UK Spouse Visa
The spouse visa (also referred to as the partner and spouse visa) enables an eligible foreign national to join and live with their partner in the UK if they are a British citizen or settled person (e.g. a person with Indefinite Leave to Remain or EU Settled Status). You won’t automatically get the right to live in the UK through the marriage to a British citizen. You must apply for a Spouse Visa to live in the UK with your partner. Eligible applicants include those who are married, in a civil partnership, or unmarried.
Applicants must meet a set of eligibility criteria as outlined in detail below. If granted, a partner and spouse visa is initially granted for up to 2 years and 9 months. It is then possible to extend your stay and later acquire ILR, allowing you to remain permanently in the UK without being subject to immigration rules. After gaining ILR, you might be eligible to apply for British citizenship by marriage.
Who can apply for a UK spouse visa?
As a foreign national, you can apply for a UK partner and spouse visa as long as your partner based in the UK:
- Is a British or Irish citizen (either by birth or naturalisation)
- Has settled in the UK and has Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), permanent residence, or EU Settled Status
- Has refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK
- Has a Turkish Businessperson visa or Turkish Worker visa
You must intend to live together in the UK after you move here (if you’re not here already), and you will also need to provide evidence of your genuine and subsisting relationship.
UK spouse visa requirements 2024
To make a successful application for a UK partner and spouse visa, you will need to meet a set of eligibility requirements, including providing evidence of:
- You are in a genuine and eligible relationship
- You and your partner’s combined gross annual income is at least £29,000. However, if you applied for a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner before 11 April 2024, you will only need to meet the previous £18,600 income threshold.
- You have suitable accommodation in the UK
- You meet the English language requirement: at least level A1 for your first visa application
4. Accommodation requirements
Applicants must show they have suitable accommodation in the UK and that it:
- Is owned or occupied exclusively by the applicant and their family members
- Has sufficient living space
- Meets any public health requirements
UK spouse visa fee / cost in 2024
The UK spouse visa application fee in 2024 is £1,258 if your application is made inside the UK and £1,846 if your application is made outside the UK. Other costs include Immigration Healthcare Surcharge £1,035 for each year and biometric fee £19.20. The super priority service charge is £1,000 if you want to get a decision by the end of the next working day.
Spouse visa extension
After the initial period of 2 years and 9 months, it is possible to further extend a partner or spouse visa for a further 2 years and 6 months. You must be in the same eligible relationship with your UK based partner, and you must apply before your current visa expires.