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How to Get a UK Spouse Visa

UK Spouse Visa

If you are married to someone who is a British citizen or living in the UK permanently, you may want to join them and live together in the United Kingdom. To do this legally, you need to apply for a UK Spouse Visa. This guide explains everything you need to know in simple language, from the requirements to how to apply, and what to expect.

What is a UK Spouse Visa?

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A UK Spouse Visa allows a married partner of a British citizen, a person settled in the UK (with Indefinite Leave to Remain or permanent residence), or a refugee in the UK, to live together with their partner in the UK.

The visa is usually granted for 2 years and 9 months if you apply from outside the UK. If you apply from inside the UK (switching from another visa), it is granted for 2 years and 6 months. After living together for 5 years on a spouse visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (permanent residency).

Who Can Apply for a UK Spouse Visa?

To apply for a UK Spouse Visa, you must meet the following conditions:

  • You must be legally married to your UK-based partner.
  • Both of you must be 18 years or older.
  • Your relationship must be genuine and ongoing (not just for immigration purposes).
  • You must plan to live together permanently in the UK.
  • You must meet the financial requirement (earning a minimum income).
  • You must have suitable accommodation in the UK.
  • You must be able to speak and understand English.

What Are the Financial Requirements?

The UK government wants to be sure that you and your partner can support yourselves without needing help from public funds. This means you must meet a minimum income requirement:

  • Your UK-based partner must earn at least £18,600 per year (before tax).
  • If you have a child who is not British, add £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each additional child.
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You can meet the financial requirement through:

  • Salary
  • Self-employment income
  • Savings over £16,000
  • Pension income
  • Certain benefits (like disability benefits)

If the income is not enough, you can combine different types of income or savings to meet the requirement.

What Documents Will You Need?

When applying for a UK Spouse Visa, you must provide a lot of documents to prove your situation. These include:

  • Your marriage certificate.
  • Your partner’s British passport or proof of settled status.
  • Proof of genuine relationship (photos together, chat records, emails, joint bills, letters, travel history).
  • Financial documents (payslips, bank statements, employment letter, tax documents).
  • Proof of accommodation (rental agreement, property ownership documents).
  • English language test certificate (like IELTS Life Skills A1 test).
  • Your valid passport.

It’s important that these documents are clear, official, and up-to-date. Any missing documents can cause a visa refusal.

How to Apply for a UK Spouse Visa

Here’s a simple step-by-step process:

Step 1: Prepare Your Documents

Make sure you collect all the necessary documents. Double-check that they are complete, official, and translated into English if needed.

Step 2: Apply Online

You must complete the application online at the official UK government website:

arduinoCopyEdithttps://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa

You will need to create an account, fill in personal details, relationship details, income details, and travel history.

Step 3: Pay the Application Fee

The UK Spouse Visa fee (as of 2024) is:

  • £1,846 if you apply from outside the UK.
  • £1,048 if you apply from inside the UK.

You will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge:

  • Around £1,560 for the visa duration.
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This allows you to use the NHS (National Health Service) in the UK.

Step 4: Book a Biometric Appointment

After submitting your online form and paying the fees, you will need to:

  • Book an appointment at a visa application center.
  • Provide your fingerprints and photograph (biometric information).

In some cases, you may be asked to submit your documents digitally through the website.

Step 5: Attend the Appointment

Bring all your original documents and passport to your biometric appointment. The visa center will scan your documents, take your fingerprints, and your photograph.

How Long Does the UK Spouse Visa Take?

Usually, processing takes:

  • Up to 12 weeks (3 months) if applying from outside the UK.
  • Around 8 weeks if applying from inside the UK.

You can pay extra for Priority Service to get a faster decision (around 5 working days), but it costs more.

What Happens After Getting the Visa?

If your visa is approved:

  • You will be given a 30-day visa to enter the UK.
  • Once you arrive in the UK, you must collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) from a post office within 10 days.
  • Your BRP will show your full visa permission details.

You can then live, work, or study in the UK based on your spouse visa conditions.

What If Your Spouse Visa is Refused?

If your application is refused, don’t panic. You have options:

  • Appeal the decision (if you believe it was unfair).
  • Reapply with stronger documents and better evidence.
  • Consult an immigration lawyer if needed.

Before you appeal or reapply, read your refusal letter carefully. Understand the reason for refusal, and fix any weak areas (especially financial proof, relationship proof, or missing documents).

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Final Advice

The UK Spouse Visa process is strict but not impossible. The key to success is:

  • Be completely honest.
  • Prepare strong evidence of your marriage and relationship.
  • Meet all the financial and English language requirements.
  • Submit complete documents and keep copies of everything.

Taking time to prepare properly can save you months of stress and extra costs. If you are not confident, you can hire an immigration adviser who is registered and experienced.

Conclusion

Applying for a UK Spouse Visa can feel complicated at first, but if you follow the right steps, stay organized, and meet the requirements, you can successfully join your loved one in the United Kingdom.

Good luck with your application!

77 comments

      3. I like to be in UK with the person , I will like to chat with who’s interested in me let me at WhatsApp

        Reply

    2. This sound so interesting but my fear is that some of the ladies we meeting online are always unreachable. You will them send you message through their agent or whatever link they use but I find it difficult to respond to their message at least we should be able to reach them either via WhatsApp or their email.

      Another is that is possible for your organisation to link you up spouse of one’s choice ?

      Reply

      1. It’s o k but connect me to one lady and give me her. Direct contact or WhatsApp number to call or to chat with thanks

        Reply

  2. Hi I’m interested in UK spouse visa I have a passport and I’m a professional driver and I still have hand work I still do plumbing jobs and I work hard very strong please sir please ma I’m going to appreciate if it possible for me to relocate to US pls I’m from Nigeria 🙏🙏🙏

    Reply

  9. Let me have the lady WhatsApp number to delvop the relationship..
    Here is my WhatsApp number.
    Edozie Ikenna Jp

    Reply

  12. That is nice. How are we going meet this girls while not allowing us to speak directly through Whatsapp or phone numbers. This will allow us to know who is your lover. Another thing is that, how true is this relationship and Travels to abroad, hope is not kind of slavery. Lastly, the websites you you asked us to click do not make us reach those ladies for real assurance. The agent should by all means try to make something on that.

    Reply

    1. Thanks boss agent, how long do you think you’ll be posting for something and I will be waiting

      Reply

  14. All the websites you asked us to click on, did not connect us to those girls you are advertising to us. The fact is that, let have their number directly and make a call or chat on Whatsapp, to make sure you have a nice and true lover and agree with each other as a good partner. Thanks.

    Reply

  18. I wish to travel to US to work there and get married and live a happy home with my family

    Reply

  23. Please help me are what to work or if I get girl off my chuse I we marry i thank you for this

    Reply

  24. Let me have the girls number so we can talk and arrenge movement please, I want to work in Canada as an fruit pinking job and married there working and stay with you my dear love, thanks

    Reply

  32. I love ❤️ to be with you in UK .🇬🇧 or Canada 🇨🇦.But how l get there. Thanks.

    Reply

  36. Maybe u connect us together so that we can chat or is there any other enquiries u need before I can get to that stage let me kno

    Reply

  37. In above the advertisement in Facebook am here to say that am interested of a lady that will me live happy marriage life please help me, ratable woman that is good at home

    Reply

  41. Interested This is Engineer John Oki olowolayema from Nigeria caterpillar Oparetor

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  48. I wish to be in UK,if there is any way you can help me through spouse visa please do

    Reply

  51. I need a life partner UK Canada usa anyone of this country that ready to marry me I will marry him settle down with him +234 8036303111

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