UK Spouse Visa Requirements: Prove You Qualify

Section A: What are the UK Spouse Visa Requirements?

The UK spouse visa allows partners of British citizens and settled individuals to build their lives in the UK. It is one of the most heavily scrutinised family routes because every requirement has to be met in full at the date of application. UKVI assesses the relationship, financial position, English language ability, accommodation arrangements and the applicant’s wider immigration history. Applicants who are resident in a country on the Home Office tuberculosis testing list are required to obtain a valid TB certificate from an approved clinic as part of the application.

Each spouse visa requirement carries its own evidential rules that shape the outcome of the application. Any gap or inconsistency in the information provided will become a point of examination and can lead to refusal.

Applications are made online and progress to either a biometric appointment or the Identity Verification app. UKVI will not consider the case until the correct fee and Immigration Health Surcharge have been paid. The supporting evidence is then reviewed to determine whether the requirements under Appendix FM are met. Processing can take several months, particularly during peak periods or where UKVI carries out additional checks.

Where an application is granted, overseas applicants usually receive a short-term entry vignette followed by access to an online digital immigration status, while applicants who apply inside the UK progress directly to digital eVisa status.

1. Spouse visa criteria at a glance

The starting point for most applicants is working out whether the relationship meets the definition set out in the Immigration Rules and whether the sponsor has the right status to support the application. Financial eligibility is usually the area that causes the most difficulty and the outcome often turns on the accuracy and completeness of the evidence submitted. The English language and accommodation requirements add further layers of detail that need to be addressed well before the form is submitted.

The spouse visa is available to married couples, civil partners and unmarried partners who have lived together for at least two years. The sponsor has to be a British or Irish citizen, a person with indefinite leave to remain or settled status, or someone with another qualifying status that permits family sponsorship (for example refugee status or humanitarian protection). Applicants inside the UK follow a different application path from those applying overseas, although the requirements themselves are the same.

2. What does the spouse visa allow?

Successful overseas spouse visa applicants are usually granted 33 months’ leave. Applicants who apply from inside the UK are usually granted 30 months. These periods count towards the standard five-year partner route to indefinite leave to remain where all other requirements are met. During this time, partners are permitted to work and study in the UK without restriction but are generally subject to a condition preventing access to public funds.

Dependent children can be included on the application where they meet the relevant definition and requirements. Their grants of leave are usually aligned with the main applicant and they are subject to similar conditions, including the Immigration Health Surcharge and no recourse to public funds. Children who are British, Irish, settled or hold pre-settled status are not treated as dependants under the financial requirement and are assessed separately under their own status.

Section B: Spouse Visa Relationship Requirement

The relationship requirement is at the heart of a spouse visa application. UKVI assesses not only whether the couple meet the formal definition of partners under the Immigration Rules but also whether the relationship is genuine, ongoing and intended to continue in the UK. The key tests are set out in Appendix Relationship with Partner and Appendix FM, and they apply to married couples, civil partners and, under related routes, unmarried partners applying under the wider partner visa framework.

Both partners are required to be aged 18 or over at the time of application. The marriage or civil partnership needs to be legally recognised in the country where it took place and capable of recognition under UK law. The parties need to have met in person, cannot be within a prohibited degree of relationship and are expected to show that any previous marriages or civil partnerships have permanently ended. Polygamous relationships are not recognised for spouse visa purposes, even where they are lawful in the country of marriage.

UKVI also expects evidence that the couple intend to live together permanently in the UK after the visa is granted. That intention is usually assessed alongside the wider circumstances of the relationship: where each partner lives and works now, what plans they have made for accommodation and finances in the UK and how they have organised their lives around living together. Where the sponsor is currently overseas, the couple are expected to show credible plans to return to the UK, such as a job offer or practical arrangements for accommodation.

The “genuine and subsisting” test is where many applications struggle. Caseworkers look at how the relationship developed, how long the couple have been together and how they maintain contact, particularly where they have lived apart for periods. Evidence often includes cohabitation documents such as joint tenancy agreements, council tax bills or utility bills, together with travel records, photographs and communication logs. There is no single prescribed form of proof, but the overall picture needs to show a durable relationship that is not primarily motivated by immigration advantages.

Unmarried partners applying under the wider family route, including the unmarried partner visa, are expected to show at least two years of living together in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership. For spouse visa applicants, cohabitation is not a strict requirement, but prolonged periods of separation or very limited evidence of day-to-day contact will attract attention and can lead to questions about the depth of the relationship. Couples who have spent time apart for work, study or family reasons should be ready to explain those gaps and show how the relationship was maintained.

Arranged marriages are recognised, provided the relationship meets the same genuineness tests as any other couple. UKVI will look closely at whether both parties have freely consented and whether the relationship has developed in a way that shows commitment from both sides. Relationships conducted almost entirely online, with limited in-person contact and little evidence of wider family involvement, often face heavier scrutiny, especially where there are other risk factors such as previous immigration refusals.

Documentary preparation is central to meeting the relationship requirement. Inconsistent timelines, conflicting addresses or unexplained changes of name can undermine confidence in the application. Couples should treat the relationship section of the form, their supporting statements and their documents as a single narrative that needs to align. Where there are unusual features, such as a significant age gap, cultural differences or a short courtship before marriage, those points should be addressed directly with clear, factual explanations rather than left for UKVI to infer.

Section C: Spouse Visa Financial & Minimum Income Requirement

The financial requirement is where many spouse visa applications rise or fall. UKVI expects the couple to show a stable level of income or savings that meets the minimum income requirement on the date the application is submitted. The rules are set out in Appendix FM and accompanying financial guidance and they apply differently depending on when the partner route was first entered, whether the applicant is applying with the same partner and whether any exemptions apply.

For most new spouse visa applicants, the current headline threshold is £29,000 a year in gross income. That figure applies to people who are new to the five–year partner route and to those changing to a new partner on or after 11 April 2024. Sponsors who entered the partner route before 11 April 2024 and who are continuing with the same partner fall under transitional arrangements and are still assessed against the previous £18,600 threshold, with the older child uplift rules, subject to an overall cap at £29,000. The key is to identify which cohort the couple falls into before any work starts on the figures.

Under the financial requirement, income is grouped into categories that determine how it is calculated and evidenced. Employment income is usually assessed over either six months or twelve months, depending on how stable the sponsor’s work pattern is. Non-employment income such as rental income or pensions has its own rules. Company directors and self-employed sponsors are assessed over longer periods, with an emphasis on tax documents and business accounts. The financial guidance cross-refers to the Immigration Rules and applicants need to follow the category that matches their circumstances rather than picking and choosing individual documents.

Cash savings can be used on their own or combined with some forms of income. The calculation starts with a mandatory £16,000 buffer that is ignored. Savings above that level are divided by 2.5 for spouse visa applications and added to the qualifying income to see if the threshold is met. For example, where the couple rely on savings alone, a new applicant with no children needs £88,500 in cash savings to meet the £29,000 minimum, while those who entered the route before 11 April 2024 and stay with the same partner can still rely on the lower savings level calculated from the £18,600 figure. Savings have to be held in specified forms for at least six months or come from a permitted source such as the sale of property.

The earlier child-related income uplifts continue to apply only to those protected under the transitional arrangements. For sponsors who were in the partner route before 11 April 2024, additional income is still required for qualifying dependent children, although there is now a cap so the overall requirement does not exceed £29,000. For new applicants after that date, the £29,000 figure applies regardless of the number of dependent children included on the application. Children who are British, Irish, settled or have pre-settled status are outside the calculation altogether.

Only certain income sources count towards the financial requirement. In most entry clearance and initial applications from overseas, UKVI will usually only consider the sponsor’s income, not the applicant’s prospective UK earnings. The applicant’s income can feature in limited scenarios, such as where they are already working lawfully in the UK and are switching into the partner route. Third-party financial support, such as regular payments from relatives, is generally discounted unless it feeds into a permitted income category and the rules on ongoing availability are met.

Some sponsors are exempt from the minimum income requirement because they receive a qualifying disability or carer’s benefit. In those cases UKVI applies an “adequate maintenance” test that compares the couple’s income after housing costs to income support levels. There are detailed rules on which benefits count and how they interact with the calculation. Outside those exemptions, where the financial requirement is not met, caseworkers consider whether there are exceptional circumstances that would mean refusal would breach Article 8 rights, but that route is narrow and usually involves significant hardship, particularly where children are involved.

Most applicants who meet the spouse visa requirements follow the five-year partner route to settlement, based on two periods of leave as a partner before applying for indefinite leave to remain. Where the requirements cannot be met but removal would breach Article 8 rights, UKVI can grant leave on a ten-year route instead. That longer route usually involves more applications, higher total fees and repeated scrutiny of the couple’s circumstances.

Section D: Sponsor Status & Residence Requirement

The spouse visa rules place significant weight on the sponsor’s immigration status and their connection to the UK. UKVI expects the sponsor to hold a status that permits family sponsorship and to show that they either live in the UK or intend to resume residence here. The relationship and financial evidence only fall into place once the sponsor’s eligibility is confirmed, so this part of the assessment shapes the foundation of the application.

The sponsor is usually a British citizen or a person with indefinite leave to remain. People with limited permission in certain routes can also sponsor a partner, including those with refugee status, humanitarian protection or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Each status carries its own evidential requirements, so sponsors need to provide documents that confirm their position at the date of the application. Where the sponsor holds settled status, the Home Office will often cross-check the information against its internal digital records for confirmation.

The residence requirement assesses whether the sponsor is living in the UK or, if currently abroad, can show credible plans to return with the applicant. This is a practical test rather than a formal legal one. UKVI looks at the sponsor’s employment, accommodation and family circumstances to understand where the couple intend to build their life. Where the sponsor is overseas due to work, study or family commitments, UKVI expects evidence that those arrangements are temporary and that the couple have realistic plans to re-establish themselves in the UK. That might involve a UK job offer, confirmation of available accommodation or written explanations supported by documentary proof.

Sponsors who spend long periods abroad can face additional scrutiny. The Home Office may question whether the UK remains the couple’s main home and whether the stated intention to return is genuine. Where the sponsor has been abroad for an extended period, the supporting evidence needs to show how the couple manage their day-to-day life and how the move back to the UK will take place in practice. Inconsistencies between the information provided and UKVI’s own digital records, such as travel history or employment data, can undermine confidence in the application if not properly addressed.

Where the sponsor’s status is still being resolved, for example if an indefinite leave to remain application is pending, timing becomes important. A spouse visa can only be supported by a qualifying immigration status that exists at the point of decision, not one that is anticipated. Couples in this position should consider sequencing their applications to ensure the sponsor’s status is secured before the spouse visa is submitted, avoiding refusals based on eligibility rather than the substance of the relationship or finances.

Evidence for the sponsor section usually includes a passport, biometric residence permit or digital status confirmation, together with documents that demonstrate residence or return plans. Where the sponsor is abroad, the strongest applications tend to show detailed arrangements for employment and accommodation in the UK, supported by clear explanations that align with the rest of the application. Further guidance on the wider partner route can be found in our overview of the UK spouse visa.

Section E: English Language Requirement

The English language requirement is a core part of the spouse visa rules and applies at several stages of the route. UKVI expects partners who are not exempt to show a minimum level of English before they enter or remain in the UK under Appendix FM. The level increases as the applicant progresses towards settlement, so the tests taken at initial application and extension stage also have long-term implications for later indefinite leave to remain.

For an initial spouse visa, most applicants need to show English at level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) in speaking and listening. At the first extension on the five–year route, the requirement usually rises to A2. For settlement as a partner, the general expectation is level B1 in speaking and listening, together with the Life in the UK Test. The precise requirement depends on the route and the date the partner route was entered, so applicants should check the current version of the Rules and guidance at the planning stage, rather than relying on older decisions or assumptions.

There are three main ways to meet the English language requirement. The first is by passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) at the required level or higher with a Home Office approved provider. The second is through holding a degree that UKVI accepts as taught or researched in English and equivalent to at least a UK bachelor’s degree. The third is through nationality if the applicant is from a majority English-speaking country listed in the Rules. Where two or more routes are available, applicants should usually choose the one that is simplest to evidence and that still supports their longer term plans for extension and settlement.

SELTs have to be taken at an approved test centre and in the exact test type and level specified by UKVI. Results from non-approved providers or from academic English tests that are not on the list will be refused, even if the underlying language ability is strong. Test certificates are valid for spouse visa purposes as long as they met the Rules at the time they were taken and the same test result is relied on in a later application in the same route, but applicants often face issues where they assume older certificates remain acceptable without checking the detailed guidance.

Degree-based applications require more than just a university certificate. Where the degree was taught in English outside the UK, applicants usually need confirmation from Ecctis that the qualification is comparable to a UK degree and was taught in English. Incomplete documentation, name mismatches between the degree certificate and the passport or uncertainty about the language of tuition can all lead to queries or refusals. Where the degree route is marginal or documentation is difficult to obtain, an English test is often a more straightforward option.

Some applicants are exempt from the English language requirement altogether. Exemptions can apply where the applicant is over a set age, has a long-term physical or mental condition that prevents them from meeting the requirement or, in certain cases, where other human rights factors are engaged. Exemption requests usually require detailed evidence, such as medical reports that address the specific points in the Home Office guidance. Generic or unsupported statements are unlikely to succeed and can delay the application while UKVI seeks clarification.

From a practical perspective, English language evidence is one of the simplest parts of the spouse visa to control, yet it is a frequent cause of refusal. Common problems include taking the wrong test, testing at the wrong level, relying on expired results, booking at a non-approved centre or submitting incomplete degree documentation. Applicants should work backwards from the planned application date, book a suitable test slot with an approved provider and keep the confirmation and results documents safely for upload. Where the spouse visa is part of a wider long-term plan, such as eventual settlement or British citizenship by naturalisation, it often makes sense to aim for a higher level of English earlier in the process to reduce future testing and costs.

Section F: Accommodation Requirement

The accommodation requirement ensures that the couple will have a stable and lawful place to live in the UK without relying on public funds. UKVI assesses whether the proposed accommodation is adequate and whether it will become overcrowded once the applicant joins the household. The test is practical and evidence-driven, so applicants need to provide clear documentation that shows the property meets the relevant standards under the Housing Act framework and Home Office guidance.

Adequate accommodation means a property that is safe, in good condition and available for the couple to occupy exclusively. It does not need to be owned by the couple. Tenancies, family arrangements, lodgings and employer-provided accommodation can all be acceptable as long as the couple’s occupation is lawful and does not breach the terms of the agreement. UKVI will look at the size and layout of the property, how many rooms are available and how many people already live there. The key question is whether the space will become statutorily overcrowded when the applicant moves in.

The assessment of overcrowding usually focuses on the number of bedrooms and the ages of the people who will share the property. Children under a certain age can share rooms in ways that adults cannot and the rules take account of gender differences for older children. UKVI may cross-check the details against information held by local authorities or HMRC, especially where the address is associated with multiple occupants or where there is a history of short-term accommodation arrangements.

Applicants using rented accommodation need to provide a tenancy agreement, a letter from the landlord confirming permission for the applicant to live there and, in some cases, recent utility bills or council tax statements. Where the couple intend to live with family or friends, written confirmation from the property owner is usually required, together with proof of ownership such as Land Registry documents. A property inspection report can help in cases where the layout or occupancy structure is complicated or where UKVI may question whether the property meets the adequacy test.

Where the sponsor or applicant owns the property, evidence such as a mortgage statement, Land Registry title or property deeds will normally satisfy UKVI as long as the documents are recent and consistent. Where the couple plan to move into new accommodation after the visa is granted, they need to provide evidence that the arrangement is secured, not merely intended. This may include a signed tenancy agreement that begins after arrival, a letter from the landlord or other confirmation that the property will be available at the relevant time.

Problems tend to arise where the accommodation evidence is incomplete or inconsistent. Missing tenancy pages, informal arrangements without written confirmation, unclear occupancy details or mismatched addresses in other parts of the application all attract scrutiny. UKVI expects the information about accommodation to align with the relationship and financial narratives so any gaps are likely to raise questions. Couples should treat the accommodation evidence as part of the wider story they are presenting and ensure it integrates cleanly with the rest of their submission.

Section G: Suitability, Character & Immigration History

Even where the relationship, financial, English language and accommodation requirements are all met, a spouse visa can still be refused on suitability grounds. UKVI looks at the applicant’s character, conduct and immigration history under the general grounds for refusal in the Immigration Rules. The focus is on whether there is anything in the background that suggests the grant of leave would be inappropriate, such as criminal offending, deception, unpaid NHS debt or repeated non-compliance with previous visa conditions.

Suitability issues range from mandatory refusal grounds to matters that give caseworkers discretion. Mandatory refusal usually applies in serious cases, such as where the applicant has received a long custodial sentence, is considered a threat to national security or has been involved in conduct that meets the threshold for exclusion from the UK. In these situations the Rules leave little room for argument. The more common scenarios for spouse visa applicants involve discretionary grounds, which require UKVI to weigh the facts and decide whether refusal is appropriate in light of the circumstances.

Criminal convictions are an obvious starting point. UKVI considers the nature of the offence, the sentence imposed and how long ago the conduct took place. There are specific thresholds in the Rules for custodial and non-custodial sentences and for persistent offending. Even where the conviction is spent under rehabilitation law, it can still be relevant to the suitability assessment. Applicants with a criminal record should expect UKVI to look beyond the label of the offence and examine the underlying behaviour, the risk of reoffending and evidence of rehabilitation.

Immigration history is another major strand of the suitability test. Periods of overstaying, breaches of visa conditions, working in breach, entering without permission or previous removals from the UK can all trigger refusal considerations. UKVI will look at why the breach occurred, how long it lasted and what steps the applicant took to regularise their position. Some overstaying is disregarded in specific circumstances, but applicants should not assume that a short or historic breach will be ignored. Failure to disclose problem history is often viewed more harshly than the underlying breach itself.

Deception is treated particularly seriously. Providing false documents, giving untrue answers on an application form or failing to disclose material facts that UKVI would expect to know can all lead to refusal on the basis of dishonesty. The impact of a deception finding goes well beyond a single application. It can affect future visa and citizenship applications and can be very difficult to undo. Applicants who are unsure how to present a difficult history should take advice rather than attempting to conceal issues that UKVI may uncover through its own records and data sharing with other agencies.

Other suitability factors can include significant unpaid NHS debt, outstanding litigation costs ordered in favour of the Home Office and civil penalties for employing workers without the right to work. UKVI expects applicants to deal with those debts or, where that is not possible, to explain the position supported by evidence. Ignoring the problem rarely helps. In some cases, partial payment plans or evidence of efforts to address the liability can weigh in the applicant’s favour, although they do not guarantee a grant of leave.

From a preparation perspective, suitability is best approached as a risk audit. Applicants should gather a complete record of their immigration and criminal history, check that the information they plan to provide matches Home Office and other official records and prepare clear explanations where issues have arisen. Where a refusal on suitability grounds has already been made in the past, the reasons for that decision need to be addressed directly rather than assumed to have faded with time. A carefully structured application that acknowledges and explains past problems usually stands a stronger chance than one that leaves UKVI to join the dots.

Section H: Spouse Visa Supporting Documents

The spouse visa application outcome is determined by the quality of your supporting documents. UKVI does not make assumptions or fill in gaps, so every requirement outlined in earlier sections needs to be evidenced in a way that aligns with the Immigration Rules and published guidance. Caseworkers assess the evidence as a complete package. Inconsistencies between documents, missing pages or unexplained gaps can lead to refusal even where the underlying facts would otherwise meet the rules.

Identity evidence is the starting point. Applicants need to provide a valid passport or travel document. Sponsors must provide proof of British citizenship, indefinite leave to remain, settled status or another qualifying status. Where digital status applies, such as the EU Settlement Scheme, UKVI will check the records internally but applicants still need to give the reference numbers required to link the information. Name differences across passports, certificates or bank accounts need to be explained with supporting documents such as marriage certificates or official change of name records.

Relationship evidence should present a coherent picture of how the couple met, how the relationship developed and how they organise their lives. Marriage or civil partnership certificates demonstrate the formal relationship, but they are rarely sufficient on their own. Evidence of day-to-day life can include joint tenancy agreements, shared bills, bank statements from accounts used jointly, travel records, photographs and communication logs. Each piece of evidence should be consistent on dates, addresses and key details. Where the couple have spent time apart due to work or family commitments, documentary proof of that contact is important.

Financial evidence depends on the income category being relied upon. For employed sponsors, this usually includes payslips, corresponding bank statements and a letter from the employer that meets specific wording and formatting requirements. Self-employed sponsors and company directors need tax returns, company accounts and HMRC documents. Rental income, dividends, pensions and other non-employment income sources have their own evidential rules. Cash savings require bank statements covering the full six-month period and documents proving the source of any recent large deposits. Any mismatch between figures across documents is likely to be queried.

English language evidence usually involves either a Secure English Language Test certificate or degree documentation. Test certificates must come from an approved provider and match the exact test type and level required by Appendix FM. For degree-based applications, the applicant may need an Ecctis statement to confirm comparability and English-medium instruction. Where names differ across certificates and passports, formal evidence of the name change is required to avoid doubts about identity.

Accommodation evidence should demonstrate that the couple have a lawful and adequate place to live that will not become overcrowded. Applicants using rented accommodation typically submit a tenancy agreement, a landlord’s letter giving consent for the applicant to live there and recent utility or council tax bills. Where the couple will live with family or friends, written consent from the property owner and proof of ownership such as a Land Registry title are needed. Applicants who own their property can provide a mortgage statement or title document. A property inspection report may be helpful where the layout or occupancy needs independent confirmation.

Suitability evidence depends on the individual’s background. Police certificates may be required for certain nationalities or where UKVI asks for them. Applicants with past convictions, immigration breaches or other suitability issues should include clear and accurate documentation that supports their explanation. NHS debt, litigation costs or civil penalties need to be addressed with evidence of payment or updated statements showing the current position.

All documents should be prepared with UKVI’s digital application process in mind. Evidence must be uploaded in a clear format with complete pages and legible text. Documents in languages other than English or Welsh need certified translations that meet the Home Office formatting standards. Applicants should check that dates, names, addresses and figures align across all sections of the application form and supporting documents. A structured document set, cross-checked against the rules, gives UKVI little room to doubt that the requirements are met.

Section I: Spouse Visa Application Process, Fees & Conditions

Applicants outside the UK usually apply for entry clearance as a partner from their country of residence or nationality. Inside the UK, switching into the spouse or partner route is permitted from many categories but not from all. Visitors and some temporary routes are generally prevented from switching into Appendix FM and are directed to apply from overseas instead. Before starting the form, applicants should confirm that an in-country application is permitted from their current status.

1. Spouse visa application process

Spouse visa applications are made online through the UK government portal. Applicants first create a UKVI account, complete the relevant partner application form and upload information about the relationship, finances, accommodation and immigration history. The application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge are then paid before an appointment is booked or the Identity Verification app is used.

After payment, applicants either attend a biometric enrolment appointment at a visa application centre or UKVCAS service point, or complete identity verification using the app where available. Supporting documents are uploaded digitally either by the applicant or via the commercial partner service. UKVI then reviews the application against Appendix FM and the associated guidance. Further information or documents can be requested where necessary and, in some cases, the applicant or sponsor can be invited to interview if concerns arise about any aspect of the case.

2. Spouse visa fees

From 9 April 2025, the standard Home Office fee for a spouse or partner visa application is £1,938 for applications made outside the UK and £1,321 for applications made inside the UK.

In addition, most applicants pay the Immigration Health Surcharge at £1,035 per year for adults and £776 per year for children, calculated over the length of the grant.

For a typical 2.5-year spouse visa, the IHS is £3,105 for an overseas application and £2,587.50 for an in-country application.

Optional priority services may be available, depending on location. Outside the UK, a settlement priority service may be available for an additional fee and currently aims to provide a decision within around 30 working days of biometrics, instead of the standard 12 weeks, where offered. Inside the UK, a next-working-day super priority service can be available for an extra charge. These services affect decision times only and do not change the underlying spouse visa requirements or the evidence that has to be provided.

3. Spouse visa processing times

Standard processing times for spouse visas are usually measured in weeks or months rather than days. Overseas applications often take up to 12 weeks from biometrics, while in-country applications are normally decided within 8 weeks where no further enquiries are required.

UKVI can extend these timeframes if additional checks are needed, for example where there are concerns about the relationship, immigration history or suitability.

Caseworkers have discretion to request further information, arrange compliance checks or invite the applicant and, in some cases, the sponsor to interview. Interviews are not a standard stage in every spouse visa application but they are used where UKVI considers that the documentary evidence does not resolve specific concerns. Applicants should therefore treat any interview as part of the assessment of the existing requirements rather than as a separate hurdle.

Section J: Summary

The spouse visa brings relationship, financial, English language, accommodation and suitability rules into a single decision on whether a couple can live together in the UK. Each requirement has its own evidential rules. A weakness in one area can be enough for refusal, even where the couple are genuine and intend a permanent life together here.

Strong applications are usually planned, not improvised. Couples who work through the financial thresholds in advance, confirm the correct English requirement, check that their accommodation is adequate and confront any difficult immigration or criminal history are less likely to be caught out. The aim is to present a consistent evidential picture that matches the information on the form and aligns with UKVI’s own records. That approach reduces avoidable risk at initial application and at later stages of the route.

The spouse visa should also be viewed as the first step in a longer journey. The same themes repeat at extension and settlement stage, often with higher expectations on income and evidence. Early decisions on income structure, housing and record keeping can have direct consequences for future applications, including any plan to apply for British citizenship by naturalisation. Couples with straightforward circumstances may be able to use this guide as a framework for preparation. Those with non-standard income, previous refusals or other complicating factors may benefit from tailored advice from our UK spouse visa specialists.

Section K: Need Assistance?

Our family immigration team can review your circumstances, identify any weak points in your relationship, financial or immigration history and outline practical options before you commit to submitting the form or paying the fees.

During a consultation we can confirm which financial threshold applies, assess your evidence against the rules, advise on English language and accommodation issues and highlight any suitability risks that need managing. Contact us to arrange your fixed-fee telephone consultation.

Section L: FAQs

What are the current UK spouse visa requirements?

The spouse visa requires evidence of a genuine relationship, meeting the relevant financial threshold, proof of English language ability, adequate accommodation and a clear suitability and immigration history. All requirements apply at the date of application and each has its own evidential rules.

What is the minimum income for a UK spouse visa?

Most new applicants need to show a gross annual income of £29,000 or the cash savings equivalent. Applicants who entered the partner route before 11 April 2024 and remain with the same partner may still fall under the lower £18,600 threshold. The correct threshold depends on the couple’s cohort.

Do unmarried partners meet the spouse visa requirements?

Unmarried partners can qualify if they can show at least two years of living together in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership. The evidence needs to show a stable and genuine partnership that meets the same standards applied to married couples.

Can I use my partner’s income if I am applying from outside the UK?

In most entry clearance applications UKVI will assess only the sponsor’s income, not the applicant’s prospective earnings in the UK. The applicant’s income is only counted in limited switching scenarios where they are already working lawfully in the UK.

How long does a UK spouse visa take to process?

Most spouse visa applications take several months. Times vary depending on where the application is made, the completeness of the evidence and whether UKVI carries out additional checks. Priority services may be available in some locations.

Can a spouse visa refusal be challenged?

Most spouse visa refusals carry a right of appeal on human rights grounds. The appeal examines whether the decision was correct under the rules and whether refusal disproportionately interferes with the couple’s family life. Some applicants choose to reapply instead where the refusal was based on missing or incorrect evidence.

Will I have an interview for a UK spouse visa?

Interviews are not a routine part of every spouse visa application. UKVI uses interviews where there are concerns about the evidence or the relationship, or where further clarification is required. Where the documents are unclear or inconsistent, the likelihood of interview or additional questions increases.

Do I need an immigration lawyer for a spouse visa?

The Immigration Rules do not require applicants to use a lawyer. However, legal advice is often helpful where income is non-standard, the immigration or criminal history is not straightforward, or there have been previous refusals. Professional review can help ensure the application is structured and evidenced in line with Home Office requirements.

Section M: Additional Resources & Links