Applying for a UK Spouse Visa, or Partner Visa, allows the spouse or partner of a British Citizen, or someone with settled status / status under the EUSS to join their partner in the UK. You will be able to live in the UK, work and study. 

Once a person has held a Spouse Visa for a continuous period of five years, they can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, also known as applying for Settlement in the UK. This route also allows a person to apply for British Citizenship and obtain a UK passport. 

Requirements for a UK Spouse Visa

To be successful in an application, you will need to meet key eligibility criteria, which include: 

• Being able to show you are in a genuine and subsisting relationship: 
  • You must be able to prove one of the below:
    • You are married or in a civil partnership
    • You have been living together for at least 2 years
    • You are a fiancé/e or proposed civil partner
    • You have been in a relationship for at least 2 years but have been unable to live together
  • Regardless of which of the above you meet, you will need to provide substantial evidence that your relationship is both genuine and subsisting. This could include evidence such as: 
    • Photos of you together as a couple
    • Evidence of communication between you
    • Letters of support from family and friends

• Meeting the English language requirement – Make sure this is an approved test
  • The level you must meet will depend on whether this is your first application for a UK spouse visa or whether you are extending your UK spouse visa or applying to settle here. 
  • For your first application you will need to meet level A1, however the required level increases with each application you make.  

• Meeting the financial requirement: 
  • This is often the hardest aspect of the UK Spouse visa application. You must be able to meet the financial requirement of an income of at least £29,000 or savings of £88,500. There are multiple ways in which this can be met, for example by using your sponsors income, or income from self-employment.  

A UK Spouse Visa, or Partner Visa, is granted for 2 years 9 months if you apply overseas, or 2 years and 6 months if you apply in the UK. If you apply as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner then the visa is valid for 6 months to allow you to marry in the UK (See our guide on how to get married in the UK for more information). 

To extend your spouse visa you will need to submit an FLR(M) application from within the UK, before your current visa expires. Once you have lived in the UK for 5 years on a UK Spouse or Partner visa you will be able to submit an application for SET(M).  

FAQs 

Can I get British Citizenship if I am married to a British person? 

Once you have held a UK Spouse visa for 5 years you can apply to settle in the UK, in other words apply to live here permanently. Once you have settlement, or ILR, you can then apply to become a British Citizen and get your British passport. 

Can I bring extended family? 

You can only apply for a spouse or partner visa for your partner. Your partner can also bring any children they have who are under the age of 18. If applying for children as well, you may need to show that your partner has sole responsibility for them.  

What happens if my Spouse or Partner visa is refused? 

Applications can be refused for a number of reasons, including not providing sufficient evidence or not meeting the requirements in full. If you find that your application has been refused, you may be able to appeal this. There are relatively short timeframes for you to be able to appeal the decision, and if you are in the UK you must make sure you either appeal or submit a new application within 14 days of the refusal, otherwise you will be an overstayer, which can have severe implications on your ability to remain in the UK.