The UK spouse visa is a family visa and also called either a partner visa or a marriage visa. It is for the person intends to enter the UK to live with their spouse or partner permanently.

The person whose spouse or partner has to be 

• a British Citizen or some one who is settled in the UK or
• have refugee status or humanitarian protection,
• Appendix EU or Appendix ECAA in the UK. 

" Settled" here means " has Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK ". After living in the UK for five years, the person can apply for indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). 

People can apply for a UK spouse visa under the following circumstances:

• Married couple - married partner including same sex partner
• Unmarried partner- have lived together for two years.
• Civil Partner - Civil partner
• Fiancé(e) visas - Fiancée or Fiancé 

Requirements for a spouse visa application

To apply for a spouse visa, you have to meet the requirements:

• You are the partner  or spouse of a British Citizen or

        some one who has indefinite Leave to Remain  (ILR) or

        refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK

• Valid passport or Travel ID
• Your age is 18 or above
• Your relationship is genuine and subsisting
• a proof of having a good knowledge of English
• can financially support yourself and your dependants
• have adequate accommodation for you and your dependants
• a proof of previous relationship is broken if applicable. 

Requirements for a spouse visa extension application

• You have been granted an Entry clearance or Leave to Remain as a spouse of a settled person
• You have lived together in the UK
• You meet the English language requirement,  i.e a good Knowledge of English at A2 level or above
• Meet the financial requirements
• not fail on the general grounds of refusal

How to meet the financial requirements for a spouse visa application?

In order to meet the financial requirement for a spouse visa application, the applicant has to show they have the required incomes of £18600 and plus £3800 for the first child and £2400 for the second child.

The applicant  can demonstrate that they meet the financial requirements for a spouse visa application by a following ways:



• by employment
• by self employment
• cash savings
• other income such as pension, rental income, bursary etc.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the financial requirements for a spouse visa extension in 2021

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)  pandemic, If you are employed and you are furloughed and your salary has reduced to 80%, your income will be consider 100% of your income.

If you’ve experienced a loss of income due to coronavirus up to 31 May 2021,UKVI will consider your minimum employment income requirement was met for at least 6 months immediately before the date your income was lost.

If you’re self-employed, a loss of annual income due to coronavirus between 1 March 2020 and 31 May 2021, UKVI will disregarded your loss of annual income,  along with the impact on employment income from the same period for future applications.

Our immigration specialists have more than 10 years experience in spouse visa application.

We have helped hundreds of spouse visa applicants successfully apply for their visa.

We offer one stop service from initial consultation through documents review, submission of application till successful grant of the visa. We will represent you and ensure the smooth successful granting of your visa. 

Spouse visa application can be complicated depending on your personal circumstance, you may require professional advice to ensure the success of your application.                           

Book a consultation now at 0207 193 1996 or send us a free enquiry ! 

What is a spouse visa?

It is the visa for a spouse, partner, fiance of a British citizen or someone with indefinite leave to remain to apply to live in the UK with their spouse or partner.

How long does a spouse visa application take? 

According to the Home Office, if You apply outside the UK a decision will usually be made within 12 weeks or 6 weeks if you pay the priority service fee.

If you apply in the UK a decision will usually be made within 8 weeks of your biometric information taken date if you use the standard service. If you use the super priority service, a decision will usually be made by the end of the next working day or 2 working days after providing your biometric information. Working days are Monday to Friday, not including weekends and bank holidays. However, it may take a longer time if the case worker believe there is further enquiry need to make. 

How much is a UK Spouse Visa application fee? 

The Home Office application fee is £1,846 for applications currently submitted from abroad. If applicants are submitting their application within the UK, the cost is reduced to £1,048. This charge is subject to the change each year published by UKVI. Any additional dependant will be the same amount for each dependant. 

What is Immigration Health surcharge?

It is a part of your immigration application, when you apply for a visa or immigration application:

• for more than 6 months, if you’re applying outside the UK
• for any length of time, if you’re applying inside the UK

The amount of Immigration health surcharge is £1035 per year for an adult applicant and £776 pe year for an application under 18 years old depending on the length of visa granted. The amount of Immigration surcharge for a spouse visa is £2587.5 for an adult applicant.

How to apply for a spouse visa?

You have to make an application online.

How long  will the Spouse Visa valid for? 

If applying from overseas, a spouse visa is initially granted for 33 months. If you are applying from within the UK, a spouse visa is granted for a period of 30 months. You can make an application to extend your visa for another 30 months for you to meet five years resident requirements for indefinite Leave to remain under spouse visa.

How do I prove my knowledge of English? 

You must pass the English language test if you are not from a list of English Speak Countries. The certificate will be valid only if your English exam is taken through an approved Secure English Language Testing (SELT) Provider. Currently, SELT tests for immigration purposes are only available through the Trinity College London or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Consortium. 

You do not need an English Language test if you are: 

• a national of a majority English speaking country, or
• Are aged over 65, or
• Have a long-term physical or mental condition, or
• Hold a degree or any educational establishment that was taught or researched in English from a UK University, or
• Your qualification is recognised by ECCTIS as being equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher.

What are the financial requirements? 

You will need to prove that you and your partner have enough money to support yourselves without recourse to public funds. The sponsor needs an income of at least £18,600 gross annual income plus £3800 for a first child and £2400 for a second child who is not British citizen or settled person. There might be some consideration if you don't meet the financial requirements under the current Covid-19 situation.

Do I have to take Tuberculosis Test? 

You may need to have a tuberculosis (TB) test if you come from one of these listed countries unless you have been lived in the UK in last six months. Once you have a TB test at a proved clinical centre, you will be issue a certificate which you can submit with your application.

Can I work under a spouse Visa in the UK? 

Yes, Spouse visa holders have a full right to work, study or do a business in the UK,

Do I need to register with police if I am granted a Spouse Visa? 

No. You do not need.

Can I claim benefits from government after my spouse visa is granted

You have the right to work freely. However, you cannot claim public fund.

What types of questions will be asked in a Spouse Visa interview? 

When the immigration caseworker interviews the applicant and his/her sponsor, it will ask a series of questions designed to establish the depth and genuineness of the relationship. 

Can I apply for a spouse visa with a child? 

Yes， you can if your child is under 18 years old and you have a sole responsibility if your child's other parent is not your current partner. 

What if I am unable to meet the requirements for a spouse visa? 

If you are not able to satisfy certain of the requirements for a UK Spouse visa, you may still be able to apply to join or remain with your partner on Human Rights grounds if you can demonstrate that there would be very significant difficulties in your relationship continuing outside the UK. 

What happened if a UK Spouse Visa is refused? 

A spouse application is seen as a human rights claim. If your spouse visa application is refused, usually, you will be granted a right of appeal to challenge the refusal decision. However, due to the complicatedness, you are strongly suggested to look for professional assistance from an immigration lawyer to represent you for your appeal. 

When to renew my spouse visa?

You can renew your spouse visa at any time but if you apply for a spouse visa too early, you may not have 5 years qualifying period for your indefinite leave to Remain application.

What if my relationship ends?

You must tell the Home Office when you divorce or separate from your partner . You have to either apply for a new visa or leave the UK. You need to fill in a public statement and attached to your email sent to StatusReviewUnit@homeoffice.gov.uk with your name, date of birth, address, passport number and any Home Office reference number.