The UK Spouse Visa: Guide to First-Time Applications and Switching
The Spouse Visa allows the partner of a British citizen or settled person to live and work in the UK. Successful applicants are placed on a 5-year route to settlement (ILR).
At Nuvora, we specialize in ensuring your relationship, financial, and accommodation evidence is beyond reproach.
Core Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a Spouse Visa, both you and your partner (the sponsor) must meet these fundamental criteria:
Age: Both must be 18 or older on the date of application.
Sponsor Status: Your partner must be a British or Irish citizen, hold ILR/Settled Status, or have refugee/humanitarian protection.
Relationship: You must be legally married or in a civil partnership recognized in the UK. If unmarried, you must prove you have been together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least 2 years.
Genuine & Subsisting: You must prove your relationship is real and ongoing through a history of communication, shared finances, and photos.
Intention to Reside: You must intend to live together permanently in the UK.
The Financial Requirement (£29,000 Threshold)
The most significant hurdle is the Minimum Income Requirement (MIR). As of 2026, the threshold remains at the level set in April 2024.
The Income Threshold: You must show a combined gross annual income of at least £29,000.
Note for Children: Unlike the old rules, there is no longer an "extra" financial requirement for dependent children; the £29,000 flat rate applies regardless of the number of children.
Ways to Meet the Requirement:
Income: Through employment, non-employment or self-employment.
Savings: If you have no income, you can rely solely on cash savings. The 2026 requirement for sole savings is £88,500 (held for at least 6 months).
Combination: You can combine savings with income to bridge a shortfall. The formula is: (Shortfall x 2.5) + £16,000.
Switching Visas within the UK
If you are already in the UK on a valid visa (e.g., Student, Skilled Worker), you can switch to a Spouse Visa without leaving the country, provided:
Your current visa was granted for longer than 6 months.
You are not in the UK as a Visitor or on "short-term" leave.
You apply before your current visa expires.
Additional Requirements
English Language: You must pass an approved A1 level CEFR English test in speaking and listening (unless you are from a majority English-speaking country or have a degree taught in English).
Accommodation: You must provide evidence of adequate accommodation that is not overcrowded and meets UK housing standards.
Tuberculosis (TB) Test: If applying from certain countries, you must provide a valid TB certificate from an approved clinic.
Application Costs (2026 Estimates)
Application Fee:
£1,938 (Applying from Overseas)
£1,321 (Switching/Extending in the UK)
IHS (Health Surcharge)
£3,105 (Applying from Overseas)
£2,588 (Switching/Extending in the UK)
Standard Processing
12 weeks (Applying from Overseas)
8 weeks (Switching/Extending in the UK)
The Path to Settlement (ILR)
A Spouse Visa is typically granted for 33 months (if from abroad) or 30 months (if switching in the UK). You must apply for an extension (FLR-M) before it expires. After 5 years of continuous residence, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Secure Your Family's Future
Spouse Visa applications have one of the highest "technical" refusal rates due to missing financial documents or weak relationship evidence. Nuvora provides a meticulous audit of your documents to ensure your first application—or your switch—is successful.
Book a consultation today with our IAA-qualified immigration professionals to begin your UK journey together.
