Spouse Visa (UK)

Clear advice on eligibility, the £29,000 financial requirement, evidence, and the route to settlement for married couples.

Reviewed by Border & Boundaries Immigration Team·Last updated 30 Aug 2026

Overview

A Spouse Visa is a family route under the Immigration Rules (Appendix FM) that may allow a non-UK partner who is married to a British citizen or settled person to live in the UK. Every application is assessed on its own facts.

Overview & Eligibility

What is this visa?

A UK Spouse Visa is designed for people who are married to a British citizen or someone settled in the UK (for example with indefinite leave to remain). It sits within Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. The Home Office looks at whether the relationship is genuine and subsisting, whether financial and English language rules are met, and whether accommodation is suitable.

This is not a short visit route. If granted, it usually allows you to live, work, and study in the UK while you complete the partner route toward settlement, subject to the conditions on your permission.

Who qualifies

You may qualify if you are lawfully married to a qualifying UK sponsor, you both intend to live together permanently in the UK, and you can meet the relationship, financial, English language, and accommodation requirements. Civil partners use a closely related route; unmarried partners have a separate cohabitation test.

The core eligibility test

For most Spouse Visa applications, the financial requirement is the deciding hurdle. As of 2026, the sponsor must usually show a minimum income of £29,000 a year (or meet an alternative such as specified savings). A 2025 Migration Advisory Committee review discussed lower figures, but those recommendations have not been adopted into the Rules. Thresholds can change — we confirm the figure that applies to your case before you apply.

Requirements & Evidence

Financial requirement

Income can come from employment, self-employment, certain benefits categories, or a combination of income and cash savings. Evidence must usually follow Home Office formats (for example payslips and bank statements covering the correct period). Non-compliant documents are a common reason applications are refused.

Relationship & evidence requirement

You must show a genuine and subsisting relationship — meaning a real marriage that continues in substance, not only on paper. Strong applications explain how you met, how you keep in contact, and how you plan shared life in the UK, supported by consistent documents.

English language requirement

Most applicants must meet an approved English language level for entry (commonly A1 speaking and listening, subject to exemptions). Extensions and settlement may require a higher level. Using a Home Office–approved provider matters.

Accommodation requirement

You must show you will have adequate accommodation without recourse to public funds and without overcrowding under the statutory definition. Tenancy agreements, mortgage statements, and property inspection reports are often used.

Applying, Costs & Refusals

Applying from inside vs outside the UK

Applications outside the UK are typically made online with biometrics at a visa application centre. Switching inside the UK is only available in specific circumstances. Applying from the wrong place, or while still on an unsuitable visa, can lead to refusal or invalidation.

Costs & processing time

Expect Home Office application fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge for each year of leave sought, and optional priority fees where available. Processing times vary by country and service level. We confirm current fees and likely timelines at consultation.

Route to settlement

Most partners spend five years on the route (entry clearance or leave to remain, then extension) before applying for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), then British citizenship if eligible. Continuous residence, relationship continuity, and meeting extension requirements all matter.

Common reasons applications are refused

Financial evidence that does not match Home Office formats or the current threshold
Thin or inconsistent relationship evidence
Missing English language or tuberculosis certificates
Inadequate accommodation evidence
Errors in the online form or unexplained immigration history

Key Requirements

Who may qualify	Married couples where the UK partner is a British citizen, ILR holder, or has refugee/HP status (subject to the current Rules)
Financial requirement	Sponsor must usually meet the minimum income threshold (£29,000 as of 2026; subject to change)
English language	Applicant must usually meet the English language requirement for entry
Duration	Often granted for 30 months (inside UK) or 33 months (outside UK), then extendable
Path to ILR	Usually after 5 years on the partner route, if requirements continue to be met
Processing time	Varies; standard and priority options may be available depending on where you apply

Required Documents

Marriage certificate (translated if not in English)
Evidence of a genuine and subsisting relationship (photos, communications, joint finances)
Financial evidence (payslips, P60, bank statements, employment letter)
English language test certificate where required
Suitable accommodation evidence
Tuberculosis test results (if required by country)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is spouse visa UK?

You pay the Home Office application fee plus the Immigration Health Surcharge for the period of leave you seek. Priority services cost extra where available. Exact fees change, so we confirm the current total before submission.

How long does a UK spouse visa take?

Standard decisions often take several weeks to a few months depending on the country and whether you apply inside or outside the UK. Priority options may shorten waiting times where offered.

How to apply for a spouse visa from UK?

Switching inside the UK is only allowed in specific situations. Many applicants must apply from overseas. We check your current permission and advise whether an in-country application is available.

Can you work on a spouse visa UK?

Spouse Visa holders are usually allowed to work in the UK, subject to the conditions on their biometric residence permit or eVisa. Always check the wording of your grant.

How to extend a spouse visa UK?

Before your leave expires, you normally apply online to extend, showing the relationship continues and financial, English, and accommodation rules are still met. Timing and evidence periods are critical.

Which English test is required for a UK spouse visa extension?

Extensions usually need a higher English level than first entry (often A2 speaking and listening from an approved provider), unless an exemption applies. Settlement may require a further level, such as B1, plus Life in the UK.

Send an enquiry

A qualified immigration lawyer will handle your consultation.

Let's Reunite Your Family

Speak to a family visa specialist today, your first consultation is completely free.

Book Free Consultation