UK SPOUSE VISA DOCUMENTS CHECKLIST 2026 — EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION
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This guide covers entry clearance spouse visa applications — made from outside the UK for applicants to join their partner and settle here together. It sets out every document category the UKVI expects, the 2026 financial thresholds, the TB test requirement, and the mistakes seen most often when reviewing applications before submission.
What is a UK spouse visa?
The UK spouse visa (a Partner Visa under Appendix FM) lets the non-British partner of someone settled in the UK come and live here. It is usually granted for 33 months, after which you extend via FLR M; after 5 years on the partner route you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
What are the requirements for a UK Spouse/Partner Visa?
Relationship Requirement
At the time of making an application, both the applicant and sponsor partner must:
- Be over 18
- Have met in person
- Not be related to each other
- Be in a genuine and subsisting relationship
- If either person were previously married/in a civil partnership, the previous marriage/s must have permanently broken down
- Intend to live together permanently in the UK once the visa is granted
If you are married or civil partners, you must be able to prove that you are in a legal marriage/civil partnership that is recognised in the UK.
If making an application as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner, you must show evidence that you are intending to get married in the UK.
If not married (and have no current intention of getting married), you must provide evidence that you and your partner have been in a relationship akin to a marriage, for 2 years or more.
The five requirements your documents must prove
- Relationship — genuine, legally recognised, intending to live together permanently
- Financial — meets the £29,000 minimum income threshold
- English language — applicant has the required level (at least A1)
- Accommodation — adequate housing in the UK
- Suitability — no criminal record or other disqualifying matter
Section 1 — Identity documents
- Applicant's current valid passport (all pages)
- Sponsor's British passport (bio page) or proof of settled status
- Applicant's national ID card (if referenced on the application form)
- Evidence of applicant's right to reside in the country of application (if not a citizen of that country)
Section 2 — Relationship & cohabitation
- Marriage / civil partnership certificate (+ certified translation if not in english)
- Divorce certificate/Decree absolute (if either party previously married)
- For fiancé(e)s: evidence you intend to marry in the UK within 6 months
- For unmarried partners: 2 years' cohabitation OR ongoing-commitment evidence
- Relationship photos — 15–25, captioned with names, dates and locations
- Communication evidence — call logs, message screenshots
- Travel evidence — flights, boarding passes, entry stamps from visits
- Cover letter explaining relationship history and intention to live together in the UK
Section 3 — Financial documents
The Applicant and/or Sponsor must be able to show that they are earning or receiving income from their employment or other sources or else have significant savings, and that this income/savings is sufficient for themselves and their partner for the duration of their visa.
The minimum income threshold is currently £29,000 gross per annum
Income sources that qualify to meet the minimum income threshold are:
- Salary from Employment*;
- Non-employment income e.g. rental income from property;
- Cash savings;
- Pension Income;
- Self-Employment income*;
- Income as a Director and/or Employee of a specified UK Limited company*
*Denotes Income Source can only be met by the Sponsor if the Application is for Entry Clearance. - Unless, the Applicant is already in the UK (with permission to work) and applying to extend their current partner visa / switch to the partner route inside the UK. In which case, they can rely on their own income from any of the above sources to meet the financial requirement.
Exemption from the Financial Requirement
If the sponsor is in receipt of specific benefits or allowances, the applicant is exempt from having to meet the minimum income threshold. These include:
- Disability living allowance
- Severe disablement allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Carers’ allowance
- Attendance allowance
- Child Disability Payment
- Adult Disability Payment
- Industrial injury disablement benefit
- Police Injury Pension
- Armed Forces Independence Payment or Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
- Constant Attendance Allowance, Mobility Supplement or War Disablement Pension under the War Pensions Scheme
- Industrial injury disablement benefit
In this instance, evidence must be submitted to prove that the sponsor has sufficient funds to support them, the applicant and any other dependants without any additional public funds. - The Sponsor's total income and housing costs will be need to be assessed.
The documents you must provide need to prove the source of income being used to meet the minimum income requirement. For example if the applicant is relying on employment income, they will need to provide payslips, bank statements, a letter from their employer and in some cases employment contract(s).
Cash savings
Cash savings can meet the requirement if the sponsor (and/or applicant) holds at least
£88,500 — or a lower amount if some income is also relied upon. This figure is £16,000 plus 2.5 × the £29,000 income requirement (£16,000 + £72,500 = £88,500), held continuously for at least 6 months.
Section 4 — English language
Another requirement of the Spouse Visa Application is evidence of sufficient knowledge of the English Language. Unless you reside in a country where English is the primary/dominant language e.g. USA or Australia, you will need to take an English Language Test which assesses your speaking and listening ability. This must be at a minimum level of A1.
If you have a degree or academic qualification that was taught or researched in English and recognised by Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC), the English language requirement may also be satisfied.
- Approved SELT certificate from a UKVI-approved provider (within 2 years of applying) OR
- Degree taught in English + Ecctis Statement of Comparability + transcripts (if not from a UK University) OR
- Passport, if from an exempt nationality
Section 5 — TB test certificate
If the applicant is a national of, or has lived 6+ months in, a country on the Home Office TB testing list, they must have a TB test at an approved clinic before applying.
- TB test certificate from a Home Office-approved clinic, dated within 6 months of submission
Section 6 — Accommodation
For the accommodation requirement, the documents to be provided will depend on whether the property is owned, rented etc.
| Situation | Documents required |
|---|---|
| Owner-occupied | Land Registry title or mortgage statement |
| Renting privately | Current tenancy agreement + landlord permission letter |
| Living with family/friends | Consent letter from owner + copy of their ID |
The 5 most common spouse visa mistakes
- Doing the wrong English Language test
- Bank statements that don't match the payslip period / 28-day rule
- No Relationship photos
- Cover letter that contradicts the application form
- No evidence of how the couple communicate while they are apart
Quick reference checklist
Identity
- Applicant + sponsor passports; right-to-reside evidence if applicable
Relationship
- Certificate, photos, cover letter, cover + sponsor letters, communication & travel evidence
English / Accommodation / Admin
- Language Test certificate / Degree Certificate · tenancy/mortgage · translations
Frequently asked questions
How long does the spouse visa take in 2026?
Typically 8–12 weeks from biometrics; priority services can reduce this. Check current times for your country on gov.uk.
What if the sponsor doesn't earn £29,000 but has savings?
Cash savings can be used if the combined savings are at least £88,500 (where no income is relied upon) and held for 6 months.
Can I get my documents checked before I submit?
Yes — a Senior Immigration Adviser reviews your full bundle and application form and tells you what to correct before you submit.
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While every effort has been made to ensure that the information and law contained in this article is accurate and current as of the date of publication, we accept no responsibility for its accuracy or for any loss or damages arising from accessing, or the reliance, of this guidance.
Please also note that the information does not represent a complete statement of the Law and does not constitute legal advice.
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