Applying for a Spouse Visa in the UK allows you to join your partner in the United Kingdom. To be eligible, you and your partner must meet specific requirements.
What is a UK Spouse Visa?
A UK Spouse Visa allows the spouse or partner of a British citizen or someone with settled status in the UK to live and work in the country.
To qualify, applicants must prove their relationship is genuine, meet certain financial requirements, and show they can communicate in English.
The visa is typically valid for 2.5 years, after which it can be extended or lead to permanent residency.
Eligibility Criteria for the UK Spouse Visa
Below are all the necessary eligibility requirements for a spouse visa in the United Kingdom.
1). Age and Relationship Status
- Both you and your partner must be at least 18 years old.
- You must be legally married or in a civil partnership recognized in the UK.
- If you’re not married, you should have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least two years.
2). Intent to Live Together
- You and your partner must intend to live together permanently in the UK after your application.
3). Financial Requirements
- You and your partner’s combined gross annual income must be at least £29,000.
- If you have children, additional income is required: an extra £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each subsequent child.
4). Accommodation
- You must have suitable accommodation in the UK where you and your partner can live together without relying on public funds.
5). English Language Requirement
- You must demonstrate a good knowledge of English, typically by passing an approved English language test at the A1 level or higher.
6). Tuberculosis (TB) Test
- If you’re applying from a country where TB testing is required, you must provide a valid TB test certificate.
UK Spouse Visa Financial Requirements in Details
The UK Spouse Visa has a financial requirement to ensure that applicants can financially support themselves and their partner without relying on public funds. As of 2025, the requirement for the financial threshold is as follows:
Financial Requirement
The minimum income requirement for a UK Spouse Visa is £18,800 per year for the sponsor (the British citizen or settled person) to meet the visa conditions. This increases if you have children:
- £18,800 for a couple without children
- £22,400 for a couple with one child
- An additional £2,400 for each additional child.
How the income can be met
The sponsor can meet the financial requirement in various ways:
- Employment or self-employment income – This includes income from full-time or part-time work, self-employed work, or freelancing. The income should have been earned over the last 6 months.
- Savings – If you do not meet the income requirement through employment, you can rely on savings. The minimum savings needed would be:
- £62,500 in savings, if using only savings to meet the financial requirement.
- The savings must have been held for at least 6 months.
- Pension income – Income from a pension can also be considered if it’s ongoing.
- Other income – This could include rental income, dividends from investments, etc.
Evidence of financial requirement
You’ll need to provide evidence, such as payslips, bank statements, employment contracts, or proof of savings.
It’s important to ensure that the evidence is accurate and meets Home Office standards to avoid delays or refusal of the application.
Let me know if you need more details or guidance on any specific part of the process!
Application Process For UK Spouse Visa
- Gather Documentation:
- Valid passport or travel document.
- Proof of your relationship (e.g., marriage certificate, evidence of cohabitation).
- Financial evidence (e.g., payslips, bank statements).
- Proof of accommodation.
- English language proficiency evidence.
- TB test certificate (if applicable).
- Submit Application:
- Apply online through the UK government’s official website.
- Pay the application fee and the healthcare surcharge.
- Attend Biometrics Appointment:
- Provide biometric information (fingerprints and photograph) at a designated center.
- Await Decision:
- Processing times vary; check the UK government’s website for current estimates.
Additional Considerations for UK Spouse Visa:
- Previous Marriages or Civil Partnerships:
- If either you or your partner have been married or in a civil partnership before, you must provide evidence that any previous relationships have ended.
- Financial Exemptions:
- If you cannot meet the financial requirement, you may still be eligible if you have a child in the UK who is a British or Irish citizen or has lived in the UK for seven years and it would be unreasonable for them to leave.
- Visa Duration and Extension:
- If applying from outside the UK, the visa is typically granted for 33 months.
- If applying from within the UK, the visa is typically granted for 30 months.
- You can apply to extend your visa before it expires, and after five years, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
For detailed and up-to-date information, refer to the UK government’s official guidance on family visas.
Please note that immigration laws and policies can change. It’s advisable to consult the latest official resources or seek professional advice when applying.