UK Spouse or Partner Visa: What It Is and How to Apply

Applying for a UK spouse or partner visa allows foreign nationals to live in the United Kingdom with their British, Irish, or settled partner.

The process is done online through the UK government website, followed by biometric submission at a visa application centre and the upload of supporting documents proving your relationship, finances, and accommodation.

Once approved, the visa grants up to 2.5 years of residence, renewable toward settlement after five years.

This article explains everything you need to know about the UK spouse and partner visa: how it works, who qualifies, key requirements, costs, timelines, and how to avoid common pitfalls.

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The information in this article is for general guidance only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice, and is not a recommendation or solicitation to invest. Some facts may have changed since the time of writing.

What is the UK Spouse and Partner Visa?

The UK spouse and partner visa, officially called the Family Visa: Partner or Spouse, allows you to live, work, and study in the United Kingdom with your partner if they are a British or Irish citizen, have settled status, or hold pre-settled or refugee status.

It is a pathway to long-term residence and eventual citizenship for couples wishing to build a life together in the UK.

Who it covers:

• Spouses and civil partners legally married or registered under a civil partnership recognized in the UK.
• Fiancé(e)s or proposed civil partners intending to marry or register within six months of arrival.
• Unmarried partners who have lived together for at least two years in a relationship akin to marriage.

What the visa allows:

• Live and work freely in the UK (except for certain public fund restrictions).
• Access the National Health Service via the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
• Apply for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) after five years of continuous residence.

The visa is issued for 2 years and 9 months if applying from outside the UK, or 2 years and 6 months if applying inside the UK. Applicants then extend for another 2.5 years before qualifying for settlement, provided all eligibility conditions remain met.

UK Spouse and Partner Visa Eligibility

To qualify for a UK spouse or partner visa, both you and your partner must meet several criteria covering your relationship, immigration status, financial stability, language ability, and living arrangements.

Each category is assessed carefully by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), so accuracy and evidence are crucial.

There are relationship requirements:

• Both you and your partner must be aged 18 or older.
• You must be married, in a civil partnership, or in a genuine and subsisting relationship recognized under UK law.
• Unmarried partners must prove at least two years of cohabitation in a relationship comparable to marriage.
• You must have met in person (online-only relationships are not accepted).
• You must intend to live together permanently in the UK once the visa is granted.
• If either party was previously married, that relationship must be legally dissolved before applying.

Your partner (the sponsor) must also meet one of the following conditions:

• Be a British or Irish citizen;
• Have settled status in the UK (Indefinite Leave to Remain or permanent residence);
• Hold pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (if the relationship began before 1 January 2021);
• Have refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK;
• Be a Turkish Businessperson or Worker visa holder with valid leave to remain.

For a financial requirement, the UK government requires couples to prove they can support themselves without relying on public funds.

• The minimum income threshold is £29,000 per year (as of April 2024).
• Income can come from employment, self-employment, pensions, or savings.
• You can combine income and savings if the total meets the required amount.
• Exemptions exist if the sponsor receives certain disability or carer benefits.
• Applicants must submit full evidence such as payslips, tax records, and bank statements following the rules in Appendix FM-SE.

Finally, you must show that you have adequate accommodation for both partners (and any dependents) without overcrowding or recourse to public funds.

Additionally, the applicant must meet the English language requirement by passing an approved speaking and listening test at level A1 or higher under the CEFR, unless exempt by age, nationality, or medical condition.

UK Spouse and Partner Visa Requirements

A complete application relies on strong documentary evidence. Missing or inconsistent paperwork is one of the main reasons spouse visa applications are refused. You should prepare the following:

For identity and relationship documents:

• Valid passport or travel document.
• Marriage or civil partnership certificate.
• For unmarried partners, proof of at least two years of cohabitation (joint leases, bills, correspondence).
• Photos together, messages, travel records, and other evidence of a genuine relationship.
• Divorce decrees or death certificates from any previous marriages.

Financial documents:

• Six months of payslips and bank statements showing income meets the threshold.
• Employment contract or employer letter confirming position and salary.
• For self-employed sponsors, tax returns, business accounts, and invoices.
• Savings statements (if using cash savings to meet requirements).

Accommodation evidence:

• Tenancy agreement or mortgage statement.
• Letter from landlord or homeowner confirming space and consent to live there.
• Property inspection report (optional but strengthens the application).

Additional documents:

• English test certificate from an approved provider.
• Tuberculosis test results (for applicants from certain countries).
• Biometric information (fingerprints and photo) taken at a visa application centre.

All documents must be translated into English or Welsh by a certified translator if not originally in those languages. Keeping digital copies is recommended for the online upload stage.

UK Spouse or Partner Visa Application Process

The UK spouse or partner visa is applied for entirely online, with additional steps to verify your identity and submit evidence. The process is straightforward but requires careful preparation.

Apply online
You begin your application on the UK government website under “Apply for a Family Visa (Partner or Spouse).” You will create an account, fill out your details, pay the fees, and book your biometric appointment.

If applying from outside the UK, you must use the “Join partner or spouse in the UK” route. If already in the UK under another eligible visa, you apply to switch to the partner route. Visitor visa holders cannot switch in-country.

Upload your supporting documents
You can upload documents online through the UKVCAS system or use a scanning service at your appointment. Each document must clearly show evidence of your relationship, income, accommodation, and identity.

Attend a biometric appointment
You must visit a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to provide fingerprints, a photograph, and supporting paperwork. Your passport will typically be retained until the decision is made if you apply from abroad.

Wait for a decision
Processing times vary depending on location and workload:

• Outside the UK: usually within 12 weeks after biometrics.
• Inside the UK: around 8 weeks under standard service.
  Priority services may shorten this to 5 working days or even next-day decisions for an extra fee.

If successful, you will receive an entry clearance vignette valid for 90 days to travel to the UK. Upon arrival, you collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or digital immigration status confirming your visa duration.

UK Spouse or Partner Visa Costs and Fees

Applying for a UK spouse or partner visa involves several mandatory costs that vary based on location and additional services.

Application fees (as of 2025):

• Applying from outside the UK: £1,938
• Applying from inside the UK (switch or extend): £1,321
  These fees are paid online when you submit your application.

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS):

All applicants must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge to access the UK’s National Health Service.

• The current rate is £1,035 per year of visa duration.
• For a 2.5-year visa, expect to pay around £2,587.50 upfront in addition to the main visa fee.
• For a 5-year visa, you must pay £5,175 upfront.

For each child (under 18), it costs:

• £1,940 if you’re staying for 2 years and 6 months
• £2,328 if you’re staying for 2 years and 9 months
• £3,880 if you’re staying for 5 years

Optional services:

• Priority processing: around £500 for 5-day service.
• Super priority: around £1,000 for next-day decision.
• Document scanning and translation services vary by country and provider.

Other potential costs:

• English test: £150–£200 depending on centre.
• Tuberculosis test (if applicable): £70–£150.
• Certified translations: typically £30–£60 per page.
• Courier and document delivery fees: variable by location.

Altogether, most couples spend between £3,000–£3,800 for the initial visa, excluding relocation expenses. It’s important to budget for extensions and ILR fees later in the process, as each stage involves similar costs.

UK Spouse or Partner Visa Duration and Extension

A UK spouse or partner visa is one of the most direct routes toward long-term residence and eventual citizenship, provided all conditions are continuously met.

Initial visa period

• If you apply from outside the UK, your visa is valid for 2 years and 9 months.
• If you apply inside the UK (by switching or extending), the visa is valid for 2 years and 6 months.

During this time, you are allowed to work and study without restriction, though you cannot claim most public funds. You must live with your partner and maintain the relationship as stated in your application.

Before your visa expires, you must apply to extend it for another 2.5 years under the same category. You’ll need to prove your relationship remains genuine, that you continue to meet the financial and accommodation requirements, and that you still live together.

Each renewal effectively extends your stay toward settlement known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years of continuous residence on this visa route. You must also:

• Pass the “Life in the UK” test, which covers British history, culture, and law.
• Meet a higher English language requirement (B1 level) at the ILR stage.
• Prove you have not spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period during the qualifying years.

After obtaining ILR, you are no longer subject to immigration control and can live in the UK permanently.

One year later, you may apply for British citizenship by naturalization, provided you meet residence and character requirements. This route effectively makes the spouse or partner visa a clear pathway from temporary residence to full citizenship over roughly six years.

For more thorough guidance, please consult an expat financial advisor or immigration lawyer.

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