UK Spouse Visa
We guide couples through every stage of the spouse visa process — from eligibility to approval — so your application succeeds first time.
A UK Spouse Visa allows the husband, wife, or civil partner of a British citizen or a person settled in the UK to live in the UK for an initial period of up to 33 months, provided the couple meets the eligibility, financial, and English language requirements set out in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. Adam Bernard Solicitors’ immigration team prepares and submits spouse visa applications for couples across London and internationally, from the first eligibility check through to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and British citizenship.
Home Office refusal rates for the partner route remain high, and most refusals come down to avoidable evidential gaps — the wrong income category, insufficient relationship evidence, or an incomplete financial document set. Our solicitors build every application around the specific requirements of your case, so you submit once and submit correctly.
Who Can Apply for a UK Spouse Visa
You can apply for a UK Spouse Visa if:
- You are legally married to, or in a civil partnership with, a British citizen or a person who is settled in the UK (has ILR, settled or pre-settled status, or is in the UK with protection status)
- Both partners are aged 18 or over
- You intend to live together permanently in the UK
- You meet the financial requirement (see below)
- You meet the English language requirement
- You have suitable accommodation without recourse to public funds
Unmarried and same-sex partners who have cohabited for at least two years in a relationship “akin to marriage” can apply on the same route as an unmarried/de facto partner.
The Financial Requirement (£29,000)
For most new spouse and partner visa applications, the sponsoring partner must show a minimum gross annual income of £29,000. This threshold applies at every stage of the route: the initial entry clearance or switching application, the extension application (FLR(M)), and the settlement application.
Income can be evidenced through:
- Salaried or non-salaried employment
- Self-employment or company director income
- Non-employment income (property rental, pension, dividends)
- Cash savings above £16,000, using the formula (shortfall × 2.5) + £16,000
- A combination of the above, in line with the Immigration Rules’ permitted combinations
Applicants whose first application on the partner route was made before 11 April 2024 may still qualify under the transitional £18,600 threshold for later stages of the same route. Sponsors receiving certain disability or carer’s benefits are assessed under the “adequate maintenance” test instead of the standard income threshold.
Getting the income category wrong is one of the most common reasons spouse visa applications fail — our solicitors identify the correct category and evidence set before you apply.
English Language Requirement
Applicants must demonstrate English to at least CEFR level A1 for the initial application, rising to A2 for the first extension and B1 for settlement, unless exempt (for example, nationals of majority English-speaking countries, or those with a degree taught in English).
Documents You Will Need
- Valid passport and, where applicable, current UK visa or BRP
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate
- Evidence of the sponsor’s income or savings (see above)
- Evidence of a genuine, subsisting relationship (photos, correspondence, joint bills, travel records)
- Proof of accommodation (tenancy agreement, mortgage statement, or letter from the property owner)
- English language test certificate or qualifying exemption
- TB test certificate (for applicants from listed countries applying from outside the UK)
Visa Fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge
As of the fee table effective 8 April 2026:
Stage | Home Office fee | Immigration Health Surcharge |
Entry clearance (outside UK, 33 months) | £2,064 | £3,105 |
In-country extension, FLR(M) (30 months) | £1,407 | £2,587.50 |
Settlement / ILR | £3,226 | N/A |
The IHS is charged at £1,035 per adult per year of leave and must be paid in full at the time of application — it cannot be paid in instalments. Fees are reviewed by the Home Office annually and are usually revised each April, so always confirm the current fee on GOV.UK before submitting.
How Long Does a UK Spouse Visa Take?
Standard entry clearance applications are typically decided within 12 to 24 weeks, and in-country extension applications (FLR(M)) within 8 weeks, though Home Office processing times fluctuate. Priority and super-priority services are available for eligible in-country applications, reducing this to 5 working days or 1 working day respectively, subject to availability. For a detailed month-by-month breakdown, see our UK Spouse Visa Guide blog
From Spouse Visa to Settlement
Most applicants follow the standard five-year route: an initial 33-month visa, one 30-month extension, then eligibility to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain as a spouse once five years’ continuous lawful residence is completed. Couples who can demonstrate a longer-standing relationship, or who meet the “domestic violence” or bereaved partner exceptions, may qualify for accelerated settlement in narrower circumstances.
If your spouse visa is coming up for renewal, our spouse visa extension solicitors page covers the FLR(M) process in full, including what changes if your circumstances (income, address, or relationship status) have shifted since your last grant.
Applying From Outside the UK
If your partner is applying for entry clearance from overseas, our spouse and partner entry clearance solicitors handle the full overseas application, from the online form and biometric appointment booking to the supporting document bundle.
If Your Visa Has Been Curtailed or Refused
Where a partner visa has been cut short — for example, following a change in relationship circumstances, a Home Office compliance visit, or a suspected breach of conditions — our spouse visa after curtailment guidance sets out your options, including fresh applications and appeal rights. Where curtailment follows a wider visa revocation issue, our visa revocation solicitors page explains the process in detail.
Family Visits While You Wait
If relatives want to visit the UK while a spouse visa application is in progress, our family visit visa and marriage visitor visa pages cover the short-term visit routes, including the visa needed to travel to the UK specifically to marry or register a civil partnership.
Why Instruct Adam Bernard Solicitors
- SRA-regulated immigration solicitors, listed on the Law Society’s Find a Solicitor directory
- Offices in High Holborn (Central London) and Upton Park (East London), with 24/7 phone contact
- Free video consultations via Zoom, Teams, WhatsApp, or Skype for clients who cannot attend in person
- Direct experience across the full partner route: entry clearance, extension, curtailment, ILR, and appeals
- An affiliated US law firm, Adam Bernard Attorneys, for couples managing the US side of a cross-border relationship
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money do I need to earn to sponsor a spouse visa?
How long can I stay in the UK on a spouse visa?
Can I work in the UK on a spouse visa?
What happens if my spouse visa application is refused?
Do unmarried partners qualify for a spouse visa?
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Our Clients Share Their Success Stories.
Good service 👍 👌 many thanks for the great service you have provided to us. Our visa got approved just within 2 weeks only because of your hardwork and subject matter expertise. I am very thankful to you
For me, it was the attitude towards the job the lawyers displayed. Totally unmatched. I've been in and out of law firms because of the divorce with my wife and other related issues but Adam Bernard Solicitors was it for me guys. The best!
I want to thank Adam Benard team, they really helped me in my process of purchasing a property, their team are listen and respond to their customers fast. I really love your service, thanks alot.
Adam Bernard team helped me to purchase the best property for the best amount of time for the best money i have . i personally love dealing with them and i thank the team for all the efforts they made to make the task better .
