Spouse/ Partner Entry Clearance Applications
Please explain your circumstances briefly and we will assess your chances for getting a successful Spouse Visa.
We are amongst the most prominent Spouse Entry Clearance Applications Solicitors in London, and specialist knowledge in all areas of Immigration Law. If you require any of the following services, our team of experts will do everything to help.
There are several routes in which a spouse may be eligible for entry clearance to the United Kingdom. Fundamental across each of these routes, however, is the immigration status of the spouse resident in the United Kingdom. That spouse must be a British citizen or hold indefinite leave to remain, in order to be successful under this route.
How to Apply for a UK Spouse or Partner Entry Clearance Visa
A Spouse or Partner Entry Clearance application allows the husband, wife, or unmarried partner of a British citizen or a person settled in the UK to apply for permission to enter and live in the UK. These applications are made from outside the UK under the UK family visa rules.
The process requires meeting strict Home Office requirements, such as proof of a relationship, a certain amount of money, a place to live, and English language skills. To avoid being refused rejected, many applicants choose Adam Bernard Solicitors immigration solicitors in London and other parts of the UK who have a lot of experience. Getting professional legal help can make a big difference in how smoothly your UK spouse visa application succeeds.
Meet the financial requirement
Meeting the financial requirement is often the most crucial part of the application and requires an acute attention to detail. When making an application for a spouse only, the threshold is set at £29,000. This increases incrementally depending on the number of children enclosed with the application.
There are several different ways in which one can meet the financial requirement, and the evidence that one will need to provide changes depending on your employment status. To give you the best chance of success, it is paramount that you guided by the experience of our team. Different ways of meeting the above threshold can be through:
- Employment
- Self-employment
- Cash savings
- Pension
Exemption from £29,000 Financial Requirement
- If the spouse resident in the United Kingdom receives any of the following benefits, they will not need to meet the strict requirements necessary for the categories above. Instead, they will need to meet the lesser threshold of showing that they are able to ‘adequately maintain’ the applicant without recourse to public funds. The benefits applicable are the following:
- Attendance allowance
- Carer’s allowance
- Disability living allowance
- Personal independence payment
- Armed forces independence payment or guaranteed income payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
- Constant attendance allowance, mobility supplement or a war disablement pension under the War Pensions Scheme
- Severe disablement allowance
- Industrial injury disablement benefit
- Police injury pension
Meet the suitability requirements
- This requires the applicant to show that there is nothing adverse in the way of; previous convictions, breach of immigration rules, medical condition that would make entering the UK undesirable.
- It is important to note that the above does not necessarily fall for a ground of refusal. Indeed, they need to be declared and requires the applicant to have submitted documents to evidence their claim. This requires expert advice from one of our 2 offices in London to give your application the best chance of success.
Prove that they are in a ‘genuine and subsisting relationship
One of the most critical elements of a successful spouse / partner visa application is demonstrating that your relationship is genuine, continuing, and subsisting.
This typically includes providing evidence such as:
Correspondence between you and your partner
- Photos together over time
- Travel records showing time spent together
- Joint financial commitments or household responsibilities
- Statements from family and friends
- Letters or legal documents referencing your relationship
Many applications are refused because this requirement is not adequately evidenced. Our team will help you prepare compelling evidence to maximise your chances of success.
Have adequate accommodation in the UK
- You must show that there is suitable accommodation available for you and your family to live in the UK without overcrowding, disrepair, or reliance on public funds.Adequate housing evidence may include:
- Mortgage documents
- Council tax bills
- Housing assessment reports
At Adam Bernard Solicitors, we provide professional housing assessments to support this part of your application and ensure that your accommodation meets Home Office requirements.
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English language requirement
- Applicants applying from outside the UK for entry clearance must demonstrate English language ability at CEFR Level A1 (speaking and listening). This is an essential requirement unless you qualify for an exemption.To satisfy this requirement, you must provide:
- An approved English language test certificate, OR
- Evidence of nationality from an English‑speaking country, OR
- Evidence of a degree taught in English
Our solicitors can guide you on the correct evidence needed and how to obtain it.
Spouse / Partner Entry Clearance Application Refused?
It can be upsetting if your Spouse or Partner Entry Clearance application is denied, but that doesn’t mean your journey to immigrate to the UK is over. A lot of refusals happen because of missing paperwork, problems with proving a relationship, or not meeting the strict requirements set by the Home Office.
Depending on the reasons for refusal, you may be able to:
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Appeal a spouse visa refusal on human rights grounds
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Submit a fresh spouse or partner visa application
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Apply for a judicial review if the decision is unlawful
People often worry about mistakes in financial requirements, problems with housing, proof of English language skills, or doubts about the credibility of the Home Office. Getting advice from experienced immigration solicitors in London or anywhere else in the UK, like Adam Bernard Solicitors, can help you understand your legal options and make your next application more likely to be successful.
Why Adam Bernard Solicitors?
- Leading immigration solicitors in London with extensive experience in UK immigration law
- Experts in spouse visas, partner visas, Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), SET(P), appeals, and judicial review
- UK immigration lawyers that clients in London, the rest of the UK, and around the world can trust
- A proven track record of dealing with spouse visa refusals and complicated Home Office decisions
- Get expert help with UK family visas, settlement applications, and human rights claims.
- UK immigration lawyers give clear, honest, and useful advice.
- Help with applications made in the UK and outside of it
Why Our Clients Choose Us
- London immigration lawyers you can trust who know a lot about UK immigration law
- Experts in spouse and partner visas, Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), SET(P), appeals, and judicial review
- Proven ability to work directly with the UK Home Office
- UK immigration legal advice that is clear, and honest
- Help for clients in the UK and around the world
- service that is focused on the client from the first meeting to the last decision
- Help with applications made in the UK and outside of it
- A caring approach that knows how stressful the immigration process can be
Get in touch with Adam Bernard Solicitors, trusted immigration solicitors in London and across the UK, for expert guidance on spouse visas, partner visas, Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), SET(P), appeals, and settlement applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
A spouse or partner entry clearance visa allows the husband, wife, or unmarried partner of a British citizen or settled person to enter and live in the UK. Applications must be made from outside the UK under the UK family visa rules.
Your sponsor must be a British citizen, hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), or have settled status in the UK. Adam Bernard Solicitors can confirm sponsor eligibility before you apply.
The current minimum income requirement is £29,000 per year for a spouse only. This can be met through employment, self-employment, savings, pensions, or certain benefit exemptions.
Common evidence includes marriage certificates, photos together, travel records, messages, joint financial documents, and statements from family and friends. Weak relationship evidence is a common reason for refusal.
Yes. Most applicants must pass an approved English language test at A1 level (speaking and listening) unless they qualify for an exemption based on nationality, age, or education.
If refused, you may be able to appeal, submit a fresh application, or apply for judicial review, depending on the refusal reason. Immigration solicitors in London can advise on the best option.
Processing times vary by country but usually take 8–24 weeks. Priority services may be available. Adam Bernard Solicitors help ensure applications are decision-ready to avoid delays.
Adam Bernard Solicitors are trusted UK immigration solicitors in London, with a strong track record in spouse visas, partner visas, refusals, appeals, and settlement applications for UK and overseas clients.
