Overview
The UK Spouse Visa -- formally known as the UK Partner Visa under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules -- allows the non-EEA spouse or civil partner of a British citizen or person with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) to live and work in the United Kingdom.
Unlike some visa categories, the Spouse Visa is not a points-based route. Instead, applicants must demonstrate that they meet a set of mandatory requirements covering their relationship, finances, accommodation, and English language ability.
Updated for 2026: The minimum income threshold for Spouse Visa applications increased to £29,000 per year in April 2024 and will rise to £38,700 by early 2026. If your application was underway before these changes, transitional rules may apply. Contact us to confirm which threshold applies to you.
A successful Spouse Visa is granted initially for 30 months (2.5 years). It can be extended for a further 30 months, after which the holder may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) -- a pathway to permanent UK settlement and ultimately British citizenship.
Key Benefits
Right route, first time
We confirm the most suitable visa route for your specific relationship circumstances before a single form is filled in.
Document guidance
We provide a personalised document checklist and review every piece of evidence before submission.
Complete application
Your dedicated lawyer completes and submits the entire application on your behalf, reducing the risk of errors.
Home Office liaison
We liaise directly with the Home Office throughout the process and keep you updated at every stage.
Our Service Packages
Advice Package
A one-to-one consultation with a specialist immigration lawyer. We assess your eligibility, explain your options and provide a clear action plan.
From £150 + VAT
Application Package
Full end-to-end support. We prepare, complete and submit your entire Spouse Visa application on your behalf.
From £750 + VAT
Document Check
Already prepared your application? Our lawyers review every document and form before you submit to catch any issues.
From £250 + VAT
Appeal Package
Was your Spouse Visa refused? We review the refusal letter, advise on grounds for appeal and represent you through the tribunal process.
From £500 + VAT
UK Spouse Visa Requirements 2026
To qualify for a UK Spouse Visa, both the applicant (the foreign national) and the sponsor (the UK-based partner) must meet a range of mandatory requirements set out in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules.
Relationship requirements
- You must be legally married to or in a civil partnership with your sponsor
- Your relationship must be genuine and subsisting (i.e. not a marriage of convenience)
- You must intend to live together permanently in the UK
- Both parties must be aged 18 or over
- You must not be within a prohibited degree of relationship
Financial requirement (income threshold)
The UK Spouse Visa has a financial requirement — the sponsor must earn at least the minimum income threshold. Since April 2024 this has been set at £29,000 per year. This income can come from employment, self-employment, pensions, savings, or a combination of sources.
| Scenario | Minimum Income Required | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
| Applications from April 2024 | £29,000 per year | April 2024 — early 2026 |
| Next planned increase | £34,500 per year | TBC — subject to Government announcement |
| Final planned threshold | £38,700 per year | Early 2026 (planned) |
| With dependent children (additional per child) | +£3,800 per child | Current rules |
⚠️ Important: Income thresholds are subject to change by Government announcement. We always advise checking current figures with a specialist before applying. Call us on 0141 496 0321 to confirm the threshold that applies to your case.
English language requirement
Spouse Visa applicants must demonstrate English language ability at A1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for an initial entry application. On extension, this rises to A2, and to B1 when applying for ILR.
You may be exempt from the English language requirement if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country, are aged 65 or over, or have a disability that prevents you from meeting it.
Accommodation requirement
The couple must have adequate accommodation in the UK that is exclusively available to them and any dependants, without recourse to public funds. The accommodation must not be overcrowded under the Housing Act 1985.
Documents Required for a UK Spouse Visa
Building a comprehensive and well-organised evidence bundle is one of the most important factors in a successful Spouse Visa application. The following is a guide to the documents typically required — your UK Visa Assistance lawyer will provide a personalised list based on your specific circumstances.
Relationship evidence
- Original marriage or civil partnership certificate
- Evidence of previous contact and meetings (flight tickets, hotel receipts, photos together)
- Correspondence between you and your partner (emails, messages, letters)
- Evidence of joint finances, assets or shared responsibilities
- Statements from family and friends confirming the relationship
Financial evidence (sponsor)
- Employer letter confirming current salary and employment status
- Last 6 months’ payslips
- Last 6 months’ bank statements showing salary credits
- P60 from the most recent tax year
- If self-employed: SA302, tax year overview, accountant’s letter
Identity and travel documents
- Applicant’s valid passport
- Sponsor’s British or settled status document
- Biometric information (via UKVCAS appointment)
- English language test certificate (e.g. IELTS Life Skills, Trinity SELT)
- Tuberculosis test results (if applying from a listed country)
Accommodation evidence
- Mortgage statement or tenancy agreement for the UK property
- Letter from landlord confirming permission for applicant to live there
- Evidence that the property is of adequate size (e.g. Land Registry documents)
How to Apply for a UK Spouse Visa
The Spouse Visa application is made online via the UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) website. Most applicants apply from their home country before travelling to the UK, though in some limited circumstances it may be possible to apply from within the UK as a switch or extension.
Step-by-step process
- Initial consultation — We assess your eligibility, identify any potential issues and advise on the right approach for your circumstances.
- Document preparation — We provide a tailored document checklist and review all evidence before inclusion.
- Online application — Your lawyer completes the VAF4A (Spouse/Partner Visa application) on your behalf and reviews every question.
- Biometrics appointment — The applicant attends a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to provide fingerprints and a photograph.
- Decision — The Home Office reviews the application. Standard processing takes 12 weeks; Priority Service is available for a fee.
- Entry to the UK — On a successful application, the applicant receives a vignette (entry clearance) in their passport and can travel to the UK.
Ready to start your Spouse Visa application?
Our IAA-accredited lawyers are available Monday to Friday 9am-5:30pm. We offer a free initial consultation to assess your eligibility and explain your options.
UK Spouse Visa Costs & Processing Times 2026
The total cost of a Spouse Visa application includes the Home Office application fee, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) and any legal fees. These are the current figures as at March 2026.
| Fee Item | Amount (2026) |
|---|---|
| Home Office application fee (entry clearance) | £1,846 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge — per year of visa | £1,035 per year |
| IHS for 30-month initial visa (total) | £2,587.50 |
| UKVI biometrics fee | £19.20 |
| English language test (IELTS SELT, approx.) | £170 — £200 |
| Priority Service (optional, decision in 30 days) | £500 |
| Super Priority Service (optional, decision in 5 days) | £1,000 |
Standard processing time: 12 weeks from biometrics appointment. Priority and Super Priority services are available at additional cost and are subject to availability. UK Visa Assistance legal fees are quoted separately and vary based on the complexity of your case.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Spouse Visa holders have the right to work in the UK without restriction. You do not need a separate work permit and there is no limit on the type of employment or the number of hours you can work.
As of April 2024, the minimum income threshold is £29,000 per year. This is expected to rise further. The income is assessed on the sponsor's earnings and sometimes the applicant's earnings if they are already legally working in the UK. Savings can also be used to supplement or meet the requirement in some cases.
An initial Spouse Visa is granted for 30 months (2 years and 6 months). It can then be extended for a further 30 months. After 5 years of continuous lawful residence in the UK on a Spouse Visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
Yes, in most cases. A refusal will come with a notice confirming whether you have a right of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber). You may also request an administrative review if the refusal was based on a caseworker error.
Yes. Dependent children under the age of 18 can apply at the same time as the main Spouse Visa applicant. Each dependent child requires a separate application and additional income above the base threshold (currently an additional £3,800 per child per year).
Most applicants must demonstrate English language ability at A1 CEFR level for an initial Spouse Visa. You can do this by taking a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider such as IELTS Life Skills. Nationals of majority English-speaking countries are exempt, as are applicants over 65 and those with certain disabilities.
After completing 5 years of continuous residence in the UK on a Spouse Visa route, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). ILR grants you the right to live and work in the UK permanently. You must pass the Life in the UK Test and demonstrate English at B1 level. After a further 12 months with ILR, you may be eligible to apply for British citizenship.
In some cases, yes. If you are in the UK with valid leave in another category (for example, a Student Visa), you may be able to switch into the Spouse Visa route without having to leave the UK. However, not all visa categories permit this switch. You cannot apply from within the UK if you have overstayed your leave.