UK Spousal Visas – Applications & Renewals

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UK Spousal Visas – Applications & Renewals

A UK Spouse or Spousal visa gives an overseas citizen the right to live, work and study in the UK with their husband or wife or civil partner. It is also available to those who have lived with their partner for two years or more and who intend to marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK within six months.

If you wish to live in the UK with your spouse or partner for longer than six months, then a Spouse visa is likely to be a viable option for you. You may already be in the UK on a different type of visa, in which case you can apply to switch to a Spousal visa.

IBB Law’s expert immigration solicitors have many years of experience in this area of immigration law and we ensure we are always up to date with any changes in legislation, ensuring the best possible chance of success for our clients.

If you ask us to put together your visa application, we will go through your circumstances in detail and check that a Spouse visa is the best route for you. As well as our expertise in immigration law, we also provide outstanding service, guiding you through every stage of the visa application process and, where necessary, applying to renew your visa.

In the event that you have been turned down for a visa, we can advise you of your options and, where appropriate, make an appeal or request for an administrative review on your behalf.

If a UK Spousal visa is not the best choice for your circumstances, we will let you know. We also help with all other types of UK visas.

Meet the team

Complete support for UK Spousal visa applications

We help individuals from around the world come to the UK to live and work. Our complete visa application and renewal service includes the following:

  • Advising you as to whether a Spouse visa is the right option for your situation
  • Assessing your eligibility for a Spouse visa
  • Putting together the right documentation in support of your application for a Spouse visa
  • Completing and submitting your Spouse visa application
  • Spouse visa rejections and refusals
  • Renewing a Spouse visa

For more information in respect of our services, see Immigration Services for Individuals.

Why choose IBB Law for help with applying for a UK Spousal visa?

The UK immigration experts at IBB Law can offer you:

  • In-depth knowledge of UK Immigration laws, policies and procedures.
  • Hands on support from experts who keep up-to-date with developments in the law so that you always receive practical and accurate advice.
  • A cost-effective and timely service with great attention to detail.
  • Independently accredited immigration expertise with our team being ranked by leading client guide the Legal 500 for Immigration Law.

Looking for immediate help with a UK Spousal visa application?

If you need a UK Spousal visa and you would like help making your application, our experienced immigration team will be happy to hear from you.

To discuss your situation with our industry-leading immigration solicitors, you can call us on 03456 381381 or email immigrationteam@ibblaw.co.uk.

How to apply for a Spousal visa in the UK

The guide below sets out the requirements for applying for or renewing a Spousal visa, including the following information:

Making a UK Spousal visa application

Making a UK Spousal visa application means you will have to meet a number of criteria and provide evidence to UK Visas and Immigration that you meet their requirements. This is not always straightforward and if you have any concerns about your application, it is recommended that you seek expert legal advice. A large amount of accompanying information is often necessary and if errors are made or the supporting documentation is not sufficient, your application could be refused or rejected.

Our immigration team can answer your questions in respect of a Spouse visa application and ensure that you supply the right evidence in support.

UK Spousal visa refusals and rejections

If your application for a Spouse visa is rejected, you may be able to make a new application if your original application contained errors or did not supply sufficient accompanying information. UK Visas and Immigration need to be certain that your relationship is genuine and it is important to ensure the right information is provided.

You may have grounds for an appeal or to request an administrative review of the decision that has been made, for example, if UK Visas and Immigration have made an error in processing your application. Our team will be able to advise you if you have grounds to apply for an appeal or administrative review. If you do not, they will be able to go through your options with you, which could include applying for a different visa.

Spousal visa UK renewal

A Spousal visa allows you to stay in the UK for two years and nine months. If you are intending to marry or enter into a civil partnership, you are permitted to stay for six months while this is done.

Once your visa nears the end, you will need to apply for an extension, providing the same information as for the initial visa, to demonstrate you have a genuine and subsisting relationship and that you meet the eligibility requirements.

If you are successful in your application to renew your visa, you will be able to stay for a further two years and six months. This means that you will have been resident in the UK for five years, giving you eligibility to apply for indefinite leave to remain.

Alternatives to a UK Spousal visa

If you are not married, you may be entitled to a visa in any event, for example:

Partner visa – for those who are in a lasting relationship but who are not married, this is the same as a Spouse visa, but you will have to provide evidence of the validity of your relationship.

Civil Partnership visa – this is also the same as the Spouse visa, available to those who are in a civil partnership.

Standard Visitor visa or Marriage Visitor visa – if you are coming to the UK for less than six months.

In some instances, you may be able to apply to come to the UK on human rights grounds, for example, if your spouse and children are in the UK and it would be impossible for you to continue your family life if you were to be separated from them.

UK Spousal visa fees

Spousal visa UK costs include the application fee as well as the healthcare surcharge. If you will be applying for a Spouse visa from outside of the UK, the fee is £1,523. If you are already in the UK, the fee is £1,033. The same fee applies to each dependant who will also be applying.

The immigration health surcharge is £1,872 or, if you are in the UK, £1,560.

If you are applying from within the UK, you may be able to pay an extra £800 for a super priority service to give you a faster decision on your visa application.

What rights does a UK Spousal visa give you?

A UK Spousal visa gives you permission to stay in the UK for two years and nine months. During this time, you will be able to work and study in the UK.

UK Spousal visa requirements

Spouse visa UK rules state that to be eligible, you and your spouse or partner must be over 18 and be intending to live together permanently in the UK. Your partner must be one of the following:

  • British or Irish
  • Settled in the UK, with either indefinite leave to remain, settled status or be able to provide proof of permanent residence
  • From the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and have pre-settled status
  • The holder of a Turkish Businessperson visa or a Turkish Worker visa
  • The holder of refugee status or humanitarian protection

You will be required to prove one of the following:

  • You are in a marriage or civil partnership that is recognised in the UK
  • You have been living with your partner for at least two years
  • If you are not yet married or in a civil partnership, you will marry or enter into a civil partnership within six months of arriving in the UK

You will need to demonstrate that you have the required standard in the English language, being from an English-speaking country, holding an academic qualification that was taught or researched in English or having passed an approved English language test.

You must also provide evidence that you have sufficient income to support yourself and your dependants. For you and your partner, this is a minimum income of £18,600 per year. If you will be bringing children with you, you will need extra annual income of £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 each for all other children.

Supporting documents for a UK Spousal visa application

Your application for a Spousal visa should be made online.

There is a wide range of documentation required by UK Visas and Immigration to provide sufficient evidence for a Spouse visa as it is necessary to demonstrate that your relationship is genuine and subsisting.

Our immigration experts can advise you on the best way to prove your relationship from the documents you have available. These could include documents from the government, your bank, a landlord, utility provider or medical professional that confirms your relationship, showing that you live together, share expenses and are married or in a civil partnership. The documents should be no more than four years old. Examples include:

  • Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate
  • Tenancy agreement, utility bills or other bills from official bodies showing that you live at the same address and that your bills are shared
  • Bank statements from a joint bank account or showing a shared address
  • A letter from a medical professional confirming that you live at the same address

Other evidence may be considered, but is less persuasive and you are less likely to be given a visa. We can help you assess the information you have and ensure that the documents supplied give you the best possible chance of securing a visa.

If you have divorced a previous partner, you will need to provide evidence of this.

You will also need to provide evidence of your income to demonstrate that you satisfy the financial requirements. The income can come from a salary or another source such as self-employment, dividends from a company of which you or your spouse is a director, from investment, rental property or pension payments.

Examples of documents that demonstrate income from employment include:

  • Bank statements showing your income or that of your partner
  • Six months’ worth of payslips
  • A letter from your employer confirming:
    • Your employment (or that of your partner)
    • The job title and position
    • Length of employment
    • Type of contract held, such as permanent or fixed-term
    • The amount earned before tax and National Insurance deductions
    • How long the current salary has been paid
    • That payslips provided are genuine

You will also need to provide the other standard documentation required for a UK visa, to include:

  • Full names and dates of birth for everyone applying together with a valid passport or other travel identification document
  • Copies of previous passports, to include the photo page and all visas and entry stamps
  • Biometric identification and biometric residence permit, if available
  • Details of all previous immigration applications
  • Details of any and all criminal convictions
  • National Insurance number, if you have one
  • Your parents’ dates of birth and nationality if you are applying from outside of the UK
  • Tuberculosis test results if you are from an affected country
  • Documentation proving your proficiency in the English language, where required

You will need to supply a certified translation of all documents that are not in English or Welsh.

Your passport should have a blank page available for the visa to be added.

Other documentation may also be requested and you may be asked to attend an interview. Our immigration team can help you prepare for an interview to ensure you are ready for the questions you are likely to face.

How long does it take to get a UK Spousal visa?

If you apply from outside of the UK, you should receive a decision within twelve weeks once your biometric identity information has been provided.

If you apply from within the UK, you should receive a decision within eight weeks of making your application.

If you pay for the super priority service, you can expect a decision by the end of the next working day after your biometric information has been provided, or two working days if this is provided at the weekend.

Applications could take longer if more information is needed or where information needs to be reviewed or an interview is necessary.

Get immediate expert advice on applying for a Spousal visa for the UK

If you need expert advice and support with a UK Spousal visa application, our highly experienced immigration team will be happy to assist.

To discuss your situation with our industry-leading immigration solicitors, you can call us on 03456 381381 or email immigrationteam@ibblaw.co.uk.

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