Do you need a solicitor to apply for a UK spouse visa?
Instructing an immigration solicitor is not a legal requirement when submitting a UK spouse visa application. Indeed, if you are completely confident that your case is straightforward, you can follow the Home Office’s guidance and completing the online application yourself. It is important to note, however, that the available guidance does not cover all personal circumstances. It is quite common for refusals to occur even for what the applicant believed to be a straightforward case. It may be prudent to work with a Spouse Visa Solicitor if any of the following circumstances apply:
- You are making your first Spouse Visa application
- Your circumstances are complex
- You want expert guidance and peace of mind
- You have been refused a Spouse Visa in the past
You are making your first Spouse Visa application
Making any type of visa application for the first time can be daunting and nerve-wracking, and this is especially so with a Spouse Visa. Your ability to come to the UK to join and live with your partner here rests on you receiving a positive outcome from the Home Office.
We know that interpreting the Spouse Visa requirements and application process can be overwhelming and confusing for first-time applicants. Our experienced Spouse Visa solicitors can guide you through the application process step by step. We are here to take care of your visa on your behalf, allowing you to focus on other matters, such as your relocation to the UK and making arrangements for your family. We will do everything we can to help meet the requirements and ensure that your application is prepared correctly to avoid unnecessary delays or refusals.
Your circumstances are complex
Complications can increase the risk of a Spouse Visa application being refused if not properly addressed in advance. Common issues that may affect your application include (but not limited to):
- You or your partner have a complex financial situation
- Lack of evidence to prove a genuine and subsisting relationship
- A previous UK visa refusal
- Insufficient documentation to demonstrate your relationship is genuine and ongoing
- Concerns that your accommodation does not meet Home Office requirements
If you believe any factors may complicate your Spouse Visa application, it is strongly advisable to speak with our experienced Spouse Visa lawyers. We will take the time to fully understand your circumstances and concerns before providing clear, honest advice on the strength of your application.
Our solicitors will assess the risks and advise whether your application has a high chance of success. Where issues can be overcome, we will recommend a tailored strategy, such as submitting detailed cover letters, additional documentation, or supplementary evidence.
Our Spouse Visa solicitors have helped hundreds of applicants overcome challenges they initially believed would prevent them from obtaining a visa.
You want expert guidance and peace of mind
Even if your case seems straightforward, it’s completely understandable to want to minimise the risk of a visa refusal. Applying for a Spouse Visa can be a stressful and high-stakes process, especially when you’re preparing to relocate to the UK or remain here with your loved one. With so much already on your mind, from accommodation arrangements to family planning, ensuring that your visa application is accurate, complete, and fully compliant can be overwhelming.
Our experienced Spouse Visa solicitors can help ensure that your documents meet Home Office standards and that every part of your application complies with the latest immigration rules and guidance. We take the time to check for any errors, omissions, or weak points that could lead to delays or refusal.
With our support, you can move forward with confidence. Knowing your application is in safe hands and allowing you to focus on the things that matter most: your future, your family, and your life together in the UK
You have had a Spouse Visa refused before
If you have been refused a Spouse visa or any other type of visa in the past, it is especially important to consider working with an immigration solicitor. Spouse Visas can be refused for a wide range of reasons. The Home Office often refuses applications because it believes that despite the evidence presented, the applicant is not in a genuine and subsisting relationship. Indeed, UKVI entry clearance officers are always highly alert for any signs of ‘sham’ marriages or relationships. If they are satisfied that the relationship is genuine, they will still refuse any application where the applicant does not meet the ‘good character’ of other visa-specific requirements. The chances are that if you have been refused a Spouse Visa in the past, a new application of the same type may get refused again unless the underlying issue is identified and resolved. While the Home Office will explain a Spouse Visa has been refused, the exact legal basis for the refusal is still not always entirely clear.
Our experienced Spouse Visa solicitors are trained to properly understand why your visa application was refused. Based on their knowledge of similar cases, they will then recommend the best route forward. Once you have agreed on a strategy, your solicitor will then get to work to build a stronger, well-documented application to maximise your chances of success.
