applicant can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), allowing them to live permanently in the UK without immigration restrictions.

Although it takes twice as long as the 5-year route, the 10-year Spouse visa offers an alternative for couples who don't meet standard requirements.

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.

Requirements for the UK Spouse visa under the 10-year route

To be eligible for a UK Spouse visa under the 10-year route, you must meet certain requirements such as a genuine and subsisting relationship.

The key requirements are as follows:

• 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
• 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 genuine relationship requirements

The applicant for a UK Spouse visa must demonstrate that they are in a genuine relationship, such as being married or in 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 circumstances.

Common documents to prove a genuine relationship include:

• Joint mortgage document
• Joint tenancy agreement (UK or abroad)
• Shared bank account or savings
• Evidence of any children you have together (e.g., birth certificate)
• Photographs showing frequent time together
• Text messages or social media chat logs
• Travel documents showing visits before marriage or meetings in person
• Documents proving intent to live together in the UK

UK Spouse visa (10-year route) document checklist

For a successful UK Spouse visa application under the 10-year route, you must provide documents such as a passport, relationship proof and accommodation details.

Failure to provide all documents and evidence in the correct format may lead to refusal or delay of your visa.

Documents and evidence you must provide:

1. Your valid passport
2. Your marriage certificate
3. Spouse visa application form (form FLR (FP))
4. Proof of genuine & subsisting relationship
5. Details of any criminal convictions
6. Tuberculosis (TB) test results (if applicable)
7. Additional supporting documents depending on your circumstances

If you're unsure about any documents or need help with a UK Spouse visa (10-year route) application, call Vanguard Solicitors at 0208 616 5535 or fill in the enquiry form.

How to apply for a UK Spouse visa under the 10-year route?

Applying for a UK Spouse visa involves several steps. Here is a general outline of the visa application process:

1. Determine Eligibility
2. Gather Supporting Documents
3. Submit Online Application
4. Attend Your Biometric Appointment
5. Wait for a Decision

1. Determine Eligibility

Before applying for a UK Spouse visa under the 10-year route, 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 and accommodation.

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 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.

UK Spouse visa (10-year route) processing time 2025

A Spouse visa under the 10-year route typically takes around 12 weeks to process when applied from outside the UK, and about 8 weeks if applied from within the UK.

If you apply for a Spouse visa from within the UK and meet both the financial and English language requirements, a decision is usually made within 8 weeks.

If you apply from within the UK but do not meet the financial or English language requirements, the decision process can take approximately 12 months.

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.

How long is the UK Spouse visa valid for?

Under the 10-year route, a Spouse visa is initially valid for 30 months if the application is made inside the UK, and 33 months if submitted 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.

Can I extend my Spouse visa multiple times under the 10-year route?

Yes, you can extend a Spouse visa multiple times until you complete 10 years of continuous residence in the UK, after which you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

How much does a UK Spouse visa cost in 2025?

As of 2025, the standard UK Spouse visa (10-year route) fee is £1,846 for applications made from outside the UK and £1,258 for applications made from within the UK.

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

You may be able to pay an extra £500 for the ‘Priority Service' to get a faster decision within 5 working days.

Why would a UK Spouse visa be refused?

A UK Spouse visa under the 10-year route can be refused for several reasons, including:

1. Inadequate Documentation
2. Incorrectly Filled Forms
3. Insufficient Proof of Genuine Relationship

1. Inadequate Documentation

Missing, incorrect, or inconsistent documents can lead to a Spouse visa refusal. It's important to provide all necessary documentation in an acceptable format, including proof of income, relationship, and accommodation.

2. 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.

3. 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:

Contact Spouse visa solicitors in London

If you need legal assistance with your UK Spouse visa application under the 10-year route, contact our Spouse visa solicitors in London at 0208 616 5535 today.

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: Spouse visa application fees
• GOV.UK: Spouse visa processing time outside UK
• GOV.UK: Spouse visa processing time inside UK