What is UK Spouse Visa?
The UK Spouse Visa is a visa route under the family category that allows an eligible foreign national to enter and remain in the UK with their partner. The UK-based partner must be either:
- A British citizen
- An Irish citizen
- A person with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), permanent residence, or EU Settled Status
- A refugee or individual with humanitarian protection
- A Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker visa holder
Applicants must demonstrate that they are in a genuine and subsisting relationship and that they intend to live together in the UK on a permanent basis.
Duration and Path to Settlement
If granted, a UK Spouse Visa is initially valid for 2 years and 9 months. It can be extended for another 2 years and 6 months. After 5 years of lawful residence on a spouse visa, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and later British citizenship, provided you meet all ongoing requirements.
Who Can Apply for a Spouse Visa UK?
To apply, the applicant must meet all of the following:
- Be 18 years or older
- Be in a genuine relationship with a qualifying UK partner
- Intend to live together in the UK permanently
- Meet the financial, accommodation, and English language requirements
- Provide all required supporting documents in the correct format
UK Spouse Visa Requirements 2026
Successfully applying for a Spouse Visa UK involves meeting a number of specific eligibility criteria and providing enough compelling evidence.
1. Genuine Relationship Requirements
The UK Spouse Visa is a visa route under the family category that allows an eligible foreign national to enter and remain in the UK with their partner. The UK-based partner must be either:
- You must show that your relationship for a UK Spouse Visa application is genuine and ongoing. You will qualify if you:
Are married or in a civil partnership legally recognised in the UK
- Have lived together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least 2 years
- Plan to marry or enter into a civil partnership within 6 months of arriving in the UK
Evidence of your relationship may include:
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate
- Photographs together over time
- Joint financial documents
- Correspondence over time (emails, messages)
- Travel documents showing visits to each other
The Home Office will scrutinise your case to ensure that it is not a sham or convenience marriage.
2. Financial Requirements
As of 11 April 2024, the minimum income threshold to sponsor a spouse or partner for a UK Spouse Visa is £29,000 gross annual income. This requirement applies whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK.
You can meet the UK Spouse Visa Financial Requirements through:
- Income from employment or self-employment
- Pension income of either partner
- Certain benefits
- Cash savings of at least £88,500, held for 6 consecutive months
If the application was submitted before 11 April 2024, the lower income threshold of £18,600 still applies.
There is no longer an additional income requirement for children, but applicants must still demonstrate that they can accommodate and support dependents without public funds.
Financial Requirement Exemptions
- You must show that your relationship for a UK Spouse Visa application is genuine and ongoing. You will qualify if you:
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Carer’s Allowance
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Attendance Allowance
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Disablement Pension
- Police Injury Pension
Even in these cases, the applicant must show adequate maintenance and suitable accommodation.
3. English Language Requirements
You must demonstrate that you can speak and understand English to meet the Spouse Visa Requirement for English Language. You can meet these requirements by:
- Passing a recognised English language test at CEFR Level A1 or above
- Holding a degree taught in English from a recognised institution
- Being a national of a majority English-speaking country
You are exempt from this requirement if:
- You are over 65
- You have a physical or mental condition preventing you from meeting the requirement
4. Accommodation Requirement
You must show that you have suitable accommodation in the UK. This includes:
- Evidence of ownership or a tenancy agreement
- Confirmation that the property is not overcrowded
- That the accommodation is safe and meets public health standards
Living with family or friends may be acceptable, provided there is sufficient space and formal permission is granted.
UK Spouse Visa Required Document Checklist
| No | Required Documents | Requirements Description |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Valid passport | Valid passport and travel documents |
| 02 | Marriage certificate | Marriage certificate or proof of relationship (for unmarried partners: joint tenancy agreements, utility bills, photos, correspondence, etc.) |
| 03 | Proof of English proficiency | Secure English Language Test (SELT) pass certificate or degree taught in English |
| 04 | Proof of income |
|
| 05 | Accommodation documents |
|
| 06 | Biometric appointment confirmation | — |
| 07 | TB test results | — |
| 08 | Proof of legal immigration status of the UK sponsor | — |
| 09 | National Insurance number | — |
| 10 | Evidence of previous visa refusals, immigration history, or criminal records | — |
| 11 | Two passport-size photos, compliant with UK photo guidelines | — |
Each document must be in English or accompanied by a certified translation. Incorrect or missing documents are the most common cause of refusal.
UK Spouse Visa Fees / Cost in 2026
These fees are subject to change. We provide full cost breakdowns before you apply. For updated rates visit GOV.UK
How to Apply for UK Spouse Visa?
The application process is completed online through the Home Office website. The general steps are:
- Determine eligibility and gather evidence
- Complete the online visa application
- Pay the relevant visa and healthcare fees
- Upload supporting documents
- Book and attend a bio-metric appointment
- Attend an interview if requested by UKVI
Our solicitors handle the full process on your behalf, including drafting representations, managing deadlines, and responding to UKVI queries.
Spouse Visa Extension
Applicants can apply for UK Spouse Visa Extension for an additional 2 years and 6 months, bringing them closer to the required 5-year residency period needed for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). You must apply before your current visa expires and meet the following ongoing requirements:
1. Continued Relationship
You must still be in a genuine and subsisting relationship with your UK partner. The Home Office may request updated evidence, such as:
- Recent photos
- Joint bills or bank statements
- Ongoing communication
- Evidence of shared responsibilities
Living apart due to work, travel, or temporary circumstances is acceptable, but you must explain the reason and provide proof of ongoing commitment.
2. Financial Requirement
You must continue to meet the £29,000 income threshold or demonstrate sufficient cash savings. If your partner receives a qualifying benefit, you must satisfy the adequate maintenance requirement instead.
The financial documents must reflect your most recent income circumstances and be consistent with your previous visa application.
3. Accommodation Requirement
You must prove that you continue to have access to suitable accommodation that:
- Is safe and secure
- Is not overcrowded
- Will be available to you and your family without relying on public funds
Evidence should be recent and may include updated tenancy agreements or utility bills.
4. English Language Requirement
For a visa extension, the English requirement increases from CEFR A1 to A2 in both speaking and listening. You must take a test at a UKVI-approved centre or qualify through other accepted means.
Failure to pass this test before your visa expiry date may result in your application being refused or delayed.
5. Compliance with Visa Conditions
You must not have:
- Worked illegally or breached visa conditions
- Accrued excessive absences that call into question your UK residency
- Committed any criminal offences that could impact your application
If your circumstances have changed, you must provide clear evidence and supporting explanations.
Spouse Visa to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
After 5 years of lawful residence in the UK on a UK Spouse Visa, you may apply for ILR. To qualify for ILR under the Spouse Visa route, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- Genuine and Subsisting Relationship
- Financial Requirement
- Accommodation Requirement
- Life in the UK Test
- English Language Requirement – CEFR Level B1
- Continuous Residence and Absences
- Good Character Requirement
Spouse Visa Refusal
1. Failure to Prove a Genuine and Subsisting Relationship
The Home Office must be satisfied that the relationship is real, long-term, and ongoing—not a marriage of convenience.
Common issues include:
- Minimal or generic evidence of contact (e.g., limited messages or photos)
- Lack of in-person interaction (no visits, no shared travel history)
- Inconsistencies in relationship timeline or personal details
- Over-reliance on template letters with no personalised content
- No evidence of financial interdependence or shared life responsibilities
2. Not Meeting the Financial Requirement
As of April 2024, the income threshold is £29,000 per year or £88,500 in savings. If this is not met or proven properly, the application will be refused.
Common mistakes:
- Submitting incomplete or inconsistent bank statements
- Missing wage slips, tax records, or employer letters
- Not holding savings for the required 6-month period
- Including income sources not recognised by UKVI
- Combining income categories incorrectly
3. Insufficient or Unsuitable Accommodation
You must prove that you and your partner will have adequate accommodation that is not overcrowded or reliant on public funds.
Common mistakes:
- No evidence of where the couple will live
- Accommodation is already overcrowded according to UK housing standards
- Landlord consent not provided
- No tenancy agreement or mortgage statements
4. English Language Requirement Not Met
You must prove that you and your partner will have adequate accommodation that is not overcrowded or reliant on public funds.
Common mistakes:
- Taking the wrong type of English test
- Submitting expired test certificates
- Failing to include a UK ENIC statement for foreign degrees taught in English
- Assuming exemption without qualifying
5. Incorrect or Incomplete Documentation
Applications are commonly refused due to missing or invalid documents.
- Documents not translated into English
- Missing signatures on key forms or letters
- Outdated financial or accommodation documents
- Uploading the wrong files or mislabelled PDFs
- Lack of consistency between forms and supporting evidence
6. Failure to Disclose Immigration History or Criminal Records
Applicants must fully disclose any previous visa applications, refusals, overstays, or criminal convictions.
Common mistakes:
- Not mentioning previous visa refusals or overstays
- Concealing minor criminal convictions
- Failing to provide required criminal record certificates
7. Application Filed on the Wrong Basis or Visa Route
Some applicants mistakenly apply for a Spouse Visa when they should be applying for a different category (e.g., fiancé(e) visa, partner visa, unmarried partner visa).
Common errors:
- Fiancé(e) applicants applying under the Spouse Visa route before marriage
- Applying as a spouse without legally recognised marriage documentation
- Applying while on a visit visa
8. Failure to Attend Biometric Appointment or Interview
Applicants are typically required to attend a biometric enrolment appointment and may be invited to an interview.
Common issues:
- Missing the biometric appointment
- Not providing required biometrics in time
- Ignoring interview invitation or not adequately prepared
9. Incorrect Payment of Fees or IHS Surcharge
Applications will not be processed without full payment of the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
Common problems:
- Failure to pay the IHS surcharge
- Technical errors during online payment
- Payment not processed by the bank
10. Excessive Absences or Lack of Cohabitation
Even if you are in a genuine relationship, long periods apart can raise doubts, especially without explanation.
Common red flags:
- Limited physical time spent together
- Long-distance relationships with little to no cohabitation history
- No concrete plans to live together in the UK
