The UK Spouse and Partner visa is a type of visa that allows individuals who are in a genuine relationship with a British citizen or a person settled in the UK to join their partner and live in the country. This visa category is designed for married couples, civil partners, or those in a long-term committed relationship. Its purpose is to ensure that families can be together and maintain their relationships while residing in the United Kingdom.

To qualify for a spouse or partner visa, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria. These typically include providing evidence of the authenticity of the relationship, such as marriage or civil partnership certificates, joint financial responsibilities, and proof of cohabitation. Applicants must also meet financial requirements, demonstrating that they can adequately support themselves without relying on public funds.

Upon successful application, the visa initially grants a period of limited stay in the UK, typically for two and a half years. During this time, the visa holder can work and study in the country. After completing the required period of residence, usually five years, the applicant becomes eligible to apply for settlement or indefinite leave to remain in the UK. This can eventually lead to naturalisation and acquiring British citizenship, provided all necessary conditions are met.

The Home Office has stringent requirements for applicants seeking to gain a Spouse & Partner visa. While each applicant’s situation may differ slightly, the requirements can be summarised as follows:

• You meet the suitability requirements – good immigration history and acceptable criminal record.
• Your spouse/partner is British or present and settled in the UK.
• You are married or have lived with your partner for at least 2 years.
• Your relationship is genuine and you intend to live with your spouse/partner.
• Your spouse/partner earns at least £18,600 per year, or you have at least £62.5k in savings.
• You will be living in suitable accommodation, without needing public financial support.
• English Language skills to level A1.

Please note that the specific requirements for the UK Spouse & Partner visa can vary and are subject to change. The requirements for your first visa are slightly different to any future extensions. It’s always a good idea to get professional advice before starting your application.

At a minimum you will need to provide the following evidence as part of your application. Your lawyer will advise of any further documents you need to supply to enhance the quality of your application.

• Your passport & spouse/partner’s passport
• Marriage certificate
• Statement with documents to prove relationship is genuine
• Confirmation of partner’s income/savings
• Mortgage deeds/tenancy agreement
• English language test certificate

Yes, your family members (‘dependants’) might be able to apply to join or remain with you in the UK. Your dependants can include your partner and children under 18. Each dependant must apply separately and they must meet certain eligibility requirements. We can add dependents to your application for a fee of £250 per person.

The application fee for a UK Spouse & Partner visa depends on your situation, where you are and how you apply. As of now, it ranges from £1,048 if you are already present in the UK, to £1,538 if you are applying from outside the UK. Additionally, you may need to pay the immigration healthcare surcharge of £624 per year as part of your application. Your lawyer will advise you of the total Home Office fees at the outset of our work with you, so you can ensure you have the funds available at the point of submitting your application. 

The processing time for a UK Spouse & Partner visa can vary. However, it typically takes around 24 weeks from the date you submit your application if you are outside the UK, or 8 weeks from within the UK. Please note that processing times can be longer during peak periods or if additional documentation is required.

We offer a comprehensive range of services to assist with your UK Spouse & Partner visa application. This includes a free initial consultation, detailed advice for your personal immigration lawyer, evidence checklist and document collection, application preparation and submission, handling interactions with immigration authorities, and guidance on visa decision and next steps. We aim to make the visa application process as smooth and stress-free as possible for you.

If your UK Spouse & Partner visa is refused, it could be due to various reasons, such as errors in the application form, misunderstanding Home Office guidelines, not providing evidence that your relationship is genuine, not meeting financial requirements, or not passing the correct English language test.

If your application is refused, review the Refusal Notice from the Home Office which describes the reasons your application has been denied. Most importantly, seek professional advice from an immigration lawyer to understand your options and increase your chances of success.