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Understanding Visa | What is a Spouse Visa?
If you’re married to a British citizen or a person settled in UK, you do not automatically qualify for a spouse status in the UK. You have to apply to the UK home office for a spouse visa to live with your partner.
UK spouse visa is a part of the family visa category. This visa is a permit for living in the UK, similar to a sponsor visa, but the sponsorship is for the applicant’s partner. UK allows applicants to live in the UK with their partner for 33 months.
A spouse visa allows you to work and study in the UK at your expense. It also leads to permanent settlement if you stay in the UK with your partner for 5 years. You will be eligible to apply for permanent residency.
Criteria of Partner
The definition of a partner is quite broad and is not limited to a spouse only. It includes;
- An unmarried partner. (A person who is living with the applicant to get married or establish a civil relationship for at least 2 years before application)
- A Spouse (Husband or wife)
- A civil partner
- A proposed civil partner or fiancé
Benefits of getting a UK spouse visa
Establishing a life in the UK through a spouse visa route comes with certain benefits stated below:
- Work and Study Opportunity
A spouse visa allows you to work without restrictions and study in the UK’s prestigious universities, leading to immense career growth.
- Permanent Settlement
A spouse visa is an easy way to permanent residence in the UK. After continuously living for 5 years, the person can apply for an ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain), the first step towards British citizenship.
- NHS Services
With a spouse visa, you can rest assured about your health as you’ll have easy access to the UK’s National Health Service.
- Living with Family
Staying with family is a precious privilege, and you can enjoy it with a spouse visa.
For how long can you stay in the UK with a Spouse Visa?
- If you’re already married and applying for a Spouse Visa, you will be granted a visa for 33 months.
- If you’re applying as a Fiancé or proposed partner, you’ll secure a visa for 6 months only to get married. After marriage, you’ll apply for a spouse visa with the documents from your recent marriage certificate.
UK Spouse Visa Extension
You have the right to extend your spouse visa for 2.5 years to make your complete stay to 5 years (60 months). After that, if you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for an ILR leading to Permanent Residency.
Eligibility Requirements of a UK Spouse Visa
Being eligible for a UK spouse visa means having a position to stay in the UK for both the applicant and the sponsoring partner. These factors include the truthfulness of the relationship, financial requirements and the ability of both persons to live and interact with the British community.
Legal Requirements
- You must be in a civil partnership or legally married.
- You’ll show a marriage certificate or civil partnership registration document
- Both the applicant and partner should be over 18 years of age
Financial Requirements
- You must show that you have the means to support yourself and your partner during your stay in the UK. This includes dependent children, too (if any). The finances should be enough to survive and stay without public funds.
- The applicant or partner has an income of £18,600 per year or enough savings to support their stay in the UK. Minimum income is set at £29,000 per year but it may vary in 2025.
- To meet the basic requirement, you will show an employment contract, additional income such as property rentals, savings of more than £ 16,000 or pensions. You can use the savings to bridge the gap if the income is insufficient.
- Pay slips, employment contracts or bank statements will be required as proof.
- If your partner is getting any benefit or allowance in the UK. You won’t have to meet the minimum income criteria. Instead, you’ll show financial support for accommodation and maintenance only.
Ongoing and True Relationship
- The home office needs you to prove that you’ve met your partner at least once in your life after marriage. This may be the most challenging thing to prove for some. You must share proof that you and your partner are committed to this relationship and have a regular conversation.
- If you are unmarried, you can apply by showing you have been in a relationship for 2 years.
- Joint bills, communication channels, holiday or vacation details, supporting letters from friends or family or photographs of you together will be required to show the genuineness of the relationship.
Housing
- A spouse visa holder is required to live with the partner. Therefore, the partner will show proof of accommodation.
- A tenancy agreement or property documents will be required to show housing arrangements for the couple.
- If you have a child over 1 year, you need an additional bedroom for its stay.
English Language Proficiency
- Both partners should be able to communicate well in English
- IELTS test results or proof of education in English will be required
- You’ll be exempted from this requirement if you are from an English-speaking country.
Sponsor Requirements
The sponsor (partner) should be able to meet specific criteria to qualify for the application. It includes
- Being a British citizen
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) holder
- Is settled or has a pre-settled status in the UK
Step-by-Step Application Process
The application process starts on the official website portal of the UK government visa and immigration department. Applicants need to follow the below-given steps to submit their applications;
Step 1- Create an Account
- Create an online account on the UK government visa and immigration website. Include all the information correctly.
- Apply for a spouse or partner visa under the family visa category.
Step 2- Fill and Submit the Application Form
- Add all the relevant and correct details about the wife and sponsoring partner in the application form.
- Complete each section, as incomplete or incorrect information will lead to delay or cancellation.
Step 3- Pay the Visa Application Fee and IHS
- Follow the guidelines and pay the visa fee along with the immigration health surcharge, which makes NHS services accessible. Make sure to secure every receipt as proof of payment.
Step 4- Schedule Biometric Appointment
- You will book an appointment to submit your biometric information at your country’s UK visa application centre. Take all the necessary documents with you to your appointment.
- Biometric appointments are dependent on availability and may take 1-3 weeks.
Step 5- Submit Documents
- Scan all the required documents in high resolution, either JPG or PDF and upload them to the online portal or take them on the biometric appointment day, depending on the process.
Step 6- Attend the Appointment
- Submit your biometric requirements and documentation. Make sure to complete the document checklist before visiting.
Step 7- Wait and track your application
- After completing all the steps, your visa process will begin. Submit updated contact details during the process to ensure awareness of the application process and clear communication.
- UK spouse visa processing time is around 2-12 weeks before you receive your final decision. Wait patiently!
- If you fulfil the eligibility requirements, you can apply for a priority decision for an additional £500 to receive a decision within 5 days. Moreover, the super-priority service decides in 2 days for £1000.
Documents Checklist
- Valid Passport
- Marriage Certificate or Civil partnership status
- Proof of living together for 2 years (if unmarried)
- Evidence of communication
- Travel documents or photographs to show the sincerity of the relationship
- Financial documents – Bank statements, Pay slips
- IELTS test results
Spouse Visa Interview
If the home office is concerned about the application or something happens, they will schedule an interview with the applicant. It is not required for all the applicants. This interview is done to resolve their concerns or if there are any inconsistencies in their documents.
You will be asked questions based on your relationship information and application details. There is no set of specific questions. Just be confident, speak well, convey all the information about your relationship, and you will be good.
Breakdown of UK Spouse Visa Fees
UK Visa and sponsorship fee may vary or increase in 2025, subject to recent rise in inflation.
- Standard Application fee (outside UK): £1846
- Immigration Health Surcharge: £ 1,035 per annum
- Biometric Enrollment Fee: £19.20
Get Expert Assistance Throughout your Visa Application
UK spouse visa application requires cautious handling. If rejected once, you must complete and follow all the steps again to ensure your application submission.
At Legend Consults, we are a team of immigration experts working to make this process smooth and consistent for you. We handle your documentation carefully and guide you throughout the process to ensure you know everything about your application. No matter the status of your relationship or whether you have dependents, we have all the skills to begin your application process smoothly.
Book your consultation for specialist immigration advice.
Are you curious about UK Spouse Visa and wondering how it lets you join your partner? If you are already settled in the UK and want to bring your wife or are planning to settle with your partner, a UK Spouse Visa is your best route to make this possible. Everyone has the right to choose the type of lifestyle they want, and living with loved ones is something we all cherish. But, settling in the UK with your partner comes at a cost. You must follow the hectic legal documentation process and get a UK partner visa.
In this easy guide, we will take steps to get a UK partner or spouse visa from outside the UK. From eligibility requirements to application process, it covers all the basic information about this visa type.
