Spouses and Partners
Our spouse and partner visa immigration experts can help you and your family relocate to the UK, with a high-quality and attentive service that makes the process smoother and easier.
A UK spouse visa or partner visa allows you to live in the UK with your British or settled spouse or partner. Our UK spouse or partner visa solicitors have helped thousands of couples navigate the spouse visa application process, from straightforward applications to complex cases involving income shortfalls, previous refusals, or unusual circumstances.
Who can apply for a UK spouse or partner visa?
The UK spouse or partner visa route is suitable for:
- Married couples and civil partners, regardless of how long you have been together.
- Unmarried partners, who can demonstrate they have been in a relationship similar to marriage for at least two years.
- Fiancé(e)s and proposed civil partners, who intend to marry or enter a civil partnership in the UK within six months of arrival (known as a fiancé visa).
The sponsor does not need to be a British citizen. Sponsors can also hold indefinite leave to remain; settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme; refugee or humanitarian protection status; or Irish citizenship.
UK spouse or partner visa requirements
To qualify for a UK spouse or partner visa, you must meet three main requirements:
Relationship requirement
You must be in a genuine and subsisting relationship with your sponsor. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will assess whether your relationship is genuine based on length of relationship, time spent together, cohabitation, joint financial responsibilities, and other factors that attest to the strength of a relationship.
Financial requirement (minimum income)
The minimum income requirement for a UK spouse or partner visa is currently £29,000 per year.
This threshold increased from £18,600 in April 2024 and may rise further in future. The income can come from employment, self-employment, pension, or other eligible sources. Alternatively, you can meet the requirement using cash savings of at least £88,500 held for at least six months, or a combination of income and savings. The rules on how to evidence income are complex, and one of the most common reasons for spouse or partner visa refusals.
English language requirement
Applicants aged 18 to 65 must demonstrate English language ability in speaking and listening. The requirement is met if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country, hold a degree taught in English, or pass an approved English language test.
How our UK spouse or partner visa solicitors can help
The system is designed so that you can apply without a lawyer or representative, if you feel confident about reading and understanding the rules and guidance yourself. We recognise that the process is very costly even without instructing a lawyer; however, we have the necessary experience and expertise to remove as much of the stress and worry as possible. We take pride in our ability to find solutions to complex circumstances, and have a track record of successful spouse and partner visa applications. We will keep you on the right path and ensure that the application process runs smoothly.
Where appropriate, our specialist immigration lawyers offer full legal representation to prepare and submit your visa application to UKVI. This service includes:
- Clear advice on rules and procedure
- A bespoke document list of all mandatory and recommended evidence for your application
- Assistance with drafting supporting statements or letters
- A thorough review of, and feedback on, all your documentation and evidence
- A tailored covering letter from your lawyer that addresses any complexities specific to your case
- Assistance with completing and submitting your online application forms and digital evidence
If you’d prefer to prepare your own application, we may be able to offer a document checking service, reviewing your application bundle and providing constructive feedback.
And if you simply have questions about the application, we can arrange a one-off fixed-fee consultation.
Meet our key contacts
John Vassiliou
Director and Head of Immigration
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a UK spouse or partner visa?
It depends on whether the application is made from inside the UK. Applications made from inside the UK usually take around eight weeks. However, it is possible to pay for a ‘super-priority’ service at the time of application to get a decision in one to two working days.
Applications made from outside the UK usually take 12 weeks. It’s possible to pay for a ‘priority’ service to shorten the wait time to around six weeks, though UKVI does not guarantee these timescales.
How long is a UK spouse or partner visa valid for?
A standard spouse or partner visa is valid for an initial period of 33 months if you obtain it abroad. If you obtain it in the UK, it will be valid for 30 months. A fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner will only be granted an initial period of six months.
Before your first visa expires, you will need to apply again to extend your visa for a further 30 months. After living in the UK for a total of five years on this visa route, you will be able to apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain).
When can I get British citizenship if I have a UK spouse or partner visa?
If you are married to, or in a civil partnership with, a British citizen, you can apply to naturalise as a British citizen immediately after acquiring indefinite leave to remain. If you are unmarried, you will need to wait one year more. See our page on British citizenship here for more information.
How much does a UK spouse or partner visa cost?
Costs vary depending on where the application is made from. The total cost includes the application fee (£1,846 from outside the UK or £1,048 from inside the UK) and the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year, paid upfront (£3,105 from outside the UK and £2,587.50 from inside the UK).
Priority and super-priority processing services are available for additional fees. For a 33-month visa from abroad, you should budget at least £5,000 – 6,000 in government fees alone.
Can I work in the UK while on a spouse or partner visa?
Yes. A UK spouse or partner visa allows you to work in the UK without restriction. You can take any job, be self-employed, or start a business. There are no limits on hours or type of work. This is one of the advantages of the spouse visa compared to some other immigration routes.
Can I apply for a UK spouse or partner visa as a visitor in the UK?
No. This is a common misunderstanding. If you entered the UK as a visitor, you cannot switch to a spouse or partner visa from inside the UK. Visitors must return to their home country before making their visa application. Other longer-term visa holders can switch, but not visitors.
What happens if my UK spouse or partner visa is refused?
If your application is refused, you have the right to appeal the decision before an independent tribunal. However, you can also reapply and provide further evidence or submissions to remedy the issues that led to the refusal of the previous application.
Whether an appeal or a fresh application is the most appropriate course of action will depend on the reasons that the previous application was refused. Our UK spouse or partner visa solicitors can assess the refused application and advise you on the best course of action.
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Contact us
John Vassiliou
Director and Head of Immigration
