UK Spouse Visa
A Spouse Visa comes under the family visa category and enables non-British nationals who are partners of a British Citizen/Settled person, to join, or remain in the UK as a family member of a British/Settled person.
The UK Spouse Visa can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK (also known as settlement) after completing a continuous period of holding the visa for 5 years. You will then have the option of becoming a British Citizen if you so wish.
Who Can Apply for a UK Spouse or Partner Visa?
Eligible Partners
To apply as a partner, both you and your partner must be over 18 years of age AND:
- Be in a Marriage or Civil Partnership that is legally recognised in the UK
- Be engaged to be married or become civil partners, and will marry/enter into a civil partnersip in the UK within 6 months upon arriving here
- Have been living together in a relationship akin to a marriage for at least 2 years immediately prior to applying for the visa
Your partner (who will also be referred to as 'your Sponsor') must either be:
- A British citizen
- A person that has Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)/Settled Status in the UK
- An EU National with Pre-Settled Status in the UK (under the EU Settlement Scheme)
- An Irish National residing in the UK
- A person with refugee or humanitarian protection immigration status
- A Turkish Businessperson visa/Turkish Worker visa holder
How Can I Apply for the Spouse Visa?
- Partner Visas include applications as a Spouse, Civil Partner, Fiance(e), Proposed Civil Partner, an Unmarried Partner (for partners that are in a subsisting relationship akin to a marriage with a 'qualifying' person, and have been together for at least 2 years, immediately, prior to the application.
- If you are a non-British Citizen living outside the UK, you need to apply for the appropriate Partner Visa to join your British or "Settled Partner" in the UK.
- For non-British citizens living in the UK legally, (with a valid visa/leave to remain issued for more than 6 months, i.e. not a visitor, and whose visa/leave has not yet expired), you can apply for a Partner Visa while you are in the UK and remain in the UK.
- For non-British citizens living in the UK as a visitor, or as an overstayer that does not have a valid visa, you must return home and submit an application from there, unless there are children or other compelling factors involved, which could enable you to submit an application from the UK.
How Much does a UK Spouse/Partner Visa Cost?
The Home Office Fee
The Current Home Office fee for all partner visa applications made outside the UK is
£1,846. For applications made inside the UK (using
Form FLR M), the fee is
£1,258. Note, that you would typically only 'make an application inside the UK' if you are either switching from a Fiancé(e)/Proposed Civil Partner visa to a Spouse/Civil Partner Visa (once you are married), or you are extending your existing spouse visa to remain in the UK.
The Immigration Health Surcharge
For all partner visas with a term over 6 months (i.e. NOT Fiance(e) or proposed civil partner visas), you will also need to pay for the Immigration Health charge which gives you access to the National Health Service (NHS) for the duration of your visa term. This fee is mandatory and is currently £3,105 (for entry clearance visas applications) and £2,587.50 (for FLR M/applications being made inside).
What you Can and Can't do on a Partner Visa UK
Fiancé(e) or Proposed Civil Partner Visa:
You Can:
- Apply for this visa outside the UK
- Get Married/Enter into a Civil Partnership during your stay
- Switch to a Spouse Visa and remain in the UK (via FLR M) once you are married
You Cannot
- Apply for/switch to this visa from another visa category while you are in the UK
- Work
- Study
- Extend your existing visa/stay in the UK with another Fiancé(e) visa application (*with some exceptions)
Spouse / Civil Partner / Unmarried Partner Visas:
You Can:
- Apply for this visa outside the UK
- Switch to this visa from another valid visa category and remain in the UK (via FLR M)
- Extend your visa to remain in the UK (via FLR M)
- Work
- Study
You Cannot:
- Claim benefits/other public funds for you or your dependants (though there are exceptions to this)
- Apply for UK settlement until you are eligible i.e. have been in the UK for the required period of years
What Are the UK Spouse Visa Requirements?
For an application to be successful, Applicants must satisfy all of the requirements under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules, such as:
1. The Suitability Test Requirement; and
2. The Eligibility Requirement, which includes the Relationship Requirement, the Financial Requirement and the Accommodation Requirement;
3. The English Language Requirement; (if they are citizens of countries that are not exempted from meeting the English language requirement) and
4. The Tuberculosis Test Requirement (if they are citizens of certain countries, as listed by the Home Office)
How Can We Satisfy The Requirements?
To demonstrate that all of the requirements are met, supporting documents from both the Applicants and their Settled Partner must be submitted, AND that these documents comply with Appendix FM-SE (Supporting Evidence) of the Immigration Rules , i.e. the documents you submit must be specific. It is the quality of the documents that is important, not the quantity.
What Happens When The Application is Successful or Unsuccessful?
- If an application is successful, the Applicant is granted with a visa, which is stamped on their passport. If applying as a Fiancé(e) or a Proposed Civil Partner , the visa is granted for a maximum period of 6 months. Once they are married, they can then apply to the Home Office (without leaving the UK) to switch to leave to remain as a civil partner/spouse. If applying as a Spouse / Civil Partner/ Unmarried Partner, the visa is granted for a maximum period of 33 months (just over 2 and a half years), which they can then extend for a further 2 and a half years. Once the applicant has had a minimum of 5 years' partner visa, they will then be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK.
- If an application is unsuccessful , the Applicant may have a right of appeal to the Immigration Appeal Chambers, (IAC), or they can re-apply again.
Get a Free Step-By-Step Guide to make your UK Spouse/Partner Visa!
How Long Does a Spouse Visa Application Take?

The average time for the Home Office to make a decision on a partner visa uk application is currently 2-3 months. You also have the option to fast track your application by paying an additional premium/fee.
Delays in your application being processed can occur if the Home office require more information or further documents to support your application.
Can I include Children on my Application?
Children under the age of 18 can apply with you. Dependent children over 18, however cannot apply with you unless they were originally granted leave in this category when they were under 18 and do not live an independant life e.g. They have left home, are married and have a family of their own. Note that you must also pay the respective Home Office and IHS fees for each dependent that is also applying.
Are there other Requirements ?
The Financial requirement
In order to satisfy the financial requirement you must meet a minimum income threshold of £29,000 gross per annum (*For all new applications being made on or after 11 April 2024).
If you/your partner were first granted leave as as a partner before 11 April 2024 and you/they are extending that visa (including if you first applied as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner), the minimum income threshold is £18,600 gross per annum. This threshold increases to £22,400 if you are applying to extend with a dependant child, and then further increments of £2,400 for each additional child you are applying with (up to a maximum threshold of £29,000).
You can meet this via your spouse/partner's income from employment or self-employment, or your own income (if you have permission to work in the UK). You can also meet this with cash savings over £16,000, pensions, maternity allowances or bereavement benefits received in the UK.
You are exempt from having to meet the minimum income threshold if your spouse/partner is in receipt of specific benefits or allowances. In which case, you will need to provide evidence of adequate maintenance for you and any dependants.
Accomodation
Additionally, you must also have adequate accommodation for you and any dependants that live with you.
The English language requirement
Unless you resided in a country where English is the primary/dominant language e.g. USA or Australia, you will need to demonstrate you have good knowledge of the the English Language.
This can be met by having a degree or academic qualification that was taught or researched in English and recognised by UK NARIC otherwise you will need to take an English Language Test.
These are the primary requirements but there are many other elements for a successful UK Partner Visa application. There is whole host of information you must provide, and the type of supporting documents you and your sponsor must include, will depend on you and your partner's own circumstances.
It is not a cheap visa application to make, and any mistakes could be costly and stressful should your application be refused as a result.
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UK Spouse / Partner Visa Application?
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