In this Spouse Visa guidance
What is the UK spouse visa?
UK spouse visa, under the UK family visa partner route, enables an eligible foreign national to join and live with their partner in the UK if they are a British citizen or settled person (e.g. a person with Indefinite Leave to Remain or EU Settled Status). You won’t automatically get the right to live in the UK through the marriage to a British citizen. You must apply for a Spouse Visa to live in the UK with your partner. Eligible applicants include those who are married, in a civil partnership, or unmarried.
Applicants must meet a set of eligibility criteria as outlined in detail below. If granted, a partner and spouse visa is initially granted for up to 2 years and 9 months. It is then possible to extend your stay and later acquire ILR, allowing you to remain permanently in the UK without being subject to immigration rules. After gaining ILR, you might be eligible to apply for British citizenship by marriage.
Who can apply for a UK spouse visa?
As a foreign national, you can apply for a UK spouse visa as long as your partner based in the UK:
- Is a British or Irish citizen (either by birth or naturalisation)
- Has settled in the UK and has Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), permanent residence, or EU Settled Status
- Has refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK
- Has a Turkish Businessperson visa or Turkish Worker visa
You must intend to live together in the UK after you move here (if you’re not here already), and you will also need to provide evidence of your genuine and subsisting relationship.
UK spouse visa requirements 2026
To make a successful application for a UK partner and spouse visa, you will need to meet a set of eligibility requirements, including:
- You are in a genuine and subsisting relationship
- You meet the financial requirements, for example, you and your partner’s combined gross annual income is at least £29,000.
- You have suitable accommodation in the UK
- You meet the English language requirement: at least level A1 for your first visa application
Note: If you do not meet one or more of the Spouse Visa eligibility requirements, you may still be granted a Spouse Visa if you meet the “exceptional circumstances” requirements. However, you must provide convincing evidence to show that a refusal of your Spouse Visa would lead to unjustifiably harsh consequences. For more information, see our article: What are ‘Exceptional Circumstances’ for UK Visas?
What is spouse visa genuine and subsisting relationship requirement?
‘Genuine’ means your relationship is real and not sham. For married/civil partners, evidence of a valid marriage or civil partnership will generally satisfy the genuineness element unless there is reason to suspect a sham relationship. ‘Subsisting’ means your relationship is ongoing at the time of the application, and you and your partner intend to continue your life together once you have your Spouse Visa.
Each relationship is unique in terms of how it forms, develops, and progresses over time. As a result, there is no single formula to satisfy the Home Office that a relationship is genuine and subsisting. However, the following general guidelines can help demonstrate the authenticity of your relationship:
- Cohabitation evidence
While cohabitation is not a mandatory requirement for a UK Spouse Visa application, it is considered strong evidence of a genuine and subsisting relationship. Useful evidence may include, but is not limited to, a joint tenancy agreement, utility bills, and official documents showing that you and your partner are registered at the same address, such as driving licences.
If you and your partner are not currently cohabiting, it is important to clearly explain the reasons for this and outline the steps you plan to take to live together in the near future.
- Frequency of contact
If you and your partner are not in the same country, it is important to show that you ae both in frequent contact as a couple would be expected to. Where you and your partner have travelled to see each other or gone on holidays together, this should also be included.
- Photographs
You and your partner would need to show that you have met. Photographs of you together can be helpful visual evidence, not only to confirm that you have met, but also to illustrate how your relationship has developed over time. Please note, every relationship is different. Some couples may meet more often and have fewer records of remote contact, while others may meet less frequently but communicate regularly. What’s important is that the evidence provided genuinely reflects the nature of your relationship.
For more information, check our article: How to Prove a Genuine Relationship for a UK Spouse Visa Application?
What is spouse visa financial requirement?
You can meet spouse visa financial requirement through:
- Income of at least £29,000 per year, or
- Cash savings of at least £88,500, or
- A combination of permitted income and cash savings
If you are relying on income to meet the Spouse Visa financial requirement, qualifying sources may include:
- Income from employment or self-employment
- Pension of the applicant and/or partner
- Certain non-employment income, such as property rental income, dividends and certain investment income
- Certain maternity, paternity, adoption or sick pay/allowances and bereavement-related payments, depending on the circumstances
For a more detailed explanation, see our Spouse Visa financial requirement page and How to meet Spouse Visa requirements if you or your partner is self-employed page.
Exemptions from meeting the financial requirement are available where a sponsor is receiving income from any of the following sources:
- Disability living allowance
- Severe disablement allowance
- Armed Forces Independence Payment or Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
- Mobility Supplement, Constant Attendance Allowance, or War Disablement Pension under the War Pensions Scheme
- Police Injury Pension
- Industrial injury disablement benefit
- Attendance allowance
- Carers’ allowance
This means that the sponsor does not need to meet the standard minimum income requirement of £29,000 (or any higher amount that may apply). However, the applicant must still meet the adequate maintenance requirement. This means they must show that, after housing costs, they have sufficient income or funds to support themselves and any dependants without relying on additional public funds. They must also demonstrate that they have adequate accommodation in the UK.
For further assistance, please speak to one of our immigration solicitors who will be able to advise you.
What is English language requirement for spouse visa?
As a partner and spouse visa applicant, you will need to show that you have sufficient knowledge of the English language; this can be achieved in 3 ways:
- Passing an English language test: you will meet the English language requirements if you pass a Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) English test from an approved testing centre. This must be at least level A1 in speaking and writing. If you wish to extend your stay in the UK at a later date, you will need to be able to pass at least a CEFR level A2 to show continuing improvement in line with the time that you have been in the country.
- Academic qualifications: you will also meet the English language requirements if you have a degree or other academic qualification which was taught in English.
- Exemption: you will not need to meet the English language requirements if you are exempt, including if:
- You are over 65 years of age
- You have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from meeting the requirement
- You come from any of the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, USA
For more information, please check our detailed guidance for English Language Requirement for Spouse Visa
What is accommodation requirement for spouse visa?
Applicants must show they have suitable accommodation in the UK and that it:
- Is owned or occupied exclusively by the applicant or the sponsor and their family members (in some circumstances it is possible to stay with family or friends and that rented accommodation is permissible with landlord consent)
- Has sufficient living space
- Meets any public health requirements
You can check our Spouse Visa accommodation requirement page for more information
UK spouse visa required documents checklist
You will need to provide several documents with your visa application, these may include:
- Completed application form and application fee
- Valid passport
- Previous passports
- Evidence of your genuine and subsisting relationship (e.g. shared bills, photographs, correspondence, messages).
- Proof you meet the English language requirements (e.g. CEFR exam certificate).
- Two passport-sized colour photos that are in line with the requirements set by the UK.
- Proof you meet the financial requirements (e.g. bank statements, savings statement, wage slips)
- Details of any previous immigration applications, if any
- Details of any criminal convictions
- Your national insurance number (if you have one)
- Proof of accommodation in the UK
- Biometric information (fingerprints and a digital photograph).
- Tuberculosis test results if from a country where you have to take the test
Please note: Everyone’s circumstances are unique, and the checklist provided here is for illustrative purposes only. To maximise your chances of a successful partner or spouse visa application, it is crucial to submit all evidence and documentation relevant to your specific situation. Given the complexity of the documentation requirements, we strongly recommend seeking legal advice from a Spouse Visa lawyer before submitting your application. Our team will ensure that all evidence necessary for your application is provided to UKVI and any errors or omissions are corrected. Call us on 020 3744 2797 for advice on your partner/spouse visa.
How to apply for a UK spouse visa
The application process for a UK partner and spouse visa is completed online (on the Home Office website). The application steps are as follows:
- Check your eligibility for a partner and spouse visa
- Prepare the documents you will need to prove your eligibility
- Complete the online application form
- Pay the application fee
- Upload any documents required to support your application
- Arrange a biometric appointment to have your fingerprints and photo taken
- Attend an interview if invited
UK Spouse visa extension
After the initial period of 2 years and 9 months, it is possible to apply for a Spouse Visa extension for a further 2.5 years. You must be in the same eligible relationship with your UK based partner, and you must apply before your current visa expires.
UK Spouse visa to ILR
Once you have resided in the UK for 5 years on your partner and spouse visa, you will be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). This will mean you can remain permanently in the UK and will no longer be subject to immigration control. To gain ILR, you will need to:
- Have lived in the UK for 5 years on a family visa as a partner
- Have lived with your partner since you last renewed your visa
- Be in a genuine and subsisting relationship with your partner
- Intend to continue your relationship after you apply for ILR
- Meet the English language and Life in the UK requirements
- Prove you have suitable accommodation
- Continue to meet the financial requirements
For more information, please find our article: how to apply for ILR as a spouse visa holder
Under the government’s proposed ‘earned settlement’ reforms, the standard qualifying period for ILR could increase from 5 to 10 years for most immigration routes. However, Spouse Visa holders are expected to be exempt from this change and to remain on the current 5-year qualifying period. It’s worth noting that these proposals have not yet been implemented in the Immigration Rules yet.
What if my spouse visa is refused
There are several grounds on which an application for a spouse/partner visa may be refused, including if:
- The Secretary of State determines that the exclusion of an applicant from the UK is conducive to the public good
- The applicant is subject to a deportation order as of the date of application
- The exclusion of the applicant from the UK has been deemed conducive to the public good as a result of the applicant’s conduct, character, or association
- Without a reasonable excuse, the applicant failed to show up for a compulsory interview, provide specified information, undergo a medical examination, or report when required to do so. It is immaterial whether the misrepresentation is intentional or known to the applicant or not
- It is undesirable to grant entry clearance for medical reasons
- The mandatory IHS surcharge, alongside other compulsory charges, have not been paid or have failed
- You have not provided sufficient evidence of maintenance and accommodation
For more information on spouse visa refusal, please see our article: spouse visa refusal common reasons and appeal process
If your partner or spouse visa application has been refused, speak to one of our immigration Solicitors, who will be able to advise on the best steps to take to ensure a successful outcome of your case.
Reference:
GOV.UK: Family Visas: apply as a partner or spouse
GOV.UK: Legal migration statement: estimated immigration impacts
GOV.UK: Proof of Income