UK SPOUSE VISA

If you want to live in the UK with your husband, wife, or partner, you may need to apply for a UK Spouse Visa. This visa allows non-British nationals to join their partner in the UK if their partner is a British citizen or has settled status, such as Indefinite Leave to Remain.

As of 11 April 2024, the financial requirement for a UK Spouse Visa has increased to a gross annual income of £29,000 or £88,500 in cash savings. These changes have raised the cost of applying and made the process more complex for many families.

The UK Spouse Visa is a type of family visa that enables a non-British national to reside in the UK with their partner on a long-term basis. It applies if your partner is a British citizen, has Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), EU Settled Status, or refugee or humanitarian protection.

This visa is granted for 2 years and 9 months if applying from outside the UK. If you apply from within the UK, it is issued for 30 months. Once granted, it allows you to live, work, and study in the UK, with the option to extend your visa and apply for permanent residence (ILR) after five years.

You can apply for a Spouse Visa UK if your partner is based in the UK and meets one of the following criteria:

• They are a British or Irish citizen
• They have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), EU Settled Status, or permanent residence
• They hold refugee status or humanitarian protection
• They are in the UK under the Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker visa routes.
• You must also show that you intend to live together permanently in the UK and provide clear evidence of a genuine and subsisting relationship.

To qualify for a UK Spouse Visa, you must meet several strict requirements. These cover your relationship status, financial circumstances, English language proficiency, and accommodation arrangements.

As of April 2025, the Home Office expects applicants to demonstrate a genuine relationship, meet the £29,000 financial threshold, provide evidence of suitable accommodation, and demonstrate basic proficiency in the English language. Failing to meet any of these may result in refusal.

To qualify for a Spouse Visa UK, you must prove that your relationship is genuine and ongoing. The Home Office will expect detailed evidence that you and your partner are either:

• Legally married or in a civil partnership, or
• Have lived together for at least two years, or
• Plan to marry within six months of arriving in the UK

Supporting documents may include marriage certificates, photographs, joint bills, tenancy agreements, and regular communication. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) actively screens for fraudulent or “sham” relationships, so detailed, credible evidence is essential.

To meet the financial requirement for a UK Spouse Visa, you and your partner must have a combined gross annual income of at least £29,000. This applies to all new applications made on or after 11 April 2024.

If you do not meet the income threshold through employment or self-employment, you can rely on cash savings of at least £88,500, held for at least six months in a regulated financial institution.

Some sponsors may be exempt from the income requirement if they receive specific benefits; however, applicants must still demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to live in the UK without relying on public assistance.

Applicants for a UK Spouse Visa must demonstrate that they meet the basic English language requirement. This is assessed at CEFR Level A1 for your first application and Level A2 for visa extensions.

You can meet this requirement by:

• Passing an approved English language test at the required level
• Holding a degree or academic qualification taught in English
• Being a national of an exempt country, such as the USA, Canada, or Australia

Applicants over 65 or those with a severe physical or mental condition may also be exempt. Proof must be submitted with your application to avoid delays or refusal.

To be granted a UK Spouse Visa, you must show that you and your partner will live in adequate accommodation that is safe, suitable, and free from overcrowding.

The accommodation can be:

• Owned or rented by either partner
• Shared with family, provided there is enough space and written permission from the property owner.
• Compliant with public health and housing regulations in the UK

You must provide evidence such as tenancy agreements, property inspection reports, or utility bills. Accommodation must be available exclusively for your use as a couple and must comply with all local occupancy rules.

To submit a successful Spouse Visa UK application, you must include clear evidence that proves you meet the eligibility criteria. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires original or certified copies, and in many cases, official translations.

The following documents are commonly required:

•  Valid passport and previous passports
• Marriage or civil partnership certificate
• Evidence of your genuine and subsisting relationship (photos, messages, joint bills)
• Proof of meeting the financial requirement (payslips, bank statements, tax returns, savings statements)
• Proof of meeting the English language requirement (CEFR certificate or academic qualification)
• Proof of adequate accommodation in the UK
• Completed application form and payment receipt
• Tuberculosis test results (if required for your country)
• Biometric information (photograph and fingerprints)

Failure to include any required documents or submit them in the correct format may delay or refuse your application.

The application process for a UK Spouse Visa is completed online through the official Home Office website. Once submitted, you must also provide supporting documents and attend a biometric appointment.

Here’s how the process works:

• Check your eligibility based on relationship, financial, accommodation, and English language criteria
• Gather all required documents in the correct format, including translations if needed
• Complete the online application form and pay the required visa fee
• Upload your supporting evidence and submit the application.
• Book and attend a biometric appointment to provide fingerprints and a digital photo
• Wait for a decision, which typically takes up to 12 weeks for overseas applications.

As of 2025, the application fee is £1,846 for applicants outside the UK and £1,258 for those within the UK. You must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035 per year) and a biometric fee of £19.20.

Once your initial UK Spouse Visa is granted, you can extend it for a further 2 years and 6 months. You must apply before your current visa expires and continue to meet all eligibility criteria, including providing proof of a genuine relationship, demonstrating financial stability, and securing suitable accommodation.

After 5 years of continuous residence in the UK under a valid spouse visa, you may become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). ILR allows you to live in the UK permanently without being subject to immigration control.

To qualify for ILR, you must:

• Have lived with your partner throughout the 5-year period
• Meet the current financial and accommodation requirements
• Pass the Life in the UK Test and meet the advanced English language requirement (CEFR Level B1 or higher)

This pathway can eventually lead to British citizenship through marriage.

If your Spouse Visa UK application is refused, the decision letter will outline the reasons for the refusal and state whether you have the right to appeal. Common reasons for refusal include:

• Missing or incorrect documentation
• Failure to meet the financial requirement or the English language requirement
• Doubts about the genuineness of the relationship
• Failure to attend a biometric appointment or interview

If you are eligible to appeal, you can challenge the decision before the First-tier Tribunal. Alternatively, you may choose to submit a new application, correcting any issues highlighted in the refusal.

At Cromwell Wilkes, we offer expert legal advice and representation in appeal cases. Our immigration lawyers in London will review your refusal letter, assess your options, and help you take the strongest possible next step.

If you plan to live in the UK with your partner, expert legal guidance can make all the difference. At Cromwell Wilkes, we help clients secure their Spouse Visa UK with clarity, speed, and confidence.

Our team of experienced immigration lawyers in London will guide you through every step, from meeting the financial and relationship requirements to submitting a complete application or handling a refusal.

Contact us today for personalised legal advice and take the first step toward starting your life in the UK with your partner.