Section A: Spouse visa extension overview
The spouse visa sits within the wider UK family visa route and allows a non-UK national to live in the UK with their British citizen partner or a partner who already holds settled status or another qualifying status under the Immigration Rules.
1. Duration and conditions of the initial spouse visa
When applicants apply from inside the UK to extend their permission as a partner, leave is commonly granted for 30 months.
When the first spouse visa was granted from outside the UK, the initial grant is often longer than 30 months, but in-UK extensions are still generally issued in 30-month periods.
During this period, spouse visa holders can work and study without restriction. Access to public funds is normally restricted because family route grants are usually subject to a no recourse to public funds condition, although applicants who have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge can use NHS services in line with the conditions of their leave.
To stay in the UK beyond this initial period on the basis of your relationship, you will need to apply for a spouse visa extension.
To qualify for an extension, applicants need to show that the relationship remains genuine and subsisting, that they and their partner intend to live together permanently in the UK, that the financial requirement is met under the correct rules and that the English language requirement is satisfied at the appropriate level.
If the spouse route continues to be met, leave can usually be extended for a further 30 months. That second grant is a necessary step for anyone intending to remain on the standard five-year partner route towards settlement.
2. Is a spouse visa extension after 2.5 years automatic?
This is one of the most common and most costly misunderstandings. A spouse visa extension is assessed as a fresh application under the Immigration Rules in force at the date of decision. Approval of the initial spouse visa does not create any entitlement to a further grant of leave.
On an extension application, UKVI looks beyond stated intentions and focuses on how the previous 2.5 years have actually been lived. Relationship evidence, address history, financial documents and immigration compliance are reviewed together. If those elements do not line up, the extension may be refused.
3. When to extend your spouse visa
A spouse visa is time-limited. To remain in the UK lawfully beyond the expiry date, an extension application needs to be submitted before the current permission ends, unless the applicant is switching into a different immigration category.
An in-time and valid application usually allows the applicant to remain in the UK on the same conditions while a decision is pending. That protection is lost if the application is late or treated as invalid, which is why accuracy at submission stage matters as much as eligibility.
| Timing point | What it means in practice | How to manage the risk |
|---|---|---|
| Before current permission expires | An in-time application protects lawful status while a decision is pending | Allow time for evidence preparation and online submission |
| Submission date | The date the form is submitted and paid determines whether the application is in time | Keep confirmation emails, payment receipts and submission records |
| Decision timeframes | Processing times are targets and vary by case | Check current Home Office processing information and priority options if available |
DavidsonMorris Strategic Insight
In many ways, the initial spouse visa is, by comparison to the extension, more generous. At that earlier stage, the Home Office is largely assessing intention and future plans. The extension works differently.
It’s helpful to think of the extension application as retrospective. Rather than focusing on future plans, it operates as a record of how you’ve lived with your spouse over the preceding 2.5 years and, together with the initial application, across the full period of spouse visa leave to date.
Decision-making will focus on how you have spent those 2.5 years have actually been spent. Caseworkers are asking whether the relationship, living arrangements and financial position have operated in practice in the way originally claimed.
The extension also carries weight beyond the immediate decision. If you later apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, this application forms part of the factual record your settlement case will be judged against. Inconsistencies, gaps or weak evidence at extension stage can resurface years later, when there is far less scope to correct them.
Section B: Eligibility for spouse visa extension after 2.5 years
An application to extend leave as a spouse is assessed under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. UKVI does not treat an extension as a continuation of the original decision. Eligibility is reassessed at the date of decision, and applicants need to show that they continue to meet the partner route requirements through strong evidence.
1. Criteria for extending the spouse visa after 2.5 years
To qualify for a spouse visa extension, the applicant needs to continue meeting the core partner route requirements at the point the Home Office makes its decision.
a. Genuine and subsisting relationship
The applicant needs to show that the relationship with their partner remains genuine and subsisting. At extension stage, UKVI is less interested in how the relationship started and more interested in whether it has been lived in line with what was previously claimed.
Evidence is reviewed for continuity and consistency. Address histories are compared with earlier applications, cohabitation documents are checked for gaps and timelines are cross-referenced against information already held by the Home Office. Inconsistencies are not always fatal, but unexplained discrepancies tend to undermine confidence in the overall case.
The question UKVI is effectively asking is whether the relationship operates day to day as a shared life in the UK, rather than whether it has existed for a particular length of time.
b. Living together and intention to live together
The Immigration Rules require the couple to intend to live together permanently in the UK. In practice, UKVI expects to see evidence that the couple have been living together during the period of leave and that the shared address is genuine.
Periods of time apart are not uncommon and do not automatically prevent an extension. Work commitments, family responsibilities or temporary separation can all be compatible with a genuine relationship. The risk arises where these periods are not explained or where the evidence does not show that the relationship continued despite the separation.
c. Financial requirement
The financial requirement for a spouse visa extension depends on when the applicant first entered the partner route and whether transitional provisions apply.
Where the applicant first applied as a partner before 11 April 2024 and is extending leave with the same partner, the applicable minimum income threshold remains £18,600 per year under the pre-April 2024 framework, with an additional amount required where relevant children are included as dependants under the family route.The higher threshold introduced in April 2024 does not apply to these extension applications.
Applicants whose first partner application was made on or after 11 April 2024 are assessed against the higher minimum income threshold under the current rules.
At extension stage, it is usually possible to rely on the couple’s combined income, provided the income falls within the permitted categories and is evidenced correctly. Cash savings can also be used on their own or alongside income, but the amount required and the evidential rules depend on the route relied on.
Which financial threshold applies to me?
This is one of the most common points of failure. Rule changes have effectively created two parallel systems, and UKVI will not correct an applicant who relies on the wrong one. If income has fallen, hours have changed or employment has recently changed, the financial route needs to be identified first and the evidence built around it. Where income drops below the relevant threshold and no alternative basis is properly evidenced, refusal is likely.
d. English language requirement
For a spouse visa extension, applicants normally need to meet the English language requirement at level A2 in speaking and listening under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
This can be met by passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) at the required level or higher, or by relying on an eligible degree taught or researched in English. Where a degree was awarded outside the UK, confirmation from Ecctis is required to show both equivalence and that the course was taught in English.
English language evidence used in a previous application can only be reused if it remains acceptable under the current Immigration Rules and meets the required level for an extension.
e. Suitability and conduct
In addition to Appendix FM eligibility requirements, spouse visa extensions are subject to the suitability requirements under Part Suitability of the Immigration Rules. These allow the Home Office to refuse an application where there are concerns about criminality, immigration compliance or conduct.
Issues that can affect an extension include unspent criminal convictions in the UK or overseas, previous immigration breaches such as overstaying or the use of false documents and outstanding NHS charges of £500 or more that have been notified to the Home Office. Suitability issues often come into sharper focus at extension stage because UKVI cross-checks previous applications and compliance history.
Minor offences do not automatically lead to refusal, but full and accurate disclosure is expected. Failing to declare relevant history can itself damage credibility.
2. Residence and relationship stability
In addition to meeting the formal eligibility criteria, applicants need to show that they have remained lawfully resident in the UK throughout their period of leave and that their relationship has remained stable.
UKVI looks at the overall pattern of residence and the consistency of the evidence across the grant period. Applications are more likely to run into difficulty where documents are sparse, heavily back-dated or inconsistent with earlier submissions, even where the relationship itself has continued.
A clear, continuous and well-evidenced record across the full 2.5-year period materially reduces refusal risk and protects the settlement pathway that follows.
DavidsonMorris Strategic Insight
Rule changes in recent years have made spouse visa extension applications more complicated. The post-April 2024 income changes effectively created two parallel systems, and the onus is on applicants to identify which set of rules and thresholds apply to them and their immigration history. Applying the wrong framework is not treated as a minor error. If the incorrect threshold is relied on, the application is highly likely to fail, even when the relationship itself is genuine.
Section C: Required documentation for a spouse visa extension
Spouse visa extension decisions are driven by documents. UKVI is not expected to infer eligibility or fill gaps. Each requirement needs to be evidenced in a way that matches the Immigration Rules and the supporting guidance.
Many refusals at extension stage occur where applicants technically qualify but the documents do not tell a complete or consistent story. Evidence that is disorganised, back-loaded or misaligned with earlier applications often undermines otherwise genuine cases.
1. Core documents for a spouse visa extension application
The exact documents required depend on how the eligibility requirements are met, particularly the financial route relied on. That said, there are core categories of evidence that apply in most spouse visa extension applications.
| Document type | Purpose | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport | Confirms identity and nationality | A copy is uploaded with the online application. Originals should be retained in case UKVI requests them later |
| Marriage or civil partnership certificate | Shows the legal basis of the relationship | A scan or copy is normally sufficient for an in-UK extension |
| Evidence of cohabitation | Demonstrates the relationship remains genuine and subsisting | Documents should be spread across the full period of leave and show a shared address |
| Financial evidence | Shows the financial requirement is met | The document set must match the specific income or savings route relied on |
| English language evidence | Confirms the applicant meets the language requirement | Evidence must meet the required level and remain acceptable under current rules |
a. Identity documents
A valid passport or travel document is required to confirm the applicant’s identity and nationality. For in-UK extensions, the application is submitted online and a copy of the passport is uploaded as part of the process. Applicants should keep the original document available in case UKVI later asks to see it.
b. Relationship and cohabitation evidence
Cohabitation evidence is one of the most heavily scrutinised aspects of a spouse visa extension. UKVI expects to see how the couple has lived together in practice across the full grant period.
There is no fixed number of documents set out in the rules, but evidence is generally expected to be spaced across the 30-month period. Joint documents are helpful, but where documents are in individual names they should still show the same address over time.
Applications often weaken where evidence clusters around the application date or where earlier periods are undocumented. House moves, temporary separations and changes in living arrangements are common. The risk is not the change itself, but failing to explain it clearly and support it with evidence.
c. Financial evidence
Financial documents need to be prepared with reference to the specific income or savings category relied on. UKVI applies strict evidential rules around document type, date ranges and internal consistency.
For employed income, this usually involves payslips covering the relevant period, corresponding bank statements showing salary payments and confirmation from the employer. Self-employed applicants, company directors and those relying on more complex income sources are subject to different and often more demanding document requirements.
Refusals commonly arise where figures do not reconcile across documents, pages are missing or the evidence does not cover the full required period. Submitting more documents does not compensate for relying on the wrong financial route.
d. English language evidence
Unless an exemption applies, applicants need to provide evidence that they meet the English language requirement at extension stage. This is usually done by submitting the result of an approved Secure English Language Test at the required level or evidence of an eligible degree taught or researched in English.
Where English language evidence was used in a previous application, it can only be reused if it remains acceptable under the current Immigration Rules and meets the required level. Assuming earlier evidence will still be accepted is a common and avoidable mistake.
e. Additional supporting documents
Additional documents can help to clarify how the relationship and household have operated in practice. These might include correspondence addressed to the couple, evidence of shared responsibilities or explanations addressing unusual features of the case.
Supporting statements are most effective where they explain gaps, changes or inconsistencies. They are less persuasive where they simply repeat what the documents already show.
2. Common evidence issues in spouse visa extension applications
Two evidence issues arise repeatedly in extension refusals.
The first is insufficient coverage. Where cohabitation evidence covers only a short period or is heavily back-dated, UKVI may conclude that the relationship has not been shown to operate across the full period of leave.
The second is inconsistency. Where dates, addresses or financial figures do not match across documents or differ from earlier applications, UKVI may treat the evidence as unreliable. Once confidence in the evidence trail is lost, it is difficult to recover it in later applications.
3. How much evidence is enough?
UKVI is looking for continuity rather than volume. Evidence should show how the relationship and household have operated across the full period of leave, not just in the months leading up to the application.
DavidsonMorris Strategic Insight
As with all visa applications, the details matter. But as well as this, at the extension stage, caseworkers aren’t just looking at individual documents in isolation. They’re trained to assess patterns, particularly because they’re reviewing evidence that covers several years. What you state in the application needs to align with what the documents actually show. Inconsistencies aren’t usually treated as minor or unintentional errors, they undermine credibility and reliability, and once that confidence is lost, it is difficult to recover it in later applications.
Section D: Spouse visa extension application process
The spouse visa extension process is largely digital and follows a set sequence defined by the Home Office. While the steps may look familiar from the initial application, the extension is assessed against how the Immigration Rules have been complied with during the existing grant of leave.
Many problems at this stage are procedural rather than legal. That does not make them low risk. An application can fail or be treated as invalid even where the applicant meets the substantive requirements.
1. How to apply for a spouse visa extension
Step 1: Confirm eligibility before applying
Before starting the application, applicants should confirm that they meet the partner route requirements at the date of application. This includes identifying the correct financial threshold, confirming that English language evidence remains valid at extension stage and checking whether any changes in circumstances could affect eligibility.
Step 2: Prepare supporting evidence
All supporting documents should be prepared before the online form is submitted. Evidence needs to be consistent with the answers given in the application and with earlier submissions. Where there are gaps in cohabitation evidence, changes in employment or periods of separation, these should be explained clearly rather than left for UKVI to infer.
Step 3: Complete the online application form
The extension application is submitted through the Home Office online system. Dates, addresses and financial figures should be entered carefully. The system cross-references answers, and inconsistencies often trigger follow-up queries or closer scrutiny.
Step 4: Pay the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge
The application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge are paid as part of the online submission. Payment errors, incomplete payment or using the wrong route can result in the application being treated as invalid. Where that happens, the protection of lawful status while a decision is pending does not apply.
Step 5: Prove identity and provide biometrics
Most in-UK spouse visa extension applicants are required to attend a UKVCAS appointment to provide biometric information and confirm identity. In some cases, applicants may be invited to use an identity verification app instead, depending on the Home Office process in place at the time.
Step 6: Upload documents
Supporting documents are uploaded either before or after the biometric appointment, depending on the route followed. Applicants should ensure that all documents are uploaded within the permitted timeframe. Late uploads may not be considered.
Step 7: Home Office review
UKVI will review the application and supporting evidence. Further information may be requested where points are unclear. Interviews are not routine, but they can be arranged where the relationship or circumstances require closer examination.
2. Validity, lawful status and timing risks
An extension application needs to be submitted before the current permission expires. Where an application is valid and submitted in time, the applicant can usually remain in the UK on the same conditions while a decision is pending.
If an application is rejected as invalid, for example due to payment issues, use of the wrong application route or failure to complete mandatory steps, that protection does not apply. Applicants can find themselves without lawful status despite having attempted to apply. This distinction between refusal and invalidity is often misunderstood and is a common source of serious immigration problems.
Timing decisions also affect longer-term plans. Applying too late risks overstaying and suitability issues. Applying too early can complicate the calculation of the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Before submitting, it is sensible to map the expiry date, evidence coverage and settlement timeline together.
3. Fees and total cost considerations
The Home Office application fee for a spouse visa extension made from within the UK is currently £1,321. This fee applies per applicant and is not refunded if the application is refused.
Applicants are also required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, charged at £1,035 per year and paid upfront for the full length of leave granted. For a standard 30-month extension, this represents a substantial additional cost.
Where dependants are included in the application, separate application fees and Immigration Health Surcharge payments apply for each person. There is no fee waiver or fee reduction available for spouse visa extension applications.
Optional priority services may be available for an additional fee, but availability varies and faster decision times are targets rather than guarantees.
| Cost item | Amount | When payable |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse visa extension application fee (UK) | £1,321 per applicant | At online submission |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | £1,035 per year of leave | Paid upfront with application |
| Dependant application fees | Same fees apply per dependant | At submission for each dependant |
| Priority processing (optional) | Additional fee if available | Selected during application |
| Other costs | Variable | English tests, translations, advice if needed |
DavidsonMorris Strategic Insight
The application process is just as important as meeting the eligibility criteria. Errors in how your application is prepared or submitted can lead to refusal, even if you otherwise would be eligible under the criteria. Common problems include applying late, submitting disorganised or incomplete evidence.
Timing also matters more than most people realise. Apply too early and you could jeopardise your ILR timeline but if you apply too late, you risk overstaying which can be treated as a suitability issue. Getting the timing wrong can therefore have consequences well beyond the immediate extension decision.
Section E: Common challenges and refusal risks
Spouse visa extension refusals are rarely triggered by a single missing document or technical error. More often, they arise from a pattern of weaknesses that leave unanswered questions for UKVI. At extension stage, the focus shifts away from minimum eligibility and towards credibility, consistency and compliance over time.
This is why applications that appear strong on paper can still fail. UKVI is assessing whether the evidence, explanations and timelines make sense when viewed together.
Why do otherwise eligible spouse visa extensions fail?
Most refusals occur where applicants assume UKVI will read between the lines or give the benefit of the doubt. It will not. Where the evidence does not clearly support the claims made in the application, the application is likely to fail.
1. Common problem areas in spouse visa extension applications
a. Relationship evidence that lacks continuity
The most frequent issue at extension stage is relationship evidence that does not show continuity across the full period of leave. Applications are weaker where cohabitation documents are concentrated around the application date or where earlier periods are lightly evidenced.
UKVI routinely compares current evidence with information submitted in previous applications. If address histories, timelines or living arrangements do not align, doubts arise about whether the relationship has remained genuine and subsisting throughout.
b. Financial evidence that meets the threshold but not the rules
Many refusals occur even where income levels appear sufficient. This usually happens because the wrong financial category has been selected, documents do not cover the required period or figures do not reconcile across payslips, bank statements and employer letters.
At extension stage, changes such as reduced hours, periods of unpaid leave or recent job changes often expose weaknesses in financial evidence. Unless those changes are addressed through the correct evidential route, refusal risk increases sharply.
c. Changes in circumstances during the extension period
Over a 2.5-year period, changes are common. Relationship strain, temporary separation, relocation, redundancy or illness can all affect an extension application.
The issue is rarely the change itself. Problems arise where changes are not explained clearly or are disclosed inconsistently. UKVI does not expect a static set of circumstances, but it does expect transparency and supporting evidence showing that the requirements continue to be met.
d. Timing and procedural errors
Late applications risk overstaying and refusal on suitability grounds. Applications submitted in time but later rejected as invalid can be just as damaging, leaving applicants without lawful status despite having attempted to apply.
Procedural errors, such as incorrect fee payment, failure to complete mandatory steps or missing deadlines for biometric enrolment or document upload, are a common cause of avoidable refusals.
2. Consequences of refusal and longer-term impact
A refusal of a spouse visa extension has immediate consequences. The application fee is lost, and depending on the timing and immigration status, the right to work and remain in the UK may be affected.
The longer-term impact is often more serious. Periods without valid leave do not count towards the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain, and overstaying can affect future applications under the suitability rules. Issues that arise at extension stage frequently resurface later at ILR stage, when there is far less scope to correct them.
Some refusal decisions attract a right of appeal on human rights grounds. In other cases, submitting a fresh application with corrected evidence may be the more effective response. The correct strategy depends on the refusal reasons and the applicant’s wider immigration history.
3. Managing risk where circumstances are not straightforward
Applications involving recent job changes, fluctuating income, periods of separation or other non-standard circumstances are not automatically refused, but they are more likely to be scrutinised closely.
Clear explanations, consistent timelines and evidence that directly addresses the point of concern often prevent issues from escalating into refusal reasons. Where potential problems are left unaddressed, UKVI is likely to draw its own conclusions.
Section F: Summary
A spouse visa extension after 2.5 years is a mandatory step for applicants who want to remain in the UK with their partner under the family route. It is not an administrative renewal. The application is assessed again under the Immigration Rules in force at the date of decision and is judged on how the relationship, finances and immigration compliance have operated in practice over the preceding period.
To qualify for an extension, applicants need to continue meeting the relationship requirement, satisfy the correct financial threshold based on their application history, meet the English language requirement at extension level and fall within the suitability rules. Each of these elements needs to be supported by evidence that covers the full period of leave and aligns with earlier applications.
Applications fail most often where evidence is incomplete, inconsistent or prepared without reference to the specific evidential rules that apply at extension stage. Timing errors, invalid applications and unaddressed changes in circumstances can also have consequences that extend beyond the immediate decision.
A successful spouse visa extension usually results in a further 30 months of permission to stay, keeping the applicant on the standard five-year partner route towards settlement. Decisions and timing at this stage can affect eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain later on, which is why the extension should be treated as a strategic checkpoint rather than a routine formality.
Section G: Need Assistance?
A spouse visa extension after 2.5 years is often treated as routine, but refusals at this stage are common where evidence is incomplete, financial rules are misunderstood or changes in circumstances are not handled correctly. Errors made in an extension application can affect not only the immediate outcome, but also future settlement and citizenship eligibility.
DavidsonMorris advises individuals and families on spouse visa extensions, refusal risk and long-term settlement planning. Our advisers can assess eligibility, identify weaknesses in evidence and provide clear advice on timing, costs and next steps before an application is submitted.
If you would like tailored advice on your spouse visa extension, including a review of your circumstances and documents, you can arrange a fixed-fee telephone consultation with one of our UK immigration advisers.
Section H: FAQs
Is a spouse visa extension after 2.5 years automatic?
No. A spouse visa extension is assessed as a fresh application under the Immigration Rules in force at the date of decision. Approval of the initial spouse visa does not create an entitlement to an extension, and the Home Office will reassess the relationship, finances, English language requirement and suitability.
When should I apply to extend my spouse visa?
You need to submit your extension application before your current visa expires. An in-time and valid application normally allows you to remain in the UK on the same conditions while a decision is pending. Applying too late risks overstaying, while applying very early can affect future settlement planning.
How long does a spouse visa extension take to process?
Processing times vary. In-UK spouse visa extension applications are often decided within several weeks, but published times are targets rather than guarantees. Delays can occur if further information is requested or if application volumes are high.
What financial requirement applies to a spouse visa extension?
The financial threshold depends on when you first applied on the partner route. Applicants who first applied before 11 April 2024 and are extending with the same partner usually remain subject to the lower threshold, while those who first applied on or after that date are assessed under the higher threshold introduced in April 2024.
Can both partners’ income be used for a spouse visa extension?
In most in-UK spouse visa extension applications, it is possible to rely on the couple’s combined income, provided the income falls within the permitted categories and is evidenced in line with the Immigration Rules. This differs from many overseas applications, where reliance is more limited.
What English language level is required for a spouse visa extension?
At extension stage, applicants normally need to meet level A2 in speaking and listening, unless an exemption applies. English language evidence used in a previous application can only be reused if it remains acceptable under the current rules and meets the required level.
What evidence is needed to show the relationship is genuine and subsisting?
The Home Office expects evidence showing a shared life over the period of leave. This commonly includes cohabitation documents spread across the 2.5 years, along with supporting evidence that demonstrates an ongoing relationship. Caseworkers look for continuity and consistency rather than volume alone.
What happens if my spouse visa extension application is refused?
If an extension is refused, the application fee is not refunded and your immigration status may be affected, depending on the circumstances. Some refusals carry a right of appeal on human rights grounds, while in other cases submitting a fresh application with corrected evidence may be more appropriate.
Does time spent on a fiancé visa count towards settlement?
No. Time spent in the UK on a fiancé or proposed civil partner visa does not count towards the five-year qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain on the partner route.
Will a spouse visa extension keep me on track for ILR?
A successful extension usually grants a further 30 months of leave, which is normally required to reach the five-year residence period for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Errors in timing or periods without valid leave can disrupt the settlement timeline.
Section I: Glossary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Spouse visa | A family route visa that allows the spouse or partner of a British citizen or a person with qualifying UK status to live in the UK, subject to specific conditions. |
| Spouse visa extension | An application to extend existing leave as a partner, usually made after 2.5 years, which is assessed as a fresh application under the Immigration Rules. |
| Appendix FM | The section of the Immigration Rules that sets out the requirements for family members, including spouses and partners, applying to live in the UK. |
| Genuine and subsisting relationship | A relationship that is ongoing in practice, with evidence showing commitment, shared life and an intention to live together permanently in the UK. |
| Financial requirement | The minimum income or savings level that must be met under the partner route, which depends on when the applicant first applied and whether transitional rules apply. |
| English language requirement | The requirement for a partner visa applicant to demonstrate English speaking and listening ability at the level specified in the Immigration Rules for their stage of application. |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | Permanent immigration status allowing a person to live and work in the UK without time limits, usually available after meeting residence and other requirements. |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | A fee paid as part of a visa application that gives access to NHS services during the period of leave granted. |
| No recourse to public funds | A condition attached to most family route visas that restricts access to certain state benefits and public assistance. |
| UKVCAS | The UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services system used for biometric enrolment and document submission for many in-country visa applications. |
| Suitability requirements | Rules in Part Suitability of the Immigration Rules that allow the Home Office to refuse an application based on factors such as criminal history, immigration breaches or conduct. |
| Settlement route | The pathway that leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain, usually requiring five years of continuous lawful residence on the partner route. |
Section J: Additional resources &official guidance
| Resource | What it covers | Link |
|---|---|---|
| UK family visa guidance | Official Home Office guidance on family visas, including spouse and partner eligibility, application process and conditions of stay. | https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa |
| Appendix FM – Immigration Rules | The legal framework governing partner and family visa applications, including relationship, financial and English language requirements. | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-fm-family-members |
| Relationship with a partner caseworker guidance | Guidance used by UKVI caseworkers to assess whether a relationship is genuine and subsisting. | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationship-with-a-partner-caseworker-guidance |
| English language requirement and approved tests | List of approved Secure English Language Tests and providers accepted for visa applications. | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prove-your-english-language-abilities-with-a-secure-english-language-test-selt |
| Immigration Health Surcharge information | Details on IHS rates, payment process and who needs to pay when applying for a visa or extension. | https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application |
| Visa processing times | Tool for checking current Home Office processing time targets for in-UK and overseas applications. | https://www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times |
