A Complete Guide to the UK Spousal Visa

Is your heart set on building a life with your partner in the United Kingdom? The UK Spousal Visa (formally the Partner/Spouse visa under Appendix FM) is the definitive pathway for non-EEA citizens to join their British or settled partner in the UK.

At Nuvora, we understand that reuniting with loved ones is paramount, and navigating the complex rules for family migration requires precision. This guide will walk you through the intricate details of the UK Spousal Visa, from eligibility to the exciting prospect of permanent settlement.

What is the UK Spousal Visa?

The UK Spousal Visa is an entry clearance or leave to remain visa that grants you the right to live with your partner in the UK for an initial period. If applying from outside the UK, this grant is typically for 33 months (2 years and 9 months); if applying from within the UK, it is usually for 30 months (2 years and 6 months).

It grants you the full right to work, study, and access the National Health Service (NHS). It is the first step on the 5-year route to settlement in the UK.

Eligibility Requirements: Do You Qualify?

To be eligible for a UK Spousal Visa, you and your partner must satisfy several key requirements:

1. Genuine and Subsisting Relationship: You must be legally married or in a civil partnership. If unmarried, you must prove you have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least two years. You must prove the relationship is genuine, ongoing, and that you intend to live together permanently in the UK.

2. Financial Requirement: The couple must meet a minimum gross annual income threshold. As of April 2024, this minimum is £29,000 per year. This can be met through employment income, self-employment, pension, or certain levels of cash savings (currently over £88,500 if using savings alone).

   • Important Note: This threshold does not increase if you are including dependent children.

3. Accommodation Requirement: You must have adequate accommodation available for yourself and any dependants without needing public funds, and without the accommodation being overcrowded.

4. English Language Requirement: The applicant must prove a minimum level of English (A1 for the first application) by passing an approved test or holding a degree taught in English.

5. Age Requirement: Both you and your partner must be 18 years or older.

The Application Process: Step-by-Step

The Spousal Visa process is typically divided into two main applications followed by the final settlement application:

1. Initial Entry Clearance/Leave to Remain: The first application, granting the initial 30 or 33 months.

2. Further Leave to Remain (Extension): The second application, made near the end of the initial grant, extending your stay for another 30 months.

3. Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): The final application for settlement after completing 5 years on the Spousal Visa route.

For each application, you will need to:

1. Gather Your Documents: Meticulously compile evidence of your relationship (cohabitation, communication), income, accommodation, and English language competence.

2. Complete the Online Application Form: Apply online on the UK government’s official website.

3. Pay the Application Fee & IHS: Details on the costs are below.

4. Book a Biometrics Appointment: Attend an appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to provide fingerprints and a photograph.

5. Wait for a Decision: Standard processing times apply, with Priority or Super Priority services usually available for an extra fee.

What Does it Cost?

The Spousal Visa involves two major costs: the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which grants you access to the NHS. Please note: These figures are estimates based on fees as of late 2024/early 2025 and are subject to change.

Fee Type	Application Made from Outside the UK (33 months)	Application Made from Inside the UK (30 months)	Application Made from Inside the UK (Indefinite)
Visa Application Fee	Approx. £1,938	Approx. £1,321	Approx. £3,029
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)	Approx. £3,105 for Adults & £2,328 for a Child	Approx. £2,587.50 for Adults & £1,940 for a Child	Not Applicable
Total Estimated Cost (Per Applicant)	Approx. £5,043 for Adults & £4,266 for a Child	Approx. £3,908.50 for Adults & £3,261 for a Child	Approx. £3,029

• Additional Costs: English language test (A1), TB test (if required), and optional priority services (£500-£1,000).

Bringing Your Family Members (Dependants)

Any dependent children (under 18) you have who are not British citizens must apply at the same time and on the same visa route as you.

• Each dependent child must pay their own Application Fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).

• The overall Financial Requirement (£29,000) does not increase for dependent children, but you must still show adequate accommodation.

The Path Leading to Settlement

The Spousal Visa is part of the 5-year route to settlement, or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR):

1. Initial Visa: 33/30 months.

2. Extension (Further Leave to Remain): A second grant of 30 months.

3. Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): Applied for after completing 5 years (60 months) of continuous residence in the UK.

For ILR, you must still meet the financial and relationship requirements, and you must also pass the Life in the UK Test and meet a higher English language standard (B1 level). Once ILR is granted, you are free of immigration control and can later apply for British Citizenship.

Ready to Build Your Life Together in the UK?

The UK Spousal Visa is complex, but with Nuvora, you don't have to navigate the rules alone. Our precision-focused approach ensures your application is robust, meeting every financial, relationship, and legal threshold.

Don't leave your family's future to chance.

Book a consultation today with one of our IAA-qualified immigration professionals and let us guide you step-by-step to a successful outcome.

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