A pathway for partners and spouses to join or remain in the UK
The UK Spouse Visa allows married partners of certain eligible individuals to live together in the UK. Understanding the eligibility requirements and providing the correct supporting evidence is an important part of preparing your application.
At RBJ Immigration, our UK immigration spouse visa team provides professional advice and assistance with UK Spouse Visa applications from both inside and outside the UK.
To qualify for a UK Spouse visa, you and your partner must normally both be aged 18 or over, and your sponsoring partner must have an eligible status in the UK.
About the UK Spouse Visa
The UK Spouse visa sits under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. A successful initial application from outside the UK will normally give you permission to remain for up to 2 years and 9 months; further permission is usually required before you can qualify for settlement.
Applicants following the five-year partner route may become eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain after completing the required period, provided the settlement requirements are met.
Who Can Sponsor You
- A British or Irish citizen
- Settled in the UK, including a person with Indefinite Leave to Remain
- Holding qualifying settled or pre-settled status
- Holding qualifying protection status
- Falling within another eligible category under the Immigration Rules
The four key UK spouse visa requirements
Each area below is assessed independently, and every case is different.
Genuine and Subsisting Relationship
You must be legally married in a marriage recognised under UK law, and your relationship must be genuine and ongoing. You and your partner must have met in person, intend to live together permanently in the UK, and any previous relationships must have permanently ended.
This is one of the most scrutinised parts of any application. The Home Office considers your living arrangements, shared responsibilities, finances and relationship history — relevant evidence includes marriage or civil partnership certificates, proof of living together, joint financial commitments, correspondence addressed to you at the same address, and evidence of visits and time spent together where you have lived apart.
The financial requirement is often the most document-heavy part of a UK spouse visa case. Qualifying income can include employment income, self-employment income, certain non-employment income, pension income, cash savings, or an eligible combination of sources.
English Language Requirement
Unless an exemption applies, you will normally need to satisfy the English language requirement through an approved test, an eligible academic qualification taught in English, or another method permitted under the Immigration Rules.
Accommodation Requirement
There must be adequate accommodation for you (and any dependants) in the UK that would not result in statutory overcrowding.
Documents typically required
The documents you need depend on which requirements apply to your specific circumstances.
- Valid passport or travel document
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate, or proof of 2+ years cohabiting as partners or evidence of a relationship for a minimum of 2 years
- Evidence your relationship is genuine and subsisting
- Financial evidence meeting the income requirement
- English language test certificate or a qualifying degree
- Accommodation evidence
🔍 Note: The specific documents and evidence you'll need can vary based on your personal situation. It's important to get professional immigration advice to avoid delays or refusals.
UK Spouse Visa fees and processing time
These figures change periodically, so always confirm the current fee before you submit your application.
How to apply for a UK Spouse Visa
Here's how to apply for a UK spouse visa, step by step.
Check eligibility
Confirm your eligibility and which financial rules apply to you.
Gather evidence
Collect relationship, financial, accommodation and English language evidence.
Complete the application
Complete the online application in full.
Pay the fees
Pay the UK spouse visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.
Submit documents & biometrics
Provide your supporting documents and biometric information.
Await the decision
Await the Home Office decision on your application.
Partner and spouse visa services we offer
Whether you're married, engaged, or in a long-term relationship, we help make the visa journey as smooth as possible.
Switching, Extension and ILR
If you are applying from inside the UK, switching rules apply differently than an entry-clearance application. Some applicants can switch to a UK Spouse Visa from inside the UK depending on their existing status; in other cases, an entry-clearance application from overseas is required. Before your existing permission expires, you may need to extend if you have not yet qualified for settlement.
On the five-year route, you may become eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain after five continuous years, provided the settlement requirements are met.
If Your Application Is Refused
A refusal can arise from concerns about eligibility, insufficient evidence, the financial requirement, relationship evidence, or immigration history.
Depending on the reasons given, your options may include challenging the decision through an appeal or making a new application. We review the refusal decision carefully before advising on how to proceed.
UK Spouse Visa restrictions
There are some restrictions worth knowing about before you apply.
No Recourse to Public Funds
You will not normally have recourse to public funds, meaning access to most benefits is restricted while you are on this route.
Work and the 10-Year Route
You can work in the UK without restriction on hours or employer. If you are on the 10-year route rather than the 5-year route, you will need to renew your permission every 2.5 years instead of qualifying for settlement after 5 years.
How we can help
Assessing whether you meet the UK spouse visa requirements and identifying the appropriate route
Advising on the financial element of the requirements and reviewing your documents
Explaining the current UK spouse visa fee and what it covers before you commit to an application
Reviewing relationship and accommodation evidence
Preparing and submitting your UK spouse visa application
Advising on extensions and settlement
Advice following a refusal of your application
Frequently asked questions
You may be able to apply as an unmarried or same-sex partner, provided you can show a genuine relationship akin to marriage for at least two years.
You may still qualify through permitted alternative income sources such as savings, pension income, or a qualifying benefit.
Yes, normally after five continuous years on the qualifying route, provided all settlement requirements are met.
Yes, you can apply whether your partner is currently living in the UK or planning to return with you from abroad.
They fall into four main areas: relationship, financial, English language, and accommodation — covered in full above.
