Guidance for the Application of a UK Spouse Visa

You will be granted permission to enter the United Kingdom for a period of two years and nine months if your spouse visa is approved. You will be eligible to apply for a conjugal visa for the subsequent 2.5 years after the first 2 years and 9 months.

• When the application is submitted, both you and your companion must be at least 18 years old. Additionally, you must have the intention of residing permanently in the United Kingdom with your partner.
• You satisfy the financial prerequisite.
• You satisfy the relationship prerequisite.
• You possess an adequate amount of space.
• You and your companion are not in a prohibited degree of relationship.
• You and your companion have had the opportunity to meet in person.

Financial Requirements for a Successful Spouse Visa

If you are applying for a family visa as a partner, you and your companion typically must demonstrate that your combined income is at least £29,000 per year.

This is referred to as a “minimum income requirement.”

The financial requirements are distinct if either:

• your partner is receiving specific disability or carer benefits
• you initially applied as a partner before April 11, 2024, and are extending that visa—this includes if you initially applied as a fiancé, fiancée, or prospective civil partner

Proving one’s income is contingent upon the manner in which it was acquired. You may be able to demonstrate that you meet the requirement by utilising your savings instead of income.

If Your Partner Is Getting Disability Or Carer’s Benefits

You do not need to meet a minimum income requirement if your partner gets one of the following benefits:

• Disability Living Allowance
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
• Attendance Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• Armed Forces Independence Payment or Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
• Constant Attendance Allowance, Mobility Supplement or War Disablement Pension under the War Pensions Scheme
• Police Injury Pension
• Child Disability Payment
• Adult Disability Payment

You need to show you and your family have enough money to house and support yourselves without relying on additional public funds. The caseworker considers your income and housing costs.

Check the guidance in Appendix FM and Appendix HM armed forces: minimum income requirement for more information.

If You First Applied As A Partner Before 11 April 2024 And You’re Extending That Visa

If you’re extending your stay with the same partner, you and your partner will need to prove that your combined income is at least £18,600 a year.

You must prove you have extra money for any children who:

• you’re applying for a family visa with
• are already in the UK as dependants on your family visa
• are already in the UK as your partner’s dependants

You do not need to prove you have extra money for any children who:

• are British or Irish citizens
• have pre-settled status
• are permanently settled in the UK

You might not need to prove you have extra money if your children are citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland and they do not have pre-settled status or are not permanently settled in the UK. Check the guidance in Appendix FM and Appendix HM armed forces: minimum income requirement for more information.

If you need to prove extra money for children, you’ll need to prove an extra:

• £3,800 a year for the first child
• £2,400 a year for each additional child you have after the first child

If the total amount you’d need to earn based on your children would be more than £29,000, you only need to prove you make £29,000 a year.

If You Cannot Meet The Financial Requirements

If you cannot meet these financial requirements you may still be able to apply for a visa or extend your stay if:

• you have a child in the UK who is a British or Irish citizen or has lived in the UK for 7 years and it would be unreasonable for them to leave the UK
• it would breach your human rights to stop you coming to the UK or make you leave

If you do not meet the financial requirements, the earliest you’ll be able to apply to settle is after 10 years in the UK.

English Test Requirement For A Spouse Visa UK

To apply for a spouse visa entry clearance, you need to pass the A1 English language test, A2 for spouse visa extension, and B1 for spouse visa ILR.

How Long Does The Application Take?

The average processing time for a spouse visa application is 12 to 24 weeks from the date we submit the application to the UKVI. Processing times vary depending on the country where the application is made and circumstances of the applicant.

How Long Does A Spouse Visa Last?

If applying from overseas, a spouse visa is initially issued for 33 months. If you are applying from within the UK a spouse visa is issued for a period of 30 months.

Can I Extend My Spouse Visa?

You can apply for an extension for an additional 30 months which can take your total time in the UK on this visa up to five years. At this point you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) provided you are still married and living in the UK with your spouse and continue to meet the maintenance requirements. After you have been granted ILR you may be eligible to apply for naturalisation as British citizen.

Minimum Age For A Spouse Visa

You and your partner must both be over the age of 18 on the date when you submit your Spouse Visa application.

Minimum Age To Get Married In The UK

The legal age of marriage and civil partnerships has been raised to 18 in England and Wales.

Can I Work On A Spouse Visa?

Yes, you are eligible to work or study in the UK once the visa has been granted.

Savings For A UK Spouse Visa

You can meet the spouse visa financial requirement through savings of £88,500.

Why Choose Us For Your Spouse Visa Applications?
We understand that dealing with UK visa applications can feel overwhelming, but don’t worry — we’re here to make the process much easier for you. Here’s why UK Immigration Law is the right choice to support you with your visa and immigration needs:

Trusted and Regulated Experts
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Years of Experience on Your Side
Our team of immigration lawyers has been around for years, giving us the knowledge and experience to handle your case with care and attention to detail. We’re here to make sure you get the best possible advice, no matter the situation.

In-Depth Knowledge of the Law
Immigration law can change quickly, but don’t worry — we stay updated on all the latest developments to ensure you’re always getting the most accurate and reliable guidance. We’ll break things down for you in simple terms so you can make informed decisions.

We’re Transparent and Ethical
Your trust means everything to us, which is why we’re committed to being completely transparent throughout the process. We’ll keep you informed at every stage, and we always operate with the highest ethical standards.

Affordable and Flexible Payment Plans
Legal services shouldn’t break the bank. That’s why we offer affordable, fixed fees and a flexible payment plan with two installments to make things easier on your budget.

By choosing UK Immigration Law, you’re choosing a team that genuinely cares about your success. We’re here to support you with the right advice, transparency, and expertise every step of the way.

So, why wait? Take your first step towards a successful immigration application with us.