Spouse Visa

This application allows you to apply to join your spouse and/or civil partner in the UK if they are a British citizen or a settled person.  You can also apply for a spouse visa if your spouse is a refugee or has asylum.

In order to qualify for a spouse visa you must be able to show:

• You are legally married
• You intend to live together in the UK at the same address
• You have good command of English and are able to prove this. You may need to pass an English language test from an approved testing centre
• You meet financial requirements – this is currently £29000 but due to increase gradually to £38700
• Spouse is from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein and has pre-settled status – they must have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021

The process for a spouse visa takes up to 12 weeks for straight forward applications.  You can’t choose to fast track your spouse visa for an additional Home Office fee of £1000.  If you are successful in obtaining a spouse visa you will have the right to live in the UK and join your spouse.

You may also apply for a visa if you have a child who has lived in the UK for 7 years or due to a breach of your human rights.

You are able to apply for a spouse visa from inside the UK or overseas.  The time variables will differ depending on your residency.

If you have children or other dependents they can also be added to your application.

This type of visa allows you to stay in the UK for 2 years and 9 months.  After which you will need to apply for a further type of visa.  

There are various other factors that will affect your spouse visa application and you may not need to meet all of the above criteria.  We will advise you of the steps involved regarding your application.

Once your spouse visa expires you can apply to extend your spouse visa until you are able to apply for indefinite leave to remain.  You can usually apply for indefinite leave to remain after 5 years of living in the UK.